The High River Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting this Thursday afternoon at the Highwood Golf and Country Club.

Chamber President Steven Muth says like everything else chamber memberships are going up in 2017.

Chamber President Steven Muth.

"Most members of the Chamber will see their dues increase fifteen dollars per year, no a significant financial impact to the businesses but unfortunately an increase just the same."

Muth says it's a minor increase and adds it's the first the chamber has had in several years.

He says dues may be on the increase but so is membership which climbed from 165 in 2015 to 190 in 2016.

He says in the last three years he's seen positive changes between the chamber and town council.

"There's been a huge improvement in the working relationship and the communication between the chamber of commerce, town council and town administration. The future is pretty bright we you get everybody pulling in the same direction."

He says among his plans for the new year he wants to share best practices with the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce.

"For 2017 we're going to try and put on some joint educational presentations that some of our members have been asking for in relation to employment standards, staffing and marketing."

High River Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lynette McCracken was honored for her years of service.

Ted Dawson aka Buddy the Elf sharing information about the upcoming holiday events and activities in High River.