The Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce has a new manager as artist Rob Wall has replaced outgoing manager Suzanne Carvell, who completed her term last fall. One of his first functions as the chamber manager will be to help host a business open house this weekend.
The event, Wall said, is designed to encourage people to make their feelings known about the state of business on Bowen Island. He said that he and others in the chamber intend to do lots of listening and they look to expand membership with a view to making the chamber a more vibrant organization for a more vibrant community.
"We're not gonna impose a plan, people will suggest it to us and we'll formulate something that works for everyone," said Wall, who's lived on Bowen 22 years.
He said they envision a lively community that includes all business, not just those catering to tourism. The chamber is also looking to hold community events to raise the profile of business on Bowen and create economic opportunities year-round.
Other plans include social events for members and a website, which is in the works, as well as partnering with BIAC on projects. They are still running the visitors centre in the Cove, but the office is no longer in that building but up at Artisan Square in Wall's art gallery.
The open house is being held at the Rob Wall Gallery at Artisan Square and both Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. There will be beverages and snacks and, he says, some willing ears.
Wall also noted that the Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting is coming up on Thursday, February 23, at 7 p.m. at Evergreen Hall. They will be electing a new board and, to date, have Carol Cram and Kevin Manning standing as nominees.
