Cranbrook chamber 2015

David Hull is a great believer in the power of partnership and the necessity of long-term planning

David Hull became the executive director of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce in January 2015. — Photo courtesy David Hull

“The chamber is all about its members, and at the same time we’re all about the greater good of the community,” said David Hull of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce. “One of the privileges of membership is the opportunity to shape not only the here and now, but the long-term future of your community.”

Since Hull came to the position of executive director in January 2015, the chamber has undergone a great deal of behind-the-scenes transition during the unglamorous process of administrative renovation.

With an eye to long-term growth, Hull and the board of directors have drafted a brand new set of bylaws, which was approved by the membership in mid-September. An excellent new chamber website has been designed and launched, featuring a robust backend e-commerce and booking system. A new, modern and comprehensive communications plan will be rolled out well before the year’s end.

Setting the focus

Under Hull’s leadership, the focus of the chamber’s board of directors has become one of setting policy and direction, with goals and objectives that look ahead for five to 15 years.

“The board isn’t concerned about the day-to-day operations,” Hull said. “That’s my responsibility. The board is interested in results and outcomes.”

The mission of the chamber of commerce is to build business and community over the long term. That mission is achieved partly through networking events, educational presentations, luncheons and annual awards. Much of the building, however, is done through advocacy, which can only be effective if it reflects the true wishes and needs of the chamber’s membership.

(L to R) David Hull, Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce; Mike Hambalek, Caliper Machine Works; and Kevin Weaver, City of Cranbrook — Marie Milner photo

“We want to know what the barriers are to growing business, what’s affecting trade and commerce in our area and what’s stopping us from succeeding,” said Hull. “With 500 members we have a cross-section of Cranbrook’s economy that gives us a true picture.”

Power in numbers

The chamber speaks with the collective voice of its business community, and as an advocate, it is a power to be reckoned with. In their turn, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce speak for businesses and the economy across the province and the country. 

“That’s the value of being a chamber member—it’s a big deal,” Hull said. “Governments ignore the power of the chamber network at their peril.”

As much as businesses need the chamber, the chamber needs businesses. Hull wants to ensure that the membership continues to grow and that it represents Cranbrook’s business community as a whole.

The big picture

The chamber’s concerns include all of the aspects that make a community a good place to live, work, play and do business. Matters affecting education, health care, culture, recreation, the environment—all of these affect the sustainability of the economy and thus are areas of interest to the chamber of commerce.

“There are ghost towns all over Canada where once there were thriving communities,” said Hull. “Why? Because the economy left. Great economies don’t happen by chance or by wishes and dreams. They happen when people of vision take deliberate action, with the fortitude to make tough decisions and go forward.”

Hull dreams of a strong, sustainable economy in Cranbrook, through successive generations. He dreams of an economically sound province and a Canada that competes strongly in world markets. Foundation building can seem slow and tedious, but Hull gets satisfaction from knowing that he and his team are building for the future.

Hull said, “It’s pretty satisfying to look at a little kid in a pram or a student in Grade 10, and think, ‘It’s going to be OK for you. We’ve got you covered.’ ”