Christmas is coming up very quickly; I sincerely hope everyone is doing as much shopping locally as possible! Come out and browse some of our unique stores and enjoy unmatched customer service while getting some great gifts from our local merchants and retailers and keeping our Okotoks economy strong!

As you read this, we will have had another wonderful Chamber Christmas social at D’Arcy Ranch last Tuesday evening. It was a sold out event, we had a wonderful meal, some absolutely hilarious comic entertainment and fantastic company!

The upcoming Annual General Meeting for the Chamber will be held on Wednesday, January 18th at D’Arcy Ranch. This is the time we elect our new Board of Directors for the coming year. If you, or someone you know, is interested in serving on a board that is made up of some really dynamic, hard-working and passionate people, please put your name forward and join us. The time commitment is not enormous, and the rewards are many. Contact Carol or Susan at the Chamber office at 938-2848 or myself for more information. You can also access the forms on our website to be filled out. Nominations close on January 13th so don’t delay if you are interested.

Our membership renewals are coming up in January as well. Our current members will receive a renewal letter from our office offering an early bird discount until February 1st. We are actively seeking new members, and have hired a membership coordinator again this year to bring this opportunity to more businesses in town. Ann will be around to nonmembers with information packages and is available to come to your workplace to explain the benefits of becoming a Chamber member. If you would like a visit from her, call the Chamber office and they will be pleased to pass your information along to her.

Our new website has been up and running for about a month now. Our members now have the ability to go online themselves and update most of their own information. If you have a new logo, a picture you want to include, or just changing up the information that we currently have regarding your business, these are just some of the things you can now do yourself.

Just a quick mention that our annual Trade & Lifestyle Show is scheduled for April 20th and 21st in 2012. The application forms will be online in January, with more information coming in the next newsletters.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from all of us at the Chamber and we hope this season finds you surrounded by those you love, enjoying a New Year full of peace and prosperity!

Bev Carlson
President
Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce