Chamber Launches Information Phone App
By John Swartz
The Orillia District Chamber of Commerce took the occasion of the monthly Business After 5 networking event, held this month at the Port of Orillia, to ann9unce the launch of a new mobile app called Explore Orillia and Lake Country.
“I was in Ireland and I looked at it and went, “This is amazing,” said chamber executive director Allan Lafontaine.
“It took us about 9 months to get it. It took us about another month to get all the data downloaded and then we’ll be tweaking forever.”
The app has information about events, restaurants, resorts and recreation – even the weather users can look up from their phones.
Look at the events,” Lafontaine said. “For example on Canada Day we have people come in and ask for paper all the time; look at this your schedule is right there,”
“Are you hungry? You go to Brewery Bay. You’re going to go to the website and look through the menu and then we’re going to hit map and hit directions – oh, we’re walking, 8 minutes, go. It’s never been easier.”
The app can be downloaded to phones from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.
“It’s pretty easy to use. Free for users. We made it for users,” Lafontaine said.
“You don’t have to be a member to be listed, but members of the chamber get a better listing and then there’s even a premium listing where you have quick links for everything.”
The launched with a good number of users already onboard.
“We’re about 1,500 and after our big media launch we’re going to go through the roof. You don’t have to be a member to be listed, but members of the chamber get a better listing and then there’s even a premium listing where you have quick links for everything.”
The Business After 5 also featured some entertainment. Harry White, Orillia’s own professional pogo stick athlete and 2023 Pogopalooza Best Trick champion gave a demonstration of his pogo skills.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia and Images Supplied)
