Cambridge Chamber and Destination Cambridge members have been given a preview on what a merged organisation could look like.
Destination Cambridge’s i-Site staff in December 2023, from left: Vicki Ewing, Seiko Wilson, Lynda Millington, Bev Rogers, Ruth Crampton, Patrick Clarke, Rachael Colgan, Ivy Drouwer. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Talks are progressing and although there is no deadline, Destination Cambridge’s lease on its Town Hall premises and the i-Site operation it contracted out to Riverside Tours, ends at the end of this month.
Lucy Young
Chamber members have been told by chief executive Kelly Bouzaid that the business organisation believes there is a strong synergy between the two groups, particularly around a long term vision for the town.
“We recognise the importance of alignment between economic development and destination promotion,” she said.
“We also understand the value that events bring to our visitor economy and the importance of cohesive membership engagement and advocacy.”
One of Destination Cambridge’s biggest asset – aside from the financial reserves and 150 members – is the cambridge.co.nz website which chair Lucy Young describes as “digital gold.”
The chamber would piggyback off that and operate a self-sustaining digital platform as part of a merger, look after promotional and digital collateral, What’s On and the CBD’s central noticeboard outside BNZ.
Kelly Bouzaid
A stakeholder committee would be established to focus on priorities and strategy activation.
The chamber’s advocacy – seen in evidence throughout the business community – would expand into the tourism sector.
At least three tourism-focused events would be held every year, Bouzaid told her members.
Destination Cambridge is a membership organisation, run for the benefit of the accommodation, attraction, hospitality, transport and retail providers and other support businesses that make up the tourism community in Cambridge.
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce represents and supports business in Cambridge advocacy, connection, relationship building, skills and knowledge sharing.
