9 minute read
Cover Story
Your Chamber is Here for You
In the blink of an eye, life as we knew it has drastically changed by COVID-19. We are all now trying to cope in our personal and professional lives. These are unprecedented times and businesses are finding it challenging to navigate this uncharted territory. The Chamber is here to help all businesses and our community through this difficult time.
Like many other businesses and not for profit organizations, the Chamber has closed our office and the staff is working remotely. While operating differently than normal, our focus is on supporting the business community by providing up to date information, answering your questions, advocating on your behalf, promoting local businesses, and helping us all stay connected.
Keeping You Informed
We understand that there is a lot of information flowing from numerous sources. It takes time to sort through and process and can be confusing. Each day the Chamber sends an email with information from trusted sources on how people can help themselves, their families, and their communities to stay safe. Business owners also need to find the information that is relevant to helping their business survive and their employees stay safe.
In early March, the Chamber started sending these daily email updates to our members, but also made them available to the entire community. These emails summarize announcements, resources, and information that could be helpful for businesses. These updates draw information from trusted sources including the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and Region of Waterloo Public Health. The information in these updates can also be found on the Chamber’s blog and our website’s main page.
The Chamber’s COVID-19 Resources for Your Business page on our website helps provide a central hub of information for businesses to refer to. We are updating this page daily with the most current information. On this page, you will find information and resources that include protecting your business, government programs, resources to help people stay safe, and mental health resources. In addition, the Chamber has been hosting a series of webinars that feature experts who share detailed and valuable information to help the business community. These webinars provide an opportunity for attendees to get information in a timely manner as well as ask any questions they may have. For those who are not able to attend the webinars live, we are recording the webinars and posting them on the Chamber’s website (greaterkwchamber.com) for future reference.
Answering Your Questions
In this time of uncertainty and information overload, businesses have questions about which government programs they are eligible for, how they can access those programs, and how they can keep their staff safe. We are here to help. Our Chamber team has reached out and called all of our members over the last few weeks to check-in on how they are doing and offer support. We have been receiving questions from our members and the larger business community and we are happy to pass along information and resources that we have or look for the answers that will help you. If you have questions about managing your business through this time, please reach out to us.
Advocating on Your Behalf
Advocacy is one of the Chamber’s four pillars. And now it is of tremendous importance. We continue to advocate on behalf of business by voicing concerns and sharing feedback to all levels of government. It is critical that we hear about your experiences, challenges, and possible solutions so that we can pass this feedback along to our elected officials at the municipal, provincial and federal level.
The Chamber has partnered with Communitech, Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation (Waterloo EDC), and the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce to give our collective view on how to support business. This included a letter to the Prime Minister and the Premier of Ontario, outlining 6 items for immediate action. Soon after this letter was sent, we were pleased that many of these suggestions were implemented.
In addition, our Chamber is a partner in the Business and Economic Support Team of Waterloo Region (BESTWR). This initiative is a partnership that includes all seven
local municipalities, Waterloo EDC, Communitech, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, and our Chamber. This group is the point of contact for government as decisions are made to support the rapidly changing economic and business environment. The group will share decisions and announcements to the business community, as well as advocate on behalf of the Waterloo Region business community, both now during the immediate crisis, but also as we determine how to successfully restart the economy.
Promoting Local Businesses, Not for Profit and Charitable Organizations
Our community is innovative and generous. There are numerous local businesses and charitable organizations who have created special offers and resources to help other businesses and the local community through this difficult time. We are helping to promote those offers through several channels. Organizations who are Chamber members can submit their special offers, updates, and resources to us to be posted on our website (on our Chamber Member Local Promotions & Updates page and our Chamber Not for Profit/ Charitable Organization Member Updates page) and on our social media accounts.
Connecting and Networking
The Chamber, like all other event organizers, has rescheduled several of our upcoming networking and education events during this important time of social distancing. We understand that these events are valuable to the business community and we are working hard to provide opportunities for our members to connect with one another. Stay tuned to the Chamber’s website and social media accounts for details about rescheduled events, including some virtual networking events. Whether your business is open, closed, or has adapted/retooled due to COVID-19, we are here for you. As the spread of COVID-19 subsides and the economy starts to recover and thrive, we will be here for you. We will continue to communicate information, resources, and announcements as they become available so please sign up for our updates, visit our website (greaterkwchamber.com), tune in to our webinars, and reach out to us.
