Creston Valley chamber 2016

Renewal and growth are dominant themes for the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2016

Creston, B.C., has a thriving business community. — Brendan Mitchell photo

The Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce is riding a wave of change. The board of directors is looking for a new president, and for the second time in just a few months they are reviewing resumés to find a new manager for the organization.

Mike Fitzpatrick held the position of manager for a few months earlier this year, working with board members and Amy Maddess of the Visitor Centre to produce the chamber’s annual trade show. After that very successful event, Fitzpatrick left the position. Vern Gorham, a former director on the board, resigned that office to step into the position of interim manager.

The chamber is focused on increasing its membership to 300 this year by giving businesses compelling reasons to join, re-join or renew their chamber membership.  The chamber of commerce is promoting Creston as a conveniently located destination for meetings of corporate groups, organized sports groups, government groups and others. Creston offers excellent lodgings, exceptional wineries and a beautiful, temperate valley to explore, including an extensive and fascinating wetland area.

The chamber of commerce, together with the Town of Creston and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Skills Training, held a business walk in Creston earlier in the year to learn first-hand about the current concerns of the business community. Follow-up meetings will be held with individual business owners as needed, to learn more and develop solutions.

There are more than 900 businesses in the Creston Valley. If people in those businesses all shop locally instead of going outside the community, it's likely that business in the valley will boom.