Vice-President
President
Jaime
Secretary-Treasurer
Lois
Past
Pugh MNP LLP
Ruston YWCA Brandon
Jennifer Ludwig Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd.
President
Tanya LaBuick LaBuick & Co , CW2 Construction & Design, Guardian Fencing
Rob Starkell West-Can HR
Meredyth Leech Leech Group
Brent Miller Victoria Inn
Courtney Baxter Bushel Plus
Matt Berg Livingstone Outdoor
Emelio Brown IntriTech Digital Marketing
Andrea Epp Epp Law Office
As I reflect on my first year as the General Manager of our esteemed chamber, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and excitement. It has been an incredible journey, and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve this vibrant business community. Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate our accomplishments, highlight the importance of our chamber, and share our vision for the future.
One of the greatest strengths of our chamber lies in the collective power and knowledge of our members Together, we form a diverse and dynamic community of entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders Through networking events, workshops, and collaborative initiatives, we have fostered an environment where businesses can thrive and grow.
Our chamber serves as a catalyst for positive change and progress. We are a force that champions economic development, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. We have provided valuable resources, networking events, and educational opportunities that have paved the way for success.
Looking ahead, I am excited to announce that our chamber is gearing up to host a series of remarkable events and initiatives in the coming year. These events will be platforms for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Whether it's an industry conference, a luncheon, or an educational seminar, our goal is to provide opportunities for our members to connect, learn, and grow together This year, we are excited to launch the Leadership Brandon program in partnership with Westman Immigration Services This will help foster and grow the leaders of tomorrow while connecting them directly with the needs of our city
Moreover, we will continue to be a strong advocate
for our members, representing their interests and addressing their concerns. Our chamber stands as a unified voice, amplifying the collective needs of our business community to government bodies, policymakers, and decision-makers. We will work tirelessly to ensure that your voice is heard, your challenges are acknowledged, and your accomplishments are recognized.
As the Chamber enters its renewal season it is important to remember that your membership renewal is more than a transaction It is a testament to the continued belief in our collective strength as a business community and a commitment to driving growth and prosperity By renewing your membership, you actively contribute to the sustainability of our chamber's initiatives, advocacy efforts, and invaluable resources that directly benefit your business It enables us to amplify your voice, provide enhanced networking opportunities, offer valuable educational programs, and foster a supportive environment for collaboration. Together, through the renewal of your membership, we ensure that our chamber remains a vibrant and influential force, empowering businesses to thrive and shape a prosperous future.
In conclusion, I am deeply grateful for the trust and support you have bestowed upon our chamber. The accomplishments of the past 12 months and the collective 139 years before that, set a solid foundation for an even brighter future. We are excited to work hand in hand with each of you, leveraging the strength of our chamber to propel your businesses to new heights
Thank you for your unwavering commitment, and here's to an exceptional year ahead!
Warmest regards,
Connor Ketchen General Manager Brandon Chamber of Commerce
Through interactive workshops, collaborative projects, and exclusive networking events, participants will expand their professional network, forging valuable connections that can foster personal growth, career advancement, and potential collaborative opportunities!
Your Investment: $1250 + GST
Your Committment: Last Friday of every month, for 10 months, with some take-home work to complete on your own time
PROGRAM STARTS
SEPTEMBER 29TH!
Sessions Include:
Personality testing
Civic engagement
Economic development
Understanding all levels of Government Connection with industry leaders And more!
To register, contact Connor Ketchen at gm@brandonchamber.ca!
Learn more about this program by visiting brandonchamber.ca/leadership-program
Brandon First is a not-for-profit Destination Marketing Organization that consists of a twelve member Board of Directors, a three person staff, plus a base of more than forty local business stakeholders. We are committed to working as a cohesive group to promote Brandon, Manitoba as a host city for events. We proactively source out events by attending conferences, meetings, sporting events and more to find the ones that are the right fit for our city, our venues and our market. We then work to find a local committee or interested party to pursue these potential leads. We also work with local organizations and committees who already have an idea in mind to bring their targeted event to the City of Brandon. It is our goal to drive economic development in the city through multi-day event tourism, and successful event hosting. Our team provides administrative assistance to the Event Hosting Grant program offered through the City of Brandon and can help qualifying events easily apply for extra funding to help improve the hosting process and attendee experience.
Event hosting is a great opportunity for tourism dollars to come to Brandon that may not have otherwise. We all know that when an event is in town the restaurants are busy, the hotels are fuller, local stores get frequented, and event venues and vendors see direct business right away. Event tourists spend an average of four times more than leisure tourists, and tend to stay for more days, experiencing more of our city and spending more money at our local businesses.
