STRONGER THAN EVER 2013 Report to the Community
I am amazed by what 2013 brought us. But as our theme states, we did end the year Stronger than Ever! I am proud and appreciative of our team, our members and our community for what we all accomplished in 2013.
assess their needs and offer support. We spent hours with local and national media explaining the impact of the floods on the economy and reminding people to not forget about the business community that was hit hard as well.
In the past year, we have worked diligently to ensure that the transformation of the Calgary Chamber into a meaningful, impactful and valuable organization supporting business success in Calgary continued. So much was accomplished in 2013—some planned and much unplanned—and I am heartened by what our members have accomplished because of the efforts of our staff and volunteers.
We formed the Calgary Business Recovery Task Force—a group of business organizations that came together to support business continuity and resiliency during and after the flood.
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The flood of 2013 seems like a distant memory, but I recall those days vividly. The Chamber team responded by reaching out to members in the flood-affected areas to
Calgary Chamber
Adam Legge President and CEO Calgary Chamber
The Calgary Flood Recovery Expo attracted 240 businesses from around the region and was supported by a wide range of experts who provided guidance to affected companies. And the work continues with post-recovery support and the Rediscover our City campaign launched by the same task force and overseen by Calgary Economic Development. I am most appreciative of all our partners and supporters who worked together to ensure that less than 1% of businesses failed because of the flood. This contrasts with upwards of a 45% business failure rate after a natural disaster in many other jurisdictions in North America.
While the flood was not part of our business plan, many other things were. We rolled out our new tier based member model, which has been tremendously successful and provided greater value for our membership than our previous model. We upgraded our member software to support more online member tools such as online payments, a member directory, more robust profiles and integration of social media. Our policy committees were highly active, supporting major initiatives such as our Aboriginal-Business Connection Series 2 Series and Great Calgary 2013, our municipal election policy platform. We continued to have great success with our advocacy efforts: 35 government decisions that were implemented aligned with Chamber positions and policies. Top of that list was the release of the 2013 Alberta budget that delivered four major elements in line with Chamber policy including legislated savings and a cap on borrowing. I want to thank all our policy committee volunteers for their outstanding efforts in ensuring that the Calgary Chamber’s voice is one of the most respected and sought after perspectives on business success in the country.
We moved into our new home in June, days before the flood, and have settled in nicely. The facility is modern and functional, capable of hosting small meetings, committees, receptions and events. It has access to greater parking options than our old building, and everyone remarks on how bright and inspiring the space feels. We are indebted to RGO and Ross Glen for his generous donation of all the furniture in the new space. He has made a tremendous investment in Calgary and in the Chamber, and we are extremely grateful. Our organization wouldn’t exist, however, if it weren’t for our members. Thank you for your commitment and support to the Calgary Chamber. I hope you agree that we have made tremendous strides in 2013 toward being a better Chamber and that we are stronger than ever. But make no mistake— our efforts don’t stop here. There is always more we can do, and more we can offer, and I assure you that our entire team is focused on delivering this to you.
Joe Lougheed Chairman of the Board, 2013 Calgary Chamber
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Table of Contents 2
Letter from the CEO
20
Great Calgary 2013
5
Belong
21
Policy wins for business
6
By the numbers
24
Breakfast networking
7
Exceptional member value and experience
25
Testimonials
8
Delivering influence and impact in our community
26
Business After Hours
10
The voice of business finds a new home
27
Play with the Presidents
11
Leadership
29
Fast-Growth Champions
12
Special thanks to our generous supporters
30
Fast-Growth Champions
13
Serving the needs of our members
31
Small Business Week
14
Chamber 101
32
Smart CEOs and thought leaders
15
New system benefits membership
33
Political power players
16
Testimonials
34
Testimonials
18
About our advocacy work
35
Introducing the 2014 Board of Directors
19
Aboriginal - Business Connection Series 2
36
Contact
belong Your Chamber has been working for 123 years to build a stronger, more prosperous Calgary business community, and in doing so, make Calgary a better place to live and work for all. The Chamber does this by helping member businesses like yours connect with each other, grow your businesses and work together to influence important policy discussions. Welcome. You belong here.
