Armadale Chamber of Commerce

Building Strong Foundations for the Future

As President of the Armadale Chamber of Commerce, one of my priorities is ensuring our members have greater visibility of the work being undertaken by the Board. While much of our effort happens behind the scenes, it is important that members understand the initiatives, advocacy, governance improvements, and partnerships that are helping strengthen our Chamber and local business community.

To support this, we will now be providing a monthly President's Update to keep members informed of key developments, opportunities, and achievements.

April has been a significant month for the Chamber as we continue to focus on strengthening governance, improving member value, and building stronger relationships across the region.

Strengthening Governance and Compliance

A major focus for the Board has been governance and compliance.

With the appointment of a new Secretary and the addition of a new Events Committee Member, we have taken the opportunity to review and strengthen the systems, policies, and procedures that support the Chamber.

The Board has engaged external legal support to assist with several key governance projects, including:

• Constitution Review
• Risk Management Framework
• Board Appointment Agreements
• Post-Resignation Procedures

In parallel, our Learning Committee has been working with WHS advisory specialists to review and update a range of operational policies, including:

• Workplace Health & Safety
• Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure
• Code of Ethics
• Conflict of Interest
• Offboarding Procedures
• Social Media and Communications

These initiatives are designed to ensure the Chamber remains compliant with evolving legislative requirements while creating a strong foundation for future growth.

The Board is also reviewing insurance requirements and implementing Board Indemnity Deeds to further strengthen governance and protect volunteers who dedicate their time to serving the Chamber.

Strong Event Engagement Continues

One of the highlights of the first quarter has been the strong engagement we continue to see across our events.

All three Coffee Catch-Up events held this year have sold out, demonstrating the growing demand for quality networking opportunities within the local business community.

We were also pleased to host our first International Women's Day event, attended by Mayor Ruth Butterfield. The positive feedback received from attendees reinforces the importance of creating opportunities for local businesses to connect, learn, and collaborate.

The Chamber would like to thank all members, sponsors, speakers, and volunteers who continue to support our events.

Marketing Results Showing Strong Growth

Our marketing and communications efforts continue to generate strong results.

During the first quarter, the Chamber achieved:

• 3,861 website visits
• 77,951 Facebook views
• 35 new Facebook followers
• 13 new Instagram followers
• 10 new LinkedIn followers
• 2,036 website clicks from event advertising campaigns

These results have been achieved with a modest Meta advertising investment of approximately $700 and demonstrate the growing reach and influence of the Chamber within the local business community.

Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships

Advocacy remains one of the Chamber's most important responsibilities.

We were pleased to receive ministerial approval for the use of the name "Chamber of Commerce." While the legal and administrative processes remain ongoing, this represents an important milestone in strengthening the Chamber's identity and position within the business community.

The Chamber is also working with ARBA and the Small Business Development Corporation to deliver a series of educational workshops at the City of Armadale Council facilities. These workshops will provide practical business knowledge and support for local businesses at all stages of growth.

Additionally, I recently attended the third Bullwinkel Alliance meeting hosted by the Wheatbelt Business Association. Building relationships with neighbouring Chambers provides opportunities for collaboration, stronger advocacy, and broader support for our members.

Supporting Kelmscott's Future

The Chamber welcomes the City of Armadale's commitment of $1.5 million towards the beautification and revitalisation of Kelmscott.

While improved streetscapes are important, the Chamber will continue advocating to ensure these investments deliver tangible economic benefits for local businesses through increased visitation, improved accessibility, activation initiatives, and stronger commercial outcomes.

We look forward to working collaboratively with the City and all stakeholders to ensure business voices remain part of the conversation.

Membership Growth

The Chamber continues to grow, with five new members joining during this reporting period. Although membership has not been a core focus this year, we are sitting at 409 contacts and a healthy 103 members between members and sponsors.

Every new member strengthens the collective voice of our business community and contributes to the Chamber's ability to advocate, connect, and support local businesses.

To our new members - welcome. We look forward to helping you grow your networks and your business.

Looking Ahead

The coming months will see continued work across governance, advocacy, events, sponsorship development, and member engagement.

Our focus remains clear:

• Strengthening governance & finalising board structure
• Supporting local businesses through education
• Creating meaningful networking opportunities
• Expanding educational programs and workshops
• Building stronger advocacy outcomes for our region
• Strengthening our relationship with nearby Chambers and SME Groups.

On behalf of the Board, thank you for your ongoing support of the Armadale Chamber of Commerce.

Together, we are building a stronger, more connected business community.

Deena Syed
President
Armadale Chamber of Commerce

Download my President Report for the Board Meeting on the 5th June 2026.