Narooma Chamber of Commerce will build on the successes of 2017 especially the Narooma Oyster Festival, streamline its operations, and make meetings more stimulating in the coming year.
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President Niels Bendixsen told the chamber’s recent AGM that his committee also wants to stimulate local business networking and broaden the team working across chamber activities to beyond the immediate committee.
“Our major success this year was getting the Oyster Festival back on track as a premier destination event for our region,” he said.
“We’ve had absolutely fantastic feedback from the community, visitors and industry leaders who recognize it as a high quality festival focused on South Coast oysters and other local produce.
“Festival marketing, follow up media and media coverage over the following months promoting Narooma and the region as a destination have been priceless.”
Mr Bendixsen said no other festival on the Far South Coast was as explicitly focused on growing the regional economy and creating demand for produce from this region, as well as year-round visitation.
“It’s also important that the Oyster Festival is profitable and sustainable. The committee will reach out to the wider community to help with the running of the 2018 festival,” he said.
“We’re already seeking sponsors. Club Narooma, for example, as part of its major sponsorship for 2018, will focus on the free Friday night community concert and fireworks which is fantastic. That night was a huge success this year attracting over 1500 people.”
He told the meeting that instead of monthly general meetings next year, there would be only four and these would be along the lines of the “Business Buzz” meeting in September.
“The committee hopes to rotate these around different local businesses to stimulate local business interest and interest in the chamber,” he said. “We’re looking for someone different to organise each one.
“We’re also moving to more efficient support systems, particularly with our accounts, to reduce the load on committee members.”
The chamber has been closely involved in the success of the Eurobodalla Business Awards over the last two years and Narooma has put up its hands to host the Awards in 2018.
The new committee consists of Adrian Fisse (vice president), Von Hutcheson (secretary), Michael Gardner (treasurer), Cath Peachey and Matt Deveson.
For more information, please check the webpage narooma.org.au or email Niels Bendixsen at president@narooma.org.au
