BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
CONTENTS 2 Board of Directors
6 COVID-19 - Helping Businesses 10 Sponsors
3 Leadership Message
7 Programs & Services
11 Chamber Fast Facts
4 Collaborative Networks
8 Connection & Education
11 Governance & Committees
5 Advocacy & Leadership
9 Recognition & Celebration
12 Financial Report
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2019-2020
WHO WE ARE 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 Cathy Snelgrove Siere
Vice-President Spencer Day Progressive Westman
Secretary/Treasurer Barry Cooper Heritage COOP
Past President Jeff Hood MNP
Mark Bailey R&M Homes
Mike Brolund Sunrise Credit Union
Laurie Brugger Century 21 Westman
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 Through membership in the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, businesses have access to: - Business Connections
Ryan Jocobson Forbidden Flavours
Meredyth Leech Leech Printing
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Information Resources Business programs, products and services
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Business Promotion & Publicity Representation – an advocate that serves as the voice of business Community Leadership
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Tanya LaBuick LaBuick & Co.
Steve McMillan VBJ Developments
Trent Scholdice Meighen Haddad LLP
Aida Tahhan Aida’s Catering
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Scott Norosky South End Lumber
STRATEGIC FOCUS 1. Economic Development Strengthen regional Economic Development to support a competitive Brandon, attract business and development, and reduce red tape. 2. Workforce Alignment Provide resources to support employers’ human capital needs. 3. Organizational Effectiveness Organizational improvements that maximize value for membership investment. 4. Organization Value: Enhance the success of Chamber members by offering valued business support, services and programs.
BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE The Chamber had another busy year. While every year has it’s own challenges and opportunities, this past Chamber year seems a story of two realities – before the pandemic and after. In June of 2019, nobody could have imagined how much our world would change or the magnitude at which our lives would be impacted by the challenges of COVID-19 and the subsequent economic fallout. Even the delivery of this year’s annual report is different to address our new virtual world. While we know that there remain challenges ahead, we have much to celebrate from our 2019-2020 Chamber year. Advocacy and membership engagement continued to be a top priority. The fall of 2019 saw both a provincial and federal election where the Chamber was actively involved ensuring the business voice was heard and members had the information they needed to make an informed vote. We provided feedback and input on provincial, municipal, and school division budgets. When the pandemic hit, our efforts focused entirely on supporting our members and providing input on government programs and policy to better support our local business community. Events have always been a staple of member value and engagement, and in the fall of 2019 and early spring of 2020, we saw another strong year in terms of attendance and profitability. During COVID 19, we had to cancel our Gala and all our in-person events, however, the transition to virtual events has been quite successful allowing us to stay connected and provide valuable information and resources to members. Over the past year, we also focused our efforts around improving board governance and completed a review and revamp of our by-laws, developed 17+ board policies and reorganized our committee structures. Collaboration once again underscores our success – perhaps this year, more than any other. Our results are a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together, for it is with the support of many volunteers, a dedicated board, hardworking staff, an active membership, and a strong Chamber network that we are able to achieve so much. Thank you for your continued support! The Chamber has been the pillar of business for over 137 years. As we face the ongoing uncertainties of COVID, like each of you, we will continue to pivot and adapt, tackling the challenges and leveraging the opportunities to help ensure a strong business community and prosperous Brandon.
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
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COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS 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 and Brandon Chamber delegates attend both AGMs to support and debate various policy resolutions that address business concerns. Provincially, we worked with other local chambers to advocate on shared issues, bring members together to make new connections (via our events) and deploy and build upon new projects shared within the network.
Working Together From events to advocacy, the Chamber works with a variety of volunteers, partners and stakeholders to help better serve our members. By leveraging the talents and passions of a diverse group, we are able to work on common goals—a win-win for all. In the past year our collaborations included: cohosting our annual HR Conference with Economic Development Brandon; working with MB Chambers to deliver surveys to understand business needs during COVID and working with government to address those issues; having Chamber representation on various community boards and bringing external expertise to our own committees; and working with 60+ volunteers with in the Chamber to develop and deliver programs, services and advocacy for our members.
