The gavel has officially been passed to a new president at the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce for 2015.
Brendon Boothman was sworn in at the annual President’s Banquet Wednesday at the Gold Ridge Centre.
Boothman takes over from Ryan Moe, who led the Chamber during a tumultuous 2014 year that saw the Chamber transition away from the visitor information function from its location to a new location in the river valley. Moe also led the Chamber’s lobbying efforts with respect to the city’s official community plan.
In appreciation of his efforts, the Chamber gave Moe an Edmonton Oilers jersey with his name on the back. Moe now moves into the role of past president.
Boothman works in wealth management for RBC Dominion Securities and holds certified financial planner designation. He has been active in a number of local causes including the Battlefords United Way and the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, and was active on the committee that raised money for the building of the Credit Union CUplex.
He looks forward to an active year with the Chamber, one he anticipates will be marked by significant business activity.
One of those is discussion with one franchise, something Boothman told the audience he hoped to share some news on “in the not too distant future.”
Boothman also said the Chamber has some land available to potential developers. The City’s new official community plan allows for business development along the prime Highway 40 corridor, which could include retail stores and other businesses.
“Their plan is to invest into the eastern quadrant and develop that,” said Boothman. “We’ve got highway frontage on both sides. It’s an ideal location for investment.”
The Chamber owns a good chunk of that land adjacent to Highway 40, surrounding its own building, and Boothman indicated Wednesday that property is available.
He said the Chamber was willing to talk to interested businesses looking to develop the land. “I would just open that invitation to you,” Boothman said.
The Chamber also plans a number of initiatives for 2015. They plan to do their annual golf challenge, which this year will be at the North Battleford Golf and Country Club. Boothman said it is an opportunity to allow businesses to “brand their business” and to network with potential clients. They also intend to hold their third-annual Business Expo in October of 2015 at the Field House.
Also in March, Boothman the Chamber’s directors and volunteers are planning on “going out into the community and having conversations with businesses, to let them know why it’s important to be a member and all the services that we offer.”
