Coaldale Chamber of Commerce
Year in Review 2024

As the Coaldale Chamber of Commerce reflects on the year gone by, we’re proud to share the key achievements and milestones that highlight our community’s vitality and our organization’s commitment to enhancing business prosperity.

Executive Committee Highlights

Leadership Transition and Growth

• Our Annual General Meeting was held in the spring of 2024, marking the start of Robert Woolf’s second term as President. Throughout his tenure, he has been actively leading efforts to foster collaboration among chambers of similar size and resources in Southern Alberta. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency and address shared challenges collectively.
• With support from the Alberta Chamber of Commerce, we recently completed a strategic planning process to refine our identity and strengthen our role in serving our members. This initiative will help drive business growth and reinforce our community’s economic future. The meeting also provided an opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with the Alberta Chamber.
• Coaldale has experienced notable business growth. As such, President Robert Woolf and Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn have been personally visiting local businesses. These visits not only fostered stronger community ties but also contributed to the thriving business environment in Coaldale. Their engagement underscores their commitment to supporting and promoting local enterprises.  Positive results have already been experienced as more businesses are signing up for membership to the Coaldale Chamber.
  
  

Membership and Fiscal Health

• This year, we were pleased to welcome nine new members to the Coaldale Chamber, bringing our total membership to 117. Each new member brings fresh perspectives, expertise, and energy to our growing business community. We look forward to collaborating with them and supporting their success as they become an integral part of the Chamber.
• Throughout the fiscal year, our budgetary performance has remained consistently strong. Our financial management practices, coupled with prudent decision-making, have ensured that we stay on track with our financial goals and obligations. This stability and adherence to our budget have provided us with a solid foundation for continued growth in the future.
  
  

Committees in Action

Local Advocacy

• Representatives from the Town of Coaldale play a vital role in our organization and events, showcasing their dedication to collaboration and community engagement. Through these joint efforts, we are successfully achieving shared goals that support and advocate for local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Political Advocacy

• The Coaldale Chamber seeks to engage with our Local MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) and MP (Member of Parliament) to address business-related concerns and issues. A point of discussion unique to Southern Alberta, are initiatives surrounding the agricultural sector. These discussions are essential for advocating for policies and initiatives that support the growth and prosperity of our local businesses, farms, and community. By fostering open communication and collaboration with our elected representatives, we ensure that the voice of multiple business sectors are heard at the provincial and federal levels of government.

Event Excellence

• Our Annual Awards and Appreciation event, co-hosted with the Town of Coaldale, brings together businesses, non-profits, and community members to celebrate excellence and achievement. Our organization oversees event logistics, while the Town invites additional recipients, creating a welcoming atmosphere. This collaboration not only strengthens community ties but also showcases the outstanding contributions of local individuals and organizations. This year’s event welcomed nearly 200 guests and received generous support from many local businesses, further highlighting the strong sense of community and shared commitment to success in Coaldale.
• This year, the Coaldale Chamber hosted its inaugural Job Fair, targeting job seekers, employers, non-profits, and students. The goal of the event was to connect employers with potential candidates in one convenient location, providing job seekers with the opportunity to explore a variety of employment options while helping businesses find qualified talent. The job fair facilitated networking, promoted the exchange of information on job openings, company cultures, and industry trends, and streamlined the hiring process. Additionally, it encouraged community engagement by supporting local talent and contributing to the region’s economic growth.  This year’s job fair hosted 28 businesses and non-profit organizations with approximately 200 people visiting the booths.

Membership Networking

• Our Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings provide a valuable networking opportunity for local professionals, hosted at a local restaurant where attendees can connect over lunch. A nominal event fee covers the cost of the meal, while strategic promotions ensure accessibility for all participants. Each meeting features guest speakers, often from local businesses and organizations, who share valuable insights and industry perspectives.

  A highlight this year was a presentation from Shift REI, showcasing the much-needed new housing development in northwest Coaldale. These meetings continue to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and economic development within our community. Additionally, they help raise awareness of local needs, encouraging businesses and organizations to engage in meaningful solutions and support community growth.

