Chamber of Commerce in the News
April 2007
- Wainwright Stampede Association takes up reins for annual parade
The Wainwright Stampede Association has taken over the organization and sponsorship of the Wainwright Stampede Parade for this year, picking up the reins from the Wainwright and District Chamber of Commerce.
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RCMP Cpl. Jim Moran, Legion members and the Stampede riders led the parade last year.
In a press release issued earlier this week, the Chamber announced that it would not be running either the Stampede Downtown or the parade but that it had given control of the parade over to the WSA.
WSA President Art Melin said, “The parade is important to our events and to the town; we want to make it continue. “We met with the Chamber and took on the parade completely.” WSA Director Merv Grunow is sitting as parade chair. This year’s theme is a salute to Communities in Bloom. Art added, “It’s the same parade as before. It’s free, all the prizes and judging are the same as before. That part of it isn’t going to change.”
Anyone who had registered in the parade prior to the hand-over is still registered, as Chamber Executive Director Carrie Prochner has been working closely with the WSA to make sure that all the information and registrants are passed on.
Forms to enter into the Stampede Parade are available from the WSA Web site: www.wsa.ca. www.wsa.ca.
~ Derek Kilbourn
This story appeared in The Wainwright EDGE MAXX, April 27, 2007
- Stampede Downtown cancelled for 2007
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Without volunteers, events like the annual bed races won’t be happening during Wednesday of this year’s Wainwright Stampede
While the parade has been taken over by a different organization, Stampede Downtown has not. Despite efforts made by the Chamber through its organization, the media and its Web site, there was no response to the Chamber’s call for volunteers to help make the Stampede Downtown happen this year.
In the same press release mentioned before, the Chamber of Commerce directors announced that, “It was with deep regret that, due to a shortage of volunteers to help with these events, the board was forced to withdraw from organizing these activities. “The Chamber is happy to assist community events but does not have the resources available to continue to facilitate them. “We are 100% committed to see the downtown activities and parade continue and are working with the Wainwright Frontier & Exhibition Agricultural Society and its volunteers on the 2007 Stampede Parade. We would be thrilled to assist any organization that wants to take on the downtown events, or a portion thereof.”
~ Derek Kilbourn
This story appeared in The Wainwright EDGE MAXX, April 27, 2007
- Letter: Volunteers grow community
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Dear Editor,
National Volunteer Week, April 15th to April 21st, pays tribute to the millions of Canadian volunteers across the country who give of themselves to better their communities and the organizations that rely on lives of others.
National Volunteer Week is a time for all of us to pause and celebrate the energy and commitment of volunteers.
Volunteering is the lifeblood of Canadian communities. It provides us with a sense of connectedness and well- being. It allows us to participate in nurturing our environments, bringing people together—in hospital corridors, in schools, on playing fields and in boardrooms—for good reasons and common purposes. It develops within us an understanding of people who are different - people with disabilities, people in financial distress, children or the elderly.
It allows us to give of ourselves, share our wealth, and express our human values of community and caring while finding solutions to shared challenges.
Volunteering helps us build better, stronger, healthier communities. Volunteers read, cook, coach, mentor and train. They donate, give, chair, befriend and lend a helping hand. They plant, feed, soothe, visit, sew, plan, coordinate, paint, clean, sort and prepare. They are the young and the old and the in between. And they are everywhere across this nation.
According to the 2003 National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations, more than half of Canadian non-profit organizations rely solely on volunteers to fulfill their mission. Canadians volunteer more than two billion hours a year, equivalent to more than one million full-time jobs. They have an enormous impact on civil society.
While recognizing volunteers and their contributions goes well beyond this week, during National Volunteer.
We, the Executive, Board of Directors and the staff of the Chamber of Commerce would like to say how much we appreciate the volunteers for their hard work and dedication, that make our programs run and encourages members of the community to voice their appreciation to the volunteers in their lives who make their days better.
The non-profit sector plays an important role in the Wainwright region and we need to ensure that volunteers continue to have a positive experience.
This National Volunteer Week, be sure to reach out and thank someone you know who volunteers.
~ Sincerely,
Carrie Prochner
Executive Director
This Letter to the Editor appeared in The Wainwright EDGE, April 20, 2007
- Crowds push 6,000 mark at 2007 Trade Show
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Trade Trade Show race track...
(L-R) Wainwright Elks Harry Allen, Ken Anderson and John Obrowski served as finish-line judges for the Kub Kar races at the Wainwright Trade Show and Sale.
The 2007 Wainwright Chamber of Commerce Trade Show and Sale is over, with 6,000 people strolling through the PMM to check out the exhibitors, vendors and entertainment.