Brandon has a number of regional and national events scheduled this summer including:
June 28 – July 2, 2023
Canadian National Trap Shooting | Brandon Gun Club
July 19-23, 2023
World Clydesdale Show | Keystone Centre
July 19 – 23, 2023
Salamander Summer Music Festival | Rideau Park
August 2 – 5, 2023
Canadian National High School Rodeo
Championships | Keystone Centre
August 9 – 13, 2023
Softball Canada U15 Girls National Championships | Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex
August 11 – 13, 2023
Western Canadian Powerlifting Championships | Healthy Living Centre at Brandon University
Using the Economic Impact Calculator through Destinations International, the upcoming U16 National Girls Softball Championships, scheduled for August 9 –13, and expected to draw competitors from every province, is projected to generate 1000 overnight stays and approximately a million dollars in direct spending in our community ($1,004,930 projected Business Sales (Direct)) Hosting events like this benefits both direct event industry businesses (venues like the Keystone Centre or Ashley Neufeld Sportsplex) as well as indirect industry businesses (restaurants, local shops, gas stations etc)
For an up-to-date listing of Upcoming Events Brandon First is working with, you can always visit brandonfirst.com/upcoming-events.
If you'd like to get involved with any of these events as a sponsor, a donor, a committee member or a volunteer, reach out to us and we can connect you with the event organizers!
Brandon First would like to extend a huge thanks to our community stakeholders for their continued support of our organization. That support helps to solidify Brandon as one of the premier event destinations in Canada and helps to grow our city, economy and infrastructure. Brandon First plays a pivotal role in bringing events and tourism dollars to the city of Brandon. Our stakeholders get preferred, direct access to the decision makers and event organizers that we help recruit. If you’re interested in becoming a member of Brandon First you can reach out to our Executive Director, Jenn Watson, at any time by email jenn@brandonfirst.com
The Brandon Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a huge congratulations to Suzanne Rowley, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express, on receiving the IHG 2022 Torchbearer Award! With only 4 awarded in all of Canada, the Torchbearer Award is the most elite award presented by IHG and has the most intense criteria to qualify. The Torchbearer Award is given to hotels that have achieved the highest level of excellence in all aspects of operations – from quality to customer satisfaction
Opening during Covid-19 here in Brandon, the Holiday Inn Express has been working tirelessly to provide comfort, safety, and exceed all expectations to create the ultimate customer experience. We would like to congratulate them for being recognized for all of their hard work!
For those who live in Brandon, but need to organize meeting space, the Holiday Inn Express has a number of Board Rooms available for rent Be sure to contact Suzanne or her team for further information!
(L-R): Jonathan Lund (Regional Vice-President IHG Canada), Suzanne Rowley (General Manager of Holiday Inn Express), Jeff Krivoshen (PR Hotels CEO), Connor Ketchen (General Manager of Brandon Chamber of Commerce),Michael Juce (President & CEO of the Manitoba Hotel Association), Glen Hildebrand (Ward 5 Councillor City of Brandon)
From ski hills to golf courses, seasonal businesses are everywhere we look. Especially in a province like Manitoba, we have some of the most seasonal businesses! So how do we support them year-round if they're only open for a few months?
Here are 5 easy ways that you can support your seasonal community without breaking the bank!
Spread the word
Act as a brand ambassador by sharing positive experiences and recommendations. This can be word-of-mouth, or through online review sources, such as Google Reviews, Trip Advisor, or their Facebook Business Page. This can help attract more customers during their peak season!
Most businesses operate their social media year-round, and by staying engaged with them online you are helping their visibility and connection with customers year-round too!
If you know you'll need products or services from a seasonal business, you can pre-book or pre-order in advance This helps the business gauge demand and it ensure they have some income even during off-season. Whether it's a bachelor party or family reunion, think local when thinking ahead.
Purchase gift certificates for Christmas gifts, birthday parties, or special occasions This allows recipients to enjoy the business even if it's not their regular season!
If you own, or work with, a business that operates year-round, explore potential collaboration opportunities, such as joint marketing campaigns, bundled offers, or cross-promotion to help leverage each other's customer bases
Summer is heating up, and so is the restlessness of your employees You need to find a way to engage them and keep their head in the game Giving your team top-level perks is one way to ensure they perform in the summer and keep the distractions at bay
Summer hours, casual Fridays and outdoor activities can help your employees appreciate your company in the summer and help you retain them even if a better offer comes by. Using the summer to your advantage will allow you to provide your staff with all sorts of advantages they will enjoy, and will help increase the respect they have for you.
Below, 15 members of the Forbes Agency Council share some of the successful culture perks or bonding activities they typically implement in the summer to improve their teams’ creativity and productivity
It's not a radical idea in the agency world, but sometimes the best ideas are the tried-and-true ideas We close our offices at 1 p m on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day Sometimes it makes the work week a bit more stressful, but on balance, that simple half day off seems to punch above its weight And the net effect makes weekends seem much longer and more renewing - Justin Daab, Magnani
Walking meetings are a great way to get out of the office and enjoy the nice weather while still being very productive. For your next meeting, consider taking it outside. It's refreshing, helps inspire creativity and breaks up the day in a fun and healthy way. - Brad Williams, WebDevStudios
It is so simple yet powerful. Breaking bread has been shown to strengthen relationships, as well as give a feeling of stability and connectedness We plan monthly team meals where we fire up the grill and eat outside around picnic tables on the back patio It's not uncommon to see team meetings and group discussions moved to the patio when the weather is nice - Korena Keys, KeyMedia Solutions
by Forbes Agency CouncilEveryone knows we take meditations, retreat and shutdown days seriously -- not just because of their positive benefit to society, but because they aid the process of flourishing for each team member When each person on our team truly flourishes, it has a great impact on how we focus on our work of building happier flourishing Africans And if you cannot meditate for one hour, meditate for two. - Chude
Jideonwo, Joy, Inc.
We try to dedicate one day a month in the summer to innovation and creative thinking -- not work product. Usually, this leads us outdoors and into nature. We often hike, talk and take photos and generally enjoy the fresh air. It's amazing how this changes our perspectives and keeps us fresh. - Randy
Shattuck, The Shattuck GroupOne of the things we do is soak up some Vitamin D by hosting a “press releases by the pool” day for our team We’ll have refreshing beverages, Texas barbecue and pool activities all afternoon Company culture should never take a break, and playing to your strengths is important When it’s routinely 100-plus degrees outside in Austin, Texas, not only is this a nice culture perk, it’s practically a necessity - Kathleen Lucente, Red
Fan CommunicationsWe rolled out a work-from-home policy every other Friday two summers ago and it was an instant hit. Employees, especially millennials, love the freedom to work where and when they want. We also found our employees achieved a lot on these days since most days were free of meetings. This day became a great "knock it out" day while providing the ability to work from your local park or schedule a personal appointment with more flexibility. -
Simms Jenkins, BrightWave - North America’s Leading Email Marketing AgencyPeople tend to dread coming into the office on Mondays I am attempting to change that with a Monday afternoon walk It breaks up the day, gets us outside and allows the team to bond It also gives everyone something to look forward to (myself included) Thus far, it's been a big success - Aidan Cole, nTuitive social
To say that summer in San Francisco is a bit chilly may be the understatement of the year. One way we beat the fog is to book an Airbnb experience These experiences get us out of the office, collaborating and, most importantly, laughing - Michaela Dempsey, Scout RFP
Every summer around the 21st of June, we throw a party for our team, clients, friends and family We work together to plan a meal and cook tacos for our guests, and we spend the rest of the evening celebrating a successful first half of the year Guests tell us that it is one of the most unique events they've attended and our growing staff loves participating in the tradition - Benjamin Collins, Laughing Samurai
Last year we opened the MODassic Outpost in Salida, CO which serves as remote live/work space where our employees can escape their daily routine. Our team is all in house, but we really value travel and getting away. We wanted to create a place where employees could get away and enjoy the mountains, river and town but still work and not have to use up their vacation time or spend money on hotels - Ryan Short, MODassic Marketing
Our office is located in a cute beach town, and we especially try to take advantage of that during the summer We typically pick a day during the week to do an office happy hour where we close the office early and walk to a nearby restaurant I believe this makes my team more productive -- having an outing to look forward to mid-week Sometimes we even just opt for wine on the beach - Leila Lewis, Be Inspired PR
Summers for our team include an annual wiener roast and a couple of afternoons at the local Triple-A ballpark just up the road. We'll take a break and toss a ball around outside ourselves now and then. And starting soon, we'll hold a few outdoor meetings at a new downtown Metropark. A few of our team members take walks during lunch, and we can walk to nearby restaurants, too.
- Scott Greggory, MadAveGroup14. Global Bootcamps
Every July, our entire staff gets together for a three-day "bootcamp" held in a different global city each year. Think summer camp, but for adults There are teambuilding exercises, inspirational talks and, of course, some good old-fashioned fun It’s a time to get to know one another, recognize the team’s hard work and celebrate our accomplishments Everyone leaves feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges that lie ahead - Heather Kernahan, Hotwire
15 Scavenger Hunt
We found a free app that allows you to do a fun and creative scavenger hunt around your neighborhood It's team building, economical and engaging as you can set up various tasks that are social, problem-solving and technical (depending on your staff makeup). We then use the budget for prizes and refreshments after the hunt.
Think Amazing Race meets Photo Scavenger Hunt.
- Darian Kovacs, Jelly Digital Marketing & PR
Council, Forbes Agency “Council Post: 15 Culture Perks to Boost Team Productivity during the Summer ” Forbes, 13 July 2018, www forbes com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/07/13/15-culture-perks-to-boostteam-productivity-during-the-summer/?sh=308e68d07819
TRAIN
WELL ENOUGH SO THEY CAN LEAVE. TREAT THEM WELL ENOUGH SO THEY DON'T WANT TO.
-Richard Branson
