The Red Deer Downtown Business Association held its Annual General Meeting on October 30, 2007.  At that meeting, the membership elected five members to serve on the 2008 Board of Directors - Philip Boivin, Laura Cadrin, Shauna Fisher, Al Gamble and Terry Krause.

At the association's first meeting, held Tuesday, the Executive was elected.  The 2008 Downtown Business Association Board of Directors:

Paul Harris (Sunworks/Harris-Warke Gallery) - President
Laura Cadrin (La Petite Jaune Fleur) - Vice-President
Philip Boivin (Prairie Office Plus) - Treasurer
Duane Smethurst (Peak Chiropractic) - Executive Member Councilor Buck Buchanan (City of Red Deer)
Candace Dunning (The Bistro on Gaetz/Hot Pot Studio)
Shauna Fisher (La Casa Pergola)
Al Gamble (Beca International)
Terry Krause (Alberta Tourism Parks Recreation & Culture) Matthew Park (Warren Sinclair)
Richard Roth (Canwest Travel)

"I am enthused about the opportunities that lie ahead for the Downtown Business Association.  With a very strong board and Executive Director we can play an important role in helping the city centre reach its potential," says Paul Harris, President.

Downtown businesses demonstrated their holiday spirit, decorating their shops and businesses helping to create a festive atmosphere in the downtown this Christmas season.  After tallying the judges' scores for creativity, theme and colour, there emerged nearly a three-way tie.

The Red Deer Downtown Business Association is pleased to announce the winner of the Decorating Contest: Country Cupboard, with a very honourable mention to Mitchell & Jewell and La Petite Jaune Fleur.  As winner, Country Cupboard will receive the Red Deer Advocate prize of a Business Profile.

Dave Savage, President of the Downtown Business Association and a contest judge, said that "while the number of businesses who participated made the judging difficult, visiting those businesses certainly put us in the Christmas spirit.  On behalf of my fellow judges, we thank the staff of downtown businesses and wish all a very Merry Christmas".