Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce

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About the Chamber of Commerce

President's Welcome

Note: Dick MacKenzie was elected President at our 2009 Annual General Meeting; our new President's welcome will appear here very shortly.

Welcome to Sioux Lookout’s business portal on the Internet. We’re proud to represent the business community and welcome each and every visitor to our site.

Siouxlookout.com is home to the most extensive business directory of goods and services in our area. The Chamber of Commerce is a proud organization serving over 140 members in or near our community. Combined, our members offer a diverse cultural and social business environment to our residents and to the many guests and visitors to our fine town.

Sioux Lookout has established itself as the economic hub for 29 First Nation communities and nearly 30,000 people, including retail, transportation, communications and forestry. The municipality is also an education, as well as recreation, health and social service and a tourism centre. While in Sioux Lookout, our guests visit our restaurants, shops and stores and use our many great fitness and health facilities as well as visit the many tourist camps to fish, hunt and otherwise enjoy the great outdoors and wilderness that is our backyard.

Businesses and organizations from Sioux Lookout and beyond converge in our picturesque town via air, rail and road to host conferences, workshops, exchange business and services and even just to stay over on their way south or north going to, or coming from their homes, businesses or other destinations.

Amongst our guests and visitors are our residents, who work, live and play in our community. Many of whom belong to or are employed by member businesses of the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for dropping by and for having a look at what Sioux Lookout has to offer and we hope you can come back, either online or in person some time soon.

Dean Woloshuck, Past President
Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce

Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce
Past President Dean Woloshuck

Who We Are

The Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce is an active group of business and professional people contributing to the economic, social and cultural development of Sioux Lookout and Area. We promote ethics and integrity in business. Our members represent a growing and diverse network of expertise. To see who is involved in the Chamber, visit the Board of Directors and Chamber Staff page.

What We Do

The Membership, Marketing, Promotion Committee works year round promoting Sioux Lookout and serving Chamber members. We do this through various avenues:

Membership Drives/ Invitations to Join the Chamber

The Membership, Marketing, and Promotion Committee, distributes membership packages to potential members. In our brochure, "Membership Makes Sense", potential members can read about the benefits of membership and the many ways the Chamber supports its members and the community of Sioux Lookout.

Grand Openings

New members who join the Chamber can receive assistance with the planning of their Grand Opening celebrations. The Membership, Marketing and Promotion Committee can assist new members by inviting the local media and the Mayor to a ribbon cutting event. The Chamber President is always on hand to welcome new members and to present them with their membership certificate.

Radio Campaigns

The Membership, Marketing and Promotion Committee runs two 13 week radio campaigns, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. The campaigns focus on membership retention, attracting new members, promoting the services of our members, promoting Chamber events, promoting the community of Sioux Lookout, and stress the importance of shopping locally.

Advertising Outside of Sioux Lookout

The Membership, Marketing, and Promotion Committee advertise the community of Sioux Lookout in various regional publications. Event listings or advertisements in Bear Country, Sunset Country and Patricia Regional Tourist Council publications help to promote Sioux Lookout as a destination year round. Updating our listings on Ministry of Tourism Websites and in various publications including Festivals and Events Ontario helps to promote our community as well.

Chamber Website

The Chamber’s new-for-2007 website at www.siouxlookout.com is a vital resource for chamber members, our community and those visiting the area. From basic local information and a business directory, to in-depth information about Chamber events and happenings, the new SiouxLookout.com is one of our primary communication and promotioanl media. Member businesses can purchase additional advertising on the site, and features like the photo album and a comprehensive directory of links and resources round out our website. To top it all off, our online version of the Northern Experience Magazine can be downloaded by anyone, anywhere, in the world.

Signage

The Chamber has two signs on the Trans Canada Highway located on either side of the turn off to Sioux Lookout. The Chamber also has four directional signs on the Snowmobile Trails within the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.

The Chamber’s sign at the Travel Information Centre features maps of Sioux Lookout and Hudson and a listing of annual events in our community. Various businesses pay a yearly lease to the Chamber to advertise on this sign.

A welcome sign is located at the arena year round and an additional welcome sign is placed at the Train Station.

Greeting Programs

The Chamber of Commerce maintains a recently-renovated booth at the Sioux Lookout Airport near the arrivals gate. It has been painted with a blueberry border, and features a slat wall displaying Chamber Member’s brochures and business cards. Sioux Lookout’s Northern Experience Magazine and Business Directory are also available. Although the booth is not staffed, Travel Information employees maintain it regularly.

The Train Greeting Program has served Sioux Lookout well in promoting our services and community.

Clean Up Initiatives

The Chamber’s Clean Up Initiative was started to assist businesses, and the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, in keeping their properties’ clean and clear of debris. The Chamber hired an individual to clean various properties in town and then billed participating businesses and the Municipality accordingly. The Clean Up Initiative takes place throughout July and August.

Memberships Held Outside the Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce is a member of various local and regional organizations. Our membership in NOACC enables the Sioux Lookout Chamber to have a strong united voice along side other Chambers of Commerce throughout Northwestern Ontario, and provides a means to lobby both the Provincial and Federal Governments on issues that affect us locally and regionally.

The Chamber is also a member of Sunset Country Tourism Association, Patricia Regional Tourist Council, and Sioux Lookout Hudson Tourism Association.

