The Golden Chamber of Commerce has been hard at work behind the scenes this spring, championing local business, strengthening community partnerships, and advocating for regional priorities—all while delivering successful events and planning ahead for a busy summer and fall.
At the Chamber’s recent Annual General Meeting, Executive Director Melanie Myers shared highlights from the past several months, which reflect the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to small business support, economic development, cultural celebration, and strategic collaboration.
From tracking membership dues and welcoming 13 new members this year, to organizing networking events and offering educational resources, the Chamber remains a cornerstone of local business support. Personalized outreach has helped maintain strong member relations, with only a few renewal payments outstanding.
The Chamber is also looking ahead, preparing for the annual Business & Community Excellence Awards (BCEAs), strategic planning sessions, and upgrades to its website and management software to better serve our members.
One of the season’s standout successes was the Culture and Cuisine event held May 24th at the Civic Centre. Featuring live performances, cultural tables, and a variety of foods, the event drew a strong community turnout and positive feedback. Plans are already being explored for creating an event like this (but bigger and better) next year!
Youth opportunities remain a priority for the Chamber. A screening of the Chamber’s Youth Workforce video took place at Golden Secondary School and was later shared with homeroom teachers. The Chamber also offers the Youth Market Table program over the summer months at the Farmers Market—offering students a platform to build entrepreneurial skills—and is considering new grant opportunities to continue to engage and support the youth workforce locally.
KHCCC continues to play an active role in immigration advocacy, participating in both local and regional immigration tables. Recent work includes helping finalize a letter to the federal Immigration Minister, calling for expanded access to immigration programs to better support tourism and hospitality-focused communities.
Through collaboration with the RMI Chambers Coalition, the Chamber is pushing for broader inclusion in economic immigration programs, which are vital to supporting the workforce needs of Golden’s tourism-driven economy. Policy work calling for the expansion of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) Program is ongoing and will be submitted to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for review.
The Chamber has participated in a wide range of meetings and events in recent weeks, from emergency planning workshops and job fairs to strategic discussions with local organizations. These collaborations aim to strengthen the region’s economic resilience and improve local services.
With successful REDIP funding and several strategic projects on the horizon—including a new website, improved communication tools, and more grant applications—the Chamber is building momentum.
“Whether it’s helping a new entrepreneur get started, supporting events that bring us together, or making sure our region’s voice is heard in larger policy conversations, the Chamber is here to serve,” said Melanie Myers, Executive Director of the Chamber.
For more information about upcoming events, membership, or programs, visit www.goldenchamber.bc.ca/home.
