Having both outgrown their former offices in Nelson Bay, a decision was made to merge the organisations under the one roof in Nelson Towers.

“The move to share an office space makes great business sense for both organisations, with collaboration between us on important local projects on the increase over the past 18 months,” chamber president Ryan Palmer said.

Destination Port Stephens, the driving force behind tourism in the Port, and the chamber, which supports businesses on the Tomaree Peninsula, have worked closely with each other during the past 18 months.

The tourism body provided marketing support for the chamber’s Blue Water Country Music Festival held in June, and is doing so for the upcoming event Tastes at the Bay and inaugural Love Summer, Love Nelson Bay campaign. 

For the chamber, relocation was necessary. The office it worked out of in Magnus Street is slated for demolition to make way for the Yaccaba Street extension through to Victoria Parade.

Destination Port Stephens had outgrown the compact office space it had operated out of for three years, just next door to the new office in Nelson Towers.

A designated boardroom and meeting space, which it previously did not have, became a necessity and prompted the move.

“When an opportunity presented to expand our office footprint in a way that would forge an even closer working relationship with the chamber, we didn’t hesitate,” Andrew Macdonald, chairman of Destination Port Stephens, said.

“The move will also keep us in proximity to the Visitor Information Centre, which is critical to servicing our membership effectively.

“Everyone is excited about the fresh start that a change in location can bring.”

The new Tomaree Business Chamber and Destination Port Stephens office is located at Shop 32 Nelson Towers, on Victoria Parade at Nelson Bay.

Mr Macdonald encouraged residents and members of Destination Port Stephens to “pop in” and take a look look.