Members of the Trail Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to merge with the Rossland Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 18.
“The red tape isn’t all in line yet, because we are looking at a name change,” said Audry Lochrie, executive director of the Trail Chamber.
Though the Chamber’s logo identifies the organization as the Trail and District Chamber of Commerce, the name was never officially changed.
The board will also need to be restructured so that Rossland is also represented.
“I’m talking to three people that were previously on the Rossland Chamber that are interested in joining this Chamber,” said Lochrie. “My goal would be to have half the board members from Rossland and a diverse group, so not just everybody from construction sector, or everybody from tourism sector, but a real diverse group.”
Lochrie and the Chamber will continue to work out the details of the merger in the near future.
Meanwhile, Rossland business owners wondering what benefits they’ll receive from joining the chamber can expect help with West Kootenay-wide marketing and promotion.
“We’re doing lots of promotions and marketing, with feature business articles, with Facebook, monthly newsletters, and the front page of our website,” said Lochrie. “We’re also promoting in different business magazines.”
The Chamber also offers its members a health benefit program, which is a big draw.
Since the merger, 30 Rossland businesses have already joined the Chamber, and Lochrie said they haven’t even started actively recruiting yet.
“It’s just kind of been organic recruiting,” she said.
The Chamber invites Rossland business owners — non-members are invited too — to take part in a series of free seminars to celebrate Chamber week. The free lunch and learn seminars will be held Monday, Feb. 15 to Thursday, Feb. 18, from 12 to 1 p.m. and will include free lunch.
Those interested in attending should RSVP by Firday, Feb. 12 by calling 250-368-3144 or emailing membershipmanager@trailchamber.bc.ca.