With a new chair leading the way, members of a West Parry Sound G8 committee hope to get some of the event's attention focused on the west side of the riding.
Parry Sound and Area Chamber of Commerce president Perry Harris was appointed chair of the West Parry Sound G8 committee earlier this month, replacing Dick Scholfield, who held the position for a year, but stepped down to pursue other commitments.
To date, the committee has worked to secure G8 infrastructure funding, with more than $2 million in G8 funding being spent to spruce up Parry Sound and neighbouring communities, including Humphrey, Orrville and Rosseau.
Now, with most of the federal government's $50 million in G8 spending allotted, the committee will focus on drawing attention to the area.
"We want to ensure that the Parry Sound area is represented," said Harris.
"We've had the advantage of the infrastructure funding, now it's time to take advantage of marketing, promotion.
"We want to make sure this is an opportunity for the Parry Sound area to show what we have to offer.
"We're unique as well, being more-so on the Canadian Shield and with unique businesses."
The West Parry Sound G8 committee includes several members of the Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee (REDAC), municipal representatives from Parry Sound, Seguin Township and McDougall Township, and several other municipal and business representatives.
"Certainly our committee will be playing a role and one of the things we did talk about is, in Huntsville they were having some town hall meetings, and it would make a lot of sense to have those here to let the public know what's going on," said Parry Sound Mayor Richard Adams.
According to Harris, several local businesses hope to offer their services to G8 preparations, and the committee also hopes to make sure those local businesses are recognized by the international summit's organizers.
The Parry Sound chamber is organizing an event of its own, a media day for national and international media in Huntsville to tour the Parry Sound and Georgian Bay area.
"That's an example of what we're looking at doing," he said.