A. Lasting Economic Benefits

The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games offer the opportunity for lasting economic benefits. The Whistler Chamber of Commerce has assumed a leadership role to ensure Whistler businesses leverage the Games opportunity.

The Chamber’s mandate is three-fold:
1. To maximize business opportunities pre, during and post Games;
2. To ensure that Whistler businesses are strategic and not opportunistic in their approach to the Games; and
3. To prepare businesses for operational opportunities and challenges during the Games.

B. The 2010 Winter Games Strategic Framework

The RMOW’s Games Office under the leadership of Jim Godfrey developed the 2010 Winter Games Strategic Framework to guide the community in their role as Host Mountain Resort. The Framework is the strategic planning document approved by Council that ensures Whistler

1. Leverages Games-related opportunities for long-term legacies,
2. Successfully delivers on Games commitments in a fiscally responsible way,
3. Collaborates with and supports the partners in the delivery of extraordinary Games.

The document provides a summary of the framework’s strategic objectives and key deliverables. The first edition of the Framework was published in October 2006. It was revised and updated in September 2008. The 4 lead organizations are the municipality, Tourism Whistler, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Whistler Arts Council.

The objective for the Whistler Chamber of Commerce is to maximize business success in Whistler while contributing to the delivery of an extraordinary 2010 Winter Games. Part B of the Strategic Framework speaks to “Business Success”. The following key deliverables are listed:

• 2010 Business Opportunities Resource
• Sport Events Opportunities Plan
• Brand Awareness Workshops
• 2010 Business Opportunities Workshops
• Merchandising Information Sessions
• Business Mediation Support
• Commercial Space Matching Program
• Business Readiness Guide
• Whistler Spirit Program – Games Awareness
• Store Front “Games” Theme Program

C. Additional Chamber Tasks

Apart from these deliverables, we have identified the following additional needs:  

• 2010 Workforce initiatives: e.g. improvements to the job board, best employment practices for the Olympics
• 2010 Employee Recognition Program
• 2010 Transportation: facilitate the communication between the business sector and the VANOC/RMOW tea
• 2010 Communication: Alignment of messaging among stakeholders
• ‘Bid for Business’: efficient and free-of-charge listing service for RFPs for members and non-members
• Advanced business directory with more sophisticated search functions
• “2010 Help Line”
• Identifying the Chamber’s role in February and March 2010
• Provide post-Olympic information, tools and resources

Further initiatives might be added throughout 2009.

D. How do we achieve our goals?

The Chamber is providing strategic and operational support through

• Information and education (e.g. though 2010 business events, workshops, website, broadcasts, newsletter, media), thus connecting our business community with key people and knowledgeable resources.
• Tools & resources
• Creating a market place for 2010 related business opportunities by means of the Commercial Space Matching Program, enhanced Business Directory, Bid for Business
• Offering customized training opportunities: Whistler Spirit
• Establishing two service feedback programs: Mystery Shopper Program (paid) and the “Tell us how we did”-Program (unpaid) under the umbrella of the Service Strategy

The legacy aspect of the Chamber’s 2010 and service initiatives (knowledge, tools, relationships, etc.) cannot be underestimated.

E. The Chamber’s Deliverables: