AGM Highlights Strength and Resilience
The banquet room at the Adventure Hotel hosted the annual Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce AGM on March 27.
Commitment to Building Stronger Community
It was a full house as local business community gathered in the banquet room at the Adventure Hotel on Thursday evening for the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce’s 133rd Annual General Meeting—an event that blended networking, reflection and a clear-eyed look at the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the region.
Attendees were welcomed with a relaxed, social atmosphere, enjoying the Adventure Hotel’s signature appies and pizza while reconnecting with colleagues and making new connections before the formal proceedings began.
Chamber President Rebeckah Hornung opened the meeting with a message of appreciation and purpose, setting the tone for an evening focused on both gratitude and forward momentum.
“I’d like to start by simply saying thank you,” Hornung told the crowd. “Thank you for your membership, your engagement and your continued commitment to the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce. We truly don’t take that lightly.”
Hornung emphasized that the Chamber’s strength is rooted in its diverse membership, representing businesses of all sizes and stages—from home-based entrepreneurs to some of the region’s largest employers. That diversity, she noted, is a defining feature of Greater Nelson’s economy.
“The strength of this organization comes directly from the strength of its members,” said Hornung, who is general manager of Nelson-based Baldface. “Whether you’re running a home-based business, managing a growing company, or leading one of the region’s major employers, each of you plays an important role in shaping our local economy.”
Challenging Times Call for Bolder Advocacy
As she moved into the core of her address, Hornung spoke candidly about the increasingly complex environment facing businesses today. Rising costs, regulatory pressures, labour shortages and supply chain challenges are affecting organizations across sectors.
“The reality is, it’s not getting any easier to do business right now,” she said. “Costs are rising from all directions… it is something that businesses of all sizes are struggling with every day.”
Chamber President Rebeckah Hornung opened the meeting with a message of appreciation and purpose
Against that backdrop, Hornung underscored the Chamber’s role as both advocate and amplifier for the business community.
“When we talk about the Chamber, we often describe ourselves as the voice of business in Greater Nelson—and just as importantly, as the number one business booster in our community,” she said. “That’s not just a tagline. It’s a responsibility.”
Advocacy efforts, she explained, remain focused on reducing barriers and ensuring that decision-makers at all levels of government understand the real-world impacts of policy decisions.
“It’s about making it easier to start, operate and grow a business without getting bogged down in unnecessary complexity,” Hornung added.
A key initiative highlighted during the evening was the Chamber’s upcoming Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) project—an effort centred on direct engagement with local businesses.
“This work is really about listening,” Hornung said. “Through business visits and sector consultations, we’re sitting down with many of you to better understand what’s working, where the pressures are and where there are opportunities to improve.”
The goal, she noted, is not simply to gather information, but to translate those insights into meaningful action.
“The goal here isn’t just to collect information,” she said. “It’s to turn those insights into action—into stronger advocacy, into better support, and into a clearer path forward for the business community as a whole.”
Partnerships Fundamental to Overall Success
Hornung also took a moment to highlight the resilience and breadth of the local economy, pointing to a mix of emerging entrepreneurs and established operators that continue to shape the region.
“We have an incredible mix of businesses in this region,” she said. “Each of you plays a role in shaping our local economy, and the Chamber is here to support you no matter what level you are at.”
Kootenay Lake Tourism executive director Peter Moynes was one of the key community partners in attendance.
Looking ahead, Hornung reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to fostering a business environment where companies can not only survive but grow.
“At the end of the day, a strong business community doesn’t happen by accident,” she said. “It happens when businesses are supported, when their voices are heard, and when there’s an organization willing to step up and advocate on their behalf.”
Collaboration also emerged as a key theme, with Hornung recognizing the work of regional partners and pointing to increased cooperation over the past year.
“I’m particularly excited about the growing collaboration we’ve seen… and the momentum that has come from conversations about how we can work together to leverage resources and amplify our collective advocacy,” she said.
The evening also included recognition of board contributions, with Hornung thanking outgoing directors Roger Quayle, Bob Hall, and Chris Drysdale for their service.
“Your contributions have been greatly appreciated, and you will be missed,” she said.
New directors Sheena Grant and Ross Naka were welcomed to the board, drawing a light moment from Hornung as she referenced a longstanding Chamber tradition.
“As tradition goes, the first round is on you following the April meeting,” she joked, prompting laughter from the room.
The newcomers are joined by four veteran board members that were re-elected that included Hornung, Rob Little, Matt Hanlon and Trent Zoobkoff.
As the meeting wrapped up, the sense of connection and shared purpose remained evident among attendees—many of whom lingered to continue conversations sparked earlier in the evening.
Hornung closed with a message that reflected both the challenges ahead and the collective strength of the Chamber network.
“Thank you all for being part of the Chamber network and for the role you play in our business community, and the community as a whole,” she said. “We look forward to continuing this work together.”
