BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
CONTENTS 2 Board of Directors
5 Advocacy & Leadership
8 By the Numbers
3 Leadership Message
6 Programs & Services
10 Connect, Learn, Grow
4 The Chamber Network
7 Recognition & Celebration
11 Sponsors 12 Financial Report
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2018-2019
WHO WE ARE The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the grassroots level.
MISSION To encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment, favourable to enhancing existing and attracting new business. President Jeff Hood MNP LLP
Past President Tami Rourke Tower Co. / Rourke Group
Aida Tahhan Aida’s Catering
Vice-President Cathy Snelgrove Siere
Secretary/Treasurer Spencer Day Progressive Sanitation
Barry Cooper Heritage COOP
Mike Brolund Sunrise Credit Union
VISION A vibrant, growing organization with a diverse, inclusive membership that reflects the dynamic business environment in Brandon and delivers recognized value for its members. Through strategic partnerships with business and community organizations and leadership in the chamber movement, the Brandon Chamber is a catalyst for business development and growth in the region. Respected at all levels of government and the community as a highly credible and influential organization, the Chamber is the voice of Brandon’s business community.
CORE MEMBER SERVICES
Ryan Jocobson Forbidden Flavours
Steve McMillan VBJ Developments
Through membership in the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, businesses have access to: • Business Connections • Information Resources • Business programs, products and services • Business Promotion & Publicity • Representation – an advocate that serves as the voice of business • Community Leadership
STRATEGIC FOCUS 1. Economic Development: Strengthen regional Economic Development to support a competitive Brandon, attract business and development, and reduce red tape. Trent Scholdice Meighen Haddad LLP
Scott Norosky South End Lumber
Jill Watt Cando Rail Services
2. Workforce Alignment: Provide resources to support employers’ human capital needs. 3. Organizational Effectiveness: Organizational improvements that maximize value for membership investment.
Jordan Trotter J&G Group of Companies
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Tanya LaBuick LaBuick & Co./CW2/ Guardian Fencing
4. Organization Value: Enhance the success of Chamber members by offering valued business support, services and programs.
BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE Thank you to the nearly 600 members who have contributed to another successful year at the Chamber. Our annual report provides a snapshot of what your investment has supported over the last year. Our success is achieved through the collaborative efforts of many volunteers, the leadership of our board, professionalism of our staff and engagement of our members and partners. We have collectively accomplished a substantial program of work and we hope that you will agree that your return on investment is impressive. The Brandon Chamber represents a diverse group comprised of all different business types, sectors, industries and sizes, and it’s the Chamber’s unified voice that has the power to influence change and ensure that business interests are heard. We are proud of our advocacy and program of work and the positive impact we have made in helping your businesses and organizations succeed. By working together to promote a growing and vibrant business environment, we have helped create a strong and thriving community. Membership engagement remains fundamental to the success of our organization and we will continue to explore new ways to deliver the programs and services that best support your business and ensure that Brandon continues to prosper. We exist because of and for our members. We thank you for your continued investment in the long-term success of the Chamber and Brandon business community. We hope that you agree that as a member, the knowledge gained, relationships built, and opportunities offered pay dividends both now and in the future.
ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
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THE CHAMBER NETWORK The Brandon Chamber is aligned with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, the largest and most influential business organizations in Canada and Manitoba. Through the Chamber Network, we 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 businesses, and initiatives can be viewed on their websites: www.chamber.ca and www.mbchamber.mb.ca. Highlights: •
Brandon Chamber delegates attended the Manitoba Chamber AGM in Gimli and supported various resolutions on access to capital funding for small business, strengthening Canada’s workforce and improving Manitoba’s competitiveness. The Flexible Provincial Funding for Post-Secondary we presented in 2016 was renewed as a Manitoba Chamber policy issue.
•
Delegates attended the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in Thunder Bay, ON, to lobby on behalf of Brandon Chamber members and supported a number of policies on national issues.
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BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ADVOCACY & LEADERSHIP The Chamber is proud to be the voice of business in Brandon and a leader in our community. 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 our leadership and advocacy work in 2018-2019. A New Strategic Plan This past spring, the Chamber Board developed a new strategic plan with 4 areas of focus: Economic Development, Workforce Alignment, Organizational Effectiveness and Organization Value.
