ELK POINT – “What do we want to commit to this year?” Elk Point and District Chamber of Commerce president Terri Hampson asked an encouragingly large group of members attending last Wednesday’s meeting in person and online.
Listing last year’s events, she questioned which events stood out to be continued, noting that it may be too late to hold a business mixer as was held last March.
With last year’s Christmas Extravaganza a huge success and a boost to the business community, it was agreed that this must go ahead, with Shirley Harms again agreeing to head the committee but needed more committed committee members to share the load of preparations that lead up to the event.
Town of Elk Point Recreation/Communication Coordinator Caitlyn Bush agreed to be part of that committee, and suggested the chamber play a role in another event she has in the planning stages, a chili cook-off in August, possibly the same weekend as Open Farm Days, saying the chamber’s role could involve taking registrations and “getting the word out to the businesses.”
A town-wide garage sale is another possible summer event, and one that the chamber has coordinated in the past, usually held in conjunction with the Elk Point Auto Club show and shine.
Last year’s Business Awards Gala was a huge success, but it was suggested that the major event be held only every other year, on odd-numbered years, the next being in 2025, with awards still presented during Small Business Week in the even numbered years, including 2024, during a smaller event such as a supper meeting for the chamber members.
This year’s newest event will be their participation in the Iron Horse Ultra 100’s smaller counterpart, the Elk Point Ultra 60 km on Oct. 5, with planning already well underway to welcome an influx of competitors and their support teams for that event.
Elk Point businesses also will have an opportunity to be part of the June 15 Lemonade Day, Penny Fox told the chamber, by signing agreements with the youthful entrepreneurs involved in the competition to set up their stands in what she called a “sweet spot” in front of their buildings.
A major event again this year for the chamber’s sister group, the Elk Point Economic Development Committee, is of course Communities in Bloom, with judging to take place in early August, and businesses and residents urged to include this year’s featured color, orange, in their 2024 planters and floral displays. More details on this will be announced after tomorrow evening’s EDC meeting, which was rescheduled from March 13.
