Hope Chamber of Commerce, British Columbia

 

This website has been restored and archived as required reading for Robin Hunt's course Political Science 2301: Local NGOs. Ms. Hunt is a well known political commentator, perhaps best known for her podcast Watch Dog Manner. She gained national attention when she revealed herself to be a victim of alopecia and removed her wig during a television interview on KSSL-TV when the interviewer complimented her on her hair. "I'm not Raquel Welch, but I am wearing a Rachel Welch wig and have been for years." While shocking at first, the news coverage created much needed attention for the disorder, and the Raquel Welch brand benefited from the publicity. Her wig source, the online retailer ElegantWigs.com, reported a significant increase in the visits to the brand's products. Her celebrity has made her courses hugely popular, so students are encouraged to enroll early. The full syllabus and reading list are available from the online course catalog.

 

This was the official website for the Hope Chamber of Commerce, British Columbia.
Content is from the site's 2013 archived pages.

The current website for the Hope Chamber of Commerce is found at: http://www.hopechamber.ca/

Welcome to the Hope and District Chamber of Commerce! We strive to be an organization where members feel comfortable and at home among peers. From Laidlaw to Hope to Boston Bar and all the points in between, our Executives and Members work hard to promote and maintain a healthy well balanced economic environment.

Over 100 members strong, we welcome and encourage all businesses, organizations and individuals alike to enrol and share in the care of our beautiful mountain community nestled between the nearby rivers.

Please contact us for;

  • membership information
  • applications
  • news and upcoming Chamber events
  • meeting space for members
  • information and sign out of the Chamber tent shelter

 

It happens: A city's chamber of commerce site is always helpful to peruse if you are moving there. A case in point is when I was under consideration for a two year position as a forensic consultant. My brother called to urgently tell me to search for my name in Google. It was a disaster. There on the first page of Google, was a 12 year old news item of the time my brother and I put a cherry bomb in our neighbor's mailbox and blew it up. It was a true story, so unlikely going to get removed on its own. I was in town, closing on the house so I set up a meeting with the Chamber. Everyone was super friendly and when I showed them my problem search results, they just laughed. But when they saw my concern, one of the younger execs suggested that if I wanted to be proactive, I should research reputation management firms, who handle this kind of problem. I was warned it would be expensive to remove a search result from Google. Turns out it is VERY expensive - most of the removal estimates were $1,500 to $2,500 per month plus an account set up fee. These firms bundle their services for a monthly fee and those services include things I definitely do not need, like media monitoring, reviews management, digital advertising, social media content building, etc. So I then spoke with one very specialized outfit that only does search result removals - they suggested I not spend any money on this and just admit I was a stupid kid. I took that advice and bought the house. My wife was thrilled with the idea of moving to Hope located between the Coast Mountain Range and the Cascade Mountain Range. Hope is readily accessible to explore some of the most beautiful and dramatic BC wilderness. Within a half hour drive, there are awe-inspiring desert canyons, vast stands of coastal rainforest, rugged snow capped mountains, expansive alpine meadows and fast-flowing rivers. And Vancouver was less than a hundred miles away. We poured over the information on Hope & District Chamber of Commerce website as well as the town's own website. The area was a playground for recreation enthusiasts. Opportunities to ski, snowshoe, mountain bike, river raft or hike was amply available. We were so excited. Five years later we are still in Hope having started a B&B just outside of town and we are now members of the Hope Chamber of Commerce!

 

What is the Hope & District Chamber of Commerce?

Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is a member of the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Separate bylaws govern each of these entities and we are governed by the Boards of Trade Act.

The goals of the Hope & District Chamber of Commerce include:

Business Partnering – showcasing businesses in the community and telling their story.

Member Services – engaging the Chamber’s members in discussions and other information gathering to better understand the problems its members have with all aspects of their business and helping to find solutions to overcome these obstacles.

Community Involvement – showcasing the vibrancy of the community to other potential investors and businesses who may be thinking of moving into the community, thus helping the entire community as a whole in realizing its potential.

Local Chambers deal with the same issues as the national and provincial counterparts but in a more hands-on fashion. We are the collective voice that the municipal government hears, which in turn the provincial equivalents hear, all the way to the national counterparts. We provide local business community with leadership, advocacy and the promotion of their business.

What Have We Done Lately?

Each year the elected Chamber Board will work on a Strategic Plan for the upcoming year. In addition to monthly meetings, the Chamber hosted events in the community intended to generate business such as Moonlight Madness, Classic Car Show’n’Shine, Strong Man Competition and the Motorcycle Show’n’Shine. In addition to events we promote the community through a network of signage and kiosks, partnering in the Hope Daytripper Magazine, and advocacy to the District of Hope.

We have also hosted Business Networking Events, begun initiating a business to business buy local campaign, and worked closely with the Advantage Hope Office and Executive Director of Economic Development. We also try to build community through events such as Treasures to Trash, purchasing Christmas lights for the Town, etc. We are also keen to communicate with Members what the organization is up to with monthly meetings, monthly newsletters, regular email updates, our website, and our facebook page.

Joining the Board

As you can see, the Hope & District Chamber of Commerce has a lot to offer.  Achieving Chamber goals and serving our members are the priorities of our active Board of Chamber members committed to this community.  Are you interested in participating on the Chamber Board of Directors?

Participation on a Board of Directors can expand and enhance your life and business!  You can change your community for the better.

If you are interested in joining the Chamber Board, please email us at info~at~hopechamber.bc.ca and come out to our Annual General Meeting where we elect Director positions.

 

Why Become a Member?

In addition to the association and advocacy benefits of local Chamber membership, you can also enjoy benefits provided by the BC Chamber of Commerce!

Local benefits include the following.

AGM and monthly meetings where you can network with your business peers, find out what is happening and have a voice

Business to Business Buy Local Incentive Program

Member Pricing on business seminars

Invitation to free business networking events

Business Excellence Awards (every 2 years)

Brochure Racking at Romano’s Photo and Frames

Discounted advertising rates in the “Hope Daytripper” tourism magazine published by the Hope Standard Newspaper with a distribution of 80,000

Advertising opportunities at the Hunter Creek Rest Area Info Kiosk

A website listing and link on the Hope & District Chamber of Commerce website

 



 

EVENTS

 

 

 

+++

News Release: BC Chamber joins legal push for open borders

From the BC Chamber of  Commerce

Suite #1201-750 West Pender Street,
Vancouver, BC V6C 2T8
(604) 683-0700 Fax: (604) 683-0416
Website: www.bcchamber.org
NEWS RELEASE
BC Chamber joins legal push for open borders

______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, August 27, 2013 – The BC Chamber of Commerce has joined litigation filed in a U.S. court to push back against border measures that pose a serious risk for B.C. businesses and tourists.

Currently, British Columbians heading to the U.S. for business or tourism purposes face a border regime that empowers border guards, at their own discretion and without avenue for appeal, to bar Canadians entry to the U.S. for periods of five years or more under an “expedited removal” process.

“This draconian regime flies in the face of open borders and Canada’s long-standing friendship and trading relationship with our neighbours to the south,” said John Winter, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “As our countries strive towards new levels of co-operation through the Beyond the Border Action Plan, these harsh border rules need to be fixed.”
Winter added that the border rules pose a particular threat to B.C. businesses.

“If an overzealous U.S. border guard targets a B.C. CEO or other key company personnel for expedited removal, that company’s business with the U.S. risks grinding to a halt,” Winter said.

The BC Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, the Northwest Economic Council and Pacific Corridor Enterprise Council to file an “amicus brief” in a case pending before a U.S. appeals court (the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals). That case concerns the issue of whether a Canadian citizen seeking entry to the U.S. can be subject to expedited removal by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

An amicus brief is a legal vehicle that allows parties who are not involved in a specific legal action to provide courts with additional information pertaining to the case that’s before the courts.
Greg Boos is the Bellingham-based immigration attorney who authored the amicus brief on behalf of the BC Chamber and the other involved parties.

“Allowing CBP to make unreviewable determinations of admissibility into the U.S. invites abuse
of discretion,” Boos said.
Recent border situations in the Pacific Northwest where Canadians have been placed into
expedited removal have involved Canadians seeking entry to the U.S. to attend meetings, visit
vacation homes or engage in other travel into the United States.
The BC Chamber is the largest and most broadly-based business organization in the province.
Representing more than 125 Chambers of Commerce and 36,000 businesses of every size, sector
and region of the province, the BC Chamber of Commerce is “The Voice of Business in BC.”

 

+++

Meet & Greet at Joe’s Restaurant

Meet & Greet at Joe’s Restaurant! Come out and network with other business people. Learn more about the Chamber Group insurance benefit. Tuesday June 11, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. See you there!

+++

 

An Evening with Trevor Linden

 

Trevor LindenThe Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present An Evening with Trevor Linden.

This event will take place on October 24, 2013.

Here is a very rare opportunity to spend an evening with Trevor Linden.

Starts at 5:30 pm to 9:30pm

After Dinner, Linden will speak about the Importance of Teamwork and Leadership to Success. Linden will share stories and tips on leadership and strategies for success.

