All photos by T. Hynd
Cover photo: Bella Flora floral design studio owner Kyla Jakovickas (left) and husband Charles Arnold, manager of Gerick Cycle and Ski.
Inset photo: Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Tom Thomson addressing the crowd.
The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce annual gala dinner and auction had the Prestige Lakeside Resort banquet room full of West Kootenay business owners and employees on Saturday.
The evening began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a chance to view and bid on the large selection of silent auction items donated by local and regional businesses.
Chamber executive director Tom Thomson addressed the crowd and spoke to the value of regional partnerships for successful economic development. He said there are 1,300 business licenses in the area. He welcomed Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks, Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall and the numerous candidates running for the upcoming municipal election.
Thomson also thanked the chamber staff. “We'd be nothing without them,” he said.
Mayor John Dooley spoke as well to the risk and reward of running a business.
“I'm excited about Nelson. Business people know how to look forward,” he said. “I believe if we're not at the table, we’re on the menu."
The evening was capped off with a unique live auction led by Reg Clarkson.