Outgoing president Imel Rautenbach said he was looking forward to new blood coming into the organisation with the election of a new Executive Committee. He availed himself to be co-opted along with outgoing Exco member - Carli Bunding-Venter should the need arise, to provide continuation for ongoing projects.
The new chairman owns an accounting firm and has a Phd in this field. According to Chamber Manager, Ingrid Cronjé Dr Cilliers has a passion for the entrepreneurial spirit. "He has formed an entrepreneurial navigation company, Ten, that develops entrepreneurs using a 10 step programme. He personally mentors individuals and has a close relationship with Seda."
In his Presidential overview Rautenbach said it has been a busy year for the Chamber with many highlights. "Regular interaction with key people continues to be a fundamental necessity. The Garden Route Business Forum had been formed to focus on regional economic development and enjoys the attendance of representatives from a broad spectrum of key players. Together with the Provincial Economic Development Partnership (EDP) the regional collaboration has already resulted in significant benefit to the region.
April of 2012 saw the George Business Chamber arranging a networking evening in Thembalethu with main sponsorship being provided by Algoa FM and supplemented by the George Business Chamber. "A record number of 230 people attended this historical event. The first and certainly not the last of its kind. The intention was, and remains, an important strategy to create an environment where mutually beneficial cooperation between businesses in George, Thembalethu, Pacaltsdorp, Blanco and other areas in the Greater George Area can be encouraged."
A highlight of George's social calendar is the Chamber's Gala Dinner honouring the Business Person of the Year 2012, as well as Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. Western Cape Minister of Finance and Tourism Alan Winde was guest speaker at the dinner. There were numerous activities which the chamber supported including the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge and the annual golf day at Kingswood Golf Estate,
"In August of 2012, the city of George welcomed a delegation of 15 people from Port Elizabeth who were treated to a sumptuous dinner at the Protea Hotel King George. The latter also sponsored the accommodation for the duration of their stay. In April this year the second delegation will be welcomed. The Chamber is a significant stakeholder in the George Municipality's PACA (Participatory Appraisal of Competitive Advantage) 2012 project. During numerous economic development workshops, one of the main findings was the need to provide businesses with affordable training interventions, that could enhance business opportunities through improved customer service and sales techniques." Soon afterwards, the chamber facilitated a series of training workshops.
At the AGM of the George Chamber of Business incoming Exco members posed for a photo. From left - Henry Grobler, Geraldo Paluzzi, Jonathan Stanton-Humphreys (Vice President), Ingrid Cronje (Manager), Nadia Abrahamse, Lesley Warner (Secretary), Niel de Nekker, Arno Crous and Dr Willie Cilliers (President). The Absent Exco members are: Koos du Plessis, Dennis Farrell, Deleur Stander and Rayman Fortuin. Photos: Pauline Lourens
