Annual Highlights - 2016

Annual Highlights

2016

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About Us

Celebrating almost 130 years, the Brampton Board of Trade is the go to organization where businesses of all sectors, convene, collaborate and create solutions to boost regional economic prosperity. We provide solutions to the toughest problems businesses face every day including

overcoming barriers to growth, attracting and retaining talent and making the right connections. Membership ranges from multinational corporations to small startups and individual entrepreneurs.

Our Mission Productivity — Deliver services that save you time, money and help your enterprise grow.

Prosperity — Generate wealth and solutions that better Brampton’s quality of life.

What we do Economic Development Support the thriving local economy by working with key stakeholders to encourage a businessfriendly environment.

Advocacy Work with governments of all levels to encourage pro-business regulations and policies.

Productivity & Growth Provide businesses with a competitive edge through business development opportunities and cost savings programs.

Connect Businesses Help businesses connect on a local, national and global scale and build strategic partnerships.

Provide Solutions Solve problems specific to Brampton including investment, talent acquisition, building key infrastructure and more.

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Leaders’ Message

Brampton is poised for greatness, and your Brampton Board of Trade is leading the way.

Business people came together at the Board of Trade this past year like never before. Together we worked on initiatives that not only support one another’s success but also build our community and Board of Trade. Thank you for that.

Brampton is emerging as one of Canada’s truly global cities. This past year, the Board led important strategic collaborations with regional partners including Canada’s Innovation Corridor and the Global Cities Council. Together with our local elected leaders and colleagues across the country, The Board is advocating for investment in a number of areas, including infrastructure, innovation and skills so that Brampton can harness its full potential and continue to grow in a healthy way.

$50,000 toward the new Peel Memorial Centre for Health and Wellness which will be opening in the new year.

Thank you to all of our partners that made significant contributions to the success of our business community.

The Business Excellence Awards Gala, State of the City Lunch and all signature events in the first half of 2016 were sold out affairs. One of the most rewarding highlights of this past year was the 34% increase in engagement by our members, not only in terms of their attendance and sponsorship of meetings, but also through the contributions of their time and talent on important advocacy issues.

Our success is due in large part to the dynamic volunteer corps at the Board. It is interesting to note that almost 40% of the directors on the Board are first-generation Brampton is Canada’s 9th largest city and the nation’s Canadians. Now more than ever, the Brampton Board of fastest growing major city. It has the country’s youngest, Trade is a diverse and inclusive organization. Businesses most well-educated and diverse represented in our membership are workforce. This year we welcomed “Together with our local elected diverse not only by size, sales and new companies like Amazon; sector but also ownership (gender, Canon and Habib Canadian leaders and colleagues across the culture, ownership-model: franchise, Bank to our business commuindependent, family-owned, or nity. Young, dynamic business country, we are advocating for publicly-traded), and includes both leaders are playing a big role importers and exporters - those in shaping the future of our investment in a number of areas.” that serve customers in Brampton community and Board of Trade. and around the world. 62% of Wise counsel from past-presidents and representatives Board of Trade members are small businesses such as of business families that have been in our community for T By Daniel and Holley Electric and 80% of Brampton’s decades has also helped define the new and improved leading employers are active and engaged in the Board’s Brampton Board of Trade. economic development initiatives.

Through focus on relevant business issues like helping you better serve your customers, cutting through government red tape, facilitating important meetings and connections, our association was able to make a positive difference in the fortunes of our members and quality of life in our community.

Another important contribution this year was completion of the Board of Trade’s health care pledge, donating

We are very optimistic about Brampton’s future. Thank you committee volunteers, staff, sponsors, advertisers and attendees for making 2016 a spectacular year. Special thanks to retiring directors and volunteer committee leaders Victor Winney, Keith Medenblik and Vibha Vohra-Bolla. We wish the very best to Evan Moore, incoming Chair and next year’s Board of Directors. As we look ahead, Brampton is truly poised for greatness.

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By the numbers

#1 129 42,000 business association and networking organization in Brampton

years serving the business community

employed by members

50+

events and opportunities to connect

2230

2400 25+ 2350+ export and trade documents processed

volunteer hours dedicated to policy and advocacy

34%

increase in event attendance

300% increase in member annual investments

attendees at events

active advocacy campaigns

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@FarzadRayegani— Grateful & honoured to receive @BramptonBOT Leadership Excellent Award. Proud of @sheridancollege #CAMDT achievement

@tbydaniel — A major shout out to @BramptonBOT and everyone involved with this awesome #BEA2016 celebration

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2016 Wins Through the help of our dedicated business volunteers, partners and sponsors we achieved many strategic goals.

