Lethbridge Chamber graphics

By Dori Modney

Lethbridge Chamber CEO enters the new Year focussed on the ‘positives’

Jan 5, 2022 | 10:24 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — As we enter the first few days of 2022 and we’re confronted by another wave of COVID illnesses, the CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce is open about the challenges of the past year but, looks to the ‘positives’ of our community.

LNN spoke with Cyndi Vos about the struggles and challenges faced by local businesses over the past year as she offered her perspective on a troubling time.

“You know, up until June, not being able to be connected – that in-person connection – we’re so used to being able to get together and network and hear the stories of what businesses are doing and those side-bar conversations – it was challenging to be able to do that. Also, the change of information from day to day or, even sometimes hour to hour, and making sure that access points were always available to members or to businesses, just so they knew what to expect and what was coming.”

Vos admits it was a challenge to keep information available to businesses because sometimes, they didn’t know what was coming or what to expect.

“And it changes so quickly – then you have someone post something on social media that might not be 100% accurate, but it spins things around and it takes time to correct the false information mess and clean it up.”

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As the Chamber CEO, it’s hard to see businesses struggle.

“I see businesses struggling but, I also see people struggling and when people struggle, businesses struggle, so its kinda that double edged sword because there are some businesses that have been successful and have found a way to easily change their direction.”

” I don’t mean to use the word easy as if “that was easy’ but, they had some of the resources or tools or access so that they could get the job done.

“And when people get tired or when people are overwhelmed, as a business owner, it’s tough when you have to look at your staff and say, – OK I need to make sure that I can help take care of you and your family, as well as mine, and lots of the mental health weight of all of this, has been challenging. So getting on the news or making statements and trying to put that smile and best foot forward attitude is tiring.”

Looking at the other side of the coin, Vos’s demeanor picked up when she spoke of the positive moments or particular achievements that stood out last year.

“You know, from a membership point of view at the Chamber, we’ve had the opportunity to go out there and do some strong advocacy and lobbying work and our membership has grown by about 75-members in the last year, so that’s positive. Being able to host Premier Kenney – that shows that we in Lethbridge are being seen and we’re going to be heard and that’s really important, because in business, anything south of Calgary often gets forgotten just because we’re not those big centre points and the more we can get Southern Alberta on the radar, the better it is.”

“Even being able to host Business of the Year, it was half the size of what we usually do, but we got to recognize some really great initiatives that occurred and not being afraid to talk about the good and the bad.
The other wonderful thing we were able to do was partner with the Alberta Chambers’ of Commerce. And we received a grant from the federal government to promote spending local.”

Vos says they decided to call their campaign, “spend local, explore local, build local and invest local.”

“From there, we were able to highlight not just the shops that you go in and spend your money at, but also the amazing things we have to explore in the region, whether it’s sporting events or the Japanese light festival at Nikka Yuko, or our coulees. And build local was a focus on the great labour force we have, but also the College and the University and our other partners who are helping get people into the work force. And, investing local is our strong agricultural roots, as well as the things that make our city better.”

“I was really excited about putting that campaign forward.”

Another huge positive for Lethbridge and area, as well as the Chamber, is the expansion of the Lethbridge Exhibition. Vos sees It as another draw to our region.

“It showcases our agricultural sector, the strength of our corridor and our link and proximity to the US border….and being able to get our goods back and forth and that we have our airport, with all of the recent upgrades and the beauty and location of it. We also have to recognize our connections with the College and its culinary program.”

“Look at Chef Doug Overes, who recently received the Canadian Culinary Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award – that’s the head chef at the college! And the College culinary group is partnering with Exhibition Park. What we have locally and the strength of our agricultural hub is incredible.”

“Then there is the University with the research that is taking place there and the quality students they produce. We need to keep these connecting pieces as strong as we can.”

Vos noted there are so many positive business angles to look at in the community and surrounding area.

“We have some great community leaders and some champions that we are so fortunate to have – we are entering a new era with a new city council, so lets think about some of the positive initiatives that have been put forward.”

“Hopefully, with a new council, we’ll be able to roll up our sleeves and get some work done that needs to be done.”