Bend Chamber Hosts New Event
Bend Chamber of Commerce first Breakfast Club meeting gathered quite the crowd and prompted diverse discussion. Some highlights were conversation regarding the merits on letting your child skip school for the purpose of skiing and what’s in the pipe line for future seasons at Bachelor.
Bend Chamber Event Coordinator Bonnie Vandiver explained, “The idea of this brand new event is to start the morning off meeting and greeting fellow comrades before the work day begins. To add to the experience, we’ve partnered with businesses that showcase activities that exemplify the quality of life Bend has to offer. And, although some attendees cannot stay all day, they receive the opportunity to learn the workings of what the host organization has to offer first hand. In this case, Mt. Bachelor.”
Mt. Bachelor Director Dave Rathbun opened the networking event by detailing future attractions that are sure to capture recreational attention in years to come. Mount Bachelor is planning to add a three tiered zip line network, a climbing feature which will be designed and built by local artificial climbing construction gurus Entre Prises and perhaps in two seasons from now, another lift. No launch dates were given for any of the attractions.
Other Mt. Bachelor presenters detailed how their large group sales efforts where attracting ski clubs from around the nation for seven night stays throughout the winter. From as far and wide as New York and Florida. They pointed out that accommodation and restaurant facilities in the area would be generating revenue from these travelers.
“I am new to the Bend Chamber,” explained Heather Hodges of Brown and Brown Northwest Insurance and veteran snow sport enthusiast, “I was very impressed with how welcoming everyone was. It was great to get to learn about what Mt. Bachelor is doing not just in the winter months but also in the summer. I joined the Chamber so that I can be active in the community as well as meeting new people. I love to snowboard, so it was nice to get to know people and be able to snowboard with them after.”
Tara Bieber, General Manager for My Place Hotel remarked that she enjoyed The Breakfast Club event. “My Place Hotel in Bend joined the Chamber because we support their vision and mission and to be involved with this amazing community. The Chamber is near and dear to my heart. Having worked for the Bend Chamber for a year, I witnessed what goes behind the scenes. The whole team is so passionate about what they do and they believe in their purpose. They are always striving to do what is best for Bend’s businesses. It’s a wonderful organization.”
Vandiver says interested parties are encouraged to, “Come have coffee and breakfast with the Bend Chamber, then enjoy the adventure of the day. Business building isn’t just over beer in this town. Let’s get together when the day is new, and let the breakfast club inspire and motivate us throughout our day.”
Other ideas the Bend Chamber is tossing around for future Breakfast Club events include a day of paddle boarding or rafting. See www.bendchamber.org for information on the next Breakfast Club meeting.
(Photo above: Gary Kronmiller (retired Jones & Roth executive and Bend Chamber board member), Jamie Christmas (Bend Chamber Director of Governmental Affairs) and Dave Rathbun (President and GM of Mt. Bachelor) enjoy networking and their breakfast | Photos by Krystal Marie Collins)
