First Impression Program-Community Engagement

Since June 2025 we have been collaborating with other regional Chambers in the First Impressions Program. The funding for the program has been provided through the Economic Trust of Southern BC (ETSI-BC) with a successful grant application of Sicamous and District Chamber of Commerce who are the leads on the project. The BC Rural Centre-Sarah Sinclair are the facilitators of the program. Sarah is brings extensive experience running the program and community economic development.

Over the summer, participating Chambers gathered a team of 4-6 people were assigned a ‘community’ to visit with a reporting form in hand to complete information based on  their First Impressions and take photos. Similar to  secret shoppers, team members were assigned a role to play as a tourist,  business operator, young single adult, potential resident (with family) or retiree and interact with locals during their tour.

Sarah Sinclari-BC Rural Centre has compiled the information and prepared a report for each community. The report is meant to  be shared with the community and includes opportunities and identified priorities.

Our thoughts are we would be more successful in moving our priorities forward with the support of the community. 

We feel this is an important step in building a stronger community to do business, work and play. The information included in this report and gathered in the survey below will enable us to gather our partners and drive some important initiatives and promote growth. Please take some time to review the attached report and complete the survey.  Your thoughts are important and the information we gather, along with our First Impressions Community Report will help determine our community priorities, partners and grant applications.

North Shuswap Community Priorities Survey  Complete Survey