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By the numbers Reach
396
Number of times in 2013 your Chamber was mentioned on TV, radio, or newspapers discussing an issue that mattered to business
12,149 Followers across the Calgary Chamber’s social media platforms who tune in to hear the Chamber’s messages and to comment on the latest business developments
Events
Membership
253 New businesses joined you as Calgary Chamber members in 2013
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100%
Politicians who came to speak at your Calgary Chamber, giving the Calgary business community direct contact with the individuals who make the laws in our city, province and country
Wards represented at our Calgary Aldermanic Candidate Forum held before the 2013 municipal election
2,500
750
Attendees hosted by your Calgary Chamber for former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, our largest event of the past year
Number of attendees hosted by your Calgary Chamber to hear former US Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu and former Canadian Minister of Environment Honourable Jim Prentice explore North America’s energy future
Flood
99.5%
243
Percent of flood-affected businesses still in business after the 2013 floods, in large part thanks to your Chamber’s work
Number of business people affected by the Alberta floods who attended our Business Flood Recovery Expo to access resources
Influence
34
18
Years your Calgary Chamber has had a committee supporting business-related Aboriginal policy work, the longest of any chamber in Canada
Number of experts that took part in our second Aboriginal–Business Connection Series
Small Business Week
150
4,886
Small businesses nominated by their fans for the 2013 Small Business Week Awards
Online votes by the public for shortlisted candidates in the 2013 Small Business Week Awards, double the 2012 amount
306 Attendees at the 2013 Small Business Week Expo
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Calgary Chamber
Exceptional member value and experience This is your Chamber. We exist to make your business more successful. We do this by focusing on three key benefit opportunities. The Chamber helps you:
connect
Connect to other businesses, new customers and industry icons though networking and top-tier business events.
grow Grow your business using our promotional opportunities, educational workshops, market intelligence and Business Savings Program.
influence
Influence policymakers: shape policy. Engage in the public conversation on issues important to your business.
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Delivering influence and impact in our community Last year’s flood in Calgary caused unprecedented damage and was named the most expensive disaster in Canadian history. Dozens of businesses were directly flooded, damaging their operations, their facilities and their equipment. In addition, thousands of businesses were affected by days of lost productivity, traffic and sales. This kind of disaster can be devastating, and the effects are felt both on the bottom line and in the mental health of the business owners. Your Chamber played an essential role in helping businesses recover from the devastating flood, ensuring that
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Calgary Chamber
our business community survived with minimal impact. A business in Calgary affected by the flood was more than 50 times less likely to close than a similarly affected business in other North American jurisdictions—an accomplishment that Calgary’s head of emergency management Chief Bruce Burrell recently credited in large part to the Chamber.
Your Chamber partnered with 12 other community organizations to create the Business Recovery Task Force, which worked to get businesses cleaned up and
recovery expo. This “one-stop shop” event consisted of an expo to help connect businesses in need, and panel discussions that provided the necessary tools and information for flood-affected business owners to get back to pre-flood levels of business. The event drew 250 attendees and included 30 information booths set up to answer flood-related questions to help business owners successfully navigate the path to recovery.
repaired as quickly as possible and helped business owners prepare to reopen. The task force also worked to ensure business and investment came back to the flood-affected areas through the comprehensive local, national and international “YYC is Open” marketing campaign.
Ten months later, most of the city has returned to normal operation, but there are many businesses that still remain closed or have just recently opened their doors to the public. Small businesses continue to need support. We continued our flood resiliency work this April by hosting a panel workshop focused on small business marketing and business interruption.
On July 31, the Calgary Chamber hosted an all-day regional business
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The voice of business finds a new home A historic new chapter in the Chamber’s history began on June 7, 2013, when we moved into our vibrant new space on the 6th floor of the Burns Building at 237 8th Avenue SE. Our new offices are a reflection of a renewed and invigorated organization with 123 years under its belt, and many more to come. Our modern, first-class office furnishings were graciously provided by long-time Calgary Chamber supporter Ross Glen, his family and his company: RGO Office Products. Conveniently located in the core of downtown on Stephen Avenue, near several large parkades and the C-Train, it is just across the street from both Olympic Plaza and City Hall. If we haven’t been fortunate enough yet to host you, we hope to see you at one of the many upcoming events hosted at the Chamber offices. Or please stop in and say “Hello”—we’d be happy to offer you a coffee and give you a tour.