We want to hear from you – the good and the bad – because we are in this situation together and we want to support you in any way we can. Please contact us with your questions and feedback. Stay safe.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Allison Mitchell
Allison Mitchell, together with the rest of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce team, is focused on helping the business community through this difficult time.
Did You Know? We also offer the following products
Garage Customization
• Hoists • Flooring • Cabinets
Backyard Customization
• Screens for Patios and Pool Cabanas • Security Shutters
Commercial and Industrial
• Sales and Service
255 Bathurst Drive Waterloo ON N2V 2E4 519-888-9111
We can help you customize your living space.
www.waterloogaragedoors.com
Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council
Three years ago Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade between Waterloo Region and Toronto formed the Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council with representation from Brampton, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton and Mississauga.
The original mandate was to optimize economic opportunities within the growing Innovation Corridor and lobby for appropriate i nfrastructure support most notably improved passenger rail service. The group was also active in the establishment of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, the recipient of funding under the Super Cluster Innovation Fund to support the integration of Canadian advanced manufacturing and IT resources.
The work of the Business Council is strongly supported by many business and institutional partner s and we thank them for making the Waterloo Region-Toronto Corridor a premier location for investment, research, and job creation.
Thanks to the Greater KW Chamber partners that sponsor our efforts on this important initiative.
COVID-19: Event Impact
*We continue to monitor the situation and take our lead from the advice of Public Health. The health and safety of our members, event attendees, community, and staff are of the utmost importance. As a result, all events are subject to change and may be rescheduled. Please refer to greaterkwchamber.com for up-to-date event information.
Mark Your Calendar
May 7th
Leadercast: Positive Disruption (Virtual Event)
9:00 - 3:00 pm Ticket: $105 This year’s Leadercast theme is Positive Disruption – and never has the theme been more relevant! Disturbance. Disorder. Disarrangement. Many people think these are negatives in the workplace, but Leadercast will show why disruption is the best way to make positive, lasting change in your organization and beyond.
May 14th
Jay Fencing Business Around 5 (Virtual Event)
4:00-5:30pm Member Ticket: Complimentary Future Member Ticket: $10 • Exhibitor: $75 Our popular Business After 5 event series is going virtual! Join us (online) for the first ever Jay Fencing Business Around 5, with a new time! Network with others (through chat windows, minisessions, and 1-on-1 video conversations), watch our main stage for event-related announcements, and visit our exhibitors’ virtual booths in the expo! Title Sponsor: Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsors: Media Sponsor:
Small Business Sponsor:
May 12th
4:30-5:30pm Member Ticket: $10 • Future Member Ticket: $15 B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Beverage) and join us for our first Libro Chamber Young Professionals Happy Hour from the comfort of your own home! You’ll be able to network with other young professionals in the Region, with some guided discussions and open mix & mingle style conversations.
Title Sponsor: Print Sponsor:
& P R I N T I N G
Title Sponsor:
May 21st
MNP Networking Breakfast Series: Speed Networking (Virtual Event)
8:30-9:30am Member Ticket $20 • Future Member Ticket $30 Meet other business professionals in a quick (yet efficient) method of virtual networking. Plus, it’s great for newcomers! You’ll be randomly matched with an individual for a short 1-on-1 video conversation. After learning about one another, and how you may be able to support each other in business, you’ll repeat the process again with your next connection. Same popular event. Brand new experience.
Media Sponsor
Could you use simple cost-cutting ideas? Would you like to be environmentally responsible at the same time?
Let us help you reduce your water consumption. From simple tweaks to larger projects, we’ll help you shave your bill. It starts with a FREE no strings attached water use review, leading to optional 50/50 cost sharing of audits or of consulting fees, rebates and more.
Program for Business Region of Waterloo, Water Services 519-575-4400
TTY: 519-575-4608 Email: wbrabazon@regionofwaterloo.ca www.regionofwaterloo.ca/water
Strassburger ad 3.6x4.875 Chamber Directory final.pdf 1 2020-02-10 11:26 AM Our service is free, so call now to see what we can do for you while funds last.
“The strength of our country is our capacity to come together and care for each other, especially in times of need.” - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
A BIG thanks to all frontline & essential workers for your tireless efforts
My team and I are here to assist with all matters related to the mandate of the federal government.
Member of Parliament Riding of Waterloo
For up to date information: Canada.ca/coronavirus
Bardish.Chagger@parl.gc.ca 519-746-1573
