The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce wrapped up 2024 with its annual general meeting, various events and the launch of a new website before passing the gavel to current President Steven Pudwell. The Chamber summarized their year-in-review, highlighting some of the important work done in the previous fiscal year. The Chamber also recognized 135 businesses that joined the Chamber from September 2023 through to August 2024 and celebrated 46 milestone anniversaries for members involved in the Chamber for 10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 years, along with four members who have been with the Chamber for over 100 years. The organization also took the opportunity to acknowledge its impressive list of Past Presidents who have served the organization since 1900.

Past President, Steve Heid, highlighted various achievements, summarizing the year by stating, “We are here as a guide and navigator, alongside our members, charting the course and navigating the challenges that may come along the way, while creating milestones and memories that will chart our legacy and make on mark on history moving forward. There are many people who have given us reasons to forge this path, from the many presidents and board members to Chamber staff and business members who are there as we chart our course. These people are the reason we have been able to navigate a path forward and build a future that will embrace growth, and instill excitement, vibrancy and energy into the work we do for our members and drive momentum toward future progress." 

"This has been a year filled with growth and new avenues to invest in our future with our expanded region, new programs and enhanced advocacy that add both impact and value for our members", stated Executive Director, Lisa Dressler. She further remarked, "We continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise as we move forward, actively seeking to engage our members and creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration, to share ideas, strategies and solutions moving forward. Our efforts are focused on a municipal, provincial and federal level and with the recently expanded Southeast Alberta region, we represent both urban and rural areas of our region with 8 municipalities and a footprint of close to 20,000 sq km and a population base within our region of nearly 110,000. We have a total of 36 active resolutions on our books, with 27 of those either new or updated within 2023-2024 - meaning that we have invested substantial time and resources representing our members on issues and priorities that matter most to them."

The Chamber elected five new directors for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with Directors representing a cross-section of industries within the Chamber. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2024-2025 are:

• President, Steven Pudwell, Pattison Media (Returning Director)
• Vice President, Peggy Gizen, Being Human Services Inc (Returning Director)
• Treasurer, Brittany McMillan, EBT Chartered Professional Accountants (New Director)
• Past President, Steve Heid, Lacey Homes (Returning Director)
• Les Scholly, Pritchard & Company Law Firm LLP (Returning Director)
• Mike Robinson, AgroPlus Solutions (Returning Director)
• Doug Little, Super T Aviation (Returning Director)
• Matt Peterson, Moxie’s Grill & Bar (Returning Director)
• Brenda Mercer, Mercer Upholstery (New Director)
• Richard Munro, Memory Lane Computers (New Director)
• Rob Goldade, Silverado Country Western Wear & Décor (New Director)
• Rebecca Lydon, Scotiabank (New Director)

As part of their service on the Board of Directors, Board members volunteer to sit on various committees designed to spearhead initiatives that uphold the Chamber's strategic priorities and the pillars of connections, support and influence. The Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Leadership Development Committee, Policy Council, Community Connections Committee, and industry-specific committees and task forces comprise a few of the active committees the Chamber has formed. Each committee allows efficient and effective work to be done in each specialized field or interest area. You can find out more about the Board of Directors here.

Steven Pudwell, the newly elected President of the Chamber of Commerce, commented, “I know our returning and newly elected board members are committed to continuing to build on our success. We will be taking an opportunity to create a new strategic plan in the coming year, looking at our data and information gathered in 2023-2024 to shape our future. I am confident in this Board of Directors and our Chamber team who are invested in the future success of this organization. It will be a great year ahead as we look forward to hosting events and providing our strategic priorities for regional collaboration opportunities as we move forward and continue Fuelling our Business Community.” 

The 2023-2024 Annual Report is available on the chamber website, along with our Community Conversation year in review interview.

Please direct all media inquiries to:

Steven Pudwell

Chamber of Commerce President, 2024-2025

Phone: (403) 527-5214 ext.221

The Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, volunteer-led organization, proudly representing the interests of businesses in our region, and working diligently to stimulate a strengthened and vibrant economy through our connections, support and influence. For close to 125 years, the Chamber has stood for promoting business, monitoring government and championing managed growth in the local economy. The Chamber represents over 800 businesses in our region and is aligned with both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), which represents over 24,000 businesses, and the Canadian Chambers of Commerce (CCC), which represents over 200,000 businesses. With the largest and most influential business organizations locally, provincially, and federally, the Chamber network is the most unified, valued and influential business network in Canada and works together to shape policy and programs that will make a difference to businesses in our region.