What an exciting year 2010 is shaping up to be. From routine Chamber business lik our mixers and advocacy work, to the world stage when we host the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, 2010 will be like no other. As your chair, I am looking forward to the opportunities our region will have and the role we can play together in moving them forward.

After three years of planning, the world will once again descend upon Grande Prairie and leave its mark as we host the 2010 Arctic Winter Games. In March, thousands of athletes, cultural participants, and visitors will arrive for the Games. Many of these visitors are from the north, and are looking forward to experiencing the shopping and the tourist and recreational attractions in our region. What a tremendous opportunity for our membership. You can be assured that your Chamber of Commerce will be front and center representing your interests.

We know we need to continue to push our region's key priorities forward both at the provincial and federal levels. From health care and hospitals to spurring economic development and securing the prospects for our resource-based economy, there is much advocacy work we will need to continue. I am grateful we have such strong regional partners to help in this journey.

Our strength as a chamber has been - and will continue to be - in you, the members that we serve. We are proud to be Alberta's 3rd largest Chamber, following Calgary and Edmonton. We are a strong and diverse Chamber. We are well-positioned to ensure we make the most of the opportunities in front of us. I look forward to a great year.

Wade Doris, Chair of the Board