Happy Mother's Day, Coeur d'Alene

Happy Mother’s Day, Coeur d’Alene! On behalf of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, we’d like to wish all the mothers out there the wonderful day they deserve!

On this Mother’s Day, we want to pay homage to a special mother in our city — someone you might call, “A Mother To Coeur d’Alene” — our very own, Joan Ford!

If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Joan, you know firsthand the loving care she offers each and every person who ventures into our Coeur d’Alene Visitors Center on 1st and Lakeside. Joan is the Visitors Center Coordinator, and, as such, she is the first face many people see when they visit our beautiful city. She provides a warm, motherly welcome to all.

“I love meeting all the tourists! Many of them are discovering Coeur d’Alene for the first time, and they’re just pleasant people!” — Joan Ford, Visitor Center Coordinator

Joan began her relationship with the chamber more than a decade ago as a volunteer. After years of assisting in her free time, she was recruited to work at the front desk, where she now manages all volunteers, assists with various CDA Chamber projects, books facility rentals and coordinates monthly reporting for local tourism data.

Her role is more than fitting since Joan began as a tourist herself. On a weekend getaway to visit her son in Coeur d’Alene, she fell in love and ended up purchasing a home here! That was more than 11 years ago, and since then, she is grateful to call Coeur d’Alene home.

“The location is unbelievable! It’s safe and full of friendly people. Merchants recommend one another, and neighbors know each other. It’s a real community!” — Joan Ford

The quality of life in our region is something really special. That’s why the chamber is passionate about creating a meaningful impact in the community. Through various events like the upcoming Hearts For Heroes Awards ceremony, the chamber is able to help create community and celebrate its valuable members. We invite you to join us there, and at our May Upbeat Breakfast at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, where we’ll be discussing travel, tourism, and summer in Coeur d'Alene.

Tourist season is just around the corner. And, of course, Joan will be ready to welcome all of them! Thank you, Joan, for truly embodying what it means to create community impact and maintain the unique and incredible quality of life here in Coeur d’Alene. Happy Mother’s Day!

Our mission is truly our members. Each month, we will highlight a different Insider Advantage. This is our opportunity to showcase our mission in action. For April, we focused on Education, May’s theme is Creating Community Impact and Quality of Life. Join us at our upcoming events:

UPBEAT BREAKFAST: TRAVEL, TOURISM, AND SUMMER IN CDA — Tuesday, May 10

The Coeur d’Alene Resort, 7-8:30 a.m.

Come see what’s in store for this summer season in Coeur d’Alene!

Register online at: https://directory.cdachamber.com/events/details/upbeat-breakfast-05-10-2022-22140

HEARTS FOR HEROES AWARDS LUNCHEON — Thursday, May 12

Hagadone Event Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Come show your support for our healthcare heroes! Register online at:

https://directory.cdachamber.com/events/details/hearts-for-heroes-awards-luncheon-2022-22892

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Linda Coppess is president and CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber. She's a Coeur d'Alene native.