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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 2019-2020. Elections In the Fall of 2019, we faced both a provincial and federal election. The Chamber was active in representing business interests by hosting special candidate coffees and a debate meet and greet for members to hear from those running for election, interviewing candidates which aired on WCGtv, and supporting the Canadian Chamber Vote Prosperity Campaign.
Workforce Development To address continuing business concerns around labour challenges and skill gaps, workforce development was a priority focus for the Chamber this year. • To garner a better understanding of the challenges around workforce development, our Workforce Alignment Committee hosted a Skills & Opportunities Roundtable Summit with over 70 participants representing a diverse group of community and business leaders. The resulting Government Fiscal Accountability report was shared with the membership via one of The Chamber actively advocated on budgets for all our first virtual events. levels of government, attending forums participating • The Chamber also supported other Workforce in consultations to voice concerns of our members and Development initiatives including hosting the Future promote fiscal responsibility. of Workforce Luncheon, participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Project, helping to Government Relations host the Aboriginal Job Fair and co-hosting the Chamber representatives met with Government annual Westman HR Conference and developing officials of all levels of government to discuss issues of policy to advocate for flexible funding for post importance to our members including: secondary institutions so that they can address • Participating in ‘Advocacy Day at Legislature’ employer’s labour needs more effectively. where Chamber executives across the province met with provincial party leaders and various Business Support & Outreach Ministers. The Chamber extended its member outreach to better • Attending Manitoba Chamber Ministers Dinner understand member needs through member • Advocating for a seat on the new Rural Economic roundtables, surveys, business tours and calls. In turn, we used that feedback to develop workshops, Development Board advocate on issues like red tape reduction and share • One on one connections with locally elected officials through Chamber Director/ City Councillor concerns around crime and safety impacting our community. meet ups • Attending Provincial Throne speech
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
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COVID-19 From mid-March our work shifted to focus almost entirely on the COVID-19 crisis and how best to support our members. While the response to the fallout of the crisis was constantly evolving, our efforts focused mainly on: • Resources & Communications – Providing resources and communicating to members • Member Outreach – Listening to member concerns, answering questions and connecting them with sources of information • Advocacy & Leadership – Advocating for government supports and policy changes • Education & Connection – Providing educational webinars, information sessions and virtual networking opportunities to help people stay connected and informed. Resources & Communications E-news Bulletins – Through e-news communications, updates were sent out twice weekly (or more frequently as needed) to deliver information and announcements to keep members informed with the latest news. Website Resources – A COVID-19 Resource page on the Chamber website was updated regularly with the most relevant information and links to additional resources including: Back to Business printout templates Access to PPEs Back to Business Recovery Toolkits Information on government support programs Social Media – In addition to sharing timely information through our social media channels, we created the Westman COVID Business Facebook group for businesses to connect easily, share updates on their business and offer services to other businesses.
Advocacy & Leadership Chamber Network partnership – Working together with our vast national and provincial Chamber network we advocated on behalf of the business community. With member feedback we provided input on policy and programs to better support our business members Attended regular meeting with Manitoba and Canadian Chambers of Commerce to stay updated with latest news and share concerns. Garnered business feedback by supporting Manitoba Chamber Survey and Canadian Chamber survey with Stats Canada Government Outreach – Had regular correspondence with local and provincial government to share concerns and hear from industry and community leaders.
Education & Connection To do our part to prevent community spread, our in-person events were postponed or cancelled, but we introduced interactive webinars and virtual networking opportunities for Member Outreach Direct Contact – We had direct contact with members to touch our members to stay connected, share experiences and be informed: base with how they were managing and offer assistance in COVID focused webinars such as Leadership during helping find the information they needed. Crisis, Labour & Employment Law. Profile – Through the ‘Chamber Roll Call’ initiative via social Virtual Information Sessions and roundtables with media we highlighted some of the changes and updates of MLA Ministers, Manitoba Chambers & experts. our local businesses. Interactive virtual events such as Friday Coffees, Happy Hours and Virtual MB Road Trips with other Chambers around the province.
