July 2013 Inside this issue: GM’s Report New Members Event Reviews Golf Thank you Presidents Message Cont’d Meet the New Board
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Chamber to Refocus on Economic & Business Development I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank our outgoing directors Sharon Shepherd, Denny Bouchard and Cam Clark. These folks served the chamber extremely well over many years and their contributions were tremendous. I also want to commend Nate Andrews on a fantastic term as President. I can tell you with great admiration and confidence that Nate has matched any past president with his passion and dedication over the past year.
had much more to offer. We have made a strategic decision to beef up our Government Relations Committee and further empower them. This is going to be led by the very capable Carla Milne. The changes we are making there will allow the committee to largely look after this important part of our mandate and allow the executive to refocus and evolve to grow the Chamber mandate.
We felt that if we are to spend this much As an executive and board, we spent a lot volunteer time on something, that we of time over the past several months might as well be spending it on thinking about what our role had become something that will provide more value and what it to our membership, should be. I be more energizing want to share and more fun. “I believe we are with you the direction we are We have decided to entering a period of taking the expand the unprecedented Chamber over Chamber focus on not only the economic and abundance.” next year, but business the next several. development. Now, this is nothing new by any stretch. The While our role as business taxpayer Chamber has been involved in economic advocate is and will continue to play an development at different levels over the important part of our ongoing mandate, years with initiatives such as the we felt that this part of our role was Economic Development Board, the beginning to consume us and that we Economic Development Corporation,
Craig Senchuk, Chamber President
Team Brandon and the list goes on, but over time we have lost such sense of involvement in business development and we want to get that back. We have spent a lot of time talking with the various folks involved in those earlier initiatives, in order to learn what went well and what did not, in order to develop a sense of what it should look like.
Economic and business development is about enhancing our existing businesses and attracting new ones. We are excited to have already started some significant initiatives. The Chamber is represented on the current Community Economic Development Planning Committee and we must give credit to the City for reaching out to us at the Chamber to be involved in this important initiative. I think we all recognize that government at (Continued on page 6)
FROM THE DESK OF...
GM’S REPORT
Exciting Changes at The Chamber A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has – Margaret Mead It is an exciting time at the Chamber. Summer marks the start of a new presidential year with a new board, new ideas and new plans. In fact, we have had a number of changes and new developments over the last several months. In June, we installed our new President and Board of Directors and under the leadership of Craig Senchuk, we will be looking to refocus our efforts to a number of new priorities. (see the President’s article). We are in the preliminary stages of discovering what this might look like, but we will be looking to you, our members, for ideas and input. Last month we also said goodbye to our retiring directors. Thank you to Sharon Shepherd and Denny Bouchard; your voice and input around the boardroom table were a valuable asset. I would also like to thank and congratulate Nate Andrews for a great 2012-2013 year. The President’s role takes a tremendous amount of time and commitment and we were again fortunate to find an individual like Nate, who juggled personal and professional commitments while fulfilling his duties at the Chamber. Luckily for us, he will be around for another year as Past President. I have written this before, but it bears repeating; The Chamber’s continued success is determined by dedicated leadership through our board of directors, an active membership and the tireless work of our staff. Without the support of volunteers, the board of directors, and the membership at large, the work that we do would not be possible.
our Provincial Chamber body. In May, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce announced the hiring of Chuck Davidson as its new CEO and President. Those familiar with the Chamber movement in Manitoba will know Chuck from his most recent role as Vice-President at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. Chuck’s experience and energy has already reinvigorated the provincial chamber movement. This will undoubtedly benefit our local chamber, and I look forward to a strengthened relationship with our provincial partner. At the Chamber office, we have welcomed a couple of new staff faces. Becky Farguson joined the team in February and has become a great asset at the front desk. In April, we added Paige Cuvelier as External Relations Coordinator and she is quickly learning the ins and outs of her position. If you haven’t had a chance to meet the new team, please feel free to visit our office and say hello! Indeed, it is an exciting time of change at the Chamber. With a number of new faces
in the office and around the boardroom table we are poised well to revisit our goals and chart a new direction. Carolynn Cancade, We are fortuGeneral Manager nate to have a strong group of business people who bring a breadth of experience and enthusiasm to our Chamber. I look forward to working with them, and you our members, in the year ahead! Please feel free to contact me if you have ideas, questions or concerns you wish to share!
Carolynn Cancade General Manager Contact Carolynn by phone at 204-571-5342 or by email at gm@brandonchamber.ca
MEMBERSHIP REFERRAL PROGRAM Membership Matters… Get Others Involved! The Membership Referral Program is a continuous campaign to grow the Chamber while providing rewards and recognition opportunities to members who forward prospects that result in membership. Earn $100 credit towards Chamber advertising and/or sponsorship Get recognition at a Chamber Luncheon Quarterly draws for great prizes donated by
other members Grow your Chamber & grow your business If you know a business that would benefit from Chamber membership we’d like to know! Email external@brandonchamber.ca
We have also had a leadership change at
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www.brandonchamber.ca
MEMBERSHIP
Welcome New Members 1Life Workplace Safety & Health
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Unit 4 - 940 Princess Avenue Brandon, MB R7A 5Y4 P: 204-578-7821 E: ingrid@emigratiebureau.com
Coffee Culture Café & Eatery 510 1st Street Brandon, MB R7A 2X1 P: 204-717-9100 E: brandon@coffeeculturecafe.com
Pattison Outdoor Advertising Unit4 - 999 King Edward Street Winnipeg, MB R3H 0R1 P: 204-285-3500 E: ncringan@pattisonoutdoor.com
Kraus Flooring 1551 Church Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2X 1G7 P: 204-296-5535 E: dean.vialoux@krausflooring.com
Ye’s Buffet 201- 18th Street North Brandon, MB R7A 0E9 P: 204-783-3888 E: yessushi@hotmail.com
The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre NW 29-10-19 Brandon, MB R7A 5Y3 P: 204-729-9943 E: thepaw@rfnow.com
Advertise Here Advertise to a targeted market. The Chamber at a Glance reaches over 800 Brandon and area businesses and over 850 delegates! Your best connection to Brandon’s business community.
For more information contact the Chamber at 204-571-5344 or external@brandonchamber.ca
Recommended Reading…
Decisions Making the Right Decisions, Righting the Wrong Ones
By Jim Treliving HarperCollins Publishers Limited, Aug 27, 2012
Jim Treliving is a police officer turned pizza king. An affable prairie boy, he took the leap from the RCMP and started to build a global empire. In his first book, Jim shows why today, he’s not only surviving, he’s thriving in a volatile 20th-century global market. For Treliving, success involves hard work and taking a measured, principled approach to making decisions, because successful people make decisions and act. Unsuccessful people freeze in the face of choice.
www.brandonchamber.ca
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EVENTS Past President’s Luncheon
Above: President Craig Senchuk, accepting the gavel from Past President, Nate Andrews.
Craig Senchuk was welcomed by a crowd of over 300 people as the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Incoming President for 2013-2014 on Thursday, June 6th. His vision for the Brandon Chamber in the new year is one of prosperity and expanded focus on economic and business development. Thank you to Crocus Credit Union, who sponsored this year’s Past President’s Luncheon and to his honour, Judge Donovan Dvorak who performed the swearing in ceremony. Congratulations to Heather Ewasiuk from the City of Brandon who won the door prize of a $500 gift certificate for an investment with Crocus Credit Union!
State of the City Luncheon On May 16th, Mayor Shari Decter Hirst gave her third State of the City Address to approximately 415 Chamber members at the Keystone Centre. The Mayor’s focus was on Brandon’s forthcoming Economic Development Strategy, with WestJet being at the core of that plan. “WestJet’s arrival is just the beginning! The plan will focus on improved infrastructure, technology, education, downtown renewal and quality of life, along with pursuing expanded opportunities in the manufacturing, agriculture, entrepreneurship, energy, transportation, tourism and workforce training sectors.” Congratulations to Ken Hardy from Hardy Electric Ltd. who won the Brandon First gift basket! Above: Mayor Shari Decter Hirst at the Brandon Chamber State of the City Address.
Convenience: Never forget to register again! Avoid Pre-registering online or by phone each month. Guaranteed Seating: For all ten 2013-2014 Regular Chamber Luncheons. Premium Seating: Get the best seats available to each luncheon. Priority Purchasing: Receive exclusive access to pre-sales of Chamber events before they go on sale to the general membership.
On Sale August 1st!
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For more information, contact Paige at 204-571-5344 or external@brandonchamber.ca
www.brandonchamber.ca
EVENTS
Congratulations to our Championship Flight Winners! Paul Crane, Chad Wallin, Warren Wallin, PJ Crane & Jarod Crane
Check out more pictures on our website! www.brandonchamber.ca
@BdnChamber www.brandonchamber.ca
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Working for you... (Continued from page 1) any level should not be the sole steward of economic development, but we believe that we can build something much better by working collaboratively.
spin off and increased airport activity.