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RGO President Ross Glen, VP Cathy Orr and VP Dave Orr
Leadership Ross Glen is a community builder. As the founder and president of RGO Office Products, Ross has truly lived the Calgary dream. Over the past 48 years, he has built an incredibly successful business from the ground up into one of Canada’s most respected brands. Throughout his career, Ross has supported numerous organizations because of his desire to be part of a vibrant and dynamic city; this includes being a stalwart supporter of the Chamber for more than five decades. In 2013, Ross received the Sherrold Moore award, an award given to a longstanding Calgary Chamber member who embodies the true essence of community, volunteerism and humble dedication. Ross has been a long-time supporter of our work, major events, golf tournaments and galas. This past year, Ross has continued his philanthropic leadership with a 10-year major donation to your Calgary Chamber. This donation will allow the Chamber to continue its important work for years to come and help to build your and other Calgary businesses. The most visible aspects of this donation can be seen in the brand new RGO room at the new Chamber office, and especially in the modern first-class office furnishings graciously provided to us by RGO. We thank Ross for his leadership, generosity and years of commitment not only to the Calgary Chamber, but to our community at large.
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Prestige
Champion
速
Special thanks to our generous supporters Members are the reason the Calgary Chamber exists. One hundred and twenty-three years ago, a group of 46 business leaders came together to form an organization that would advocate for business, collaborate on business issues and contribute to the health of the business community in Calgary. Today, your Calgary Chamber helps members be more successful by facilitating connections between businesses, influencing policymakers and providing tools to support business growth. The commitment of business leaders to the business community in Calgary is reflected in the continued investment in membership. A special thank you goes out to the following members at the Champion and Prestige levels of membership for supporting growth and development in Calgary.
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Rebecca Wood, Director of Member Services
Serving the needs of our members In 2013, your membership dues were restructured. Switching from a model based on an employee count only, memberships are now based on the benefits your business is looking to receive from the Chamber. The response from existing and new members has been extremely positive, as members are taking advantage of different levels built to address a business owner’s needs at various stages of growth. The levels offer choice and flexibility, which satisfies all members from looking for a immediate return on investment to those positioning their company as a business community leader. This past year, your membership team also grew from one to four people to focus on increasing member engagement and growing the membership even further. As a result your Chamber is seeing a dramatically increasing number of new members, which benefits us all as we are stronger together. New programs were added to help members understand the membership features so that they received the full value of membership.
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Chamber 101 To ensure that members realize the full value of their membership and are aware of all the benefits, your Chamber recently introduced a new workshop series called Chamber 101. The series includes four one-hour lunchtime workshops held every Thursday that provide you with business tips and ideas you can use to grow your business. The member workshops take a practical hands on approach to show you how to maximize Chamber marketing opportunities, cut costs with the Business Savings programs and utilize social media effectively.
Erica Jago, Member Services Representative
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New system benefits membership As part of making your Chamber stronger than ever in 2013, we transitioned to new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. This translates into a more robust business directory for members to list in, with the ability to add coupons and list upcoming events - all through the self-serve interface of CalgaryChamber.com. This tool also lets us easily refer member businesses when the public inquires about Chamber members from a specific industry. Finally, it provides a comprehensive report to our members showing the referrals they have received, including their company being viewed in the directory or the Chamber promoting them on social media. Want to know just how many referrals your Chamber has sent your way this year? Email membership@calgarychamber.com and we’ll be happy to provide the report for you. It’s a great new tool for helping you and other members grow their businesses.
