A bit of a shame

Greg Douglas

Just realized my last blog entry was the first meeting of the new board for the Chamber of Commerce term that winds up at the end of the month.  Really wish I'd have kept better record of the day-to-day happenings of the past year.  Been a crazy ride and a lot went on....

Trip to Ottawa/Gatineau to meet the PM, speaking to policies at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, then presenting them to Prime Minister Harper was a highlight of my life so far.

We were awarded "Chamber of the Year" this year - first time ever in the 30 years of Sherwood Park Chamber's existence.  Definitely showing the fantastic trend going on in the local business community.  Met a bunch of people at the Canada Day Parade last year, the next one is just days away and marks the first day of the next President, Peter Court's, turn at the helm.

We implemented a new event - the Curling Funspiel.  It was a huge success and a fantastic time was had by all attending.  Bigger and better next year now that word has spread about what a great time it was.  The trade show was another sell-out at Millennium Place.  Just under 17,000 attendees visited over 280 exhibitors filling over 300 booths to represent the products and services available by shopping local.

Fantastic guest speakers from all levels of government as well as from major industry came out to our Chamber.  Meetings with Minister Kenney as well as a dozen Provincial Cabinet Ministers rounded out the political meetings we had this year.

GERCC, the Greater Edmonton Regional Chambers of Commerce became an official, legal organization, of which we were a founding member, and my predecessor in Sherwood Park, Chris Dugan, chaired for a year and a half, including the time of attaining official status.

I can't even begin to complete a list of everything that happened, and that is a shame.  Numerous stories published in the local and Greater Edmonton papers kept tabs on the progress this past year, but it sure would have been nice to have a detailed account of what was going on here - from elections, to sign bylaws, powerlines to hospitals, we were involved all over the map this past year.  I had a great time, although missed my family quite a bit and am ready for less time commitment this year - for sure!

Thanks to all for your support this past year - family, Chamber members, staff and Board, as well as family and business peers - I appreciate everything done to make this past term a success and look forward to watching Peter take over and run with the programs that are established in our wonderful business community.