Additional Memberships both past and present include CBLS, First Step Women’s Shelter, Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee, Sioux-Hudson Employment Services, and Toastmasters. Our yearly membership with Toastmasters has been put in place to sponsor a Chamber of Commerce Representative to develop valuable public speaking skills.

Merchants’ Committee

Shopping events are planned throughout the year by the Merchants’ Committee. In 2004 events included a Merchant Sidewalk Sale during the Blueberry Festival, two Moonlight Madness Events and the Christmas Parking Meter Sponsor Program. In January 2005, the first Wedding and Special Events Show took place. It was a huge success!

Other Committees of the Chamber of Commerce

Municipal Affairs Committee

Members of the Municipal Affairs Committee attend open Municipal Meetings to keep on top of what’s happening in our community.

Resulting from issues relating to garbage and recycling, the committee now serves as a means of promoting open communication between the Municipality and the Chamber of Commerce.

The Committee hopes their efforts will allow for the Chamber’s voice to be heard prior to the making of major decisions that affect the business community.

Business Retention and Expansion (BR and E)

A newly created Task Force wants to identify opportunities to assist the retention and expansion of Sioux Lookout businesses. Approximately 10% of local businesses were surveyed, with representation from all business sectors. This information will help improve the local business climate to better meet the needs of existing and future businesses. The business retention and expansion program is widely recognized across North America as an effective economic development strategy. When the data from the surveys is compiled and analyzed the Task Force is committed to develop and implement actions and programs to address the needs and opportunities.

Trade Show Committee

The Chamber of Commerce Trade Show Committee began work on the 24rd Annual Trade, Craft and Home Show in April 2006. Although the show takes place during the last weekend of the Blueberry Festival, an early start is required to ensure that Information Packages are sent out to prospective exhibitors by the end of May. The 25th Annual Trade, Craft & Home Show will take place on during the Blueberry Festival in 2007. Contact the Chamber of Commerce to book your booth!

Over the course of the two day event, fifty-eight exhibitors showcased their services and products to a crowd of about 1,500 people, raising $8,000 for the Chamber of Commerce. This is one of the large fundraisers held annually by the Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds go towards keeping the Travel Information Centre open year-round.

Chamber Auction

The annual Auction is a fundraising event for both the Chamber and the Adopt-A-Family Program. For more information about the Chamber Auction, click here.

Northern Experience Magazine

Every two years the Chamber distributes 40,000 copies of "A Northern Experience" to various destinations in Canada and the United States including all Ontario Travel Information Centres, border entry points, First Nations communities, and trade shows in the upper midwest USA.

Sioux Lookout’s "A Northern Experience" successfully highlights our community, and the services and attractions that it has to offer to visitors and residents alike. Our magazine is used as a promotional tool by the Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, the Travel Information Centre, tourist outfitters, as well as numerous agencies, businesses, community groups, and organizations.

Publication of the 2006/2007 issue occurred in September 2006 and is available at the TIC and is also available for download online in Adobe PDF. The next issue is scheduled for release in May 2008.

Budget / Finance

The Chamber’s Budget and Finance Committee meets early in the year to prepare the Chamber’s Budget. Members are welcome to view the budget, along with monthly financial reports, at the Chamber Office.

Nominating Committee

Each year a Nominating Committee of three is appointed by the Chamber Executive. The Nominating Committee puts forth its recommendations for Officers and Directors for the upcoming year. Elections are then held at the Annual General Meeting in December.

General Members who wish to be considered for a position on the Board of Directors are asked to contact the Chamber office, or a member of the Chamber of Commerce Nominating Committee.

Other Important Chamber Information, Events and Programs

Chamber Chili Challenge

The Annual Chamber Chili Challenge is held as part of the Sioux Mountain Winter Festival.

The Challenge provides great entertainment for spectators, judges, and participants. Chili teams bring their chili already made and ready to serve to the judging location. Teams often dress up and present their chili to the judges in unique ways, often with a song, skit or poem. Prizes are awarded in various categories. Following the judging the Chili was sold for $2.00 per serving. Proceeds from this year’s Chamber Challenge were donated to Sioux Lookout’s SAFEGRAD Committee!

Bursaries and Awards

Each year the Chamber provides a bursary in the amount of $500.00 to a high school graduate enrolled in a College or University Business Course. The Chamber also provides a Business Achievement Award to a graduate of the Wahsa Distance Education Program.

Committed to our Community

In addition to sitting on various Chamber Committees, representatives of the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce also sit on various Committees and Management Boards within our community or region.

Becoming involved in committees outside of the Chamber builds positive relationships, allows for the business community to be well represented, and keeps the Chamber on top of what is happening.

In 2008, Chamber representatives will continue to serve on the following Committees or Management Boards. Appointments to additional committees may be made throughout the year.

M.A.P.B Committee (Minnitaki, Abram, Pelican, Botsford)

Local Citizen’s Committee

Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee

Economic Development Committee

Sioux Lookout Travel Information Management Board

N.O.A.C.C.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Municipal Enhancement Committee

Community Policing Committee

Technology - Steering Committee

Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival & Special Events

P.A.C.E. (Patricia Area Community Endeavours)

Public Access Internet Terminal

The Travel Information Centre is home to a "free" public access internet terminal. Local residents and tourists visiting the area have the opportunity to access the internet as well as brochures and business cards from local Chamber Members. The internet terminal was made possible through PACE.