Chamber Chat

Here is an update on what’s happening with our local Chamber of Commerce, written by Lauren Cohen, Co-Owner of San Juan Canvas & Chamber Board President…

Happy New Year from your San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, we want to take the opportunity to keep our island residents updated and informed on some of what we are working on for the betterment of our business community.

I am excited to be taking over as President of the Board of Directors succeeding two years with Eric Bienenstock, owner of the Bean, at the helm. We thank him for his time, effort and ideas and are glad to still have him on the board. Our Board of Directors and staff want 2015 to be a great year for all business owners on San Juan Island as well as every visitor that comes to our beautiful island. We also acknowledge that a dynamic business community is equally important for our island residents.  Check out who is on the Chamber Board at www.sanjuanisland.org.

We invite everyone that owns a business of any kind to get involved with your local Chamber. It is a great way to support a vibrant local economy and help the Chamber of Commerce become a cohesive voice for the best interests of our business community. We run a very busy visitor information center that is open 7 days per week, takes phone calls, answers emails and sees hundreds of visitors. Our visitor center employees love any opportunity to recommend Chamber members.

The Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks, Summer Arts Fair, Octoberfest and Island Lights Festival are our main Chamber sponsored events drawing many visitors to San Juan Island. We invite all members to attend our monthly socials hosted by a different, very generous business owner the second Monday of each month. They offer a great opportunity to network, learn about other businesses and events on the island, brag a little about your ventures, and have some great food & drink. We want to say a great big thank you to Karl, Mary Ann and Kelly from Lakedale Resort who hosted us this month in their beautiful lodge. Great food, tours of the lodge, Lake House & Log Cabins were a real treat.

We were sad to learn that our current Executive Director, Tom Kirshner, will be leaving us for some new, great adventures. We sincerely thank him for four years of dedicated service to the visitors and businesses of San Juan Island. He will be missed and we wish him well.

So…to all current Chamber of Commerce members, thank you for your support of local business. If you are not member, we invite you back. You never know what great things may come from it.

Cheers!

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