Chair’s Message

CHAIR’S MESSAGE The Chamber Board welcomes incoming Chair Carla Browne

Our city of Saskatoon is full of emerging and established leaders. Serving as the leader of the Chamber Board over this last term has equipped me with new knowledge and skills that I’ve already put into practise. Leadership skills are essential at all levels of any organization.

Although my time as chair will wrap-up at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for May 21, 2020, it will be my privilege to stay on as Past Chair and to help with the transition to a new leader. The incoming Chamber Chair is Carla Browne, owner of Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc. Carla has been in the real estate business, both as a broker and an agent, since 1993. She is an entrepreneur that’s passionate about what she does, and she is committed to the Saskatoon Chamber’s flourishing future and to supporting the work done by the Chamber’s staff team.

The Chamber’s team consists of a blend of age, experience and education that work together to provide Saskatoon’s business community with leadership in advocacy, policy development and amazing events that provide a place for our members to be educated and to connect.

Working together, we’ve enjoyed a productive year – reaching new heights and advancing many files. In 2019 we achieved our highest year-end membership numbers, with growth of almost two percent. We hosted 59 events throughout the year with overall attendance at an impressive 5,100 people! Saskatoon Chamber Board Chair Chris Sicotte Of course the Chamber does a lot more than create engaging events. We focused on opportunities to meet with civic, provincial and federal leaders in order to advance the Chamber’s policy pillars relating to competitiveness, efficiency and growth (you can find a copy under the Policy & Advocacy section of the Chamber’s website).

With 2019 in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to look toward selecting our 2020/2021 board leadership to carry on the work we’ve started. It’s important to note that the process of selecting Chamber Board Members happens long before our AGM takes place in May. The process includes the work of a Nomination Committee that selects candidates with the skillset that the board is seeking to fill. Self-nominations are also welcome; requirements can be found in the Board section, under About Us, on the Chamber’s website. Nominations are open now and will remain open now until March 16th at noon.

Once nominations cease, there will be an announcement of the active nominees, followed by a period of campaigning until May 13th. Ballots are available electronically and will be sent to all membership representatives on April 29th. From this point on, until May 13th at noon, member representatives can vote at their leisure (Terry asked me to remind you that each representative is allowed just one vote). The board has fourteen members and six seats are open. Finally, results will be announced at the Chamber’s AGM on May 21, 2020.

As we have done over the last couple of years, the Chamber’s AGM will be held in conjunction with a member appreciation event. This year, we’ll meet downtown at the Saskatoon Club. The Saskatoon Club has been a pillar in our business community for decades and a dedicated Chamber member for almost 40 years. This event is for members only and free to attend – and the food will be delicious! You can register at www.saskatoonchamber.com/events.

It has been my pleasure to serve as the Chamber Board Chair. I look forward to welcoming Carla Browne as our incoming Chair and to seeing you out at our AGM. Sincerely, Chris Sicotte Chair Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce Chris Sicotte is the Chair of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and Indigenous Liaison, Commercial Risk Solutions of AON Working together, we’ve enjoyed a productive year – reaching new heights and advancing many files. In 2019 we achieved our highest year-end membership numbers, with growth of almost two percent.

Chris Sicotte, Chair Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce “ “ Image: Gina’s Portraits

AON REED STENHOUSE Chris Sicotte Chair

CANADIAN LIGHT SOURCE INC. Sandra Ribeiro Executive

KATRINAGERMAN.COM Katrina German Director

MLT AIKINS LLP Penny Yeager Director REAL CANADIAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS INC. Carla Browne 1 st Vice-Chair

CREATIVE FIRE Jason Aebig 2 nd Vice-Chair

SASKATCHEWAN INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGIES (SIIT) CeCe Baptiste, Director

NUTRIEN Todd A. Denzin Director KOENIG & ASSOCIATES INC. Peggie Koenig Past Chair

PCL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT INC. Linda Exner Director

MED HACK ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED Dr. Adam McInnes Director

SASKATOON AEROCENTRE Graham Snell Director

WIEGERS FINANCIAL & BENEFITS Colton Wiegers Director

Chamber Board of Directors Working for You!

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