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BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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.
Chamber Cares Program New - This initiative brought together members to connect, network and work together on projects that give back to the community. Projects included hamper deliveries and collecting for the Women Resource Centre at our inaugural Superwoman Conference. Chamber Undercover Program New - The Chamber Undercover video series showcased member businesses by having a committee member attempt to perform a task they do which makes their business so unique. Education The Chamber worked hard to keep you informed by providing professional development and informational opportunities including the Westman HR Conference, Rural & Immigration Pilot Project Information Session, Digital Marketing Workship Series, HR is in Q&A, Leadership in Times of Crisis, Labour & Employment Law During a Pandemic. Communications/Marketing Staying connected with our members is important! We sent out 12 information mailers, 6 issues of our Chamber at a Glance newsletter, a weekly Chamber Insider e-newsletter and published our annual roster book and Business Review Magazine. We also grew our reach on social media through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
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CONNECTION & EDUCATION In 2019-2020, Brandon Chamber events continued to be one of the best places to connect, learn and keep informed. From our signature monthly luncheon series and casual Chamber Friday Coffees to our new Superwoman Conference and Annual Golf Tournament, we hosted over 60 events during the year. Whether its bringing together industry experts to discuss important business issues, featuring political leaders on the state of our region or bringing members together to celebrate excellence, we continued to provide a program of events of value to our members.
YEAR IN REVIEW: 2019-2020 EVENTS Luncheon Series With 250-400 attendees each month, our luncheon series continued to be popular. This year’s lineup featured a panel on Workforce of the Future, a celebration of Small Business Week with entrepreneur Bob Ritchot of Fume + Humble, and a presentation on 5G and Future of Connectivity. Starting January we heard from Manitoba success story, Hailey Jefferies of Prairie Fava and learned more on the impacts of trade with a presentation from World Trade Centre CEO, Mariette Mulaire. Annual Golf Tournament Our 30th Annual Golf Tournament was one of our first events of the 2019 presidential year. Held at Wheat City Golf Course, it brought together over 170+ attendees. Business Awards Gala Our Annual Awards Gala is THE business event of the year, where we celebrate business and present our Business Achievement Awards. While our Gala was cancelled this past March due to COVID-19, we were happy to honour our 2020 recipients in a virtual celebration. Business After 5 Business After 5 events provide an opportunity for members to host a Chamber networking event at their office or offsite location. This year’s hosts included Jenkins Flooring, Robinson Cancade Private Wealth Inc. a Division of Cardinal Capital Management, Trident Films|Media|Music, Resurrection Paint Correction and Auto Detailing, and Assiniboine Community College. Patio Mixers We introduced our new Patio Mixers in the summer of 2019! Similar to a Business After 5, it was an opportunity to network at local patios and lounges: Chili Chutney, Prairie Firehouse and The Keg.
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HR Conference With partners Economic Development, we hosted our 4th Annual Westman HR Conference for over 110 attendees. The 2019 all day event, themed Building a Healthy Workplace, featured a keynote address, four breakout sessions, and a panel discussion. Workshops & Webinars We offered a new digital marketing workshop series that helped attendees go from developing a plan, utilizing web and social media, to determining their ROI, as well as offering workshops to help business tackle cyber security and learn how to utilize the Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot Project. We also offered various webinars on HR, leadership, and government supports to assist businesses during COVID-19. Superwoman Conference We were excited to launch our first ever Superwoman Conference. This 1/2 day conference held in the historic Dome Building, featured a keynote speaker and panel discussions. Attendees were encouraged to share their super power on our Empowerment Wall! Chamber First Friday Coffees This monthly series, held at the Chamber included a few extra coffees this year with special guests including local candidates for the federal & provincial election and the Mayor & Councillors discussing the City Budget. Virtual Networking While in person events ceased in Mid-March, we shifted to virtual events where members could connect, share and learn via virtual Happy Hours and Coffee Hours.
BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
RECOGNITION & CELEBRATION At our Annual Awards Gala we celebrate the business community and recognize excellence through the presentation our Business Achievement Awards. While our Gala was cancelled this past March due to COVID-19, we were happy to honour our 2020 recipients in a virtual celebration. • Robert Ritchot – Business Person of the
Year • Brad Munn – Community Impact • Greenstone Building Products –
Outstanding New Business • Brandon Business Interiors – Business Excellence (Small Business) • Christie’s Office Plus – Business Excellence (Large Business) At our Small Business Week Luncheon in October, we recognized members who celebrated milestone anniversaries and featured local entrepreneur Robert Ritchot, President of Humber + Fume.
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
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SPONSORS Thank you to the many sponsors who make our program and events possible. LUNCHEONS Assiniboine Community College Brandon University Budget Blinds of Southwest Manitoba Compass Credit Union Denray Tire Ltd. Domino’s Pizza Family Visions Inc. FBC Canada’s Farm & Small Business Tax Specialist Limitless Events myITsource Natural Elements Prairie Firehouse Progressive Westman Sexuality Education Resource Centre MB Inc. St. John Ambulance – Brandon Branch STARS Sunrise Credit Union Tech Manitoba The Dock on Princess Trident Music Westoba Credit Union Ltd. Winnipeg Blue Bombers FRIDAY CHAMBER COFFEES Tim Hortons CHAMBER PATIO/ LOUNGE MIXERS Chilli Chutney Prairie Firehouse The Keg Steakhouse & Bar 137TH ANNUAL DINNER Aida’s Catering BDO Canada LLP Behlen Industries Bell Media Inc. Benmarks Brandon Business Interiors Brandon University Brandon Wheat Kings Brockie Donovan Ltd. Bromley’s Menswear Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd. CAA Manitoba Canad Inns Destination Centre Brandon Cando Rail Services Chemtrade Electrochem Inc. Chilli Chutney CN CPHR Manitoba Dick Agencies Insurance Brokers Excel-7 Ltd. Flynn Canada Ltd. 10
Frederickson Performance Centre Inc. Friends Fur Life Daycare & Grooming Fusion Credit Union Greenstone Building Products Guild Insurance Brokers Jacobson & Greiner Ltd. Jamieson Construction Keywest Photo Image by Design Inc. Leech Printing Ltd. Maple Leaf Foods Inc. MNP LLP Oak+Ivy Salon PC Caucus R & M Homes Ltd. RBC Dominion Securities – Ryan Nestibo RBC Royal Bank Resurrection Paint Correction & Auto Detailing Siere Sunrise Credit Union The Brandon Sun The Party Professionals & Rental Co. Trident (Films| Music| Media) Vanish Skin Clinic VIONELL HOLDINGS PARTNERSHIP Western Financial Group West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Westman Communications Group Westoba Credit Union Ltd. Workers Compensation Board Brandon Xplornet Enterprise Solutions Zeke’s Quality Jewellers Ltd. BUSINESS AFTER 5S Assinboine Community College Jenkins Flooring Resurrection Paint Correction & Auto Detailing Robinson Cancade Private Wealth Inc. a Division of Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. Trident Films (Films| Music| Media) ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT – 2019 Blue Moon Water Brandon Orthodontics 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 Canada’s Farm & Small Business Tax
Specialist Frito-Lay Canada Fusion Credit Union FYidoctors Shoppers Mall Guild Insurance Brokers Heritage Co-op HUB International Jacobson & Greiner Ltd. Leech Printing Ltd. Murray Auto Centre Brandon Office Innovations Inc. Prairie Building Maintenance RBC Dominion Securities – Nestibo Wealth Siere St. John Ambulance – Brandon Branch Subway T-Birds Food Fun Games TD Canada Trust Western Financial Group Westman Communications Group Westoba Credit Union Ltd. Xplornet Enterprise Solutions SUPERWOMAN CONFERENCE – 2020 Leech Printing Ltd. Patersons LLP ProPretty Prints Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba Westoba Credit Union Ltd. SUMMITS: Progressive Westman The Dock on Princess Siere WESTMAN HR CONFERENCE: CPHR Manitoba Keywest Photo Image by Design Inc. People First HR Services 2019 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Brandon General Museum & Archives, Inc. Fast Fired by Carbone VIRTUAL MEETUPS Brandon General Museum & Archives, Inc. Prairie Firehouse Trident Films (Films| Music| Media) WORKSHOPS & WEBINARS FBC Canada’s Farm & Small Business Tax Create Marketing Tech MB TDS Law Cantera Leadership People’s First HR BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHAMBER FAST FACTS 56
EVENT ATTENDANCE The number of attendees at events last year.
