Iwalani Post, current board chair of the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce, has grown increasingly aware over the years of how central the organization’s role is to community building.
“About 20 years ago, when I became the executive director of our local learning council, we had a membership with the chamber and I went to my very first, general membership meeting! And I’ve been kind of hooked ever since,” she said.
“I was involved with the chamber at the time not as a board member, but more as a member who would volunteer with whatever they needed.”
A couple of years later, Post was asked to help with the nomination selection for the business awards. This piqued her interest even further.
Later on, during her employment at Sunny 94 in town, she also served as an authorized representative with the chamber.
And eventually, Post was approached by then-executive director Monica Bartman about sitting on the board.
It seemed a natural fit, as she had extensive board experience with other organizations.
From 2018 to 2021, she served as a director on the board, and them from 2021 to 2023 she was an independent chamber member, along with being a director on the board.
In April of 2024, Post took on the role of interim board chair.
To Post, the chamber’s ability to advocate on behalf of businesses is one of its most vital roles.
“We can be a ‘collective’ voice — if we have enough of our business members coming to us with an issue, we can take it to our city council and present it. We can also take it to our provincial and national chambers and say, this is what some of our business people are saying about this particular policy, or this directive, or about a given direction.”
She also pointed to range of services available to members, such as the extensive benefits program.
“We also partner with a lot of businesses that are chamber members locally, provincially, or nationally, and they offer various discounts or group-buying opportunities, too.
“Another thing we are trying to focus on is getting more learning opportunities out in the community for our members - with a focus on marketing, and financing, for examples.
“And of course the networking opportunities cannot be talked about enough. It’s so important — not just for the growth of your business, but also for the growth of the community.”
Reflecting on the chamber’s 100 years of service, it makes a person think about the power of collaboration, she noted.
“You start to understand how groups of people that come together can really promote change.
“It also goes to show how foundational chambers can be in a community. For 100 years, we’ve been supporting, promoting, and growing business in our community. It’s amazing!”
For Post, the best part of her chamber experience boils down to the connections with people.
“I’m a ‘people’ person. It’s the people. The people in our community, the business owners in our community — it’s 100 per cent about being around those people.
“It’s also about knowing you could potentially have a hand in improving and growing their businesses, and the community as a whole!”
As to the coming gala, it’s a fabulous opportunity to celebrate businesses and the people at the forefront of the business community, she said.
“Members of the community have come forward and said, hey, this person or this business is amazing! They have great customer service, and they are always so friendly. They deliver my order so quickly with a smile. That’s what it is about.
“I don’t know of any other way that we can call out these businesses, and say to them, you are doing great! The community is behind you. The people and the community support you, your product or service, and your family, too.
“With owner-run businesses, this is also your community telling you how important you are to them. So yes, it’s the celebration of the businesses and the people.”
