Cranbrook chamber initiatives

Cranbrook businesses will be reaping benefits from several chamber of commerce initiatives

by Marie Milner — October 18, 2012

Close-up of smiling, dark-haired woman and taller, white-haired man wearing a suit and tie.

1 of 2Lana Kirk, president of the Cranbrook chamber, poses with Cranbrook's mayor, Wayne Stetski, at a chamber event. — Marie Milner photo

Middle-aged woman in business dress, banquet room with people in the background

2 of 2Kathy Callies was the keynote speaker at the Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce luncheon in October. Kallies spoke about the 10 Per Cent Shift initiative as embraced by Miner County, South Dakota. — Marie Milner photo

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The Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cranbrook are taking the lead in initiatives to support and promote business success in the city.

Business Satisfaction Survey

During the chamber’s January 2012 strategy session, to which Mayor Wayne Stetski was invited, the mayor challenged the chamber to provide advice to city council and staff about barriers to business in Cranbrook and how those could be addressed. A committee was formed to work on this issue, and this committee formulated the Business Satisfaction Survey.

The survey was conducted online between September 26 and October 26, and members of the business community were encouraged to let the chamber know what they need, what their challenges are and what’s working well.

"Since the chamber is the leading influence for change in government policies, we are proud to be the driving force for our local Business Satisfaction Survey,” said Lana Kirk, president of the Cranbrook and district chamber. “This is one way to take what the business community is facing and bring that forward to city council. It also gives us some direction on what we need to be advocating for over the next few years."

Karin Penner, manager of the chamber, said results are expected to be tabulated and analyzed in time for the next strategy session.

The 10 Per Cent Shift initiative

Last year, Connor Stewart, a board member and chair of the retail committee for the Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce, promoted the adoption of the 10 per cent shift concept. He cited the example of Miner County, South Dakota, which rallied the county’s failing economy by inspiring community members to redirect just 10 per cent of the dollars they spend outside their community back to local businesses. Kathy Callies, the mother of one of the students who led the turnaround, was the keynote speaker at the Cranbrook chamber’s Small Business Week luncheon on October 17, 2012.

Black Friday: November 16

The 10 Per Cent Shift is a natural segue into another initiative that was started locally last year: Black Friday. This event, scheduled for November 16 this year, encourages Cranbrook and area residents to spend their Christmas shopping dollars locally.

Penner said she was surprised and gratified at how enthusiastically the local businesses and citizens participated in Cranbrook’s first Black Friday initiative, and looks forward to an equally exciting event this year.

Turkey Drive: December 5

Headed by Jason Wheeldon and Warren Bedell—self-named “chief turkeys”—this fourth annual one-day effort raised at least $16,000 last year. The funds raised through the turkey drive were divided equally between the Cranbrook Food Bank and the Salvation Army.

“We find out from the food bank how many hampers they plan to distribute at Christmas, and we try to make sure that there is either a turkey or a ham in each hamper,” Wheeldon said.

The drive will take place on December 5 this year, and donations may be dropped off at the Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce or pledged by telephone (250-426-5914) prior to the date. On the day itself, B-104 and The Drive radio will be broadcasting from the chamber, and there will be contests and challenges going to keep the energy pumped up and the fun factor high.

Business Excellence Awards

The chamber’s annual Business Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate local businesses and individuals who have achieved excellence in customer service, marketing, tourism, entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and other categories. Nomination forms are available through the chamber of commerce, and nominations will close on February 20, 2013. The awards gala—the Evening of Excellence—is scheduled to take place on March 30.