Chamber Happenings

Chamber Happenings HIGHLIGHT REEL

B2B Expo

Small Business Week 2019 was a huge success. The Chamber held a number of events throughout the week including our B2B Expo at Prairieland Park. Over 65 exhibitors participated in the 2-day trade show which was well-attended. The trade

All Access Invitational Dinner

Saskatoon’s business community and the City’s administration joined together for an evening of great food and information sharing at the Chamber’s All Access Invitational Dinner, held at Prairieland Park October 22 nd . Ten City of Saskatoon department heads each hosted a table of business owners. The night was designed to bring the two groups together to improve and streamline processes to enhance the city’s business friendly environment.

show wrapped up with a fun speed round where exhibitors were invited to visit each booth and give their best 30 second elevator pitch. Participants shared a few laughs as they went from booth to booth. The feedback was very positive as many exhibitors expressed an immediate desire to sign up for next year’s B2B Expo.

Chamber Happenings HIGHLIGHT REEL

William Joseph-20 years of Entrepreneurial Insight

Ryan Townend, owner and CEO of William Joseph Communications shared his story at a Small Business Week luncheon Wednesday, October 23 rd . Townend was candid as he talked about his successes and failures as a business owner for more than 20 years. He reflected back on his early years as a young commerce student at the University of Saskatchewan, the launch of William Joseph Communications in Calgary in 2002, his decision to open and later close offices in Las Vegas, and his decision to return home to Saskatoon in 2009. “As an entrepreneur, you need to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” says Townend. A valuable lesson!

Who’s Who in the Zoo

The Chamber Staff put out the welcome mat during Small Business Week by hosting “Who’s Who in the Zoo.” It was a fun afternoon, as guests were invited to the The Art & Science of Marketing

Preston Cicchine of William Joseph Communications hosted a workshop during

Small Business Week. The “Art & Science of Marketing” was held to equip attendees with the tools and ideas to master both the art and science of producing creative work and measuring the results.

Chamber on Tap (November) It was a fun and informative evening at Chamber on Tap Wednesday, November 6 th . Daria Malin of Boost Strategic Coaching was the guest speaker. Daria is a strategic advisor to business owners and professionals in the areas of business development, personal branding and advertising. She was extremely engaging as she provided everyone with solid, sound business advice and practical strategies to build their brands and work with passion.

Chamber offices to meet the staff and get up close and personal with some friendly, furry and sometimes slimy friends from the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.

HIGHLIGHT REEL Chamber Happenings

Finding Success as an Entrepreneur

“What Does it Take to Succeed” was the theme of another Small Business Week luncheon held at Prairieland Park, Thursday, October 24 th . Michael Denham, the President of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) was the keynote speaker. In his presentation to a crowd of about 90 people, he talked about how entrepreneurship is evolving in Canada, what’s motivating entrepreneurs, the challenges they face and how they are developing their skills to continue to grow their business.

Thrive at Five

Many Chamber members turned out for Thrive at Five during Small Business Week. The event, held at Drift & Vista Lounge,

provided guests the opportunity to connect with new people and get reacquainted with some old friends. There were drinks, tasty snacks and great music.

Bridge 2 Business

Former Canadian Forces soldier Jody Salway was the featured speaker at the November 28 th Bridge2Business Luncheon “Post Traumatic Growth-The New Beginning.” Salway talked openly about his struggles with PTSD after suffering a brain injury in a friendly fire incident while serving in Afghanistan in 2006. Salway brought along his service dog Clover. Together they are helping to change the narrative and public perception of PTSD and show that one can, despite adversity, grow and thrive.

Pulse on Politics

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was the keynote speaker for the Chamber’s Pulse on Politics Breakfast, held at Prairieland Park on Thursday, November 14 th . Before a sold-out crowd of 300 people, the Premier released his Government’s Growth Plan for the next decade. The plan calls for 100,000 new jobs to be created, increasing the population to 1.4 million and increasing exports over the next decade. "Growth allows us to help and protect the most vulnerable among us," Moe said. "Growth enables us to provide opportunity for young people so they stay in Saskatchewan." The plan is expected to be a centrepiece of the Saskatchewan Party platform in the 2020 Saskatchewan Election.

Chamber Happenings HIGHLIGHT REEL

Chamber on Tap (December) Colleen and Wally Mah were the guest speakers for December’s Chamber on Tap. It was a full house at LB Distillers as Colleen and Wally talked openly about their struggles of starting and growing one of the most successful home builder, construction and land development companies in the province. The couple also talked passionately about their philanthropic work with EGADZ and the Sweet Dreams Project, which provides a supported living environment for at-risk mothers.

Chamber Summit

The Annual Chamber Summit was held Thursday, November 7 th . About 100 people took in a full day of panel discussions and speakers. The event kicked off with a breakfast and a panel of Indigenous business leaders who talked about business success and opportunities for growth. Other panel topics throughout the day included Future

of Workforce, and Procurement. The keynote speakers during the noon luncheon included Dan Florizone from the University of Saskatchewan and Richard Florizone, of Florizone Consulting. Chamber President and CEO Darla Lindbjerg also released the findings of the Chamber Summit Roundtables, which were held in early October.