Tickets are on sale now!

Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

 

For more information, contact the Chamber at 604-869-3111, info@hopechamber. net.

This event is Co-Sponsored by Nestle Waters, and The Hope Brewing Company

 

+++

 

Hope Branding Initiative – Phase One Complete!

The branding initiative in Hope has just finished the first stage. It is a collaborative effort on the part of the District of Hope, the Chamber of Commerce, and AdvantageHOPE. The aim of this undertaking is to define the spirit and personality of Hope, and to articulate the unique attributes that make Hope an attractive place to visit, relocate, or bring business. The outcome of the first stage of the branding process is a Brand Book (including a logo set + guidelines). This book will contain elements such as community values, personality, audience(s), value proposition (unique attributes of Hope), and strategic positioning to name a few.

Brand Book Released here…

With the wrap up of the Brand Book, we are releasing an abbreviated version that presents the logo, but not the usage guidelines. Once we establish a plan for how the logo may be used, and by whom, we will release the full version.

 

The Hope Brand Book references the Super, Natural British Columbia brand (regarding photographic principles).

The presentation from the April 2nd open house is now available

Please click the link below to download the PowerPoint presentation from the April 2nd open house. Please note, you will need Microsoft PowerPoint to open it.

Background Report Available

The background report for the Branding Initiative has been released. Its main purpose is to provide background context for the creation of the brand. It provides an analytical snapshot of Hope, as well as looking back at its roots. It covers the points outlined below, as they relate to branding:

  • Gathering existing documents relating to community planning, visioning, previous branding, positioning, and perceptions about the region.
  • Reviewing current marketing and communication efforts from various community organizations, Hope’s portrayal through different media, articles and outside press on the region.
  • Researching the area’s history
  • Compiling anecdotal perceptions of residents’ current view of Hope (through a community survey)

Survey Results Available

Over 355 responses… holy smokes! We asked, and you answered – thank you to all who participated. The time, thought, and effort that went into the responses clearly sends a message that people in Hope are engaged and looking to continue moving in a positive direction. Click the link below to view the raw survey results in PDF format. They are unfiltered and uninterpreted… just the stats and unedited answers. These survey results, combined with the background research and the outcomes from recent branding workshops, will help us form the base of the Hope Brand in the upcoming months.

What exactly is a brand anyway?

There are many explanations about what a “brand” is. Perhaps we should start with what a brand isn’t. A brand is not a logo, a tagline, or an advertising theme. Here are two definitions of branding as they relate to our process (excerpts from Destination Branding for Small Cities, Author: Bill Baker, 2012):

A place brand is the totality of thoughts, feelings, and expectations that people hold about a location. It’s the reputation and the enduring essence of the place and represents its distinctive promise of value, providing it with a competitive edge.

Place branding provides a framework and toolkit for differentiating, focusing, and organizing around the location’s competitive and distinctive identity. It is grounded in truth and reality.

Currently, Hope does not have a clearly defined brand. There are many ideas out there in people’s minds as to what Hope represents. Are we the Highway Through Hell? Are we the place where Rambo was filmed? Are we the Chainsaw Capital of Canada? Are we about the Fraser River/Canyon? Are we about an active outdoor lifestyle? The messages going out into the world are inconsistent, making the reputation of Hope a fractured one. Do these snippets of who we are (as advertised to the outside world) make Hope an attractive place to visit, move to, or start a business in?

 

Why should we brand, and why now?

Who cares about what other people think anyway? YOU should!

A community with a strong brand is more competitive when it comes to attracting visitors, government investment, new businesses, and new residents. This all translates into more business for the existing businesses; more money flowing into the local economy by attracting new events, conferences and government programs; a stronger and more diversified population base (increasing the local tax revenue); and new businesses and services. The list could go on, but you get the drift.

Defining a brand for the community ensures that our local organizations and community leaders are all “singing the same song”, no matter who we are speaking to. Whether it is AdvantageHOPE communicating to potential investors in our community, the District of Hope communicating to a signage contractor, or the Chamber of Commerce speaking on behalf of our business community. At the heart of each communication will be the same brand identity.

And why now? Simple. If you aren’t defining and nurturing the image people have of you, they will make one up anyway… and it probably won’t be a positive one. In the minds of many outside people, Hope is a down-and-out place where you stop for gas and maybe a quick bite to eat. And why would they think any different? There hasn’t been a compelling, deliberate, and consistent message from the residents or organizations of Hope. The community will continue to be stagnant in terms of economic growth and diversifying its residential base. Other, more competitive communities combined with a challenging economic climate only compounds the need for Hope to clearly define what it stands for, and take an active role in communicating its benefits to targeted audiences.