to get involved in the Chamber efforts. If you think you have something to offer and And lastly, agriculture and value added believe in our direction, STEP up and do agriculture is another great opportunity. your part for building Brandon business. Agriculture is in midst of unprecedented These groups and our existing committees change and we are in an ideal location and of Government Relations, Membership, In spite of all the ongoing discussion on position to be taking advantage of all that Events and Business Development will form global economic woes, I believe we are brings. Agriculture remains and will remain the integral parts of our expanded entering a period of unprecedented a key economic pillar for our area yet it has mandate and direction. abundance in our area and we have a been years since we have had an Ag tremendous opportunity to take advantage Committee. We know that good things We feel the change in direction, or more of that. can come from work done in the past from appropriately defined, re-focus is these committee level groups such as the important for Brandon Business, it is We have four key areas that in themselves beginning of the Maple Leaf Plant locating important for the growth and evolution of can provide very significant growth here. the Chamber. opportunities. Now that we have air service, what can we do with it? We need We also wish to establish an Oil and Gas The fantastic opportunities exist now and to explore every possibility that this service Industry committee; we need to seriously we need to take advantage of them. Your brings. What can we bring back that we look at the opportunities that are coming executive and board have forged this have lost, and what can we attract now our way. Science and Technology is direction and it will take all of our collective that we have it? changing at the most rapid pace in our efforts to succeed. history. We have some brilliant minds in The oil industry is on our doorstep. these areas in Brandon and we believe if On behalf of my wife, Julia and my family I Everyone knows the beehive of activity we can get them in a room together who want to thank you for your support of that is happening in the southwest part knows what could come of it. myself and our board as we move in new of our province. We recognize that there directions with your Chamber. are challenges with this, but we believe the And lastly, we want to establish a opportunities exceed those challenges. Workforce Development Committee We have many members who are already because we are all going to need workers thriving because of this and we need to for our upcoming growth. Our committees uncover all growth opportunities for are where the real results come from. All Craig Senchuk, Brandon. of you can play a part. If you are interested President in helping Brandon business grow, please We also have a great opportunity in get involved at a committee level. We Craig can be reached at transportation. The possibilities include need your expertise, your innovation, your president@brandonchamber.ca increased rail activity for oil, Centerport vision. Don’t wait for us to approach you
Having a meeting? Member
Non Profit
Non-Member
Half Day - $49.25 Full Day- $71.00 Hourly- $16.75
Half Day- $27.50 Full Day- $49.25 Hourly- $22.00
Half Day- $65.75 Full Day- $87.50 Hourly- $34.00
We have the perfect place… The Chamber Boardroom
Two 50” Flat screens Seating for 18
Chamber membership renewals invoices were sent via email in June. If you have not received yours, please contact the Chamber office at 204-571-5340 or by email at internal@brandonchamber.ca.
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Chamber Coffee will resume in September! Thank you to our Sponsor. www.brandonchamber.ca
Meet The New Board 2013-2014 The Chamber is pleased to announce the members of this years Board of Directors. The New Board features Directors from a wide range of industries, that will be sure to bring a diverse prospective to the Chamber in 2013-2014.
Above (from left) Nate Andrews,Todd Birkhan, Frank Arndt, Daniel Burns, Bonnie Nay– Draper, Chad Wallin, Carla Milne, Jordan Ludwig, Lyndsay Murray, Terry Carlisle, Karla Dane, Tyler Rice, Craig Senchuk, Terry Burgess.
New Directors...
GET INVOLVED! The Brandon Chamber of Commerce has existed as the voice of Brandon business since 1883. It consists of a diverse membership representing all business types, sectors and sizes. We are 100 percent privately funded and receive no outside government financial support. Volunteers drive our activities by dealing with grassroots business and community issues through action committees or open discussion.
You can make a difference by joining a Chamber Committee Lyndsay Murray
Tyler Rice
Terry Burgess
Murray Auto Centre Brandon
Powell Construction Ltd.
RBC, Royal Bank
For more information contact the Chamber office at 204-571-5340
Become An Ambassador The Chamber Would Like To Welcome...
Chamber Ambassadors are volunteers from the Chamber Membership Community that serve to welcome new members and connect with other Chamber members. Email external@brandonchamber.ca
www.brandonchamber.ca
We would like to welcome Paige Cuvelier, as our new External Relations Coordinator at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Originally from Killarney, MB Paige moved to Brandon five years ago to complete her post secondary education and since then, has made Brandon her home. Paige has a background in Business, Marketing and several years experience in Sales & Customer Service. Contact Paige at external@brandonchamber.ca for all inquiries regarding Chamber Events, Sponsorships, Membership and Advertising.
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2013-2014
Board of Directors Craig Senchuk, President AGRI-TREND Business Management
Todd Birkhan, Vice President BDO Canada LLP
Jordan Ludwig, Secretary/Treasurer Brandon Business Interiors
Nate Andrews, Past President Guild Insurance Brokers Inc.
Bonnie Nay-Draper Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training & Trade
Carla Milne MNP LLP
Chad Wallin Joe Beeverz Bar & Grill
Daniel A. Burns Burns Maendel Consulting Engineers Ltd.
Frank Arndt myITsource.ca/MTS Connect Corral Centre
Karla Dane Meighen Haddad LLP
Lyndsay Murray Murray Auto Group Brandon
Terry Burgess RBC, Royal Bank
Terry Carlisle Cando Contracting Ltd.
Tyler Rice Powell Construction Ltd.
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 www.brandonchamber.ca
STAFF:
EDITING & DESIGN: Paige Cuvelier PRINTING: Leech Printing Ltd.
Paige Cuvelier, External Relations Coordinator 204-571-5344 external@brandonchamber.ca
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.
Carolynn Cancade, General Manager 204-571-5342 gm@brandonchamber.ca
Becky Farguson, Internal Relations Coordinator 204-571-5340 internal@brandonchamber.ca
www.brandonchamber.ca 8