Carla Pepe, Membership Representative with Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce at the 60th Annual Economic Development Council of Ontario Conference and Showcase. The S.S. Trolley was up for an award in the Building and Infrastructure category.
The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce and the S.S. Trolley are coming home with an Honourable Mention from the Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO) 60th Annual Conference and Showcase. The Trolley was up for an Award of Excellence in the category of Building and Infrastructure.
Bruce County, the Town of Saugeen Shores and the Port Elgin BIA were also recognized for the Port Elgin Dining Guide publication.
Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce Membership Representative Carla Pepe was in attendance at the awards ceremony. “We are so honoured to receive this award. This recognition from our peers belongs to all 400 Chamber members, the Board and our partners in this innovative economic development venture. We can do great things together,” said Pepe.
Chamber President Pier Donnini added, “Ultimately, as the Chamber of Commerce and lead on the project, we wanted to encourage our tourists and beachgoers to visit our shops, dine at our restaurants, enjoy our attractions and extend their stay with our accommodators, while we give them an experience to remember.”
In a February 9 media release, Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce stated that none of this would have been possible without Trolley partners supporting and aiding the Chamber to meet the financial operating budget of this venture. Partners include Southampton and Port Elgin BIAs, Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre and the Municipality of Saugeen Shores. Special thanks should be given to Bruce County’s Spruce the Bruce program and the RTO7 Experience Development program that have both funded aspects of the project and have been part of the logistics team.
The S.S. Trolley has been on ongoing project of the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce since March of 2015, when a concept used in Florida with a golf cart shuttle was presented to the Board via an email from a member. From this humble beginning, the concept of a trolley to join our two downtowns and get our beachgoers and visitors moving about our community, while giving them an experience was born.
The Chamber Board, Trolley sub-committee and staff has worked to bring this concept to life. Creating a business plan, presenting it to - and getting approval from - all partners then hunting down and purchasing the Trolley was only the beginning of this voyage. Without the ongoing support of our Chamber members none of this would be possible. All 400 members own a little piece of this – and they should be proud.
