Building relationships

The Kimberley & District Chamber of Commerce looks forward to continuing great relationships with the city's business community

Darren Close, president of Kimberley's chamber of commerce, and Marg Holman, manager of the chamber, look forward to close ties with the community. — Lisa Crane photo

In January, Kimberley local Darren Close was elected as the new president of the Kimberley and District Chamber of Commerce. Close originally came to Kimberley from Victoria, British Columbia, to open a restaurant. He transitioned into real estate, and currently works for East Kootenay Realty. Although he has been involved with the Kimberley chamber in the past, he is excited to be more hands-on; since his election in January, he said, he is enjoying a very positive experience working with a new board of directors.

Close said that when the board members met to define their goals, they ultimately decided that improving relationships within the community was vital.

“We saw a need to re-engage the business community,” he said. “One of our biggest goals this year was to re-establish the relationships between the City, the chamber, Tourism Kimberley and local stakeholders.”

Close said it is his perception that the relationships that have been built over the past year seem to be a lot stronger.

Defining directions

Currently, the chamber is directly involved with the city project to renew the Kimberley Story—which, Close said, most people have heard about by now. This is an effort by the City of Kimberley to renew and rebrand the city's identity.

“We are also working right now on increasing membership,” said Close. “We are receiving great support from the city and from the existing membership.”

Recently, succession planning workshops were offered to business owners and they were a great success; further workshops concerning business valuation may be offered in the future. Close said that the chamber is keen on focusing on the positive side of business development in Kimberley, and that this will ultimately benefit the community.

“It is so positive to see young families and couples moving into the area for lifestyle and opportunity,” said Close. “We have seen quite a dramatic growth in enrolments at the elementary schools.”

He said considering that everyone is recovering economically, the past year has been positive.

Joining forces

In light of this, Close said, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), the chamber, the City and the local real estate agencies have grouped together in a partnership for a marketing campaign that promotes the lifestyle of Kimberley.

“We have been circulating this in a publication to show people what we can offer,” said Close.

Close is confident that the chamber in Kimberley will continue as an active voice in the community for all business.

“I am working with a diverse group of people, who all have their specific skill sets,” said Close. “Everyone is doing what they do naturally, which makes for a great group of volunteers who are working together really well to achieve our goals.”