Are you passionate about the Creston Valley? Are you connected? Do you know what's happening?
We are launching an ambassador program and we need you! Become an active part of the Creston Valley Visitor Centre team and share your knowledge and enthusiasm of the valley with newcomers to the area.
One of the functions of the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce is operating the local Visitor Centre. We do this in partnership with the Town of Creston, Regional District of Central Kooteany areas B and C, and Tourism BC. We serve over 15,000 visitors with information, directions, Internet access (free Wi-Fi 24 hours a day) and a public washroom. Our mission is to promote the area and encourage visitors to stay in our community longer. It is our job but everyone in the community is responsible for guiding a new visitor’s experience — while shopping, at a local eatery or walking down the street. Everyone can be an ambassador for the Creston Valley.
What kinds of things would you be doing as an official community ambassador?
You could help at the Visitor Centre — giving directions, promoting top things to do, answering questions about the history of the area and local attractions. You could help with special events; the TSN and Kraft Celebration Tour, annual fall fair, Small Business Week, Santa Claus Parade, the new Creston Valley Bird Festival, the Home and Garden Show, and Canada Day activities. Or you could be part of our rural tourism neighborhood watch program — ready to help newcomers and visitors find their way! If you’re interested or know someone that would love to help out, call Jim at the chamber of commerce at 250-428-4342.
In other chamber news, we are getting closer and closer to having our new brand marketing strategy in place. This is going to be a great help in marketing efforts moving forward; everything from websites to magazine ads to new media presence will have a consistent, polished look, theme and feel.
This is part of the economic development plan for the valley. The chamber of commerce is working with the town and regional district on community economic development, marketing and communications.
We are working on some sector specific projects including agritourism packaging. We just finished a feature in Kootenay Business magazine on the Creston Valley and have been working with Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Tourism BC and Hello BC to get local content updated.
Two new initiatives are being worked on, the Creston Valley Birding Festival (May 2013) and possibly hosting a triathlon.
Of course, with the successful bid by the Therapeutic Riding Program winning the Kraft Celebration Tour, we are busy getting ready to help showcase Creston on live national TV. If you want to help, or just want to be part of the party, check out www.gocreston.ca for all the details.
Jim Jacobsen is the executive director of the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at 250-428-4342.