There were 16 volunteers canvassing the businesses of Fernie on June 13 for Fernie’s first Business Walk. The volunteers went out in groups of two and three across the community from the Ghostrider Business District to West Fernie. In the end, the volunteers spoke with over 70 businesses.

Fernie Log Carver and volunteers Jamie Mayes of Imagine Kootenay and Bob Bougie of Basin Business Advisors

“This is a great result for our first business walk and we exceeded our goal for number of businesses participating” states Patty Vadnais, executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce. The success was in large part to the volunteer walkers which included Chamber board members, civic leaders, the MLA, and business support organizations including Community Futures East Kootenay, Imagine Kootenay, Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource and Rural Development, and Basin Business Advisors.

Mountain High Travel and Tours interview by Chamber Board members Mel MacKay and Sheila Byers

Looking forward, the chamber will prepare a report for the community. “From the surveys we will identify programming opportunities, have data for grant applications, and identify opportunities for the Chamber and our community” states board president Graeme Nunn. The report is expected to be prepared by the end of summer and will be available to the public.

Orientation – volunteers get briefed on how the survey, (l-r) Steve Thomson Capasiti Consulting, Jaime Hanson Chamber Board and GPI Accountants, Cindy Pearson Capasiti Consulting, Martin Brock Chamber Board and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

The Chamber of Commerce thanks the many volunteers and organizations that made the event a success. The first impression from those on the walk interviewing businesses is that Fernie is excited about its business opportunities and the future.