The first year of the Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce’s Amazing Race was a big success, say organizers.
The event was a chance for participants to network and visit other businesses. It was also a new take on the Business After Business events.
Laura Kennedy, administration assistant at the Chamber, said the event went excellent.
“Our goal was 10 teams and we had 12,” she said. “All the participants had a great time. They were all really fast.”
In fact, the teams finished the race well ahead of schedule, because the racers developed a good dose of competitiveness.
“We started it at 2:30 p.m. and had the final location and barbecue at 5 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Collision.”
She said teams started showing up just before 4 p.m.
“So it was really good,” Kennedy said. “I think everyone really enjoyed it. It gave everyone who participated an opportunity to showcase their business and show what they do in their business. We will definitely do it again next year.”
She said the next race will likely also be a longer race to account for the fast time, with added stations. That will also be an opportunity for more businesses to get involved.
The race took participants all across town, with stops at various businesses. The first stop at the Key City Theatre included a special challenge.
“Because October is Small Business Month they had two minutes to put together a jingle on Small Business Week. The winner gets to perform it at our Small Business Week luncheon. So that should be fun.”
The race is a new event for the Chamber and came out of feedback from members.
Kennedy explained that at the beginning of the year they always do a membership survey to see what some of the things people would like to see at the Chamber.
Someone suggested they try an Amazing Race-style event.
So Karin Penner, chamber manager, ran with the idea and it turned into the race.
“Everyone had such a good time,” Kennedy said. “It was totally different than anything we’d ever done before and like I say it was lots of fun. It definitely won’t be the last one we do, that’s for sure.”