JANUARY 2015 Inside this issue:
CHAMBER at a glance GM’s Report Member Spotlight New Members Events Review Committees at Work Expert Advice
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Roadmap to the Bakken The growing oil industry in the Bakken formation continues to have a significant impact on the economy of Westman. It provides the opportunity for business growth and a new market for service delivery while challenging an already thin labour market with an abundance of well paying jobs. With conservative estimates being that the Bakken formation has a lifespan of over 20 years – it is time to realize the economic gains from this sector.
almost all fronts. These representatives were optimistic on the proximity of Brandon to the actual heart of the patch, feeling Brandon was well positioned as an urban market to reach into the Bakken and experience significant benefits while being sheltered from some of the issues incurred by being too close to the actual formation.
Currently, a number of companies do reach into the sector for service and goods delivery, and have been very sucThere have long cessful in doing been oil wells in so. Brandon has “our conference is the southwestbecome home to ern part of our an established to provide a province, but office for Trican roadmap for market new technoloWell Service – gies have caused bringing with it entry or expansion. a real boom in some very good the production jobs. Yet, it is our from the Bakken feeling at the since the year 2000. South of us, North chamber that we are not maximizing our Dakota has experienced massive ecopotential economic benefits. Saskatchenomic growth but supply to support wan, North Dakota and Montana all apBakken activities has been extremely pear to be getting significantly larger challenging. As we were told by experts pieces of the economic pie and as a busifrom Montana at the Chamber Oil and ness community, it is time for us to reach Gas Event last February, the boom has in and grab a larger piece of the action. basically created a wealth of opportunities as needs far exceeded supply on For context, figures giving context to the
Todd Birkhan, Chamber President play are startling: The Bakken is estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey to have 4.3 billion barrels of recoverable oil, with estimates consistently growing as technological advancements allow more of the estimated oil in place to be recoverable. To support movement of product alone, Enbridge has recently announced it is planning a $7.5 billion line 3 replacement program, the largest project in Enbridge’s history, it involves replacing existing pipe with new pipe along the pipeline which runs from Hardisty, Alberta to Gretna, Manitoba. These are merely a couple of numbers that show the level of opportunity economically speaking. The size of the (Continued on page 6)
FROM THE GM DESK
GM REPORT
Mid Year Review
J
anuary marks the half way point of our presidential term, and is a time when we reflect on our achievements, evaluate our progress and focus our efforts for the final push of the year. It has been a very active several months, and the following is a recap of some of our work. Our Chamber luncheon series continues to be popular. From learning about the concerns of the MB Pork industry, to hearing the business case for hiring those with disabilities, to being inspired by the business story of Farmery Estate Brewery, we have hosted a great slate of interesting and informative guest speakers. Our events calendar was also full with several workshops, Business After 5 networking events and featured Friday Coffees. In addition to our AGM (in a new evening format) and the introduction of Chamber 101: Maximizing Your Membership sessions, we have hosted over 30 events in the first half our events season alone!
Nationally, we represented the Brandon business community at the Canadian Chamber convention, and supported over 60 resolutions that formed our national advocacy platform for the year. At the local level, we have recently completed our policy development framework and will be working on our policy agenda in the months ahead.
and marketing. Now with a strong staff of four we look forward to creating even more value for existing members and growing our membership base.
We continue to build relationships and work closely with a number of community partners on a variety of issues and initiatives. This fall featured a municipal election, and we were pleased to partner with the Brandon Sun, CKLQ/Star FM and Westman Communications Group to host a mayoral debate. We were also pleased with the development of our candidate’s scorecard to garner candidate stances on important business issues so our members could be more informed when heading to the polls.
In coming months we will continue to work to progress on our goals and action plan. We have a number of great events being planned including our annual State of the Province and City addresses, our Annual Awards Gala, as well as the second edition of our oil and gas conference: Bakken 2.0. This year, we will also play host to chambers across the province as we gather for the annual Manitoba Chambers of Commerce AGM and Conference.
In November, we continued our efforts in supporting local retailers and launched our Our advocacy work remains a top priority. Shop Local Passport Campaign: Destination Through our 12@12 member roundtables, Brandon to encourage consumers to stay committee work and general feedback, we local during the Black Friday weekend. By continue to engage members to learn the filling out the passports found at participatissues and challenges of our business com- ing retailers, participants were entered into munity, and use that information in our a draw for three great prizes valued at meetings with various elected officials at all more than $1,600. The campaign created levels of government to discuss economic great community buzz and marked our sindevelopment and competitiveness, budggle biggest social media promotion to date. ets, free trade agreements, and labour challenges amongst other important issues. Our Chamber team grew this fall with the addition of a new position for membership
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It is exciting times at the Chamber! As always, we invite you to take advantage of your chamber membership by getting involved, but regardless know we are working hard for you!
