Denmark Chamber of Commerce departing chief executive Sumer Addy reflects on her time in the role

Denmark’s Chamber of Commerce will soon have a new chief executive as the departing boss reflects on her time at the helm. Sumer Addy started in the chief executive role in January 2020, and much of her tenure has been spent dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s just been a pleasure to serve the community, especially through the pandemic . . . understanding and navigating that and supporting our businesses through that,” she said. Ms Addy said there were some initiatives she was particularly proud of from her time with the DCC, including the Great Southern Food and Beverage Capability Guide, a mentoring program for young women in business, and the Denmark Dollars buy local initiative. Recently, the DCC has taken on a three-year contract for tourism promotion in Denmark through the Discover Denmark brand. “It’s a huge achievement,” Ms Addy said. “I feel like I’ve done the pointy end of a lot of things that those who have come before me have put a lot of years and years of work into. “It’s a large achievement, and secures the future for the chamber of commerce in our community, which is something that I’m really proud of.” The DCC has close to 350 local members, and Ms Addy said she expected it to have an “exciting future”. “I can imagine that it will continue to be that go-to place that it has been consistently year-in and year-out for business support and advocacy,” she said. After she steps down from the role in mid-April, Ms Addy plans to put more focus on running Tea House Books, which she and her husband bought last August. They plan to transform the business into a small bar and brewery. “I’m moving on to a new role but will still be within the community, still very much interested in Denmark and its health and wellbeing,” she said. The DCC has advertised for a replacement chief executive.