YORKTON - Sunil Shah was recently installed as the latest president of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce.
Shah, who takes over the position most recently held by Vanessa Andres, said his becoming head of the local business organization was something he simply evolved into.
It was also rather natural in the sense he noted he “was enjoying being part of the board.” Shah joined the Chamber board in 2018.
So when he was offered the opportunity to become president, Shah said he was happy to take it because the Chamber works so hard for business.
“At the end of the day we’re advocates,” he said, adding he likes being able to communicate directly with the City of Yorkton, and the local MLA and MP on behalf of business.
It was that advocacy role Shah said really drew him to the Chamber.
“It helps Yorkton,” said Shah, adding it is the Chamber’s role to work with others to improve the local community, and in particular the business sector of the city.
Looking ahead Shah said there are several things on the agenda for 2024 he and the board is already working on, starting with the upcoming Celebrate Success Business Awards.
“There are a lot of new awards to open up the spectrum of businesses involved,” he said.
This fall with both provincial and municipal elections on the agenda Shah said the Chamber will again be organizing all-candidate events.
In addition, Shah said he sees education as something that will grow in terms of Chamber activities.
“For me, education is very, very important,” he said.
That education can be varied. For example offering education on succession planning for business owners, or in working with the local college on training targeted toward local area industry needs, said Shah.
“We are very closely tied with the college,” in helping work on training opportunities, he said.
Shah said the Chamber is also about individual networking, something he himself undertook when arriving in the city in 2015.
For business it is important to create networks and build connections to be successful, and in that regard the Chamber can be a vehicle to help that happen, said Shah. He said becoming a Chamber member is important in that regard.
