A snowy spring day saw a gathering of members for the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting at the Canalta Hotel on April 18. The meeting saw the departure of several longtime board members, the induction of new ones, and a review of what has been a year of change.  

Outgoing board member and president Tammy Ward took attendees through some of those key events, one of which was the move to office space in the Humboldt Courthouse. The move from their longstanding space at the campground and mini-golf course resulted in the Chamber no longer running the campground and mini-golf course which has since fallen to the City of Humboldt to administer.  

The revenue derived from the campground operation, no longer available to the Chamber, meant a reduction in income, but it’s expected that a shift to a single full-time staff member from two in the upcoming year will offset the loss.  

Another notable change was the hiring of Sarah McInnis as the Chamber’s new executive director. She provided a brief retrospective of her time in the position since the end of 2023. During that time, the board had undertaken a strategic review toward a new vision, one she says she’s excited to execute in the coming years.  

Head of the Business Retention and Expansion Committee Chris Hergott presented on behalf of several committees. In terms of retention, he said the committee has evolved new partnerships with organizations like the Humboldt Regional Newcomer Centre, and it’s exploring innovative solutions to streamline processes and enhance member experience. 

When it comes to the strategic plan, Hergott reported on behalf of member Joe Von Doellen that the four pillars of community, business, partnerships, and sustainability drive the mission, values and vision.  

Other highlights of 2023 included ongoing connections with businesses around reconciliation with Indigenous communities, the return of the Mark of Excellence Awards to a new fall seasonal slot, and the creation of a new industry cluster with stakeholders in the region. The report acknowledged the inspiration speech provided by Senator Pamela Wallin, guest speaker at this year’s Mark of Excellence Awards.  

The Chamber bade farewell to longtime board members Cori Norman, Mike Pulice, Anne Thomas and Tammy Ward. Joining the fold on the board are new inclusions Renea Jurgens and Roewena Mallari.  

Businesses interested in joining the Chamber can contact them during office hours at (306) 682-4990 or by emailing admin@humboldtchamber.ca