5746
93%
MEMBER RETENTION The percentage of members who chose to renew in 2019-2020.
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. In June of 2019, the Board identified board governance as focus for improvement. This past year, two new taskforces were formed – one to review and update our current by-laws and the other to review committee structures and responsibilities. Through this process a number of Board policies were developed to help support the by-laws changes and provide greater guidance and accountability. Recommendations from these committees helped reshape the work of existing committees and the development of new board committees moving forward. Government Relations Committee To position Brandon as a competitive and positive environment in which to live and do business by convincing government at all levels to implement legislation, taxes, administration, and government investment in a manner friendly to the interests of Brandon and Brandon businesses. Business Development Committee To promote existing business, attract new business, provide educational seminars and informational sessions, and address specific business development concerns within the community.
TOTAL MEMBERS The total number of Chamber members for 2019-2020.
605
137 VOLUNTEERS The number of people that sat on our board and committees. Thank you!
NEW MEMBERS The number of new member who joined in 2019-2020. Welcome!
GOVERNANCE & COMMITTEES
YEARS OF OPERATION The number of years the Chamber has been serving as the voice of business in Brandon
60 SOCIAL MEDIA All our social media platforms grew this year! 1220 Facebook followers & 1196 Page Likes 2447 Twitter followers & 13.1k impressions 1332 Instagram followers
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020
Workforce Alignment Committee The Workforce Alignment Committee is a catalyst to foster a workforce that meets the evolving needs of employers and community. Executive and Finance Committee To exercise all the powers of the Board when they are not in session and to oversee and periodically review the Chamber budgets, financial statements, and all other financial matters. Structure and Responsibility Taskforce To review the existing committee terms of reference and develop a proposed committee responsibility structure. By-law Review Taskforce To Review and modify existing Brandon Chamber of Commerce by-laws and develop new board policy in line with best practices. Events To organize all aspects of the Annual Chamber Dinner, Golf Tournament, and such other special events for the membership as may be required. Membership To be innovative and supportive to attract new members to the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and retain existing members by promoting the benefits of membership, ensuring quality of the Chamber services and communicating with members and nonmembers. 11
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, 2020, the Chamber realized a net loss of $25,017 – 84% of which ($21,446) is associated with amortization, leaving a net realized cash loss of $3,571. Due to COVID-19, the Board of Directors made the decision to cancel our Gala event, on the day of the event, and as a result incurred the expenses associated with the event without being able to realize the associated revenue. The revenue associated with the event has been deferred into the 2020-21 fiscal year, in the due to the potential to refund sponsorship and ticket sales. We remained hopeful some type of event may be held, which eventuated in July. In addition, one of our main revenue streams, events, saw an abrupt halt due to the COVID-19 health restrictions and orders which dramatically curtailed our ability to generate revenue. The Board and Chamber team have worked hard to be fiscally responsible and have realigned our operating expenses to meet our current revenue generating capability. In this very uncertain market and with an inability to forecast accurately with the changing condition, we have applied for all wage subsidies and also the CEBA loan to help offset any losses. The Chamber staff proved to be creative and diligent in maintaining activities to engage the membership and more importantly, keep them informed throughout the pandemic, and to also keep them connected, which continues today. Special thank you to Carolynn and the staff for all of their efforts to keep the Chamber relevant and in a manageable position during these challenging times. Bravo on a difficult year. Moving into 2020-21 we anticipate creating more avenues to generate revenue in our new normal and to also look at providing new opportunities for sponsorship. We will continue our engagement efforts and continue to appreciate the support of our membership through their continued commitment to be a part of the Chamber family.
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BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE