Chamber will Recognize the Honourable Doug Lewis for Lifetime Achievement, and Welcome Incoming President Jan Holland at Annual Dinner February 6

By: Press Release

On February 6, 2025, the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC) will hold its 133 rd
Annual Dinner. The event has traditionally been an opportunity for chamber members to come
together to enjoy a meal and socialize while officially acknowledging the changeover in chamber
presidency.


This year, Scott Walker, of O’Coin Walker & Associates of BMO Nesbitt Burns, will hand the
presidential gavel over to Jan Holland, owner of Marina Del Rey. Holland has served on the
ODCC board for five years, and for the past year has chaired the ODCC’s Advocacy
Committee.


“One primary goal this year is to foster tight collaboration between us and the other Chambers
of Commerce in the surrounding townships to have a stronger voice in advocacy. I feel it is an
important priority to keep communications between the local business community and
municipalities fluid to ensure that everyone’s interests are aligned,” says Holland regarding his
objectives for the coming year.


“A lot of the present social issues surrounding us are based on systemic issues. In our
Advocacy Committee, we continuously discuss how these are also becoming very prominent
business concerns at the same time. As much as working on a solution for the immediate
needs, setting up our next generation for social success is just as important. The structure of
organized sports should not be underestimated in the process. I truly believe, that more needs
to be done with options for year ‘round training facilities for our popular team leagues of all
sports and keep them in town. I would like to explore options and determine how our local
business community could assist in gaining momentum towards a creative solution.


In addition, there are key infrastructure improvements for Simcoe North that the ODCC will
make a continued effort to advocate for. These include the Province of Ontario finally giving
approval for a new Hospital. And the relieve from local roads, like the twining of Highway 12 with
direct destinations to other areas like Windsor, as critical minerals from Northern Ontario need
to find their way south.”


The 2025 Chamber Dinner will take place at Hawk Ridge Golf Club and will also feature special
guest speaker Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
As a special addition to this year’s event, the ODCC will be presenting a Lifetime Achievement
Award to the Honourable Doug Lewis, a local business leader and former Chamber President
who also served as MP and held several positions in the federal cabinet.
Tickets for the Annual Dinner are available at https://www.orillia.com/events/details/chamber-
annual-dinner-1489?calendarMonth=2025-02-01
or through the Chamber office.