Category Archives: Chamber Chat
Chamber Chat
Greetings All,
Well, our AGM is fast approaching – November 21st at the Kinplex. The evening will begin with a social time, offering light refreshments and an opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow business owners. We are also offering FREE Tables to Chamber members who would like to promote their business. Non Members will be charged $150 for a display table, which also pays for their 2014 Chamber Membership. Contact Kathy Gamblen if you would like to book a display table kathy@greybruceinsurance.com
This year, for the 1st time, the annual Citizen, Senior Citizen and Business of the Year Awards will be presented at the Grey Highlands Chamber AGM. To nominate a person or business please send an e-mail to info@greyhighlands.com (or by phone 519-986-4612) with the name of your nominee and the reason(s) you think they are deserving of the award.
Citizen and Senior Citizen of the Year – the Senior Citizen should be over 60, otherwise they have the same criteria. The award is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves during that calendar year (2012) with outstanding community service.
The Archie Bernard Business of the Year Award is presented to the business that in 2012 best represents the following: Outstanding Customer Service; Growth or Expansion; Innovation; Employment; Community Service.
Please get your nominations into us by November 15th.
This year 2 local businesses (Bernard’s and Chapman’s) are celebrating 40 years! Wow, what an accomplishment! In honour of this great achievement the Grey Highlands Chamber has some special “awards” to be presented at the AGM. Come out and support these local success stories.
Our keynote speaker, Michele Freeling, will talking about Retirement and Succession Planning. There will be plenty of time for Q&A. So, bring your parents, your children, your valued workers to get some good ideas on how to plan that next stage for your business and maybe even retirement for you.
Following Michele’s presentation will be the business portion of the evening where we get to elect the Director’s and Executive for the next 2 years. The excitement just keeps building!
Hope to see y’all there.
Yours for the betterment of business.
Charmaine
VP Grey Highlands Chamber
Chamber Chat June 5th
Submitted by Charmaine Peever
Well, last week the Chamber moved into its new office at 17 Main St E, Markdale. Thanks to Doug Crawford (Foodland), Don Kopplin (RBA Financial Group) and Pam Petch (PJ Knickerbockers) and her family for all the hard work getting our stuff moved in.
Kate Fitzpatrick (Wood, Water, Stone) has been working with Pam all week to paint the office, inside and out, so it will be a clean and inviting place for visitors.
Along with the paint job we need to put up some signs. We will be reviewing the quotes received and make a decision this week about which local business will get the contract.
On Monday June 3rd we will be interviewing applicants for summer positions. There will be 2 summer staff hired so we can cover both the Markdale and Flesherton Tourist Info Sites. Next week we will let you know who the successful candidates are. So stay tuned to this space.
The Grey Highlands Chamber of Commerce is a Member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Part of the fees you pay to the Grey Highlands Chamber are paid to the Ontario Chamber so we can take part in the programs they have to offer.
On Tuesday June 11th, the Owen Sound Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an event from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Allen O’Dette, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Allan will be speaking briefly on ‘A Vision for Ontario/Emerging Stronger 2013’ and role of the Chamber in its advocacy agenda. This is a FREE Event for Chamber members. I will be in attendance and encourage other Chamber members to also attend. You can register via the Owen Sound Chamber web site http://www.oschamber.com/index.cfm
In March 2013 the Ontario Chamber in partnership with the Huron Chamber of Commerce organized an Agri-Food Summit. In their Press release of March 26, 2013 they said
“Ontario’s Agri-food sector is primed for huge growth. That’s the conclusion of the participants of the Ontario Agri-Food Summit. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Agriculture and Food, was in attendance.
Over 100 leaders from Ontario’s agriculture and food processing sector gathered at the Agri-food summit in Clinton, Ontario—the largest food-producing region east of the prairies.
Allan O’Dette, President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, called the Agri-food sector one of Ontario’s competitive advantages and vowed to make growth of the sector a priority for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.”
The Grey Highlands Chamber of Commerce recognises the importance of the Ag sector to our local economy. That was the reason we conducted the Ag Sector BR&E and partnered with the Chef’s Forum on a grant. We will continue to support the Ag Sector and we encourage local farmers and producers to consider joining the Chamber.
I recently received an e-mail from a Chamber Member telling me of their concern about actions taken by Council. I want to thank that member for reading the minutes of Council.