Carolynn Cancade General Manager Contact Carolynn by phone at 204-571-5342 or by email at gm@brandonchamber.ca
www.brandonchamber.ca
MEMBERSHIP ZONE
member
SPOTLIGHT The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Brandon Civic Senior Citizens to our membership! Is it true you have more than one name? Our legal business name is “Brandon Civic Senior Citizens” but we are known in the community and branded as “Prairie Oasis Senior Centre”. Where are you located? 241—8th Street, Next to the YMCA, and are open from 9:00 am—4:00 pm, with extended hours as necessary. What type of services do you offer? We are a non-profit agency that provides recreational activities, education, meals and services to those persons fifty years and older, in the City of Brandon and Westman area. We strive to meet the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, cultural, and spiritual needs, regardless of their capabilities. We also rent our facilities which can accommodate large crowds (200+) as well as smaller crowds (40) for meetings. What are your business goals? Enhance current programming like the “Meals on Wheels” and Bingo, as well as attracting more facility rentals and catering for special events in our newly renovated space. Is there a specific program you would like to highlight? We are calling all baby boomers (those born between1946–1964) to try programs like Toastmasters International, dance classes, skit night, drama club, wardrobe mix and match, suitcase packing on a budget, plus adding more to come for opportunities and fun. How long have you been in Business? 43 years. Do you have a motto? “A place to get away!”
Brandon Civic Senior Citizens can be reached by phone at (204) 727-4461 or executivedirector@prairieoasis.ca Their website www.prairieoasis.ca is currently under construction
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Brandon Sunset Rotary #12171 Weekly Meetings held at Royal Oak Inn & Suites P:204-571-0329 E: dehugh@mymts.net W: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/985
I Want That Stuff 645 10th Street Brandon, MB P: 204-724-7295 E: jamesruser@hotmail.com
Jamieson Construction P: 204-573-4764 E: jamieson_construction@ hotmail.com
Team Kirkland 633 18th Street Brandon MB P: 204-720-1225 E: GlenKirkland@royallepage.ca
Telexperts (Manitoba) Ltd. 400B 1011 Rosser Ave Brandon MB P: 204-717-8400 E: justin@telexperts.net W: www.telexperts.net
University of Winnipeg— Faculty of Business 515 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB P: 204-988-7624 E: me.campbell@uwinnipeg.ca W: www.uwinnipeg.ca/sbe
6935341 Manitoba Ltd. P: 204-721-2562 E: ryeguy788@hotmail.com
January 2015
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EVENTS
Farmery Estate Brewery Luncheon November 12, 2014
Chamber 101 November 19, 2014
Christmas Luncheon December 11, 2014
Brothers and co-owners Chris and Lawrence Warwaruk, shared the Farmery success story and lessons learned in developing their prairie roots into a thriving business. Members enjoyed a free sampling of the locally grown brew.
Members, new and old, learned more about the Chamber and how to get the most out of their Chamber membership.
Attendees gathered to celebrate the festive season and were treated to the vocal talent of Trina Nestibo from Harmony Station, who is also a new member! The generosity of attendees through 50/50 sales and a silent auction raised $3,230 for United Way of Brandon & District. Thank you to Charlie Clark of Net Set Communications for donating back his winnings, and to Del Communications and Brandon Flight Centre for donating the prizes! Thank you to all those that brought cans of food that were donated to Samaritan House.
Thank you to luncheon sponsor Assiniboine Community College who presented the Field to Fork program and booth sponsor Olivier’s Bistro Catering recently launching Antiques & Collectables.
BA5: Brandon University November 13, 2014 Members enjoyed refreshments, socializing and the chance to win one of two BU prize packages at the Healthy Living Centre. Newly installed President Dr. Gervan Fearon gave a brief update on the University’s strategic direction. Thank you Brandon University for showing off your new space!
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This session, open to all members, highlighted the benefits of membership from cost savings and networking opportunities, to growing your business and chamber advocacy work. Look for our next session in April to learn more about how you can maximize your membership!
Workshop: Accessibility for Manitobans Act November 18, 2014 The Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office educated members over the lunch hour on the new regulations that will come into effect. This is a result of the framework legislation that was passed in 2013 to address five areas: Customer Service, Information & Communication, Built Environment, Employment, and Transportation. Standards will be created, first in Customer Service, and it is anticipated to be made law by Spring 2015. It is proposed that public and private organizations will be required to have policies and training in place to ensure accessible customer service for all Manitobans.
Thank you to our luncheon sponsor, Keywest Photo Image by Design and booth sponsor Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba!
Chamber Friday Coffees Members continued to meet every Friday at the Chamber office to meet colleagues and new contacts and discuss local issues . Thank you our sponsor Tim Hortons for the hot java and sweet treats!
www.brandonchamber.ca
EVENTS JANUARY January 22nd
Luncheon: The Winnipeg Jets Story Royal Oak Inn & Suites Sponsor: Corral Communications
Tuesday, March 17th, 2015
Is a labour shortage affecting your business? We may have the solution! The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the Inter-Provincial Association on Native Employment (IANE) Westman Chapter to host this event designed to connect aboriginal job seekers with employers. Visit the Chamber Events Webpage
January 28th
Workshop: Social Media
Riverbank Discovery Centre Partners: Entrepreneurship Manitoba, Economic Development Brandon
FEBRUARY February 19th
Bakken 2.0 Luncheon & Conference
Keystone Centre Sponsor: Assiniboine Community College
MARCH March 12th
Luncheon: Champion of Agriculture Victoria Inn Sponsor: CPA Manitoba
Showcase Your Business at a Chamber Luncheon!
A table & area to display your company material Two Luncheon Seats Verbal recognition from MC Thank you in Chamber at a Glance
$250
(plus GST)
March 17th
13th Aboriginal Job Fair
Shoppers Mall Partner: IANE Westman Chapter
March 19th
132nd Annual Dinner
Keystone Centre Host Sponsor: BDO Canada LLP
APRIL April 11th
Luncheon: State of the Province
Keystone Centre Sponsor: Westman Communications Group
MAY May 1st-3rd
Manitoba Chambers of Commerce AGM
Only 2 spots left for 2015
May 14th
Luncheon: State of the City Keystone Centre Sponsor: Brandon First
JUNE June 4th Invite the Chamber membership to your organization Greetings & Presentation Promotional advertisement in our mailer E-news advertisements Luncheon announcement Thank you in Chamber at a Glance
January 2015
Luncheon: President Changeover
$450 (plus GST)
Royal Oak Inn & Suites Sponsor: Crocus Credit Union
June 10th
26th Annual Golf Tournament Dates are tentative and are subject to change. Visit our website for current information
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President’s Message (Cont’d from page 1)
opportunity is not the issue, but economic benefits are not achieved from opportunity, but rather turning opportunity into action. Gaining entry into a sector and learning how to play in an industry that has its pedal down 24/7 and has no time for sourcing is a challenge. From this, it became evident to us that the chamber could play an important role in aiding our membership. On February 19, 2015 the Chamber will be co-hosting Bakken 2.0. Building on the 2014 conference, Bakken 2.0 will take a deeper dive to help companies, organizations, and communities better understand how to capture opportunities related to the rapid oil sector development in the Bakken Region, in Manitoba and beyond. Sessions will be offered to learn more about the oil & gas sector, oil sector supply chain and procurement, market entry strategies and more. Basically, whereas last year we aimed to build knowledge on the Bakken, the goal this year at our conference is to provide a roadmap for market entry or expansion. It is time for us to grab the opportunity provided to us and reap the benefits to be gained. I encourage you to join us on February 19 and use the knowledge obtained from this event to catapult you into a prosperous future.
Todd Birkhan President Todd can be reached at president@brandonchamber.ca
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www.brandonchamber.ca
COMMITTEES AT WORK
Committee Mid-Year Review Your Chamber has been working for you; see below for a high-level list of the first half of the Chamber year:
Government Relations Committee Mandate: Facilitation and promotion of the chamber with all levels of government, and the gathering and sharing of information Membership Committee Mandate: Garner within those levels. opinions and concerns of members and Developed system to poll, collect promote the benefits of membership. answers and distribute results to our Making improvements to the current membership on stances taken on busiAffinity Program to bring more value to ness issues of the municipal and school our membership. board candidates (found on our website). Promoted Ambassador Program at Developed items of focus for the upEvents to assist members networking and using membership to the fullest. coming city budget: Taxation, Infrastructure (deficit), and economic devel Increased the number of Chamber opment. 101’s orientations. Developing policy on hog supply issue Events Committee Mandate: Design events to be forwarded for the MB Chamber to create opportunities for valuable netresolution. working, and information beneficial to business decisions. Workforce Development Committee Mission: To be a catalyst to achieve a Using event feedback to improve the workforce that meets the evolving needs of quality and value of all events for our employers and community by engaging membership. partners and stakeholders to take action. Designing the special events of the year: Annual Dinner, Golf Tournament Understanding evolving workforce needs, identifying critical issues and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce AGM (hosted in Brandon!). Focusing on issues including: Temporary Foreign Workers Program, Trailing Planning future high-profile Luncheon Spouse strategies, Aboriginal engagespeaker(s) for the 2015-2016 year. ment strategies, Disabilities engagement strategies Business Development Committee Mandate: Promote existing business, foster the environment for new business, and pursue Agriculture Committee Mission: Strengthen and grow the agriculture partnerships to address specific business industry in Western Manitoba by promotdevelopment concerns with the commuing and educating the general community nity. about agriculture; attracting value added Building on the Bakken Conference & Luncheon from 2014, source informa- business; maintaining and growing existing tion on procurement and navigation of agriculture business; promoting agriculture the landscape for market entry into the as a career; and fostering new ideas. Gathering information on the oil and gas industry. challenges and opportunities for agri Through partnerships, provided Busiculture through avenues such as a ness Information Sessions on: the busiRegional Economic Analysis Report ness speed dating event “Centralia from the Manitoba Agriculture, Food Manitoba”, Feedback, Closing a Sale, and Rural Development, agricultureAccessibility for Manitobans Act, Uprelated reports from the City of coming Social Media & Marketing Brandon Economic Development office workshops and through interviews with identified Shop Local Taskforce provided the Desagriculture businesses in our tination Brandon, Black Friday Passport community. Campaign with over 20 participating members, and $1,600 in prizes drawn
January 2015
SEMINAR Winning in the New Media Economy advertiser seminar is designed to help you capture the opportunities that exist in the face of adversity Participants will learn: The business basics litmus test. The new media and traditional media mix. How to succeed without discounting. The roles of intrusive media versus passive media. The keys to unlocking advertising ROI. The Share of Market formula. How your customers define ‘value’.
Thursday March 12th 2015 8:30 to 11:00 am The Keystone Centre Facilitated by Wayne Ens Tickets are $95 per person or $75 for Brandon Chamber members For tickets please call 204.726.8888 or visit www.starfm.ca Presented by:
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Chamber at a Glance
is published six times per year by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce 1043 Rosser Avenue | Brandon, MB R7A 0L5 Phone: (204) 571-5340 | Fax: (204) 571-5347
info@brandonchamber.ca www.brandonchamber.ca
EDITING & DESIGN
Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRINTING
Leech Printing Ltd.
2014-2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Todd Birkhan—President BDO Canada LLP
Jordan Ludwig—Vice President Brandon Business Interiors
Terry Burgess—Secretary/Treasurer RBC Royal Bank
Craig Senchuk—Past President
AGRI-TREND Business Management
Frank Arndt
myITsource.ca/MTS Connect - Corral Centre
Daniel A. Burns
Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd.
Terry Carlisle
Cando Rail Services Ltd.
Greg Crisanti Tim Hortons
Karla Dane
Meighen Haddad LLP
Bonnie Nay-Draper
Entrepreneurship Manitoba
Carla Milne MNP LLP
Lyndsay Murray
Murray Auto Centre Brandon
Did you Know… The Power of the Chamber Network? Through your Brandon Chamber of Commerce membership, you are part of the Chamber network, which is supported by the Canadian and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.
To tackle the skills gap, focus on young people In a report published October 14, 2014, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce argues that closing the skills gap cannot be done without better aligning our education and training systems to our labour market needs. Entitled A Battle We Can’t Afford to Lose: Getting Young Canadians from Education to Employment, the report investigates the various skills issues facing Canadian youth and what key factors should be looked at when preparing young people for the labour market.
The Canadian Chamber calls on the federal government to take the lead, coordinating with provinces and territories, in a national effort to reduce inefficiencies in the labour market while ensuring young Canadians have the fundamental skills necessary to enter the workforce.
“Government, education providers and businesses will need to work together much more closely to mitigate skills mismatching,” concluded Beatty. “As stated in the title of “For Canadian youth, it is essential that the the report, this is a battle we cannot afford education and training they get is relevant to to lose.” the job market they will enter,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the Chamber of Commerce. “There needs to be a vital connection between business and the new dialogue between young people, educa- federal government. It helps shape public tors, employers and governments with a policy and decision-making to the benefit of clear objective of ensuring there is a success- businesses, communities and families across ful transition to employment,” he added. Canada with a network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representWith the report, the Canadian Chamber ining some 200, 000 businesses of all sizes in all vestigates the state of three key factors afsectors of the economy and in all regions. fecting young Canadians’ entry into the Visit the www.Chamber.ca to view the full labour market: report.
labour market information; career decision-making; and work-integrated learning.
By Emilie Potvin VP Public Relations & Stakeholder Engagement Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Tyler Rice
Powell Construction Ltd.
Jason Thorpe
Thorpe Construction Ltd.
CHAMBER STAFF Carolynn Cancade General Manager
Becky Farguson
Office Coordinator
Hailey Williamson
Membership & Marketing Coordinator
Allison Reville
Events & Communications Coordinator
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Who we are: The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the grassroots level.
Our Mission: To encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment favorable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.
www.brandonchamber.ca Printed by Leech Printing 237560