ANNUAL REPORT
Brandon Chamber of Commerce 2013-2014
CONTENTS
1 BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mission/Vision Statement 2 2012-2013 Board of Directors 2 Leadership Message 3 Events 4 By the Numbers 5 Highlights 6 Advocacy 8 Treasurer’s Report 9 Sponsors 10
ANNUAL REPORT
2013-2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Secretary/Treasurer JORDAN LUDWIG Brandon Business Interiors
President CRAIG SENCHUK Agri-Trend Business Management
Vice-President TODD BIRKHAN BDO Canada LLP
TERRY CARLISLE Cando Rail Services
DANIEL A. BURNS Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd.
FRANK ARNDT myITsource.ca/MTS Connect Corral Centre
BONNIE NAY-DRAPER Entrepreneurship Manitoba
WHO WE ARE The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the grassroots level.
2 BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
KARLA DANE Meighen Haddad LLP
CARLA MILNE MNP LLP
Past-President NATE ANDREWS Guild Insurance Brokers Inc.
TERRY BURGESS, RBC Royal Bank
CHAD WALLIN Joe Beeverz Bar & Grill
LYNDSAY MURRAY Murray Auto Centre Brandon
TYLER RICE Powell Construction
MISSION
VISION
To encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment, favourable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.
A vibrant, growing organization that reflects the dynamic, diverse business environment in Brandon and delivers recognized value for its members. Respected at all levels of government and the community as a highly credible and influential organization, the Chamber is the voice of Brandon’s growing business community.
ANNUAL REPORT
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE Thank you to our nearly 600 members, for your continued support, participation, and membership. Your investment enables the chamber to continue its work to champion for local business and a strong economic environment. 2013-2014 was another active year for the Chamber and we are pleased to have accomplished many goals on behalf of our members. The Chamber has served as the ‘voice of business’ in our community for over 131 years. We take tremendous pride in our commitment and responsibility in providing valuable services and benefits to help our members grow and prosper and representing business with all levels of government. Financially, the Chamber continues to strengthen its position and we are pleased to report another profitable year. Our events continued to be a popular benefit of membership and were pleased to be able to grow our calendar this past year with the addition of our first oil and gas conference on the opportunities in the Bakken, as well as increasing the number of professional development workshops we offered. The support, sponsorship and engagement from members assisted in making our events successful and meaningful and we will continue to work to bring these high quality events in the year ahead. This past year, we also revived two important committees. The Workforce Development Committee was formed to address the challenges around labour attraction and retention and we have been very pleased with the engagement of the various stakeholders around the table. Recognizing the importance of agriculture to our local economy, our new Ag committee has brought together key stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities within this industry. Of course, our advocacy efforts continue to be a very important aspect of our work as well. The Chamber actively participated in the annual budget reviews of the city and Brandon School Division attending various public forums and stakeholder meetings to promote fiscal responsibility and to ensure the business perspective was heard. We continued to dialogue with our local MLAs and MP to actively pursue issues on provincial and federal levels to ensure that local business interests were represented at all levels of government. Provincially and nationally we remain connected to the Chamber Network with our alignment with organizations such as the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 10,000 businesses, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce which represents over 200,000 businesses. Together we help shape policy that will make a difference to businesses in our area. We continued to offer many valued added benefits through our affinity and discount programs. In addition to exclusive offers from local members, our affiliation with both the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Manitoba Chamber of Commerce allow our members direct access to additional benefits for their business. In the year ahead, we will continue to seek your input, participation and feedback in our efforts to strengthen the work and activities of the Chamber. With a strong and dedicated board, hardworking and knowledgeable staff, and a vibrant and active membership the Brandon Chamber of Commerce will continue its success as a your business advocate in the year ahead. We thank you for your support.
BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 3
ANNUAL REPORT
EVENTS The Chamber strives to deliver exceptional networking and business development opportunities that also provide opportunities to connect and hear from government officials and thought leaders. In 2013-2014, the Brandon Chamber hosted 32 events as well as approximately 40 Friday Chamber Coffees, with over 4700 total attendees. This year, through our monthly luncheon series, we offered you the opportunity to hear from Westjet Encore President Ferio Puglisese, Centreport CEO Diane Gray, Ag guru Kim McConnell as well Premier Selinger and Mayor Decter Hirst , to name just a few. Our two signature events, the Annual Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament were once again huge successes with both events sold out. This year we also hosted our first conference on oil and gas: Manitoba to Montana: Business Opportunities in the Bakken which was a huge success. Not only did attendance double original estimates, but the event attracted attendees from across the province.
“Through the networking opportunities the Chamber offers, we have been able to meet and retain some of our most loyal clients. Helping other businesses succeed by referring each other is a win-win.” Anita Haig, Owner of Blinds by Anita
4 BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
YEAR IN REVIEW: 2013-2014 EVENTS June (2013) President’s Luncheon and Changeover Ceremony Annual Golf Tournament WordPress Workshop September Luncheon Series – Ferio Pugliese, WestJet October Small Business Month Workshop: Making the Most of LinkedIn Luncheon Series: Small Business ‘Kick Off’ Chamber AGM Small Business Week Workshop: High Performance Team Building Small Business Week Workshop: Business Transition Small Business Month Workshop: Marketing Panel Discussion November Luncheon Series: Diane Gray, Centreport Workshop: Email Marketing 1.0 Business After 5: Keystone Centre Workshop: Capitalizing on Critical Skills Chamber Federal By-Election Forum Meet & Greet with US Consulate Workshop: Why You Have to do Safety to Do Business Brandon Black Friday Campaign December Christmas Luncheon January Luncheon Series: Martin Neuhofer of Wendell Estate Honey Lunch & Learn: Executive & Business Coaching February Luncheon & Conference: Manitoba to Montana—Business Opportunities in the Bakken March Champion of Ag Luncheon: Kim McConnell, founder of AdFarm 12th Annual Aboriginal Job Fair 131st Annual Dinner—A Red Carpet Affair April Lunch & Learn: Manitoba Hydro Power Smart for Business State of the Province Address with Premier Selinger Business After 5: Alternative Landscaping Ltd. May State of the City Address with Mayor Shari Decter Hirst Past President’s Dinner Lunch & Learn: Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation Business After 5: Brandon Regional Health Centre—Murray House Weekly Every Friday – September-June – Chamber Coffees
ANNUAL REPORT
By the Numbers 533
meeting held last year
Number of attendees at the 131st Annual Gala Dinner
Number of total members
5 Number of Business Achievement Awards handed out.
598 351 Total number of Chamber Facebook friends
75% 36
Number of sponsors that are repeat sponsors
Number of new members
1056 Number of Chamber twitter followers
27 Number of cost reduction programs offered through the Chamber Network
2891 Number of luncheon attendees
32+ Number of Chamber events last year
1000 131 Number of years the Chamber has been the voice of Business
Approximate number of cups of coffee consumed at Chamber Friday Coffees.
88% 104
Percentage representing retention of members
Number of committee
BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5
ANNUAL REPORT
HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNICATIONS
PARTNERSHIPS
The Chamber strives to communicate effectively with our members and in 2013-2014, we sent out 12 informational mailers, with 6 issues of our Chamber @ a Glance newsletter in addition to approximately 50 Chamber Insider e-newsletters to over 1100 subscribers. These publications keep members up to date on Chamber events and advocacy issues as well as regular features such as ‘member news’ and ‘member profiles’ as an additional no cost benefit.
2013-2014 saw the Chamber develop and renew community partnerships and collaborations on a number initiatives and events.
