A network of consultants and remote workers in the Whistler area are moving forward with developing a network and possible directory in the coming year.
An initial meeting in June this year saw 40 people who work from home in the area show up to express their interest in establishing a network locally.
Co-chairs of the steering committee that was formed out of that initial meeting, Trina Talarico and Deb Peterson, came up with the idea to have an event over coffee one day. Both consultants living in Whistler and working from home they thought it would be worthwhile to connect with others in the same situation.
Talarico said the number of people that showed up was a pleasant surprise and showed a little-known population of workers in the community.
“Our instinct is that there are more of us out there,” she said. “I think one of the things that really took me by surprise was just the depth and capacity of people working out of Whistler.”
Talarico said that is demonstrated in the make up of the steering committee, which includes president of the Chamber of Commerce Fiona Famulak, Jim Godfrey, Janice Hulse, Mary Konkin, Laurissa Stebeleski and Jennifer Wyne.
The event on Thursday (Sept. 20) is hoped to give the group focus for the upcoming year and may also include establishing a directory of consultants that call Whistler home.
“We want to keep focused certainly in this first year and make sure what we do, we do well and really pick things that are of value to consultants and remote workers,” Talarico said. “The hesitation of the steering committee is they don’t want to get too far ahead of people interested in being part of the network.”
The event will include speed networking and time for small group discussions as well as the opportunity to provide feedback on priorities for the upcoming year.
It is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Nicklaus North dining room. Cost is $15 at the door and those interested can contact whistlernetwork@gmail.com for more information.