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Key Advocacy Priorities As an active advocate for its membership, the Chamber provides a voice for the business community. At any given time, there are a variety of issues that arise, but the following were identified by the Board as key advocacy priorities impacting our community: • Improving the regional economy • Government efficiency and taxation • Community infrastructure • Workforce development • Fair government regulations and reduction of red tape • Environmental Stewardship • Regional Collaboration Business Consultation To better understand member needs, staff and committee reps engaged members through 12@12 member input sessions, surveys, business tours and roundtables. Our industry tours this year included the Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation's (BNRC) new maker’s space, the Brandon Research Station and City Sanitation. We also hosted Manitoba Chambers President & CEO, Chuck Davidson, to showcase our members and share local concerns. Government Relations Chamber representatives met with government officials of all levels of government to discuss important issues of concerns for business including: • Attended ‘Day at the Legislature’ to advocate on ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
local business concerns, met with all party leaders and various Ministers Attended Deputy Minister’s Dinner Participate in Development Advisory Group meetings City Councillor/Chamber Director Pairings
Building Partnerships with Regional Chambers The Brandon Chamber met quarterly with neighboring Chambers to share ideas and explore opportunities for partnership and joint advocacy efforts for the region. Municipal Election We developed a candidate’s questionnaire on issues important to members and hosted both a school division candidates coffee and a councilor candidates Meet & Greet to allow members to hear the perspectives of those running for election. Reducing Municipal Red Tape We continue to advocate on our policy urging the city to reduce barriers to business development with specific recommendations for improving transparency, communication, accountability and clarity on the development process. Watchdog on Taxation The Chamber actively advocated in budgets for all levels of government, attending public forums, consultations, and all-day budget sessions. Economic Growth The Chamber identified economic growth as a key focus over the past year and engaged in various consultations and meetings to encourage and support an economic growth strategy for our region.
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PROGRAMS & SERVICES The Chamber delivers programs and services to enhance member value, increase member engagement and help your business succeed. Some of the highlights of the past year include the following. Ambassadors Program & Member Outreach Volunteers from our Membership Committee hosted new and potential members at a variety of Chamber events to help initiate introductions and facilitate introductions. They also conducted many member check in calls to garner feedback and input on our programs and services. Thank You Thursday Video Series We spotlighted members in our monthly video series to take a tour, learn a little more about their business and say thank you for being a member! Education The Chamber worked hard to keep you informed by providing professional development and informational opportunities including: a Cyber Security Workshop, How to Maximize Your Membership Session, Merchant Services Info Session , Small Business Tax Workshop, HR Conference, Leadercast Live, and info sessions on the Canada-Manitoba Job Grants.
Communications/Marketing Staying connected with our members is important! We sent out 12 information mailers, 6 issues of our Chamber at a Glance newsletter, and published our annual roster book and Business Review Magazine. We expanded the reach of the Chamber through social media on Facebook, Twitter and launched the Chamber on Instagram with 750+ followers in just a few short months. Affinity & Member Savings Programs Members saw cost savings through Chamber affinity programs for health benefits, payroll services and more, and we offered new merchant services affinity program with Zomaron. Members also saved with member pricing for events, boardroom rentals, certificates of origin, workshops, and low cost marketing opportunities in addition to FREE member only opportunities. Chamber Facilities This past year we undertook a major restoration project to our historic downtown building. The Chamber office is a hub of activity as the site of many committee meetings, various tenants and two boardrooms that are available for member use at a discounted rate. 6
BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BY THE NUMBERS
44 594 92.6
218 4729
Number of Chamber events held in the 2018-2019 season. Including: Luncheons, Coffees, BA5, Pub Nights, Mixers and more!
52 136
Total number of Chamber Members
2018-2019 Membership Retention Rate‌ One of the highest in years!
Number of Members who have invested with us for over 20 years! Thank you for your continued support.
45 44
Total number of attendees at our events last year. Don’t miss out on all the action next year!
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Number of new members who joined on in 2018-2019. Welcome aboard!
Number of years the Brandon Chamber has been operating.
Number of volunteers sitting on our Chamber Board and Committees.
Ambassador and staff visits to new members, new owners and new business locations.
Number of directors on the Chamber Board
COMMUNICATIONS Twitter: @bdnchamber 2402 Follwers
Facebook: @BdnChamber 1196 Followers 1041 Page Likes Instagram: @bdnchamber 748 Followers ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
Chamber Insider & Events Lineup Subscribers:
1401 Open rate: 71% 7
RECOGNITION & CELEBRATION In recognition and celebration of success in our business community, we presented our Annual Business Achievement Awards. Congratulations once again to the 2019 recipients! •
Business Person of the Year: Rhonda Pardy
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Outstanding New Business Award: Ion Coating
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Business Excellence Award (Large) Guild Insurance Brokers
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Business Excellence Award (Small) GT Smith & Sons
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Community Impact Award: Raymond Brownlee
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Lifetime Business Builder: Ron Helwer
The winners received recognition at the Gala Dinner and will be profiled in our annual Brandon Business Review magazine. At our Small Business Week Luncheon in October, we recognized members who celebrated milestone anniversaries. Whether it was a grand opening, a remodel, or a reception to celebrate a great success, the Chamber was there to celebrate with our members. We shared member news stories, profiled both new and long term members and attended member events. Our business community has much to celebrate!
