CHAMBERS BY THE NUMBERS

• 115+ Chambers across Alberta

• 400+ policy recommendations in 2022 given by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce to all levels of government

• 200,000+ businesses represented by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

• 350,000+ individuals represented by the Calgary Chamber at member businesses hosting Chamber websites, accounting tools, recruitment options, event management and much more.

“This is our way of future-proofing Chambers,” says Feth, “so even the smallest Chamber can cut down significantly on administrative costs.”

With a growing member base, a burgeoning startup scene and an expanding list of industries in the city, the Calgary Chamber launched a new, multi-level membership model with 10 tiers, including Startup for early-stage companies, Individual for independent contractors and employees who want more engagement, and Passport for international companies wanting a foothold in the city.

“With the ever-changing business landscape in Calgary and across the country, the Calgary Chamber is also changing, updating our membership model to better represent the diverse interests of each and every business in our great city,” says Yedlin.

This awareness of the needs of business owners is what makes Chambers unique and gives them the direction to address challenges faced across the business community, including talent retention and acquisition, dealing with inflation, and managing supply chain issues and logistics.

In talent, the Alberta Chambers developed the ACC-APSN Talent Development Task Force, in partnership with the Alberta Post-Secondary Network.

“Through detailed labour market information, we’re going to inform future needs in talent,” says Feth. All 26 presidents of universities and post-secondaries in the province are part of the task force, aiming to give students comprehensive business apprenticeships, work-integrated learning, micro-credentials – fully capitalizing on the four years students are completing their undergrad degrees. This, paired with aiming to have newcomers certified more quickly, an authentic, effective Indigenous engagement strategy, supporting seniors and people with disabilities and more shows that Chambers are considering all options to support businesses.

In Q4 of 2022, the Calgary Chamber also focused on talent, releasing a comprehensive package of talent and employment recommendations, Unlocking our Talent Potential, with dozens of objectives for every level of government.

“These recommendations are intended to advance the conversation and spur increased collaboration on talent and labour shortages in Calgary,” says Yedlin. “Unlocking our Talent Potential tables creative ideas and opportunities that all levels of government can capitalize on to strengthen our talent pipeline and eliminate gaps experienced by many businesses – large and small.”

In the report, Chamber tables key solutions related to immigration, inclusion, upskilling and reskilling, and branding Alberta.

And these recommendations on talent only scratch the surface of the amount of lobbying Chambers do on behalf of the business community. In 2022, the Calgary Chamber made over 400 recommendations to all levels of government, with substantial impact on emissions policy, in childcare, downtown revitalization and infrastructure, to name a few.

“The Chamber network is the oldest and largest business association in the world,” says Feth, citing its innate value to its members and communities.

If you’re looking to be better connected with the business community, get in touch with the Calgary Chamber, the Alberta Chambers or any of the 115 Chambers across the province.