The organizations represented in our meetings are listed below.

• Green Acres Foundation
• Sofji Nutrition: Wellness in the Workplace
• Citizens on Patrol
• Coaldale and Regional PAWS
• RCMP: Capture Program
• Shift: Malloy Landing
• Alberta Workplace Solutions: Chamber Plan
  
  

Engaging Community Initiatives

• In an effort to boost our brand’s recognition and solidify our presence within the area, we actively embrace the opportunity to collaborate with the community, emphasizing the significance of local engagement. This collaboration operates on the premise that community members are not just stakeholders but also valued business partners.
• In the fall, we joined a mass registration event for community activities, offering passes for the 2024 season. During winter, we partnered with a Town initiative, hosting a night of the “Walk in the Park” event. Attendees enjoyed seasonal lighting while indulging in hot chocolate and donuts provided by the Coaldale Chamber.
• This year, we experienced a unique increase in donations, totaling approximately $12,000. These contributions supported several important community initiatives, including the Handibus Ride, Gem of the West Museum, Ladders to Learning, and various town activities. Most notably, we contributed $7,500 to the Southern Alberta Summer Games, sponsoring the newly introduced E-Games Tournament. This donation not only enhanced brand awareness for the Coaldale Chamber but also played a key role in the success of this major event held right here in our town. We are proud to support initiatives that enrich our community and create lasting impacts.
  
  

Amplifying Voice and Visibility Through Communication

• Through the dedicated work of our Communication Committee, our Chamber has successfully amplified its voice and visibility. We have upheld a dynamic and contemporary online presence, offered valuable services such as job postings, while also strengthening our social media outreach. Our press releases and event promotions have garnered regular coverage in local newspapers, further enhancing our visibility and fostering community engagement.
• At this year’s Winter Fest, during the Parade of Lights, the Coaldale Chamber, in collaboration with the Coaldale Community Wellness Association, secured the rental of an electronic sign, offering Chamber members and local businesses a unique advertising opportunity. Businesses could choose between a 15-second static advertisement or a 30-second video clip.

The electronic billboard was strategically placed near Coaldale’s welcome sign, providing high-visibility highway coverage throughout the day. During the parade, the sign was featured as a float in the Night of Lights Parade, further enhancing exposure. In total, 33 advertisements were displayed, making this initiative a successful promotional opportunity for local businesses.

Looking Forward

• As part of our strategic plan, we are committed to enhancing the value of Chamber membership by offering more resources and support to our members. To achieve this, we will conduct comprehensive studies that align with our long-term goals, including relocating to a new office space and restructuring our employee framework to improve operational efficiency. These changes will position us to better serve our community and strengthen the impact of the Chamber.
• In addition to these structural improvements, we plan to host workshops specifically designed to support new businesses as they navigate the challenges of growth and development. These workshops will cover a wide range of topics and collaborate with various business support services, providing emerging entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed. By offering valuable insights and fostering connections, we aim to empower local businesses to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. 
• We’ve also identified a new core focus and niche for the Chamber, which will be promoted actively to the public. By highlighting our unique role in the community, we aim to increase awareness about the vital contributions of the Coaldale Chamber of Commerce. This initiative will focus on educating residents, business owners, and other stakeholders about the tangible benefits of being part of our organization, ultimately fostering stronger community involvement and a more vibrant local economy.
• In 2025, the political landscape will be bustling, as it marks an important election year. A federal election must be held at some point during the year, with the latest possible date being October 20, 2025. Alongside this, municipal elections are also scheduled for October 20, 2025, making it a pivotal moment for both national and local governance. To facilitate informed decision-making and active community participation, the Coaldale Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a series of election forums. These forums will provide a platform for candidates to present their views and engage directly with the public, ensuring that Coaldale residents are well-equipped to make their choices on election day. With the dual significance of these elections, the Chamber aims to foster civic engagement, transparency, and dialogue between candidates and constituents.
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The Coaldale Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and connected business community. As the year comes to a close, we look forward to filling new board vacancies with enthusiastic members who are eager to contribute. We remain focused on providing excellent service and advocating for our members and the community.