Our branding process

Background:

  • In July 2012, an informal Branding Committee was struck to explore the idea of branding in Hope, and options for how it may be done. This informal group was comprised of leaders from the Hope & District Chamber of Commerce, AdvantageHOPE, the District of Hope. A few of the members had significant experience with branding.
  • As it became clear that the effort needed to be collaborative, with “buy-in” from each of the three organizations involved, each committed to participate in the initiative by providing leadership and financial contributions. In September 2012, a memorandum of understanding was signed by all three parties, funds were secured, and the acting Branding Committee was formalized. The members are:

Glen Ogren, Chamber of Commerce (President)

Tammy Shields, Chamber of Commerce (Vice President)

Tyler Mattheis, AdvantageHOPE (Executive Director)

Wes Bergmann, AdvantageHOPE (Director)

John Fortoloczky, District of Hope (CAO)

Gerry Dyble, District of Hope (Councillor)

Alison Harwood, Boldfish Creative (Branding Coordinator)

  • Currently, the committee is in the process of ensuring the community is aware of what the branding initiative is all about. Visiting local organizations, giving public presentations, providing information hand-outs, and socially engaging as many folks as they can reach are some of the ways they’re trying to get the word out. But there is only so much reach a volunteer committee has… pass the word along to your coworkers, friends, and family. We invite questions and comments. E-mail the Chamber of Commerce, or call us at 604-869-3111.

Phase One

The first phase of the branding process that the Branding Committee is working towards will include the following:

Background Research – We start with establishing what we think of ourselves currently, how others view us, and the different perceptions of Hope floating around in the outside world. There have been other visioning exercises done in Hope over the past decade, and those documents will be reviewed. This first step will include an assessment and audit that will include relevant research findings from other community initiatives, an overview as to how we perceive ourselves, how our audience perceives Hope, and a compilation of strengths and assets that the community can potentially “own” moving forward.

This phase is certainly the most critical (and lengthy) as it will lay the foundation of what the brand will be built on. It also involves community stakeholder input. It will be based on targeted interviews as well focus group workshops. We will be looking at things such as strengths + assets, target audiences, internal stakeholders, sense of place, community performance, competitors, consumer experiences, and more.

Strategic Positioning: Staking our claim - Building on the background research, the information will be boiled down further to define our competitive position. This is where we look at Hope’s distinctive strengths and decide how we will position ourselves. The positioning statement needs to be differentiated from our competitors, compelling, truthful, and sustainable. From there, a brand platform will be articulated addressing target audience, brand vision, tangible benefits, community values, core experiences, personality + spirit, and emotional benefits.

Articulation of the Brand – Based on previous steps, brand stories, key phrases, tagline(s) will be developed as appropriate.

Visual Identity Development – the final part of Phase One will be the creation of the visual identity system, including the logo, fonts, colour palette, and the distinctive look that will express and represent the brand.

Phase Two

So now you have a crystal clear set of statements defining who you are, and a visual identity to express it. Now what? This is where the development of a planning document comes in.

This phase will address how the brand is to be used, who can use it and how, communication strategy, marketing campaigns, marketing collateral (like brochures, websites, advertising), public relations, and the list goes on. At this stage, delivering the brand experience is also a focus, and considerations such as product/service development, quality issues, “placemaking”, wayfinding, etc, will be reviewed and defined.

This phase is beyond the scope of the current funding, and will be addressed in 2013 once Phase One is in its final stages.

Phase Three

Managing the brand and keeping it fresh. This is the ongoing review and adjustment phase. It never ends! The lead organization needs to make sure to review the planning document in phase two and monitor progress and effectiveness of the brand and its delivery. This constant attention is imperative for the long-term success of the brand.

This is your brand!

This branding initiative is meant to be transparent and stakeholder-based. It will not be done behind closed doors. We will be posting updates on where we are in the process and other information on branding here on the Chamber website. Sign up for our newsletter below if you would like to stay up-to-date on our progress. We will also be hosting periodic information sessions over the coming months that will be advertised on this site and in the Hope Standard. If you have any questions, concerns or matters you would like to discuss, feel free to call the Chamber of Commerce, the District of Hope, or AdvantageHOPE.

We’re excited about this journey and the opportunities it will bring!

 

+++

 

Survey results now available…

Survey results now available…

Thanks again to all who participated in our community survey. The results clearly show how engaged many community members are in propelling Hope forward in a positive direction. Combined with outcomes from our recent workshops, these results will contribute to a brand identity for Hope that is TRUE, DISTINCT, and COMPETITIVE.

 



 

HopeChamber.net