Small Chamber’s impact honoured

QUEENSLAND’S peak business body has used the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism as a shining example for other chambers across the state.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland was impressed to learn the small regional organisation had secured significant grant funding to finance capacity-building and economic stimulus projects in the Hinchinbrook Shire and expressed a desire to share their success stories with other Queensland chambers.

Local president Rachael Coco said it was “humbling to receive this type of recognition”, crediting the chamber’s management committee, membership and sponsors for inspiring the projects and supporting the efforts required to bring each idea to fruition.

“As a smaller chamber, we often feel like we fly under the radar so it was very rewarding to realise that someone not only noticed, but actually commended our triumphs,” Ms Coco said.

“Our chamber, like our shire, is proactive, resilient, passionate and hard-working – we enjoy thinking outside the box and trying things that haven’t been done before and CCIQ has consistently proved to be an excellent source of information, connectivity, support and strength.”

CCIQ CEO Stephen Tait said the local chamber was “incredibly important as they bring local businesses together supporting them to succeed, and the success of small businesses is vital for communities and economies”.

“At the moment, many of our regions face significant challenges, so hearing what the Hinchinbrook chamber has been able to achieve is fantastic,” he said.

The Hinchinbrook chamber is offering $550 e-commerce grants to businesses based in the Hinchinbrook Shire and will launch its Shop the Hinchinbrook Way community gift card program and voucher giveaway in October.