Squamish Chamber Sizzling (Drizzling) Summer Social - Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who attended our fun event last Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
Thanks so much to our Sponsors:
West Coast Railway Heritage Park
PSAV
M&M Meats
Nesters Market
The Lions Club
VANOC - Home Stay
Boston Pizza
Howe Sound Inn & Brew Pub
A huge thank you to all our volunteers - we couldn't not have done it without you.
The Squamish Chamber of Commerce
The Squamish Chamber of Commerce is the vibrant voice of local business. Whether you want to feel the pulse of the local economy, get connected with local business people or simply introduce yourself to the Squamish market place, the Chamber of Commerce is the place to start.
The Squamish Chamber located in the Squamish Adventure Centre is home to Squamish's Visitor Information Centre, activity booking and ticket centre.
Find out about events, educational opportunities, 2010 opportunities, advertising & networking opportunities, how to join the Squamish Chamber and more by calling us at
604-815-4990.
NEW - See Squamish Chamber photos on FLICKR: www.flickr.com/photos/squamishchamber/
Squamish is located halfway between Vancouver and Whistler at the head of Howe Sound. Surrounded by the scenic Coast Mountains, this dynamic young community offers outstanding lifestyle and business opportunities. More than 15,000 people call the District of Squamish their home.
As the hub of the Sea to Sky Corridor, Squamish provides a full range of services to a regional population of more than 25,000. Its location and accessibility have spurred growth and economic diversification. As the "Heart of Sea to Sky", the District of Squamish is further poised to maximize economic opportunities and build lasting legacies resulting from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Chamber Board Strategic Plan Summary 2009
Please feel free to have a look at the latest strategies that the Chamber Board is planning.
Chamber Board Strategic Plan 2009 : PDF File
Chamber Membership Testimonial
"About all the events, The Squamish Chamber always seems to arrange events that will clearly have an impact on our business. So, even though I live in another town and we have staff in Squamish that could go, I often can't resist going to them myself! Special thanks to Victoria and Carolyn who seem to have "the touch" when it comes to choosing events."
"About Chris Flett / MCG evening: I cant thank you enough for speaking to me as an entrepreneur. It was so valuable to hear someone else talking like I think (but cant say to anyone around me, because they cant get excited about it). I felt such a relief to be supported and understood in that environment."
"About the 2010 Opportunities workshop: I never thought of our company as sustainable before. But, as Ken Veldman spoke I realized more and more things that we already do in our company that make us sustainable. That evening gave our company the realization of a whole new strength that we can compete with!"
Garth Wardle, Allsite IT"My husband and I are thrilled with all the contacts we have made through attending the Chamber events. We have learnt so much, in such a short time on new directions to explore with our businesses. It has also been a great social, we've met some wonderful people. Thank you."
Terri & Harvey Kroeker, Glacier View Cedar Homes and Diamond Head Yamaha"Joining the Squamish Chamber of commerce in 2003 for me was all about networking, professional development and meeting new friends. Having moved to Squamish 4 years ago and working from a home office, joining the Chamber has been an invaluable experience both on a business and personal level. I will be an active chamber member for as long as I continue to work and live in this great community."
Kim Stegeman, Horwath Consultants, Chamber of Commerce Board Member (2004 - 2007)Squamish Chamber of Commerce Committees
The Squamish chamber of commerce encourages both members of the Chamber and members of the community to participate in our events, programs and committees.
If you would like to get involved in one of the below committees, please contact us!
