Walls elected new president of Osoyoos Chamber of Commerce
A newcomer to Osoyoos is the new chamber of commerce president.
Kevin Walls became the new chamber of commerce president in an election held last Saturday evening at the Owl Pub.
Walls beat out Marlene Lipps for the position.
This is the first time in many years that there has been an election for chamber president. The chamber has been in Osoyoos since 1939; it was then known as the Board of Trade. On November 8, 1955, the Board incorporated as the Osoyoos Chamber of Commerce.
Walls takes over from last year's president C.J. Rhodes.
The new executive includes Lipps as vice president, Phil Elliott (Avalon Inn) as treasurer, and directors Lory LaRoche (Dune Interiors), John Cole (The Owl Pub), Peyman Sanai (Osoyoos Pizza Factory), Lynn Sutton (85th & Main Street Hair Design), and Robert Schuster (Desert Con-nections). C.J. Rhodes (R & R Rentals) is past president.
Walls moved to Osoyoos from West Vancouver 14 months ago for the weather and the drier climate.
I joined the chamber of commerce and ran for president in order to get into the community and meet new people, said Walls, who has a varied background in several industries.
I was in real estate for 20 years, in the management end. I have also had my own contracting company and have built both residential and commercial buildings. And I have worked in the hospitality industry.rnWalls is the owner of Eagles Nest Bed and Breakfast.
One of the most satisfying aspects to running a B&B is when I hear a guest saying, 'I wish I could stay another night.'
Walls stated that as president his goals for the year include increasing membership in the chamber.
A quarter of the businesses on Main Street are not members and not all the hotels are members yet. I would also like to see more events happening in Osoyoos.rn Walls also hopes to encourage members to get out and support more Business After Business events and he would like to establish a monthly award to recognize employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide great customer service.
Similarly Walls would like to establish an award to honour the business of the year.
The installation included three silent auctions, with all items coming from chamber members. The evening's entertainment was provided by Diane Ball, while Golden Mile Cellars offered wine tasting and a great selection of food was prepared by several local businesses.
M.L.A. Bill Barisoff was on hand to install the new officers and thank-yous went out to all the 2004 board members.
Chamber Administrator Penny LaMere looks forward to working with Kevin Walls.
This chamber has really increased its credibility over the past year and a half, seeing membership rise from 120 to now more than 210 members, she said. We've had an amazing comeback from working in our previous location, which was in a back office in the Sears Outlet Store. The Osoyoos Chamber of Commerce is the fastest-growing chamber in British Columbia right now.rnThe office is located just off Main Street at 7610 85th Street.
