Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
A new board and executive are at the helm of the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce following their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sept. 15.
"I'm excited and really energized to get the new perspectives," Pattie Pavlov, general manager of the Chamber, said, and added the whole ballot showed a great selection of candidates.
"Any five of that group would be spectacular as board members," she said.
Thirty-two people participated in the meeting and 26 of those voted. Pavlov said, "That's a really good turnout."
The new executive, all acclaimed, includes: Justin Melnyk as president, Ashley Kliewer as vice president and Naji Khouri as secretary/treasurer - a recently-combined position.
Elected board members include: Merv Bashforth, Cassi Allin, Estelle Blanchette, Gillian Thompson and Matricia Brown (incumbent).
"It's a well-rounded (group) of representatives from all businesses in Jasper," Pavlov said. "Richard Cooper (former president) is moving into a role as past president."
Melnyk, the former vice president, said, "I'm excited to start a new Chamber year.
“I'm hopeful we'll get back to the new normal. We will have to be creative with what we're dealt.
“We advocate on behalf of businesses in Jasper, as a group."
In doing that, he continued, there is a bigger voice in communicating with the municipality and government.
"If you're not a member, reach out to us and we can talk about the benefits of being a member," Melnyk invited.
He said the new board is a great mix.
"It's a (selection) of different sectors - restaurants, hotels, pharmacies, tour operators," he said.
At the Chamber’s strategic planning retreat scheduled for Oct. 16, Melnyk said, the board will discuss what they are currently advocating for and brainstorm about new projects.
"The Jasper community housing initiative - we're sitting on the table for that," he said. "We're going to talk with businesses about the sidewalk patio (project), how it was received."
At the AGM, the membership approved a special resolution retroactively, confirming Sept. 1 as the start of the 20/21 Chamber year.
Pavlov said, "It puts us back on track."
She said the draft budget was approved, and will be subject to final approval on Sept. 29, pending a vote by the membership.
Speaking of membership, Pavlov said, "There was a slight uptick in 2019 to 2020," and said, "If ever there was a time to invest in your Chamber (now is it)."
This year's Business and Awards Gala will be done both virtually and in person.
On the virtual side, there will be videos that will air from Oct. 18 to 22. Each night will feature a category and the nominees. No winner will be announced until the reception on Oct. 23 at Jasper Park Lodge.
The last day for nominations is Sept. 24. Contact the Chamber office to get nomination forms or check their newsletter. The selection committee will meet on Sept. 28 to decide on award recipients.
"We'll be reducing to a smaller amount of categories," said Ashley Chorley, operations manager, "with an addition of our COVID-friendly business award for a business that has operated with the best adaptation to COVID measures."
The Chamber is the steward for the Robson House Historical Society. A fundraiser for the group, the Robson House Halloween Dinner, is being brought back after a two-year hiatus and is scheduled for Oct. 30.
It will be the largest fundraiser for the society this year because Robson on the Rocks, another major Chamber fundraiser held in conjunction with the Jasper in January Festival, may not happen because of the uncertainty with the COVID pandemic.
Tickets are $10 apiece and if your name is drawn, you will win an exclusive dinner for eight people worth $2,500. This culinary experience will be prepared by Chef Jaimie Hussey, with Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection.
The NETMA (Nobody Ever Tells Me Anything) gatherings, casual get-togethers for Chamber members, held periodically, have been postponed. The Chamber will see what January looks like for starting them again. Watch for news about when general meetings will be held.