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BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MEMBERSHIP The Brandon Chamber of Commerce consists of a diverse membership representing all business types, sectors and sizes. It is through the strength of our membership that we are the unified voice of business. Membership is and continues to be the driving force of our organization, as it is our members who provide us with the resources, the ideas, and the capacity to affect change for the better of our broader business community. With the help of our staff, board members and volunteers, we have successfully reached a retention rate of 92.6% for this term, well above the industry average of Chambers across the country. Member engagement appears to be up, with new members feeling encouraged to be involved more than ever before.
2017 VS. 2018
588
594
87.6
92.6
COMMITTEES Committees are the membership in action. Working with Chamber Staff, our committee volunteers help facilitate the programs and services that enhance the success of our members the greater business community. Government Relations Committee The objective of this committee shall be the facilitation and promotion of the Chamber with all levels of government including the City of Brandon and Province of Manitoba, and the gathering and sharing of information. Events Committee The objective of the Events Committee is to organize all aspects of the Annual Chamber Dinner, Golf Tournament and such other special events for the membership as may be required. Membership Committee The objective of the Membership Committee is to communicate with existing members on a regular basis to garner opinions and concerns that the members wish to express or have addressed, and to promote the benefits of membership and increase the general membership of the Chamber. Business Development Committee The objective of the Business Development Committee is to promote existing business, attract new business, provide eduANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
cational seminars and informational sessions and address specific business development concerns within the community. Finance/Governance The objective of the Finance Committee is to oversee and periodically review the Chamber budgets, financials statements, and all other financial matters. The committee also oversees and reviews board governance policies and bylaws. Workforce Development Committee The Workforce Development Committee is a catalyst to achieve a workforce that meets the evolving needs of the community by engaging partners and stakeholders to take action to understand and address these evolving needs of employers and the community. Executive Committee When the Board is not in session, the Executive Committee exercises all the powers of the Board, provided that the action of the Executive Committee is reported to the Board of Directors as speedily as possible. 9
CONNECT, LEARN &GROW The Chamber strives to support and engage our membership by delivering opportunities to connect, learn and grow. From Chamber Friday Coffees, Business After 5s, and Chamber 101 Orientations to monthly luncheons, an Awards Gala and our Annual Golf Tournament, we host close to 60 events each year where members can network with colleagues, build new relationships, promote their business and brand, connect with political leaders and learn from informative speakers.
YEAR IN REVIEW: 2018-2019 EVENTS CALENDAR Monthly: - First Friday Coffees @ the Chamber (September through June) June (2018) - Presidents Luncheon and Changeover Ceremony - 29th Annual Golf Tournament - Business After 5: South End Lumber - Special Friday Coffee with Chamber President, Jeff Hood - Past President’s Reception September - Luncheon Series: Moving Canada’s Goods to Market with Sean Finn of CN - Business After 5: Century 21 Westman - Brandon Chamber AGM
January (2019) - Luncheon Series: Provincial Economic Growth Strategy: What it Means for Brandon - Business After 5: CW2 Construction and Design & Guardian Fencing - Chamber 101: Maximize Your Membership - Special Friday Coffee with the City of Brandon February - Luncheon Series: Keven Chief: We Are All Leaders: How a Bus Driver Showed Us Anything Was Possible - Business for Breakfast: Diversity in the Workplace - Cyber Security Workshop
March - Luncheon Series: Champions of Ag with Jan Wescott - Business for Breakfast: Women in Leadership - Zomaron Workshop: Credit Card Processing October - 136th Annual Awards Gala - Luncheon Series: Small Business Week with Sylvia Ubell - Special Friday Coffee for International Women’s Day - Business After 5: Heritage Co-op - 2018 Westman HR Conference: Developing a Healthy April Work Culture - Luncheon Series: State of the Province - Special Friday Coffee with School Board Trustee Can- Business After 5: Samaritan House didates - Canada-Manitoba Job Grant Information Session - Small Business Roundtable November - Luncheon Series: US/Canada Relations May - Business After 5: Christie’s Office Plus - Luncheon Series: State of the City - Lunch and Learn: Small Business Tax Tips and Audit - Leadercast Live - Chamber 101: Maximize Your Membership - Business After 5: Patersons LLP - Chamber 101: Maximize Your Membership December - Luncheon Series: Holiday Celebration - Special Friday Coffee: Holiday
