This annual get together provides an opportunity to share experiences and information about tourism development throughout the province. The agenda included a review of the various programs related to  community development, such as the Community Tourism Foundation (CTF), the Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO), Tourism BC’s Business Essential guides and workshops, an overview of regional priorities and key marketing strategies.

Emilie Cayer-Huard commented: “The community programs are all designed to support local tourism organizations in building capacities and increase efficiency—from providing the tools to develop a comprehensive tourism plan, to cost-sharing key marketing initiatives and facilitating industry workshops, there is a wide range of resources available. My role is to keep the communities throughout the Kootenay Rockies informed on those resources and to support co-ordinate initiatives.”

One of the main agenda items was to review all the project proposals for the upcoming year from the communities participating in the Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) program.

“The CTO program is really tailored to be community-driven. There is a lot of flexibility in the projects that are approved because we, as the Regional Community team, want to ensure that the communities can achieve what is on their priority list,” said Cayer-Huard.

During the fiscal year 2011-2012, 16 communities in the Kootenay Rockies participated in the CTO program. They completed various projects, all cost shared with the province up to a total budget of $254,000. The projects included pieces such as the design and production of brochures and maps, community branding activities, mobile websites and the production of promotional videos.

She pointed out that the Ktunaxa nation's traditional territory covers some 70,000 square kilometres in B.C., Alberta, Montana, Idaho and Washington. The Ktunaxa have 1,500 citizens of which 50 per cent are 25 years old or younger.

Interesting was the Ktunaxa's regional economic impact as well. Chief Casimer showed one slide in her power point presentation that highlighted the economic contribution that the Nation makes to the Kootenays:

KNC Staff: 120
Band Council Staff: 75-90
Business Operations (SEM): 160 - 220
Total of 255 - 430 employees depending on season
Average salary and benefits: $44,000 per year
Aggregate annual staff: $11.2 to $18.9 million

The new Canadian Store is roughly 30,000 square feet and contains a Mark’s Work Wearhouse, an automotive centre, storage space and a garden centre.

The store was custom designed to fit into the Columbia Valley’s retail scene and has been in operation for a number of weeks after a soft opening earlier in the year.

Before the new store opened in Invermere the Cranbrook Canadian Tire location was the closest to the Columbia Valley.

With the addition of the Invermere store, Canadian Tire now has five locations throughout the Kootenays—Cranbrook, Fernie, Trail, Castlegar and now Invermere.

Canadian Tire is one of Canada’s largest and most successful retailers.

She’s had tough assignments in the past so stepping into this important leadership post should be a challenge well within her capabilities.

“My experience is managing people, sales and marketing,” she told the Revelstoke Current. “Being an advocate and building positive relationships will be a major part of my role.”

A native of Sundre, Alberta, she opened up the Eastern Canadian market for West Jet and headed the airline’s corporate sales team there.

She and her husband, Jamie, had been going to Beaton for their holidays over the last 15 years and began building a cottage there four years ago. That wasn’t enough, apparently, and so they decided to purchase a home in Revelstoke and live here full time. Moving here after years of living in Calgary and Toronto as not a great a challenge as one might expect.

“Growing up we went to Mara Lake,” she said in an interview. “So I was familiar with the area.”

Goodman joins the chamber at a critical time. It is facing a number of different issues, including what to do about the long-discussed visitor information centre, high business taxes, the perennial out-of-town shopping issue and more.

The chamber has been drifting a bit since Adelheid Bender left late last year. Bender had been brought in this past fall to temporarily stabilize things after the departure of John Devitt in August. However, she left abruptly in January.

Goodman has a learning curve ahead of her. She’ll spend the next while learning about local issues, meeting all the local players in business and politics and carving out a place for herself.  Mutual acquaintances told me she is an intelligent, organized and knowledgeable woman. Those descriptors certainly seem to fit.

Besides outdoor activities—“Jamie’s an avid sledder and skier,” Judy said of her husband—both Goodmans enjoy painting and the arts and plan on contributing to, and enjoying, Revelstoke’s cultural scene.

Judy Goodman started her new job as executive director of the Revelstoke Chamber of Commere on April 16.

The building was first built in 1976 and is located next to the Cranbrook and District Regional Hospital, on 24th Avenue South.

The 4,000-square-foot expansion is on the south side of the existing building and will house a larger boardroom (20 more seats will be available) and four more seats around the board table, public washrooms, a new office for the board chair and additional staff offices and meeting rooms.

The expansion could accommodate up to 12 new employees as future demand dictates.

The project is estimated to cost $1.5 million. Cranbrook-based New Dawn Developments is the general contractor on the expansion project, which could be completed as early as the fall 0f 2012.