We continued to boost our social media presence increasing our twitter followers from 600 to over 1050 this past year! Our twitter ‘Selfie Contest’ at the Annual Dinner was a particular hit with attendees. We also sent our annual membership survey to learn from our members how we can better support them and to hear directly from business leaders on the challenges and opportunities they are experiencing. Networking continues to be identified by members as a key benefit of membership. We profiled members in the 7th edition of our Brandon Business Review Magazine and published our annual Membership Roster, both of which have turned from an expense to a revenue generator. We continue to see success with our client management software—ChamberMaster, in helping make our operations more efficient and providing more value added services for our members. Members can login and update contact information, add ‘hot deals’ and events or take advantage of the opportunity for an enhanced business directory with the ability to upload videos, logos and expanded business information. We will promote this opportunity more in the upcoming year.
AMBASSADORS PROGRAM A new Ambassador’s program was launched this year. A dedicated group of volunteers helped encourage greater participation in Chamber events by facilitating introductions amongst members and integrating new members in Chamber networking activities.
6 BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
We continued our partnership with Interprovincial Association on Native Employment (IANE) to co-host the Aboriginal Job Fair as well as continued Chamber representation on a number of external committees including Crime Stoppers, Brandon Salutes, Brandon Development Group, and the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce Board. The Chamber met with BU and ACC to discuss education programs and Employer needs. The Chamber saw new partnerships with World Trade Centre Winnipeg to host our first oil/gas conference and with Entrepreneurship Manitoba and Economic Development Brandon to grow educational opportunities through various workshops and panel discussions. Through new committees, we brought together key stakeholders to discuss workforce development and the ag industry.
EDUCATION Over the past year, the Chamber continued to strive to provide a variety of educational opportunities. We had a number of informative speakers at our monthly luncheons and other special events who educated members on a variety of topics including the importance of agriculture, business opportunities in the oil and gas industry and Manitoba business success stories, to name a few. We worked to grow our business information series by developing partnerships with Entrepreneurship Manitoba and Economic Development Brandon to offer a variety of Small Business Month workshops.
NEW COMMITTEES In response to the increasing needs and challenges around labour retention and attraction, we formed our Workforce Development committee to explore strategies.
ANNUAL REPORT
Recognizing that agriculture plays a significant contributor to our local economy, we revived our Ag commmittee to explore and strengthen the opportunities within the Ag industry.
RECOGNITION It’s important to recognize and celebrate the success of our business community! Through our annual Business Achievement Awards, which were revised this past year, we are able to recognize excellence in innovation, leadership and contribution to our community. The 2013-2014 recipients were: Business Person of the Year—Doug Murray, Murray Auto Centre Brandon Lifetime Business Builder—Jeff Cristall, MNP Outstanding New Business Award—The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre Business Excellence Award—BEHLEN Industries Community Service Award—Bernie Chrisp Award winners received recognition at our Gala Dinner held in March as well as being profiled in our annual Brandon Business Review Magazine. At our Small Business Week Luncheon, we recognize those members who are celebrating milestone anniversaries.
THE CHAMBER NETWORK Your Chamber is part of a larger business network. Being aligned with the largest and most influential business organizations in Manitoba and Canada, we can work together to shape policy that will make a difference to business in our region. These organizations have achieved notable successes in influencing policy for the benefit of our members. Both organizations provide superior advocacy work on behalf of our business and initiatives can be viewed on their websites: www.chamber.ca and mbchamber.mb.ca. Highlights: Attended the Manitoba Chamber AGM in Dauphin, MB and supported various motions including encouraging provincial budget planning and fiscal responsibility, provincial venture capital strategy and opposition to the proposed increase to the PST. Brandon Chamber won the bid to host the next Manitoba Chamber AGM to held in May of 2015! Delegates attended the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in Kelowna, BC to lobby on behalf of Brandon Chamber members Brandon Chamber General Manager, was elected to the Canadian Chamber of Executives Board and was elected the chair of the newly formed Chamber Executives of Manitoba
In partnership with Prairie Mountain Health, we also presented the annual ‘Best Boss Award’ to a deserving recipient nominated by their staff. In 2013-2014 we presented two awards: Trevor Hallson (RBC Royal Bank) and Kevin Boyd (Career Connections).