“On behalf of the executive, I’m very pleased to announce we had another successful Trade Show and Sale,” said Chamber Executive Director Carrie Prochner. “I believe this is our best since I’ve been involved.”
Prochner said she was impressed with not just the number of people who came in the door but also with the quality of booths exhibitors were putting up. “They weren’t thrown together,” she said. “They were very high quality booths. Look at the Kinsmen’s, it looked great. “I was really impressed and so was the executive.”
Prochner believes that this year broke the attendance record for the show. “We’ve averaged around 5,000 for the past five years,” she said. “Our tentative number as of Sunday night is just under 6,000; if we don’t break that I’ll be very surprised.”
She expressed her gratitude for the many volunteers who helped put on the show. “Without the volunteer contribution, we wouldn’t have near the success it was. “More kudos will be forthcoming.”
Local exhibitors shine
In all, 125 exhibitors filled out 152 booths. Prochner put the split of local vs out-of-region exhibitors at 70 per cent local. “That’s a good surprise,” said Prochner, looking at the statistics and finding locals shining out at the show. “Even with our [food] vendors, we added another two local vendors this year from previous years.”
Crowds spread out throughout show
Comments heard at the show were that the crowds never really thickened, causing traffic jams in the aisles. Prochner said, “We had lineups at the door. It’s hard to know when, each year, the crowds will be thickest. “Last year, Friday was our busier day; this year, Saturday was.” The only obvious lull was between 4 p.m. and closing the doors at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Prochner said, “We’re going to try and get something to keep the crowds carrying through right to 6 p.m.”
Sales at Show up
Prochner, speaking with various exhibitors, said there were plenty of purchases made at the show. “I didn’t hear any exhibitors saying they didn’t have a good show. “I’m very pleased. Overall, we’ve got some tweaking to do.” For next year’s show, Prochner said, “We haven’t set a date yet.”
Already plenty of this year’s exhibitors have verbally reserved places in next year’s shows, but Prochner said she would like to see the paperwork make its way into her office.
~ Derek Kilbourn
This story appeared in The Wainwright Star Chronicle, April 16, 2007
Tomboy Tools - designed for Do-it-HERselfers
JACKIE ZAJIC talks with Tomboy Tools rep. Shirls Michiel about the Tomboy Tools drill
This picure appeared in The Wainwright Star Chronicle, April 16, 2007
Deceivingly dangerous. YJC shows that as far as appearances go, all guns are created equal.
SGT. JAMES LAVALLEE AND PVT BEN LAVIOLETTE stand beside the wall of weapons on display at the YJC booth at the Chamber Trade Show and Sale this past weekend. Of all the weapons on display, the first three (numbered 1, 2 and 3 on the display) are the ones which fire pellets or paint-balls.
This picure appeared in The Wainwright Star Chronicle, April 16, 2007
Johnny Xayey totes tables during the setup phase of the trade show. The Longhorns football team was tapped to help with the preparations, with funds going towards the team’s coffers. The team was part of the Tuesday and Wednesday setup, and will also be helping with the tear-down and cleanup.
This picure appeared in The Wainwright EDGE, April 13, 2007
- Exhibitors for trade show start setup on Thursday
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The Annual Wainwright Chamber of Commerce Trade Show and Sale kicks off this Friday, but exhibitors can get in starting at noon on Thursday to begin setting up.
Chamber Executive Director Carrie Prochner said on Monday morning, “I still have calls coming in with people that want to participate in the show. “Setup will start on Tuesday at 5 p.m.” She added that there are enough volunteers for the early setup but would appreciate volunteers for during the show. “Anyone who has a couple of hours would be greatly appreciated.”
Exhibitors with larger items (like trucks) will already be in place by noon on Thursday; the rest of the exhibitors will then be moved in.
Doors open to the public on Friday at 1 p.m. The show will run from 1 till 9 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. on Saturday. Added to the feature shows this year are the Kub Kars from Wainwright Scouting, and Prochner expects a heavy audience for “the all-time favourite: the baby crawl.” Making a return will be the fashion show, and many other regular trade show features.
“It’s very exciting,” said Carrie.
~ Derek Kilbourn
This story appeared in The Wainwright Star Chronicle, April 9, 2007
Business After Hours
KELLY LINDBECK, owner of Kel’s Esthetics, does Chamber Executive Director Carrie Prochner’s nails during her Chamber after-hours event recently. The business, located just off Main Street, east on 2 Ave, was the latest Chamber member to host an after-hours event. The after-hours program is open to all Chamber members to host, whether the business is a new or long-standing member of the Wainwright & District Chamber of Commerce. Call Carrie at the Chamber office to set up a date.
This picture appeared in The Wainwright Star Chronicle, April 9, 2007