Better engagement

Stronger relationships

Bigger impact

Better infrastructure

In 2015 and 2016 the Brampton Board of Trade saw record engagement. Our members were more actively involved in the campaigns we led, more eager to give their input and happy to attend our many events.

The Board of Trade’s strategic plan laid the groundwork to excel this past year. We spent more time advocating for business issues, and clocked valuable facetime with local, provincial and federal decision-makers.

Even more representative

This year Board of Trade was more diverse than ever before. Our membership not only comes from a wide range of business sectors and sizes, but it also reflects the diverse community in which we do business..

More civic pride

Brampton has a lot to be proud of! We worked tirelessly this year along with our members and community partners to highlight the many great things happening to make Brampton a better place to live, work and do business. The I Love Brampton campaign was a success.

Our strategic partners across Canada and the world also allowed us to be more influential at the provincial and federal levels on important tax, transit and infrastructure issues.

One of the most exciting developments this past year was the re-establishment of mid-day GO service and the freight bypass agreement-in-principle between Metrolinx and CN Rail — both support the Board of Trade’s call for two-way all-day GO Train service.

New businesses

This past year the Board of Trade continued to play important roles attracting and assisting a number of businesses to set up shop in Brampton, including Habib Canadian Bank.

More trade

This year we processed over 2400 certificates of origin and letters of waiver, allowing dozens of businesses in Brampton to streamline and accelerate their exports

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Advocating for your business Advocacy is at the heart of what we do, bringing the most important business issues to the attention of government decision-makers Cutting red tape

Through our work with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Ontario introduced the Cutting Red Tape Challenge.

Board of Trade members were actively involved in offering their feedback to improve outdated, unclear and unnecessarily costly regulations in order to cut red tape for businesses across the province.

Airports policy

The 5 km radius around the Pearson International Airport is the second largest employment area in Canada. We continue to work to ensure policies are adopted to ease passenger flow, and reduce delays in processing so that business productivity is enhanced and our regional economy continues to thrive.

Reducing the regulatory burden

The cumulative impact of compliance with government regulations is impacting job-creation. Much of our conversation this year with provincial and federal leaders revolved around working to decrease this burden for businesses.

Quashing Ontario’s Pension Plan

In collaboration with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Board worked to ensure the business community’s concerns about the planned Ontario Retirement Pension Plan — which would have put a significant financial burden on businesses — were heard, leading to the Province’s decision to abandon the idea. @lindajeffrey — It was my extreme pleasure to deliver the #SOTC16 address to a full room at the @BramptonBOT luncheon. Thank you

“The work that the Board of Trade is doing with all levels of government to improve the city’s economic climate is worthy of any business’s support.”

- Heather Strati, Deloitte Private

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Working Strategically The Brampton Board of Trade is part of the most influential business networks across Canada that leads public policy and advocacy issues related to business at all levels of government.

Canada’s Innovation Corridor

Brampton Board of Trade has taken a lead role in developing a working group of chambers of commerce and boards of trade and a CEO advisory board representing business communities along the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor. Through this collaborative effort, we’re working to attract more talent, business and investment throughout the corridor, especially in Brampton.

Global Cities Chamber Council

The Presidents and CEOs of Chambers of Commerce/Boards of Trade representing the largest marketplaces in Canada, have come together as the Canadian Global Cities Council (CGCC) to work collectively on the issues that big-city regions in Canada face including infrastructure, economic environment and trade. This year, a core focus was on speeding up processing at Canada’s major airports.

City Budget Consultations

The Board’s policy and government relations team worked collaboratively with the city of Brampton to offer recommendations for both the 2016 and 2017 budgets in order to mitigate property tax increases.

Prosperity Roundtable

The Board of Trade brought CEOs, vice presidents and senior leaders together from some of the region’s largest employers to create a vision from the private sector on the future of Brampton and more importantly a framework for action on key issues such as investment attractiveness, transit, transporation, talent and the next generation, trade and civic leadership.

MP Orientations & Federal Issues Forum

The Board of Trade moderated federal election debates on Rogers TV and held one-on-one meetings with local MPs to orient them on the key business issues impacting the business community.