“You get to know key decision makers in the city and it’s a great way to get connected and meet the business community” Steve Langston, Dirty Shirt Productions
BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 7
ANNUAL REPORT
ADVOCACY Advocating on behalf of our members is a central mandate of our chamber, and this past year we worked hard to engage stakeholders and speak to all levels of government on a variety of business issues. The following is a summary of the priority issues we advanced in the 2013-2014 year.
AIR SERVICE
PRE-ELECTION ACTIVITIES
The Business Development Committee, in consultation with WestJet, developed an air service survey to garner feedback on usage and customer needs.
With the unexpected resignation of Merv Tweed, the Chamber hosted a Federal By-Election Forum to hear from candidates running in the Brandon-Souris riding so members and the community at large could be informed about relevant policy position of the various candidates and parties.
SHOP BRANDON In response to the Black Friday in the US, we supported local businesses by offering free advertising to members, so they could promote their own discounts.
TAXATION The Chamber was actively involved in the local, provincial and federal government and school division budget processes, attending all public forums and consultations, all day budget sessions as well as a variety of additional meetings to encourage fiscal responsibility. We also participated in WCG LIVE Provincial Budget Reaction Show to give feedback on Chamber positions.
With a municipal elections slated for the fall of 2014, the government relations committee started the development of a candidate’s scorecard to gauge candidate’s position on important business issues. This will be presented in conjunction with a Mayoral Election Debate in the Fall off 2014.
TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS PROGRAM The Chamber met with various stakeholders and elected officials, sent letters and op-ed pieces and supported Canadian Chamber resolutions regarding the changes to the temporary foreign workers program and the negative impact that could have for employers and our local community and economy.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS There were a variety of meetings between members of City Council and the Chamber Board of Directors to discuss infrastructure, budget concerns and other issues. A Chamber representative was also at each City Council and School Division meeting. Provincially, chamber representatives met with both local MLA’s as well as various ministers and other key staff to discuss members concerns including hog supply issues, taxation, and labour challenges. Federally, we met several times with MP Larry Maguire and various ministers to express concern over the changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers Program, labour challenges at large and trade barriers amongst other issues.
8 BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANTI-SPAM LEGISLATION We have been distributing this information to our members and encouraging them to make the necessary preparations in advance of it coming into force on July 1, 2014. The chamber then turned its attention to ensuring that our own operations would be compliant with the new legislation. This will be an ongoing process.
12@12 Member Input Session To increase member feedback and engagement we continued these roundtable discussions to learn more about our members, the challenges they face and the role the Chamber can play. Look for more of these in the new year.
ANNUAL REPORT
TREASURER’S REPORT On behalf of the entire Brandon Chamber of Commerce Board, the following represents a synopsis of the information in the Year End reports. These reports are available to any of our Chamber Members at our 1043 Rosser Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba location. Our year end report, dated May 31, 2014, highlights a net surplus of $68,789 or an increase of $33,007 over the same period in 2013. This increase can be largely attributed to an increase in revenues bolstered by the success of the 1st Oil and Gas event held in early 2014 and prudent management of expenses within the annual budget. As a result of the net surplus, the Chamber remains in a strong financial position with approximately $277,500 held in cash after adjustments for accounts payable. Of particular note within the financial statements is the $23,443 expenditure for building repairs. These expenses were expected and part of the plan to invest in the maintenance of our property to ensure its long term viability. A contingency fund was identified in 2013 and will be maintained by annually designating a portion of the financial surplus. Looking forward to 2015, we are confident that our strong financial position will remain and a financial plan is in place, to further support our membership activities. We have planned for and anticipate three areas of increased spending in the upcoming year including; painting & carpeting the interior Chamber offices; the staffing of a new role in support of attraction and retention of Chamber Members; and additional costs to Host the 2015 Manitoba Chamber Annual General Meeting. Special thanks to Carolynn Cancade and her staff for the prudent financial management of our Chamber organization and Sharpe & Co. Chartered Accountant Ltd. for the preparation and review of our Financial Reports.