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I re-joined the Chamber late last year and was pleasantly surprised at the new support and direction the Chamber has taken with respect to promoting the success of small business enterprise.” —Malcolm (Mal) Taylor, President and CEO, HBI Office Plus
As a business owner, there is nothing more valuable than having a network of contacts and help at your fingertips. Since joining, our sales, reach and reputation have soared, making joining the Chamber one of the most important and best decisions made since the inception of Muttley Crue Organics; my only regret … not joining sooner!” — Annie Cole, Owner, Muttley Crue Organics
RedPoint Media & Marketing Solutions has been a member of the Calgary Chamber for more than a decade, but during the past year we have become more deeply involved than ever. Our team has heard fantastic and inspiring tales at Fast-Growth Champions events, and attended regular networking events including Breakfast Networking and Business After Hours. We have made some fantastic connections that are helping to expand our reach, our client base and our portfolio.” —Kathy Randle, Director of Marketing, RedPoint Media & Marketing Solutions
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influence Shaping policy and engaging the public conversation on issues important to your business
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Justin Smith, Director of Policy, Research and Government Relations
About our advocacy work As the strongest advocate for Calgary’s business community, the Chamber works with all levels of government to ensure an environment in which businesses can develop and prosper. With over 120 years of experience, the Chamber has a solid foundation as one of the most pre-eminent business voices in Canada. Whether it’s lower taxes, greater transparency or cutting red tape, the Chamber’s advocacy works first and foremost to make sure Calgary’s business environment remains stable and competitive. The Chamber’s policy work begins with insightful conversations with its members as well as the feedback and ideas that are generated through policy committee meetings, made up of members across a wide spectrum of Calgary business. Chamber policy committees meet on a regular basis to discuss the issues facing members and to discuss and propose solutions to grow business. These committees are the birthplace of policy ideas that shape the business landscape. Policy also grows out of a number of other opportunities at the Chamber. Through guest speakers at committee meetings, roundtable sessions with visiting politicians and coalitions with other key organizations with mutual goals, the Chamber fosters growth and prosperity.
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Aboriginal-Business Connection Series 2 Aboriginal communities are critically important to Canada’s long-term economic competitiveness and success. More than $315 billion in major resource development projects have already been identified on or near Aboriginal communities across Canada, making partnering with our Aboriginal neighbours not only a social and legal expectation but also a smart business decision. In 2010, we launched the Aboriginal - Business Connection (ABC) Series to better understand how the Calgary business community and Aboriginal groups could build successful working relationships. To further the success of that initiative, the Calgary Chamber launched a sequel to this speaker-and-research series in 2013, examining the potential for further Aboriginal economic development through partnerships with industry. The series also took a hard look at First Nations consultation and discussed how industry’s responsibility in this area extended beyond its mere legal obligation to fully engaging Aboriginal partners and valuing them as strategic partners. The Aboriginal - Business Connection Series has been one of the most successful policy event programs ever carried out by the Chamber, and it has provided a much-needed focus on important Aboriginal issues, making these issues top of mind for business leaders throughout our city.
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Great Calgary 2013 The Calgary Chamber further strengthened its reputation as the strongest and most influential voice on business issues before City Hall with the launch of Great Calgary 2013. This policy report focused on identifying ways to keep Calgary a globally competitive city. Released in advance of the 2013 municipal election, the report identified eight municipal government priorities that are seen as essential to solidifying Calgary’s position as a globally competitive city for business. These priorities include restoring property tax equity between businesses and residents, enhancing fiscal prudence in municipal budget making, cutting red tape to increase efficiency and keeping our community competitive with housing, transportation and development policies that encourage business success and accommodate our enviable population and economic growth. A competitive Calgary is one that continues to strive to be the best at what it does, provides top-quality services to its citizens, and continues to be cost-effective in its operations. Much like Calgary itself, the notion of competitiveness in our city has evolved, and understanding and assessing what keeps Calgary competitive is necessary to encourage the dynamic economic growth and quality of life we have come to enjoy.
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Policy wins for business Fiscal discipline and tax competitiveness from our provincial government
With announcement of the 2014–15 provincial budget, Albertans saw firsthand the Calgary Chamber’s advocacy work paying off. The Chamber was vocal in advocating for a provincially legislated savings policy that would see a percentage of our non-renewable resource revenue set aside as savings every year. In 2013, that policy was finally adopted, and this progressive savings schedule has resulted in more savings and greater protection for Albertans in periods when resource revenue may be less than expected. This type of responsible financial planning gives businesses a sense of confidence and stability and encourages them to grow right here in Alberta. The Chamber was also successful in ushering in reforms to Alberta’s dividend tax credit, helping to keep more money in the pockets of hard-working small business owners. The Chamber was pleased to see the advocacy work of our Tax and Economic Affairs Committee pay off when the Government of Alberta agreed to adjust the tax credit offered to small businesses that choose to issue dividends as a form of payment, making the tax credit slightly more generous. For every $50,000 paid out in dividends, small businesses can expect to keep about $200 extra dollars in their pockets.
