What an exciting time to be in business in Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows! A strong economy, the gateway project is in full development and the 2010 Olympics are now, just over two years away.

2007 was a year of Stability for the Chamber. Throughout the new millennium, the Board of Directors worked hard to solidify the internal infrastructure of the Chamber… developing strong policy, established good administration systems and processes and created financial stability.

Some of the highlights of the past year include the recognition of “Killer Customs” at our Business Excellence Awards lunch. We then nominated them for the Provincial award and in May, at the BC Chamber AGM they won the Entrepreneur of the Year award, which was the highlight of the event and making everyone proud to be from Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

In October, the Chamber initiated Small Business Week. For the first time in the community, special events including a small business tradeshow were held around the community linking businesses and giving the Chamber visibility during a very important week of business.

The Ritz, are key event, went off without a hitch and on budget. Thanks to Joan Gaston’s dedication, Shannon Milne’s determination and Reg Mess’ live auction, the event was again the highlight of the year.

Lastly, we said goodbye to Dale Nelson, who gave 15 years to the chamber, the last 8 as Executive Director. I would like to thank Dale for his dedication to the Chamber and his important role of policy development and his hard work managing the Chamber through some tough times.

2008 is destined to be recognized as a year of change for the Chamber. With the arrival of Dean Barbour we immediately sprang into action, changing the energy and environment at the Chamber office and have made it a true place of business.

Secondly, we developed Vision 2008, a business plan designed to assist us with implementing and managing our sales and marketing strategies for the new year and beyond.

In short, we are putting “business back into the chamber”.

We are currently engaged in re-branding the Chamber as the region’s “premier business resource”. In order to move forward, we mapped out 10 key initiatives that we believe are important to the future success of the chamber, its members, and the business community.

Our 2008 key initiatives are to:

1. increase membership
2. increase and sustain revenues
3. increase visibility for the chamber and our members in both the local community and in our sister communities.. those who will be brought close to us due to the Gateway corridors in current development which would include Tri-Cities, Langley, Surrey and Mission / Abbotsford
4. complete 4 reports that assess and report on the “Gateway” project as it pertains to business, the economic forecast of the region, future transportation needs, and new business opportunities
5. connect all key community stakeholders – like businesses, the two City Councils, the BIA and create an open and respectful venue for proactive and collaborative dialogue
6. leverage our new position to create policy change
7. add product and service offerings that benefit members daily
8. create events and networking opportunities that recognize and connect members and non-members to each other and the community
9. provide business development solutions for all business sectors and business professionals
10. ensure highest level of member satisfaction

How do we do this? Well it starts with our new marketing strategy which could best be described as "visible, aggressive, proactive and collaborative”

“An ongoing campaign that provides support and resources to members while connecting the business community to each other and more importantly, to local buyers and consumers”

The details of Vision 2008, found on this site and at the Chamber office, are aggressive and comprehensive. I hope you take the time to read Vision 2008 and I hope that this year all members and the respective communities will see that the Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce is in fact, “Open for Business”

Sincerely,
Jeff Carpenter
2007 President