New Chairman for Nature Coast Enterprise

New Chairman for Nature Coast Enterprise

After three years at the helm Lloyd Chapman has stood down as chairman of Nature Coast Enterprise (NCE) but will remain on the board. Levin based Graham Smellie who was the foundation chairman and longest serving board member is the new chairman. All board members will remain until the October 2010 AGM.

Additional board members are Hillary Wooding (KCDC representative), Fiona Kamariera (HDC representative), Fiona Wilson (Iwi representative) Ewen Paynter, John Barrett and Kate Gibbs.

Mr Smellie reiterated that economic development and tourism are fundamental drivers of the economy and the organisation is working hard implementing the current business plan. “We have recently adopted a five year strategic plan and continue to work closely with our key stakeholders especially KCDC and HDC. He said it was imperative that NCE continue to work with businesses right across Kapiti and Horowhenua and we are growing our membership base.

Some of our key goals for the year include a continuation of business training, network facilitation, development of clusters; in fact work has already started in the agriculture-horticulture sector. The promotion of a Food and Beverage cluster makes sense with so many high value niche products developed in this region. We will also continue our business retention and attraction strategy as well as looking at strategic opportunities particularly around the new airport.

NCE will continue to strengthen the local tourism industry and will again be working with the private sector in a domestic marketing campaign. We will evaluate the current events industry and recommend new opportunities within existing attractions. The staff will continue a high quality service through our three information centres and the AA office”.

Mr Smellie concluded by saying collaboration with partners is the key and the organisation will continue to focus on its Mission: “growing sustainable business and tourism”.

ENDS

© Scoop Media