Making Calgary an easier place to do business Two pieces of Chamber policy from our 2013 municipal election document Great Calgary 2013 have gone into effect
at the City of Calgary. Both will streamline efficiencies and make Calgary an easier place to do business. As a direct result of Chamber policy, the City of Calgary launched its new open data portal to the public. By improving access to information, the City has made it easier for entrepreneurs and researchers to find the information they need, cutting red tape and strengthening public knowledge. The second policy change saw the Calgary Parking Authority announcing that it will be adjusting its rates for onstreet parking. The Chamber hopes that the new rates will encourage shorter term stays in higher demand areas during peak hours, providing more traffic for many Calgary businesses in the downtown core during the week. The Chamber also believes that lower parking rates during off-peak times will help encourage residents to shop downtown during less busy times. Both of these policy changes illustrate the Chamber’s efforts in keeping Calgary competitive are working and that governments of all levels pay attention to our policy direction. Looking ahead, we will be working hard to address the issue of property tax equity for Calgary’s businesses. Businesses in Calgary pay almost five times as much property tax as the average residential homeowner,
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despite using fewer public services. Ultimately, this set of circumstances makes it more difficult for businesses to stay open, retain qualified employees and offer competitive prices. Creating a more equitable tax system in Calgary enhances the competitiveness of local businesses, while at the same time ensuring that a stable source of revenue for a growing city will be a priority for the Chamber in the coming year.
Federal infrastructure dollars that will fuel prosperity The growth in both population and prosperity in Calgary that we’ve witnessed over the last 20 years has been nothing short of remarkable. With that population growth has come increased private investment, employment and consumer spending, driving Calgary’s emergence as a thriving metropolis in Canada’s West. Solid job creation and low unemployment have fuelled domestic demand, lifting retail sales growth and housing starts across our city. And our provincial energy sector continues to support business services in all sectors of our economy, attracting new Calgarians to our city every year. Nevertheless, this remarkable growth comes with certain
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growth-related challenges that put our future prosperity at risk. One particular challenge that the Calgary Chamber discussed with the Federal Finance Committee was the inadequate municipal infrastructure. Because of a prolonged period of underinvestment from all levels of government, Canada is faced with an infrastructure funding gap (the gap between the funds committed to our public infrastructure and the investment levels we truly need). The Calgary Chamber has been a vigorous proponent of strategic infrastructure investments in Canada’s large urban centres, and we are pleased to see the federal government strengthen its commitment to municipal infrastructure in its 2014–15 budget. Starting in 2014, the $53 billion Building Canada plan will provide support for major infrastructure projects that will help our cities accommodate future economic growth and ensure the future prosperity and quality of life that we Calgarians have worked so hard to attain.
connect
Connecting businesses to new customers, international experts and industry icons through networking and top-tier business events
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Breakfast networking To grow your business, you need to meet the right type of people. Your Calgary Chamber has been helping businesses grow through early morning breakfast networking events for more than 15 years. 7:15 networking events are designed to help business owners raise their company profile, create opportunities, share knowledge and increase their client base through connections and referrals—all done over a hot breakfast before the workday even begins. 7:15 skyrocketed this past year with your Chamber hosting 27 networking breakfasts, many of them sold-out affairs.
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One of the best pieces of advice that I got after I finished law school was to join the Chamber and build my network. The business connections I’ve found through 7:15 Breakfast Networking have jump-started my career and put me on the path to success.” — Mydene Cuevas, Junior Partner, Miles Davison LLP
The networking opportunities my Chamber membership has presented have been invaluable. Through the connections I’ve made at both 7:15 Breakfast Networking and Business After Hours, I have paid for my membership and then some.” — Randy Gallant, ABCO Advertising Ltd.
