June 2016 Inside this issue: Chamber Ecosystem New Members Signature Event Recommended Reading Recruiting Initiatives Provincial Budget
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A Lifetime Worth of Lessons
I
t seems like only yesterday that I effort put forth by committees, Board, was anxiously awaiting the and staff members to ensure that Chamber’s Changeover luncheon Chamber issues were heard by all and preparing to take over the Chair candidates, and following the from Todd Birkhan. Past President elections, by their governments. after Past President were quick to tell me how fast it would go by, but I didn’t With a new government at the think it would seem like an instant. I’d Legislature, the Chamber will be quick say I’d like another term to finish up a to continue to push it’s agenda around few of our initiatives, and have a re-do taxation, competitiveness, access to at a couple of things, but in reality I’m capital, and urban economic ready to get back to my real job, pass development initiatives tailored for on the reins, and let somebody else fill Brandon and surrounding area. We’re the grooves in the in the process of chair at the head of setting up meetings the table. with our new Premier, “an experience Brian Pallister, and the that I wouldn’t It’s only timely that MLA’s from Brandon trade for the the Brandon East and West where Chamber Board we’ll be anxious to world.” Election and hear how the new Changeover government will Ceremony is taking place on the heels interact with the Brandon business of the Provincial election, which sees a community. We’ll continue to new face in Brandon East and an old advocate for commitments to friend of the Chamber returning to previously announced infrastructure Brandon West. Congratulations to both and community projects in order to Len Isleifson and Reg Helwer; the continue with the momentum building Chamber looks forward to working on in our City. a Better Brandon with you both. Before that, the Brandon Chamber It’s been a year full of elections for the executive headed to the Manitoba Brandon Chamber, with considerable Chambers of Commerce Annual
Jordan Ludwig, Chamber President
General Meeting held in Portage La Prairie, where we discussed business climate, economic development initiatives, tourism, and most importantly, the policy direction that the Manitoba Chamber will take in the upcoming year that will shape our mandate and discussions with all stakeholders. The Brandon Chamber is proud to be bring policy to the MCC AGM supporting flexible funding for postsecondary institutions. Time and again, workforce issues are the biggest challenge facing our member businesses - we think this is an important step in addressing these issues. It only makes sense to direct education funding towards programming that graduates students into jobs that are available in our (Continued on page 6)