[column width=”88%” padding=”10px”]Thurs February 18. A ‘collaboration meeting’ held by the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce today hosted businesses, community leaders and non-profit group reps in a relaxed think-tank format. About 30 people attended the 2-hour meeting at Sooke Community Hall. Main themes included joint collaboration for tourism, farming and food, and how joint efforts might be stronger than ‘going it alone’ in marketing silos.
Most people around the table contributed their thoughts, with some key backstory and future-forward input from Lee Boyko of the Sooke Region Museum and Community Center Committee. Also with contributions of background and ideas for ways to promote Sooke were Dave Bennett (former president of Sooke Fine Arts Society, and a former District of Sooke councillor), Ryan Chamberlain of the Sooke Region Tourism Association, Jeff Bateman of Transition Sooke, David Evans of The Stick, and Diane Bernard of Sea Flora.
Other thoughtful contributions were made by Adrienne Wass (Sooke Library), Steve Knoke (SEAPARC), Frederique Philip (Sooke Harbour House), Mary Brooke (West Shore Voice News), Anita Wasiuta (Sooke Food CHI), Mark Ziegler (Sooke Rotary), Rick Robinson (Sooke Region Communities Health Network), Stephanie Croft (Sooke Literacy Outreach), Ron O’Brien (Sooke Garden Club), Barb McLean (WorkLink), and many others. There were no representatives from the District of Sooke.
The meeting was guided by Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce president Kerry Cavers. Meetings like this were suggested to happen twice a year, as a way for people to hear and provide updates.
Copyright 2016 West Shore Voice News [/column]
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