Financial CommitteeSameer Kajani, Chair
Darren McCartney
Steve Drinkwater
Membership Committee
Stephanie Wells, Chair
Margo Dent
Sameer Kajani
Victoria Rigdon, Manager
Carolyn Green, Staff
Business Success Committee
Denise Jimmo, Chair
Kris Szylowski
Stephanie Wells
Victoria Rigdon, Manager
Carolyn Green, Staff
Business Development and Advocacy
Michael Hutchinson, Chair
Darren McCartney
Steve Drinkwater
Sameer Kajani
Ron Anderson
Annual General Meeting & President's Gala
Margo Dent
Stephanie Wells
Denise Jimmo
Victoria Rigdon, Manager
Carolyn Green, Staff
Trade Show
Denise Jimmo
Victoria Rigdon, Manager
Carolyn Green, Staff
Golf Tournament
Sameer Kajani
Denise Jimmo
Kris Szylowski
Margo Dent
Victoria Rigdon, Manager
Carolyn Green, Staff
Chamber After 5
Stephanie Wells
Victoria Rigdon, Manager
Carolyn Green, Staff
Transportation Committee
Steve Drinkwater
Governance Committee Darren McCartney, Chair
Steve Drinkwater
Maurice Freitag
Ron Anderson
Olympic Committee
Margo Dent
Stephanie Wells
Kris Syzlowski
Communication, Squamish Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie Wells
In addition to the regular roles and responsibilities that our Board Members hold, some are actively involved in other areas of the community noted below:
Squamish Sustainability Corporation
Michael Hutchison
Spirit Committee
Margo Dent
Accessibility Committee
Maurice Freitag
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2008
Every year, the Chamber of Commerce honours hardworking individuals for their outstanding contribution to our community.
Congratulations to Densie Imbeau the recipient of the 2008 Citizen of the Year Award.
Denise was born and raised in Squamish. After attending Cap College in Vancouver for Business, Denise returned to her home town to start her career and family.
In addition to Denise full time job as the Business Manager for Greg Gardner she still finds time to give back to the community through endless volunteering.
What she gives is not just hours. It is passion. She has a way of igniting hope, spirit and action. It is obvious to anyone who meets her that Squamish’s future; reputation and growth are a real and personal concern of hers.
Denise has brought so much joy and positive energy to our Community of Squamish over many years. Some of her volunteer activities include:
Coaching Girl’s Softball, Board Member – Squamish Skating Club, Rotary Member, Communities in Bloom Guide, Founding Board Member – Team Squamish, Pitch–In Coordinator, Regular Master of Ceremonies at Community Functions and Public Forums, Cable Host “My Squamish Magazine” Sea To Sky Restorative Justice, Valleycliffe Elementary PAC, Howe Sound Secondary PAC and Grad , Squamish Skating Club, Chamber of Commerce Olympic Coordinating Committee, Seniors’ Centre Fundraising Committee, Community Christmas Care and many more.
Denise Imbeau is the epitome of the Squamish volunteer spirit. In 2008 she worked tirelessly to create the Callaghan Valley Local Organizing Committee (“CALOC”) and coordinate 400 volunteers hosting 14 Nordic events in Squamish. Four were National Championships described as the “best ever”. Denise’s was instrumental in Squamish becoming a Nordic skiing destination and hosting five World Cup events in 2009.
Denise is the definition of Community Spirit and an inspiration to all that meet her.
2008 SQUAMISH LOCAL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Squamish, BC, February 2, 2009 — BusinessSquamish.com and the Squamish Chamber of Commerce partnered together to successfully host the 2008 Squamish Local Business of the Year Awards – and the winners have been announced!
Echoflex Solutions Inc. received the 2008 Squamish Local Business of the Year Award, presented at the Squamish Chamber of Commerce 2009 AGM & Presidents Gala on January 31. Founded and run by 2 Squamish locals Brian Aikens and Shawn Pedersen, Echoflex Solutions Inc. manufactures and distributes EnOcean's patented radio and energy harvesting technology, bringing wireless control solutions to lighting, HVAC and process control applications. Honourable mentions were given to the runner ups – Trinity Romance and Plan N Trade Squamish.
These winners were among 13 finalists selected by their peers, nominated online at www.BusinessSquamish.com. The ultimate award winner was selected by a panel of judges from the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, BusinessSquamish.com, and the Squamish Council, based on criteria that included: nominations received, online votes from their peers, innovation, level of service, and contribution to local economic development – all of which Echoflex Solutions excelled in.
The prize for most online peer votes went to Trinity Romance, while one lucky random voter was also awarded a Participation Prize.One of Echoflex’s nominators explained “Echoflex is putting Squamish on the global map for REAL SOLUTIONS for needs-based lighting, space specific temperature control, and demand response needs in an effort to conserve energy and make the planet 'greener'.”