Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce

Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce has an up-to-date website designed to be the go-to place for business information

by Lisa Crane — January 13, 2013

Ruth Hamilton, manager of the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce, is responsible for the chamber's award-winning website. — Darryl Crane photo

In 2009, the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce (KHCCC) recognized the need to update its website. Chamber manager Ruth Hamilton said it was challenging to navigate and no longer able to support the needs of the chamber.

“We believed in order for our members and the chamber to be successful, we required first and foremost a new website,” said Hamilton.

She said the chamber applied for and was successful in receiving grant funds from the Town of Golden and Columbia Basin Trust to help with the cost of developing a new website. That website was among the winners in Kootenay Business's new DigiTech Awards, which were announced earlier in January.

“Our intent is to make the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce website the go-to place to find information and businesses in Golden,” said Hamilton. “It also provides information about doing business in Golden, a variety of businesses and top-line information.”

Hamilton said she uses the website, Facebook and Twitter to promote the chamber's membership businesses and chamber events.

“We maintain a strong social media presence to get the word out about doing business in Golden,” said Hamilton.

She said that her job as the manager is to ensure that the web content is always fresh, up to date, continually changing and developing.

Another website feature is the KHCCC weekly newsletter: The Friday Notes.

“Every Friday morning this newsletter is sent to over 300 individuals, showcasing members, supplying relevant business information and upcoming community events,” said Hamilton.