Entrepreneur Kurtis Kristianson was recently sworn in as president of the Crossfield Chamber of Commerce.
Motivated by a love of the town, he is hoping to help promote and create networking opportunities for businesses in the community.
“I think this is a great little town. I have lived here for five years, and I want to see it live up to its potential,” he said. “I like to support local business, I am a small operating business myself.”
Kristianson, an adventure photographer, also sits on the Crossfield Youth Council board and is a member of the town’s fledgling motocross association, a group that is seeking to have a track built in the area. He is also a volunteer firefighter in Crossfield.
According to Kristianson, the goal of Crossfield’s Chamber, which has about 40 members, is to promote a thriving business atmosphere in the town. He said the executive hopes to do so by putting on activities, such as the annual golf tournament and Picnic in the Park events, and actively speaking out on issues that affect business.
“A Chamber in a small town actually has a pretty big voice as an organization,” said Kristianson. “We can work with the Town on certain things. We can get a voice.”
Kristianson said the provincial branch of the chamber offers a number of benefits for businesses, such as health coverage.
“Being in the (chamber) will allow certain benefits you normally can’t get unless you are a bigger business,” he said.
Kristianson said Crossfield Chamber’s board members have a number of exciting ideas. Personally, he would like to help business owners understand the importance of social media in growing and maintaining their business.
According to Kristianson, the future is bright for Crossfield.
“There are a lot of exciting things happening in Crossfield in the next few years,” he said.
“If businesses can hold out, a lot of great things will be happening. It won’t be much longer before we are going to see a lot of great improvements...”
For more information, contact the Town of Crossfield at 403-946-5565.