“The Chamber is always the first ones to stand up for business in whatever issues might arise, be it with the city, the province, the Chamber is the first voice, doesn’t matter what kind of business you are in.” Kerry Campbell, (now retired) President of C&C Construction Ltd.
9 BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNUAL REPORT
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS and SUPPORTERS! LUNCHEONS Sunrise Credit Union Ltd. Entrepreneurship MB Assiniboine Community College Keywest Photo Image by Design Inc. Corral Communications Ltd. (MTS Connect Corral Centre) CGA Manitoba—Westman Chapter WCG / Travel MB Brandon First Crocus Credit Union Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation Brandon University IANE 3 Percent Realty Solution Cancer Society Sargent Lock & Safe Ltd. Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba CONFERENCE Assiniboine Community College Branstone Financial Strategies Inc. Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. Roy Johnston TDS CKLQ/STAR FM Brandon Sun TL Penner Construction Structural Comp Tech Protegra ATLIS Geomatics King's Septic Westeel Infometrics Incorporated Corral Communications Ltd. (MTS Connect Corral Centre) Bison Fire Protection Aquatic Life Synergy Land Services Ltd. Municipal Wast Mgt Souris Pumping SITE Energy Reaxion Graphics FRIDAY CHAMBER COFFEES Tim Hortons
10 BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
131st ANNUAL DINNER— 2014 BDO NetSet Communications & I-Netlink Wireless Behlen Industries Benmarks Cando Rail Services Ltd. Keywest Photo Image by Design Inc. MB Liquor & Lotteries Brandon Sun The Party Professionals Westman Communications Group Sunrise Credit Union Ltd. MTS Connect - Shoppers Mall/Corral Centre/Victoria Ave Westoba Credit Union MNP Zeke's Quality Jewellers Ltd. Winnipeg Blue Bombers West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Shoppers Mall Roy Johnston TDS Remington's Seafood & Steakhouse RBC Royal Bank Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Leech Printing Ltd. Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. Crane Steel Structures Inc. Canad Inns Destination Centre Brandon Brockie Donovan Ltd. Bromley's Menswear Burns Maendal Consulting Engineers Canexus Chemicals Canada LP Manitoba Hydro Manitoba Public Insurance Sargent Lock & Safe Ltd. Vanguard Credit Union Ltd. Western Financial Group Blinds by Anita Brandon Wheat Kings Dick Agencies Insurance Brokers Image & Wellness Centre Leon's Furniture Superstore
BA5s Keystone Centre Inc. Alternative Landscaping Ltd. BRHCF - Murray House ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT—2013 CGA Manitoba—Westman Chapter Altus Geomatics Manitoba Professional Land Surveyors Canadian Tire Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. St. John Ambulance—Brandon Branch Alternative Landscaping Ltd. Murray Auto Group Brandon myITsource.ca / Frank’s Computer Sales and Service MyPhone.ca (MTS Connect Brandon Shoppers Mall) Western Financial Group Assiniboine Community College Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. InfoMetrics Incorporated Joe Beeverz Bar & Grill Leech Printing Ltd. MTS Inc RBC Royal Bank STRATA Benefits Consulting Inc. Total Eye Care Centre West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Westman Communications Group Shoppers Mall Westoba Credit Union YMCA of Brandon Tim Hortons Blue Moon Water Subway Frito-Lay Canada WORKSHOP PARTNERS Entrepreneurship Manitoba Economic Development Brandon BEST BOSS AWARD PARTNER Prairie Mountain Health Coffee Culture Café & Eatery