Regional Marketing Collaborations

The Brampton Board of Trade has held strategic meetings with Toronto Global and co-sponsored a regional economic development health summit with TO Health to demonstrate support and synergies for marketing the GTA and Brampton.

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Providing Solutions Small businesses count on the Board of Trade to be seen, be heard and be connected.

Improve your bottom line

Our members have access to exclusive programs and discounts on items such as gasoline and office supplies that save their businesses time and money.

Protect your employees

Board of Trade members have access to competitive costeffective group insurance benefits for themselves and their employees including important health, dental and life protection.

Promote your business

Many of our members receive valuable exposure for their businesses through our various print and digital advertising opportunities including our weekly e-newsletters.

Leadership and growth

Dozens of our volunteers through Board committees and task forces have the opportunity for leadership development, peer to peer networking and mentorship.

“ChamberPlan has allowed our small company with only two employees to still get the benefits equal to those offered by a big company.

We like the fact that our rates get pooled with the other members.�

- Michelle, CJ Mechanic

Bringing together thought leaders

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The Board of Trade frequently brings together some of the brightest minds to keep our members current on the latest business trends and issues and to generate fresh ideas to more effectively run their business.

Speaker Series and Roundtables

This year we heard from a number of thought provoking, inspiring and informative speakers including Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade; Brad Duguid, Minister of Minister of Economic Development and Growth; Mathew Anderson, CEO of William Osler Health System; Mark Brown, Editor of MoneySense magazine and more.

State of the City

As one of the Board’s most prominent events, State of the City brings together business people and key decision-makers for the Mayor’s address to the business community. This year the event was sold out. The Board of Trade challenged local Council to be more collaborative, respectful of taxpayers and to better understand how Brampton ranks competitively for business and public sector investment.

Business Excellence Awards

This annual recognition gala brings together the best of the best of the local business community to honour those who have excelled. This year Heather Picken was honoured as Business Person of the Year. 40 companies were honoured for their achievements in leadership, teamwork, innovation and other categories.

“The Board of Trade is the only organization in Brampton that takes a comprehensive approach to economic development. The work they do is invaluable.”

- Evan Moore, Prouse, Dash and Crouch LLP

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“The Board’s BBN groups have allowed me to tap into their vast network of businesspeople and made the B2B efforts of my company more seamless.”

- Matthew Redican, Minutemen Press

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Connecting our members Over 2200 people registered and attended Board of Trade events to network with their peers, meet new clients and build strong business relationships.

Business After Hours

Our signature monthly business networking event gives our members the opportunity to have valuable facetime with their peers and other community guests. This year Business After Hours was held at a number of locations, including the Powerade Centre with The Brampton Beast, Hydro One, Jake’s Boathouse, The Works and more.

Before Breakfast Networking

A very enthusiastic network of small businesses meets bi-weekly to provide support to one another and share business leads. Two groups are currently active and welcomed new members this year.

Nine and Network

Our annual golf tournament took on a new format this year with more time for our members and participants to network and benefit from valuable facetime.

Small Business Expo

Members had the opportunity to showcase and talk about their businesses and also hear from Jeremy Miller, author of Sticky Branding.

@razorcreatve — Ty @BramptonBOT 4 a fabulous golf event.

Flexibility of a business morning & afternoon 9 holes was a fantastic mix

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Out and about

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Board of Directors Badar Shamim

Evan Moore

Jaipaul Massey

Todd Letts

Heather Strati

Manpreet Mann

Tina Larsen

Don Cumming

Keith Reardon

Harpreet Singh

Iain McNab

Heather Arthur

Chair, Board of Directors Investment Advisor TD Wealth

Past Chair, Board of Directors Executive Director Wise Elephant Family Heath Team

Vice-chair, Diversity & Inclusion Partner, Assurance & Advisory Deloitte Private

Vice-chair, International Trade Owner, PCMF

Vice President, Intermodal CN

Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology Sheridan

Josh Belczyk General Manager Zochem Inc

Chair Elect, Board of Directors Vice Chair, PGR Committee Lawyer, Prouse, Dash & Crouch LLP

Chief Executive Officer Brampton Board of Trade

Vice-chair, Finance Branch Manager BDC

Manager, Business Development TD GTA West Commercial Banking

Co-founder LAB B

Director, Business Care Rogers Communications