The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce will induct Derek Schmidt as the new Chair of the Board of Directors on Jan. 25. (submitted/Battlefords Chamber of Commerce)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

New Chair

Battlefords Chamber of Commerce set for 116th annual luncheon

Jan 11, 2022 | 4:25 PM

The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the New Year with its annual Chair’s Luncheon.

Scheduled for Jan. 25, the event is running for the 116th straight year and marks a change in leadership for the board of directors, through the inducting of this year’s chair. Derek Schimdt of Bill & Don’s Men’s Wear, replaces outgoing chair Melanie Roberts of North West College.

Chamber COO Linda Machniak said this is the first time they will have a hybrid version of the event. While the induction is being held at Blend Restaurant & Bar in North Battleford, members will have the option to attend virtually, where meals will be delivered to them. This is due to continued concerns and restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a bit of a change for us, but we’re hoping this will accommodate all members, as we celebrate our outgoing Chair Melanie and welcome our new chair Derek,” Machniak said.

“The position is a one-year term, but the individual serves in multiple positions over years before [getting there], so there’s a lot involved first.”

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A unique addition to the proceedings is getting to present recently earned national accreditation from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce network, a project that took several years. Additionally, the chamber is debuting a new logo and will reveal the findings from a new economic report. Machniak said it examines the impact local spending at business and firms has on the region.

“How many new positions of employment, how many dollars of new labour income and what the generation of extra GDP is in that window,” she said.

Praxis Consulting Ltd. conducted the study in 2021, which was complete by December.

It was a busy year for the Chamber, which is trying to get back to a slightly more normal schedule that includes more events. Machniak noted that Roberts did a great job as chair, amidst distribution of rapid tests, communicating government policy during the pandemic, taking on university interns and the completion of the accreditation documents.

Outgoing Chair Melanie Roberts (submitted/Battlefords Chamber of Commerce)

“The accreditation was a big project, which Melanie was working on with the committee for some time,” she said. “That was a big accomplishment.”

Other projects included the upgraded Chamber website and shop local advocacy. A full list of upcoming events for the Chamber is available here.

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