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Business After Hours One of the most important aspects of business is making new connections and growing your network. Business After Hours is a monthly networking event that creates the perfect opportunity for participants to discover new businesses and meet potential clients. It’s casual and fun, whether you want to meet new business connections, or just socialize. From an exclusive shopping night at Jones New York in Willow Park Village, or Purdys’ head chocolatier personally hand dipping a chocolate for you, to touring state-of the-art, interactive exhibits at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and two-stepping at Ranchman’s, participants had an exclusive look at variety of local businesses last year and built professional connections.
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Golf is the game of business. It opens doors and makes connections. It’s hard to find a better place to build, deepen and strengthen business relationships than on the golf course. Other than your Chamber’s annual Play with the Presidents golf tournament, where else would you have the opportunity to network and share business tips with some of the most influential business and political leaders in our city? Attracting a peerless crowd of our city’s top business and political leaders, as well as special guest celebrities, this tournament is really about fun and high-level networking at its finest. Last year, just four days after the June floods hit Calgary, your Chamber held the Play with the Presidents golf tournament at one of our city’s finest golf courses, Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club. The tournament was sponsored by Rogers Communications and brought together an exclusive group of more than 45 top presidents with over 75 business leaders, eager to network and connect with these corporate executives. Join us this year at Calgary’s most prestigious golf tournament when Play with the Presidents moves to the Hamptons Golf Club.
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grow Growing Calgary businesses through Business Savings Programs, promotional opportunities and exceptional programing
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Fast-Growth Champions The Fast-Growth Champions series launched in the fall of 2013 and continued in 2014 through the vision and partnership of TELUS and ATB Financial. The series featured 10 CEOs from Canada’s fastestgrowing companies. Geared to an entrepreneurial audience, the three sessions focused on the trials and tribulations of building and running a company on the fast track to success. Often displaying the human side of business, the series sought to inspire, inform and ignite all facets of the entrepreneurial spirit. The Chamber drew on the candid stories and knowledge presented through the Fast-Growth Champions series to create The Fast-Growth 30 guide, a collection of the ideas, stories and advice presented by our Fast-Growth Champions’ CEOs. This series has proudly continued in 2014 to sold-out crowds.
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Words of hyper-success from the CEOs of the 2013 Fast-Growth Champions Series When you present your offer to the market, you have to stand for something. We focused instead on what are we NOT going to do. What does your brand NOT do? That’s as important as your promises. It can lead you in a clear, concise direction.” — Matt Horne President, DECO Windshield Repair
I’m a firm believer that there are those of us who talk about human capital as their most precious asset and there are those of us who truly treat it as our most precious asset and I believe the latter will be the winner as we look at the next decade in business. It will be the key to your success.” — Shannon Bowen-Smed President and CEO, Bowen Workforce Solutions
How did I make the jump from a one-person operation to a 600 person firm? Authenticity. Never once did I make a promise I couldn’t keep. I had to. The smaller you are, you are that brand. Everything you say and do, people are looking at and reflecting on. If you say something and you don’t believe it, you will burn that brand in a millisecond.” — Matthew Heffernan President and CEO, Zedi Inc.
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Village Brewery, awarded Small Business of the Year 2013
Small Business Week in 2013 was bigger and better than ever, with more events, the biggest awards gala yet and the most nominations in history for Small Business of the Year. From tours of some of Calgary’s most innovative small businesses to a trade show geared specifically at helping small- and medium-sized businesses, Small Business Week elevated and celebrated the backbone of Calgary’s business community and their resiliency in the wake of the June floods. This year, we were proud to present Village Brewery with the Small Business of the Year Award, recognizing its rapid growth and commitment to Calgary’s community.
