The Kiama and District Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual General Meeting earlier this month, marking the occasion with distinction by renaming itself the Kiama and District Business Chamber.

Marie Beikmanis retained her role as president, with the eight-person board “the biggest” the chamber had ever had, she said.

Mrs Beikmanis said it was a ‘‘newer, fresher name that says exactly who we are and what we do’’.

‘‘I think that (the larger board) shows a lot of confidence that the chamber is really up and running now,’’ she said.

‘‘We have a lot of young members, a lot of young entrepreneurs who we have been trying to encourage to join the chamber.

‘‘The new name has an appeal to the younger crowd.’’

Mrs Beikmanis said although membership numbers were on the rise, there were still challenges that lay ahead during the next year.

‘‘Everyone knows business has been very slow over the winter period (in Kiama),’’ she said.

‘‘We can only hope that with our collaboration with Kiama council and Kiama Tourism, that we’re looking forward to a bright future.’’

Also appointed were new vice-president Gavin McClure and new treasurer Stephen Groves.

Patrick Mahedy, Kay McNiven, Greg Langford, Patrick Holz and Steve Warwick took up the remaining board positions.

Mr Groves, 22, is a business broker who joined the chamber about four months ago.

He said there was room for Kiama to grow beyond simply being a “tourist town”, even though most businesses enjoyed at least some residual effect from it.

He said during his term he would also aim to help attract more businesses and young entrepreneurs to the area. 

Licked Gelateria part-owner Michael Ballardin, 22, said he joined his business up to the chamber three weeks ago.

He said it was vital to get the growing number of young people involved in business within Kiama to regularly engage with the chamber.

He was excited to share his suggestions with other members. 

‘‘We need to get together and see if we can make a difference,’’ he said.

‘‘(Young people) can just bring new ideas.

‘‘It’s a different frame of mind, a different mindset and a different vision... I think that really helps.’’

He said the use of social media was also a key initiative.

‘‘It’s probably the most important thing,’’ Mr Ballardin said.

‘‘You can get out to so many people.’’

To get involved in the chamber visit www.kiamachamber.com.au or call 0457 773 064 on Wednesday or Thursday between 9.30am and 3.30pm.