The Chamber's Role - Whistler Chamber of Commerce

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The Chamber's Role

2010 Winter Games: The Whistler Chamber’s mandate and projects

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:

Initiated by:	Key Deliverables	Projects, Achievements, and Upcoming Tasks (as of March 2009)
Strategic Framework	2010 Business Opportunities Resource	Provide Business Opportunities information through events and communication channels (e.g. Bill Malone, RBC Speaker Series, website, broadcasts, newsletters) Promote Business Opportunities Guide (issued by RBC and 2010 Commerce Centre) to membership Since 2006, Chamber held at least 16 luncheons and 2010 business related issues with an attendance of over 1700 people. Committed to relay messages and information as they become available
Strategic Framework	2010 Business Opportunities Workshops	Since 2005 delivered more 2010 Business Opportunites workshops than any other organization in BC: approx. 16 workshops with an overall attendance of over 260ppl Added the RFP workshop presented by the RBC on "Demystifying the RFP Process" In 2008 facilitated 5 informal discussions on business opportunities in coffee shops or after hours in partnership with RBC
Strategic Framework	Business Readiness Guide	Project ongoing, due in the fall of 2009, will be updated throughout the winter 2009/2010 if needed. "Game On", produced by the 2010 Commerce Centre, is online since Feb. 2009. More detailed information on the Games time environment in Whistler, is provided in the 2010 section of www.whistlerchamber.com
WCC/ whistler.com	Commercial Space Matching Program	Initiated by VANOC, developed in partnership with Tourism Whistler/whistler.com in consultation with the Games Office. More than 95 commercial properties listed since launch in September 2007
WCC	Business Directory	Significantly enhanced features of the Chamber business directory in 2007
WCC	Bid for Business	Created RFP-listing and communication service for any business (local or international, member or non-member) that intends to contract services. Local, supplementary service to the 2010 Business Network
Strategic Framework	Merchandising Information	Facilitated the initial connection between 2010 licensee HBC and local retailers in early 2006. Invited Dennis Kim/Director of Licensing and Merchandising with VANOC as luncheon speaker in 2007 May 27, 2009: Information Session for Whistler retailers on 2010 merchandise, VISA activation program, brand awareness. 2010 licensees are invited to exhibit 2010 merchandise.
Strategic Framework	Business Mediation Program	Currently under review.
Strategic Framework	Brand Awareness	Invited Bill Cooper/VANOC Brand Awareness as luncheon speaker in 2008 Provide information on website Further information has been provided in May 2009
Strategic Framework	Store Front "Games" Theme Program	Chamber gained experience with the Peak 2 Peak window dressing contest in Dec. 2008. Starting in Q2, 2009 and finalizing in Q3 we will have more details for the window dressing contest starting Dec. 09
WCC	2010 Workforce	Review the Chamber's current job board and determine if there is a need to develop a matching program for employees who are temporarily laid off. Have been lobbying for seasonal housing since 2007 Share ideas for recruitment and retention for local employers during Games time Facilitate and communicate training opportunities for 2010 (i.e. Whistler Spirit) Communicate childcare opportunities as information becomes available.
Strategic Framework	Whistler Spirit Program - Games Awarness	Chamber has been committed to 'Games Awareness' components in Spirit Courses for the last few years. In 2008/09 Games updates provided by VANOC and the RMOW took approx. 25% of total course time. Details on the content of the Spirit Courses in the 2009/2010 winter season will be confirmed in Q2, 2009.
WCC	2010 Employee Recognition Program	Details to be worked out in Q2, 2009
RMOW/WCC	2010 Transportation	Have facilitated communication between the business community and the RMOW/VANOC since January 2009 Committed to facilitate ongoing communication until Feb. 2010.
Strategic Framework	Sport Events Opportunities Plan	In 2008 and 2009 worked with partners (RMOW, TW, Whistler Arts Council. VANOC, WB, Sliding Centre, Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler Adaptive Sports) on opportunities for 10 sport events. Focused on communication, but also included F&B discount program and general feedback. No further action planned.
RMOW/TW	2010 Communication	Coordination of messaging among stakeholders ongoing, topic related
WCC	"2010 Help Line"	Staff person available Mondays-Fridays to answer 2010 business related questions. Provide resources and links to 2010 related business topics, maintain up to date website
WCC	2010 Business Success Stories	Contracted a creative writer in March '09 to showcase 2010 business success stories
WCC	Chamber's Role in 2010	Details to be worked out in Q2, 2009
WCC	Boardroom	Signed long term partnership agreement with Service Canada in Dec. 2008 for 2009 and the Olympic/ Paralympic Period. Might be extended after Olympics.
WCC	Post-2010 info	Details to be worked out in Q3, 2009.