The Slocan District Chamber of Commerce has come up with the idea to try and attract corporate retreats to our area.
At a special meeting June 6, the Chamber’s Industry Committee described this initiative and enlisted the energy and support of several business owners.
Corporate retreats typically involve a group of employees developing corporate strategies, planning, goal setting or training in a location quite remote from the normal place of business. Businesses (whether private, government, or associations) often send groups of managerial and executive employees to these three- to five-day meetings, which cannot effectively take place in the normal working environment. Spouses are often included in these retreats, and separate activities are planned for them.
Venues are selected on the basis of their ability to provide services such as accommodation and food, meeting rooms, audio-visual and technical support, and recreational activities, among other things.
While these venues are typically destination resorts or hotels, the Chamber’s Industry Committee believes that it is possible to put together packages for groups of up to a few dozen participants utilizing the combined resources of several businesses in our locale.
Corporate retreats are usually scheduled during the months of October through April, to avoid competing with vacations and holidays. This creates an opportunity for tourism and non-tourism businesses alike to generate some activity when they are usually pretty quiet.
The Chamber is willing to act as the initial co-ordinator of the project, and expects that natural leadership will evolve from participating businesses. The participants, which included representatives from several different types of services, agreed that there is much planning to be done and will give the project thought over the summer in preparation for a September follow-up meeting.
Anyone wishing to participate, or just wanting more information, please contact the Slocan District Chamber of Commerce Industry Committee (PO Box 448, New Denver or email to chamber@slocanlake.com).
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