The 2019 Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Back row, from left, Michelle Kay Scott, Alison Fernandes, Ian Trotman, Lindsay Darling, Terina Wnuk and Bernice Ribey. Front row, from left, Pier Donnini, Erin McLaughlin, Laura Crossett, Steve Harris, Kate Cammidge-Irwin, Judy Rich and Pat O'Connor. Missing: Tom Evans.

Hub Staff

Bruce county Museum and Cultural Centre in Southampton played host to the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce's Annual General Meeting and elections for the 2019 Board of Directors December 6 with three new directors joining the board.

Board President Kate Cammidge-Irwin spoke about activity at the Chamber of Commerce over the past year saying that it had been a very productive and challenging year all at the same time. "I would have to classify it as the year of change," she said.

Cammidge-Irwin said she was proud of what the Chamber had accomplished in 2018, highlighting the hiring of an outside accounting firm to take over all accounting and payroll functions and the hiring of their new Executive Director Kimberley Inniss-Petersen and Director of Communications and Administration Taralyn Golbeck.

The business organization also hired a consultant to help with the filling of the two new positions and to make other recommendations.

“One of the consultant's recommendations, which aligned with our vision, was to remove Pumpkinfest from being a sole Chamber event,” explained Cammidge-Irwin. “We felt in order for the Chamber to move forward and stay relevant, it had to evolve. We made sure Pumpkinfest could move forward, supported them with grant money and other funds directly."

Cammidge-Irwin said the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce will be launching a Tourism Advisory Committee in January. “The board will consist of both BIAs, the County, Town representatives and people from key businesses,” she said, adding that there would be nine or 10 people on the committee.

“Our goal will be to develop both a strategic plan and a marketing plan for the municipality to be executed by the chamber," explained Cammidge-Irwin. “I'm confident that this will allow us to have a plan, be fiscally responsible, be able to track metrics and bring all major players together for the first time.”

The 2019 Board of Directors are:

Executive Committee

President - Kate Cammidge-Irwin (RE/MAX Land Exchange Ltd. Brokerage Port Elgin)
1st Vice President - Steve Harris (Ristorante Rosina)
2nd Vice President - Laura Crossett (Crossett Design)
Treasurer - Erin McLaughlin (Meridian Credit Union)
Secretary- Judy Rich (Judy Rich Law)
Directory at Large - Pat O’Connor (HuronGulf Inc.)
Past President - Pier Donnini (The Queen’s Bar & Grill)

Returning Directors

Bernice Ribey (Southport Golf Club)
Lindsay Darling (Darling Consulting)
Terina Wnuk (RE/MAX Land Exchange Ltd. Brokerage Southampton)
Ian Trotman (HATCH)

New Directors

Michelle Kay Scott (Edward Jones)
Tom Evans (Super 8 Motel)
Alison Fernandes (OCNI)