As well as giving a president’s report and financial report of the past 12 months, the main objective of the annual meeting is to elect a new executive chamber. 

Current president of the Forbes Business Chamber Stuart Thomas said that while he believes there will be some continuity in the new committee, some key executive members will be standing down.

“There is a core of key committee people that have said they are willing to continue but we will be losing some key people too,” Mr Thomas said. 

Mr Thomas said that vice president Bree Roylance, treasurer Peter Johnson and administration support and events and marketing coordinator Sarah Davies would all be standing down at the meeting tonight and thanked them for their contribution. 

“We’d certainly like to thank Bree Roylance who has been a great asset to the organisation as well as Peter Johnson and Sarah Davies who has made a fantastic contribution for the period she’s been involved with the chamber,” he said. 

Mr Thomas said he hoped members of the Forbes community would be interested in joining the chamber and see it as a good way to be a part of a greater network. 

“We are certainly looking for new members to come and bring some ideas to the chamber and to business in Forbes in general,” he said. 

“One of the main perks of being a member is the ability to network with people who have common goals which is achieved through our Biz Viz, the Why Leave Town? initiative and Christmas promotion,” he said. 

“Other added benefits is Forbes’ linking with the NSW Business Chamber and some of the training courses we run.”

Currently the Forbes Business Chamber has over 50 members and Mr Thomas said membership numbers were bolstered significantly by the Why Leave Town gift card promotion. 

“We’ve had some really good support and probably the thing that’s involved a lot of the community is the Why Leave Town? promotion which to date has been very successful and has generated funds in excess of $30, 000,” he said. 

Mr Thomas also attributed the Business Chamber’s success to the support received by the Forbes Shire Council. 

“We’ve had some great support from council including their sponsorship of the Business Awards…and also providing funding which allows the volunteers to be well supported,” he said. 

The meeting will open at 5.45pm for a 6pm start and drinks and nibbles will be provided.

If you are interested in attending the meeting please rsvp to the Forbes Business Chamber at forbes.businesschambernsw@gmail.com