The Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce is the best in the province, according to the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.
During the B.C. Chamber AGM in Nanaimo from May 23 to 25, the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce was named the Chamber of the Year for 2013 for its role in "supporting the Prince Rupert business community through economic challenges" and for working "tirelessly to boost morale and drive re-invention in the Prince Rupert business community".
"The Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce has been an outstanding leader in its community, boosting morale and helping the local business community pull together and reinvent itself in the face of significant economic shifts and challenges," said John Winter, B.C. Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.
"We sincerely applaud this Chamber's strong leadership, tireless efforts and true northern grit."
Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce president Jason Scherr said winning the award is a significant accomplishment for the North Coast.
"I was honoured that the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce was awarded this prestigious award. There are 115 chambers in B.C., so to be nominated and singled out is great recognition for this chamber, this business community and this community as a whole," he said.
"I think we have a strong business community that supports the community, supports organizations and supports volunteers, and I think that is the greatest strength of the Prince Rupert and the Chamber of Commerce."
Scherr noted that the Chamber of the Year Award is given not just based on the activity of the past year, but on what the Chamber of Commerce has done over the past decade. In recognizing the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce, the selection committee pointed to the organization's involvement in promoting regional tourism, to developing capacity for the cruise industry, to developing future business leaders through the Rising Stars Program, for its work in supporting community groups through activities like the annual Jingle Bell Express and for having "grown its membership and clout in the community by keeping its fingers on the pulse of local issues and hosting highly-relevant speakers and events".