Numerous members arrived at the annual appreciation barbecue at the Art Hauser Centre Wednesday. (Ian Gustafson/ paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Showing Appreciation

P.A. and District Chamber of Commerce hosts annual member appreciation barbecue

Sep 24, 2020 | 8:00 AM

The Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce celebrated its members Wednesday afternoon at the annual 2020 Drive-Thru Tailgate Member Appreciation Barbecue.

At the Art Hauser Centre from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. numerous members either walked or drove on location to receive a free meal. Those who showed up either ate in their vehicles or had socially distant visits with other members.

CEO of the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, Elise Hildebrandt told paNOW it’s very important to them to show appreciation for their members amid the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy.

“We have so much to be thankful for that everybody has continued to pay their membership and support us and we’re able to support them back,” she said.

This year’s barbecue was changed to a drive-thru concept to abide by the province’s health guidelines.

Iran War

Iran calls on public to find 'enemy pilot' as U.S. continues frantic search

2h ago

Cheese recall

Co-op product sold in Sask. among items recalled over listeria concerns: CFIA

2h ago

Raiders win series 4-1

Scorzynski in overtime: Raiders move to round two with win over Rebels

5h ago

“I think everyone’s just thankful we have the opportunity to do this because this is the first time in six months, we’ve done an actual face to face event which is abnormal,” Hildebrandt explained.

During the months when many businesses were closed, she said they had a lot of Zoom calls with members, but it is nice to interact in person once again.

“There’s so much you can get from body language and seeing somebody than what you get when you’re sitting on the other side of a computer,” she said.

Hildebrandt added if there is anything they can help with, to give them a call because whatever they can do to keep the community thriving, they will do their best to do.

Chamber members received a bagged lunch at part of their annual drive-thru Tailgate Member Appreciation Barbecue. (Ian Gustafson/ paNOW Staff)

George Lewko, owner of Paintball Paradise and member of the chamber said the value of having a membership is they interact with different people including those who they don’t see often.

“It’s a small community but it’s big enough that you don’t know everybody so it’s nice to make those extra connections and I always find chamber events very successful at doing that,” he explained.

Lewko said he is glad his business could reopen despite missing two of his busiest months. He added businesses reopening is great but also scary with the risks the ongoing pandemic pose.

“I think the chamber is really important just because you get to work with so many different people you may not meet before and it’s a partnership and it’s a small community and everybody working together makes the community better,” he explained.

–

Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca