January 2020 Inside this issue: General Managers Report New Members Events Review Member Spotlight Sponsor Shout Out 5 Minutes For Business
CHAMBER at a glance
2 3 4 5 5 7
Message From the President Happy New Year! Not only have we turned the calendar to a new year, but a new decade. With this also being Manitoba’s 150th anniversary, it will prove to be an exciting year filled with much celebration. In December, we were happy to hear that Past President, Jeff Hood had been appointed to the interim board for the new Southern Manitoba Economic Development Organization. This board is charged with setting up the new organization and in ensuring the office’s mandate aligns with the work of existing organizations and government.
growth, identify investment opportunities and address economic barriers in rural Manitoba. From the very beginning, the Board has advocated to have a position at the table and with the election over and this announcement having been made, we are expecting things to move ahead relatively quickly.
“A skilled workforce is a critical element to our ongoing economic development activities...”
Over and over, in the business climate survey, you have told us one of your biggest challenges is the labour/skill shortage. This year we tasked the Workforce Alignment Committee, chaired by Secretary Treasurer Barry Cooper, to dig a bit deeper into this issue that to understand if there are actions we as a community could undertake to resolve at least part of this issue. It is understood, in some cases, the issues may be out Under Manitoba’s Economic of our control, however it is my Growth Action Plan, this belief that if we can put definition organization is intended to identify around at least part or it, then priority areas, including target solutions could be identified and sector strategies, as a way to deployed. To this end, early in foster competitiveness, facilitate February this hardworking
committee is planned to host a half day summit of business leaders in the community to delve into this topic. Coming out of it, we are anticipating a report that will capture the feedback from the event and identify the next steps for the process. Having a skilled workforce is a critical element of our ongoing economic development activities, so we are excited to start this dialogue. If you would like to be part of this discussion, please contact the office. At this time of the year, our attention is also directed towards the upcoming budgets by the City
Mid-Year Report Happy New Year and welcome to a new decade! We are excited for 2020, but for the Chamber, January actually marks the midway point of our programming year. This fall, we were busy representing our members at the local level to the national stage in a number of advocacy efforts. We worked to educate and inform our members in both the federal and provincial elections. We attended the national Chamber Conference to share business concerns and learn from our Chamber peers. We championed Brandon at various Manitoba Chamber events including the Manitoba Chamber Business Awards Dinner and Minister’s Dinner. For our second year, Chamber executives across the province participated in a ‘Day of Advocacy’ at the legislature. As a united voice, we met with Ministers, MLAs, provincial staff and both leaders of the opposition to discuss key issues impacting business including: economic competitiveness, workforce shortages, access to capital for growing and expanding businesses and the impact of growing crime rates throughout the province. Add in our presence at countless meetings and roundtables and it has been a busy fall making sure that Brandon business remains on the forefront of provincial and community leaders’ minds! This past summer, Brandon was selected to participate in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, “a community driven program to assist and support rural
1
communities with labour market shortages and regional economic development”. The Initiative has been led by the Economic Development Brandon, and the Chamber has had a seat at the boardroom table to help determine the program, alongside other stakeholders. In December, the program officially launched and in January we will be offering information sessions for employers to learn more on how it may assist their chronic vacancies. Since our events calendar kicked off in September, we have hosted over 20 Chamber events. From our AGM Reception which highlighted Chamber successes at the historical backdrop of the Brandon General Museum, to our last event of 2019 - the Holiday edition of Chamber Friday Coffee, we have offered a variety of opportunities for members to grow their network, celebrate business and learn from thought leaders. Moving into the New Year, our great slate of events continues with notable speakers such as up-and-coming entrepreneur Hailey Jefferies of Prairie Fava, Mariette Mulaire, President & CEO of World Trade Centre Winnipeg and the CEO of Ducks Unlimited, Karla Guyn. We look forward to the return of our Business for Breakfast Series this spring and recognizing excellence with the presentation of our Business Achievement Awards in March. Count on a few Business After 5s, a Social Media Workshop series and we will round out the year with the installation of our new Board and President in June.
We look forward to what the year ahead will bring! We continue to explore innovative opportunities to serve our members, so stay tuned for new initiatives and programs! On behalf of all the Chamber staff, we wish you a great year of success and joy in business and all your endeavors!
Carolynn Cancade General Manager If you have ideas on how we can provide more value for your membership investment or are interested in hearing more about our programming and advocacy work, please let us know! I can be reached at gm@brandonchamber.ca.
2
Legend: 1. Manitoba Regional Chambers representing at the “Day of Advocacy” in Winnipeg. Nov 2019 2. Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot Project. Contact 204 571 5340 to learn more.
Affordable Storage Brandon (204) 721-0156 713 21 Street Brandon, MB ryanj@forbiddenflavours.ca affordablestoragebrandon.ca
mie.larsen@heartandstroke.ca heartandstroke.ca
Artisan Images by Leah (204) 727-1509 Unit E - 1700 Pacific Avenue Brandon, MB leahjago@artisanimagesbyleah.ca artisanimagesbyleah.ca Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon 204-727-1787 339 - 12th Street Brandon, MB brandon.bbbs@bigbrothersbigsisters.cabi gbrothersbigsister.ca/brandon BioScience Association of Manitoba (204) 272-5097 1000 Waverley Street Winnipeg, MB info@biomb.ca biomb.ca Heart and Stroke Foundation 204-996-3542 1379 Kenaston Blvd Winnipeg, MB
John Jackson Divergent Counselling (204) 573-2768 1043 Rosser Avenue Unit #E Brandon, MB john@divergentcounselling.com divergentcounselling.ca Kim's Asian Restaurant (204) 571-9266 42 McTavish Avenue East Brandon, MB nguyenk11@yahoo.com kimsasianrestaurant.ca
Studio 78 (204) 721-1296 29 10th Street Brandon, MB jamie@studio78.ca studio78.ca Thai Express / Ahmed Retail Corporation 204-727-5574 82-1570 18th Street Shoppers Mall Brandon, MB thaiexpressbrandon@hotmail.com thaiexpress.ca
Kuipers Family Bakery (204) 728-3023 1411 - 1st Street Brandon, MB kuipers@westman.wave.ca
VieTech Training & Consulting Inc. (778) 819-6575 22 King Street South, Suite 300 Waterloo, ON contact@vietech.ca vietech.ca
Sheila Tremblay Associate (888) 318-7816 Box 351 Roblin, MB sheiladt@telus.net sheilamortgage.com
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (204) 784-2583 315 Chancellor Matheson Road Winnipeg, MB R3T 1Z2 tfinch@bluebombers.com bluebombers.com
Special FX Productions (204) 868-0700
-
-
Box 1776 Minnedosa, MB sfxproductionsmb@gmail.com specialfxproductions.ca
Business After 5 with Robinson Cancade Private Wealth Inc. November 6th Robinson Cancade Private Wealth Inc. brought a little edge to Business After 5 with a Caesar bar, scavenger hunt-like activity and atmospheric LED lighting. Around 50 members came out to network and enjoy tasty appetizers.
Ben Cowan from Telus joined us to discuss the new generation of wireless technology. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Assiniboine Community College; table sponsors Prairie Firehouse, Joe Beeverz and The Dock on Princess; and booth sponsors STARS and Tag ‘Em Entertainment.
new photo booth, danced, networked and checked out the current portfolio of Tridents work on screens scattered around the room
Chamber Luncheon: Holiday Celebration December 5th Our Annual Holiday Extravaganza was a hit this year - even making the Brandon Sun with a half page article! A special thank Business After 5 with Trident Films | Media you to our presenting sponsor Westoba We hope to see you at the next one on December 4th Credit Union, who brought the real Mr. and January 16th with Resurrection Paint Who says Chamber events aren't fun? Mrs. Claus out for an amazing selfie contest. Correction and Auto Detailing! Chamber events are what our members Winner Emily Simon of Rimmer Tech Partners make it, and this Business After 5 @ Trident received $500.00 to their charity of choice. (Films|Music|Media) had a nightclub vibe, Chamber Luncheon: 5G and the Future of cheeseburgers and scotch on tap! The ugly sweater contest was a blast as Connectivity always and we raised $882.00 for Dollars for November 21st Party goers took selfies with Tridents brand Scholars with our 50/50 raffle. Thank you to our prize sponsors MyPhone Telus and the Victoria Inn. Thank you also to our table sponsors Prairie Firehouse, Joe Beeverz and The Dock on Princess, and Tech Manitoba; and booth sponsors Family Visions and Natural Elements. First Friday Coffee December 6th Our Friday Coffees are a classic - that's getting a major revival lately! You can expect to meet with 20-50 members at these free networking events, sponsored by Tim Hortons. Super casual, fun and intimate, meet up with new and old colleagues. Expect to be greeted with a variety of potential future clients, dignitaries, local leaders and game changers at these events.
Thank You to our Sponsors for the Following Events!
LUNCHEON HOST SPONSORS
Friday Coffee
Booth & Table Sponsors
Lunch & Learn
BA5 Sponsor
¨ ¨
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
of Brandon and the Brandon School Division.
business, however taking the time to build your network can also pay incredible dividends. We welcome you to The Government Relations Committee has already sat come out, have a little fun and make some new down with the school division to discuss the budget and connections. some of the challenges they are currently working through. We anticipate sitting down with the City of Brandon, in the near future, to do the same. We will continue to be a strong voice for business as they hold their public meetings and budget deliberations. One of the benefits in being a member of the chamber is the opportunity to network and build relationships that you can then leverage in building your own business. We are fortunate to have businesses willing to open their doors to host Business After Five events and an Events Committee continually looking to provide fun and unique opportunities to bring the business community together. It is easy to get caught up in running your
—
-
–
-
-
—
—
-
-
-
-