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Hon. Jim Prentice, Karen Prentice, Dr. Steven Chu, former U.S. Secretary of Energy, Kim Koss, VP of Business Development and Sponsorship, Calgary Chamber
Smart CEOs and thought leaders Hearing from key opinion leaders not only generates discussion around issues and industry trends but also provides impactful learning opportunities. These experiences have the ability to generate the next great idea to grow your business, help you conquer the daily challenges of running a company or inspire you to bolster your position as a leader in your field. Last year, your Calgary Chamber held a variety of large marquee events with a number of high level CEOs, industry icons and international experts. Some of the people that shared their insights at the Chamber include Eric Beaudan, Leadership Practice Director at Odgers Berndtson; Brenda Kenny, CEO at Canadian Energy Pipeline Association; Greg Stringham, Vice-President, Oil Sands and Markets at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers; Ian Anderson, President at Kinder Morgan; Stephen Wuori, Strategic Advisor, Office of the President and CEO, at Enbridge; Alan Norris, President & CEO, Brookfield Residential Properties; Dr. Steven Chu, co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics and former US Secretary of Energy; The Honourable Jim Prentice, Senior Executive Vice President and Vice-Chairman of CIBC; Bruce Burrell, Calgary Fire Chief, and Hunter Harrison, CEO of CP Rail. 32 Calgary Chamber
Hillary Rodham Clinton, former US Secretary of State and Adam Legge, President and CEO, Calgary Chamber
Political power players When political leaders from every level of government want to connect with business in Calgary, they do it through your Chamber. In the past year, 11 major figureheads from Canada and abroad took to the Chamber podium sharing their ideas, insights and announcements, including Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State, Alison Redford, former Alberta Premier, Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary, Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment, Social Development and Multiculturalism, Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Doug Horner, Alberta’s Finance Minister.
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The Calgary Chamber is a vibrant and supportive organization for enterprising entrepreneurs and small business owners like me. The Chamber’s meetings and networking events have been fantastic opportunities for me to meet many interesting people and learn a lot about doing business in this great city. I have had wonderful opportunities to work with other Chamber members as well as share business referrals and build meaningful relationships with them. The Chamber staff members are friendly, warm and thoughtful as they consistently ask how the Chamber can help our businesses grow further. Overall, my Chamber membership makes doing business in Calgary extremely enjoyable, productive and worthwhile.” — Angelo Narciso, Managing Director, StartCanada Business Development Corp
My company has been a member of the Chamber for a number of years. I am new in the role with the company and to Calgary. The Chamber has been very welcoming and has provided support in my adjustment to the City. I look forward to increasing my business relationships and social circle through participation with the Chamber and attendance at the events.“ — Kate Hodges, Vice President, Calgary Region, CGI
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Introducing the 2014 Board of Directors Your Chamber is governed entirely by people like you: members. We are pleased to introduce the 2014 Calgary Board of Directors whose roles became effective as of January 1, 2014. We are thrilled to have such a high calibre of skilled and passionate professionals leading the direction of the Chamber, and sincerely thank the 2013 Board of Directors for all their hard work and dedication over the years.
Executive
Leah Lawrence Chair President, Clean Energy Capitalists Inc.
Joe Lougheed Immediate Past Chair Partner, Dentons Canada LLP
Rob Hawley Chair Elect
Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Denis Painchaud Second Vice Chair
Bill Brunton Vice Chair, Finance
Director, International Government Relations Nexen Inc.
Chief Communications Officer, Calgary Board of Education
Adam Legge President and CEO President and CEO, Calgary Chamber
Directors
David Allen
President, Calgary Land, Brookfield Residential Properties Inc.
Guy Huntingford
Chief Executive Officer, Urban Development Institute
Carlos Alvarez
Lorenzo DeCicco
Vice-President, TELUS Business Solutions
Wellington Holbrook
Audit Partner, KPMG
Bruce Okabe
Phil Roberts
Linda Shea
Chief Executive Officer, Travel Alberta
Vice-President, Axia NetMedia Corp
Executive Vice-President, ATB Financial
Senior Vice-President, Human Resources, AltaLink
Mike Williams
Executive Vice President, Corporate Service, Encana
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contact
If you haven’t done so already, we encourage all Chamber members to come check out our fantastic new space in the Burns Building.
600, 237 8th Avenue SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 5C3 T 403 750 0400 W CalgaryChamber.com CalgaryChamber.com/Twitter CalgaryChamber.com/Facebook CalgaryChamber.com/LinkedIn 36 Calgary Chamber