The Innisfail Chamber of Commerce's new executive director aims to help the local business advocate create more value for its membership.
She doesn't want to achieve this through a complete overhaul, but rather by building on the foundation the chamber of commerce has already built.
“What the chamber really hopes to do is to do a better job of the same programs we've been running in the past,” she said.
Wendy Morrison began her new job on March 25. Since then she's been tasked with organizing the chamber's events, including its upcoming trade show. Besides that she would like to see local businesses become more successful and she would like to see the chamber's membership grow.
Morrison believes she can achieve those goals by improving on what's already in place. She believes events can become significantly more successful each year if they are planned well in the first place. That's why she wants to do a better job with the events already planned.
“What I have found in my past dealings, is that if you create an event people are proud of, that event will grow exponentially in the next year… What events we do run, I want members and the community to be quite proud of it, as well as myself.”
The Innisfail Chamber of Commerce acts as an advocate for the local business community. Currently, the chamber of commerce has about 200 members. The chamber organizes events such as its annual trade show, a Small Business Week gala in October, its Santa Sleigh Project, and also helps organize the parade that runs during the Innisfail Pro Rodeo.
Morrison comes to the chamber with 30 years of marketing and business experience. Before working with the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce, she worked on contract with Alberta Employment and Immigration helping people start their own businesses in Central Alberta. She used to own her own incorporated marketing agency where she offered everything from logo design to complete marketing campaigns. She's educated in business administration and graphic design.
“I think I have a good understanding of the marketplace here,” she said. “I was a business consultant for the Alberta Government for the last three years…. I've helped over 100 businesses get up and running in Central Alberta in the past three years.”
Morrison moved to the Innisfail area in 1999. She lives with her husband on a ranch just outside of town.
“What I would like to see is the chamber supported by its local community and that we are a strong voice for continued growth of Innisfail's success in business and tourism,” she said.
Innisfail Chamber of Commerce president Doug Bos said he felt Morrison was the best candidate for the executive director's position considering her marketing and business experience.
“With her event planning experience we're hoping she can bring a lot to the chamber. Our events could be bolstered and much more eventful,” he said.
