Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
The Nakusp and District Chamber of Commerce held their Annual General Meeting on Thursday night with attendance of 21 members. There were a few changes to the board including the addition of Trisha Shanks representing the Arrow Lakes News.
President Peter Welkerling gave a verbal report covering the highlights of the last year. During 2014, more than 13,000 full colour brochures were given out, new signs were erected at both ferry landings (Galena and Needles), new ferry racking (brochure display) was installed and then immediately sold out. Ferry racking offers local businesses a slot to advertise their product or service to the people travelling on the ferries and is considered to be a very prominent and effective means of advertising in the area.
Welkerling acknowledged the tremendous job that the Festival Committee did with the year’s events, namely the Mushroom Gala and the Festival of Lights held prior to Christmas. He discussed some of the goals for this year. They include hiring a new Events Coordinator since Craig Savage has moved away from the area, a booth at the Calgary Outdoor Show and updated signs at both entrances to town on Highway 23 and Highway 6 south of the village. The Chamber also hopes to purchase and erect banners upon which the messages can be changed by adding and removing letters, similar to a marquee.
Cedra Eichenauer gave a report about the Visitor Centre which included some informative statistics. During the 2014 tourist season, close to 5,000 parties were served. Most were looking for maps, directions, attractions and facilities such as washrooms or Wi-Fi. They gave out 3000 hiking and biking maps and 1500 winter guides. The website has had 54,600 page views with visitors staying longer and viewing more items.
Mayor Karen Hamling was on hand to swear all of the Directors in. “I want to thank the Chamber for being extremely active, putting on a number of things this year. And that was one of the best Christmas events we have had in a long time,” she said.
The meeting ended with former President Dawn Devlin presenting information and a survey on the West Koot Route, the new tourism branding project which is a joint effort between several communities in the West Kootenays. Their website states, “The West Koot Route is a peaceful two-lane highway which gives access to this stunning landscape, winding through quiet lakeside villages, traversing up and down rocky mountain passes, and serpentining along cliffs that offer scenery rivaling any on the planet.”
Devlin is busy conducting visits with many area businesses to garner support and information to support the program.