Welcome to the Nelson Business Association’s (NBA) monthly column. Each column gives the business community an overview of recent NBA activities, events and initiatives. Features include profiles of members and guest speakers.
WHAT IS THE NBA?
The NBA consists of business owners, the self-employed and those otherwise involved or interested in the business community. Weekly meetings are held on Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m. in the Emporium Room or the Library Lounge of the Hume Hotel. At the round-table discussions, members talk about the issues and activities concerning their own businesses as well as topics related to the NBA. Business issues, collaborative business ideas as well as new ventures for the NBA are also discussed. The format is loose. The NBA warmly welcomes and encourages new members. Membership is free and a donation is collected at each meeting. For more on the NBA visit nelsonbusinessassociation.ca.
AROUND THE NBA
The NBA on local airwaves: NBA member and Kootenay Co-op Radio sponsorship coordinator Deb Burnett say she will discuss NBA matters whenever she gets the chance on her new co-op radio program, What Now?
“I want to broadcast whatever is happening at NBA meetings,” Burnett said. “I would like to have NBA members on the show and go beyond what and who we are on a professional level into something more personal, have them on the air to chat about whatever is on their mind and play the music they are into.”
Burnett also extends her invitation to anyone in the community who would like to be on her show. The show will revolve around whatever inspires Deb and her guest(s) in the now, both in conversation and music.
“The show will be lots of fun,” Burnett said.
You can listen to What Now? every other Friday at 2 p.m on Kootenay Co-op Radio.
Speakers and presenters: The NBA has expanded its portfolio of presenters over the past few months, hosting a diverse array of community members such as Barry Auliffe and Pat Henman of Selkirk College, Bill McNally of the Community Dollars initiative, Project Turquoise Snowflake (a feature-length film from LVR and students) writer and director Robyn Sheppard and Nelson City Police Sergeant Howie Grant.
If you are interested in giving a presentation to the NBA, please call NBA Chair John Knox at 505-6645.
MEMBER PROFILE
Member: Corrine Zawaduk
What she does: Production Manager, Shambhala Music Festival.
How long: Production Manager for eight years. I have been with the festival from the beginning, but back then, we all did everything we could to make the festival run. There were no job titles!
Duties involved in running this business: Managing teams and team leaders to create the infrastructure of the festival. Shambhala is like creating a small city for six days with all the facilities that a town has. It is challenging to take our raw farm land and transform it into a cutting edge festival. Sometimes I feel like the mayor of Shambhala! My job spans the entire festival and takes all year to accomplish. I oversee all operations of the festival and help guide policy and procedure. They call me Boss Lady....
Business approach/philosophy: I believe in constantly raising the bar for our industry and enjoy challenging our employees and managers to give the customer a better experience. I believe in developing people and it is exciting to see people grow into their positions and push the possibilities. Innovation is very important to me and keeping the customer experience fresh is essential in retaining repeat customers. It’s all about the people on the dance floor.
Life is best when... “we are all dancing on the dance floor.”
Elliot Robins is a local realtor and member of the NBA. His column is featured in the Nelson Star once a month. For more info visit nelsonbusinessassociation.ca.