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BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THANK YOU Thank you to the many sponsors who make our program and events possible. LUNCHEONS Assiniboine Community College BellMTS Corral Centre Brandon Brandon First Brandon University Career Connections Inc. CENTUM Mortgage Choice CN Compass Credit Union Greenstone Brandon Plant Ltd. Keystone Centre Progressive Sanitation Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba St. John Ambulance – Brandon Branch Sunrise Credit Union Trident Music Westman Communications Group Westoba Credit Union Ltd. BUSINESS FOR BREAKFAST Career Connections Inc. Westoba Credit Union Ltd FRIDAY CHAMBER COFFEES Tim Hortons 135th ANNUAL DINNER - 2018 Aida’s Catering Alternative Landscaping Ltd. BDO Canada LLP Behlen Industries LP Bell Media Radio GP Bell MTS Benmarks Better Business Bureau Brandon University Brockie Donovan Ltd. Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd. CAA Manitoba Canad Inns Destination Centre Brandon Cando Rail Services Ltd. Chemtrade Electrochem Inc. Chilli Chutney CN Daydreams Esthetics Spa Dick Agencies Insurance Brokers Fusion Credit Union Guild Insurance Brokers HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
Jacobson & Greiner Group of Companies Jamieson Construction Keywest Photo Image by Design Inc. Leech Printing Ltd. Leon’s Furniture Superstore Maple Leaf Foods Inc. MNP LLP NetSet Communications, a Division of Xplornet Orangetheory Fitness Canada PC Causus Prairie Firehouse R & M Homes Ltd. Raynor Bookkeeping Services Inc. RBC Royal Bank Siere Sunrise Credit Union The Brandon Sun The Party Professionals & Rental Co. The Rourke Group Universal Doors Inc. Victoria Inn West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Unjury Clinic Western Financial Group Westman Communications Group Westoba Credit Union Ltd. Workers Compensation Board Brandon BUSINESS AFTER 5s Century 21 Westman Realty Christie’s Office Plus CW2 Construction and Design Guardian Fencing Heritage Co-op Patersons LLP Samaritan House ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT 2018 Blue Moon Water Brandon Bee Clean Building Maintenance Brandon Source for Sports Brandon University Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd. Canad Inns Destination Centre Brandon Cell Mechanics – IDC Communications Daughter On Call
Dr. Robert Ward Excel-7 Ltd. FBC Forbidden Flavours Roastery Frito-Lay Canada Fusion Credit Union FYidoctors Shoppers Mall Guild Insurance Brokers Heritage Co-op HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting Jacobson & Greiner Group of Companies Leech Printing Ltd. Murray Auto Centre Brandon Office Innovations Inc. RBC Dominion Securities – Ryan Nestibo, CFP Siere St. John Ambulance – Brandon Branch Subway T-Birds – Food Fun Games TD Canada Trust Westerns Financial Group Westman Communications Group Westoba Credit Union Ltd. Xplornet Communications Inc. WESTMAN HR CONFERENCE—2018 Change Innovators Inc. CPHR Manitoba HUB International STRATA Benefits Consulting RBC Royal Bank St. John Ambulance – Brandon Branch BRANDON CHAMBER AGM Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba WORKSHOP PARTNERS FBC, Canada’s Farm & Small Business Tax Specialist Castellan Information Security Services Zomaron Manitoba Education and Training THANK YOU THURSDAYS Forbidden Flavours
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FINANCIAL REPORT On behalf of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staff, the following represents a brief summary of the information in the year end financial statement. This statement is available to any member by visiting our office at 1043 Rosser Avenue, Brandon. For the fiscal year ending May 31, 2019, the Chamber realized a net surplus of $7,375. The renovation project to the Chamber building exterior was completed this spring at a cost of $510,567.60. This was against a budget of $545,000. The total cost of the building renovation project has also been reduced by the receipt of two grants under heritage programs. The Designated Heritage Building Grant and the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation Grant contributed $20,000 and $30,000 respectively. Going forward, we will benefit from the Municipal Heritage Tax Abatement program, receiving $50,000 in tax reductions over the next 10 years. We are very fortunate to work from this building and be able to strengthen the heritage of our downtown area. These completed renovations will help to protect our building and allow it to be our home for many years. We thank the previous boards and our Management team for their efforts and planning to allow this project to succeed. Moving into 2019-20 we anticipate increasing revenues with the strong support of our membership through dues and sponsorship. Our Management team lead by Carolynn Cancade continues to show prudent fiscal responsibility on the expense side of the ledger. This combination allows the Chamber to continue to advocate on behalf of the membership and provide the members with value.
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BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE