NORTH BATTLEFORD — A new era has begun with the swearing in of Derek Schmidt as the new chair of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce.
It also promises to be a new era for the chamber itself, with plans for a new name and a rebrand of the whole organization.
It was all unveiled during the noon hour at the Chair’s Banquet held at Blend Restaurant, which could also be attended virtually by chamber members across the area.
Schmidt, the proprietor of Bill and Don’s Men's Wear in North Battleford, was sworn in as the new chair by Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill.
“I'm very humbled to accept the role of the 116th chair of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce,” said Schmidt, who said the list of past chairs “truly reads as a who's who of business in the Battlefords.”
Schmidt’s term will run for the next year. He takes over from Melanie Roberts of North West College, who will stay on the executive as past-chair.
It promises to be a year of significant initiatives for Schmidt, starting with a proposed name change for the organization — to the Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce.
The name change must still be approved by members at the chamber’s upcoming annual general meeting.
As part of the proposed rebrand, a new and more colourful logo has been unveiled for the Battlefords and District Chamber. The old “helmet” logo is to be replaced by two stylized “Cs” connected together, one on the outside and other on the inside, with a wheat sheaf in the centre.
The redesign was done by Kyla Vaughan of Vaughan Graphics, who presented the new look at the event. She explained that while the current design connects to the history of the Battlefords, it doesn't connect to the purpose of the chamber or appeal as much to the diversity of the community.
“We wanted to create a fresh new brand look that generated new interest and reengaged existing members while connecting more clearly to the intention of the chamber,” Vaughan said.
While a rebrand and name change is coming, Schmidt pledged a steady approach at the helm.
He said former boards have the chamber headed in the right direction and “there's no need for drastic change.” But he added the chamber was not perfect.
"We still have work to do. Advocacy and support for our members will continue as we maneuver through, hopefully, the end of a pandemic."
The chamber also released its highly-touted report on the Economic Impact on Shopping Local on the North Battleford Regional Economy. The study was commissioned by the Battlefords chamber and prepared by the Regina firm Praxis Consulting Ltd. It was presented by Linda Machniak, the chamber's chief operating officer.
The report evaluated what a shift of 10 per cent in spending at local firms could accomplish. According to that report, a 10 per cent shift could result in adding 332 positions, increasing total labour income by $15.9 million and generate an additional $41.1 million in GDP, with an increase of $72.7 million in total gross domestic output.
“It might be unrealistic to expect and attract a 332-employee business to the Battlefords today,” said Machniak. “But I don’t believe it’s unrealistic to imagine an additional one or two employees at every chamber member business to achieve that number. To make that happen, let’s all shop the Battlefords.”
