Chamber at a Glance (April 2021)

APRIL 2021

Chamber at a

Glance

In This Issue The Voice of Brandon Business

Chamber Program Updates New Member Feature

Mark Your Calendars 04.09.21 Second Friday Coffee 04.12.21

Social Content Workshop

04.15.21

Provincial Update with Manitoba Chamber CEO

THE VOICE OF BRANDON BUSINESS

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pring is in the air!

I always find it tough not to be optimistic when the snow melts and the temperatures rise and stay above zero, but I know this has been another chapter in an incredibly difficult story for a lot of our community. Many industries are still very much feeling the effects of the global pandemic, and I ask you to remember and continue practicing everything we have learned in supporting one another over the past twelve months.

With the help of our incredible Chamber staff and board, we have recently launched the results to our 2021 Business Climate Survey. Please take a minute to visit brandonchamber.ca to have a look at the presentation. There is something in there for everyone, including a great deal of market data to use in our advocacy efforts while trying to balance the needs of our economy within the needs of our healthcare system.

Regarding advocacy, we have been busy behind the scenes working on this. Back in March, we were able to have some very productive dialogue with our Chief Provincial Public Health Officer,

and our Minister of Health to share some of these findings from the survey and help highlight the economic situation we are facing without more government action around the loosening of restrictions.

"Many industries are still very much feeling the effects of the global pandemic" SPENCER DAY We are going to continue our push for a more evidence and risk-based approach to the decisions being made by our provincial leaders. I’m going to repeat an important phrase that was brought forward by our Business Recovery Taskforce that I think describes the needs of our economy right now; “if insurance companies were to price insurance based on the perception of risk, rather than actual risk, no one would ever be able to afford it. Actuaries use models that determine probabilities based on data, not around worst-case scenarios.” cont'd pg 4.

BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

news

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTIONS Serving as a Brandon Chamber Director is an exceptional opportunity to help foster the continued growth and development of a highly respected organization. While serving as a Board Director requires both commitment and energy, it is a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity and a great way to give something back to the community.

The nomination form for this years election is included in this mailout. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 4:00PM. For more information, please contact the Chamber office at 204-571-5340.

2021 BUSINESS CLIMATE SURVEY RESULTS As we work to secure Westman's future, it is crucial that the Brandon Chamber of Commerce understand what issues are most important to businesses. The purpose of the Business Climate Survey is to track trends and issues affecting businesses and to inform elected officials about the issues and concerns of our business community.

The virtual presentation of the results has been launched as of March 2021. The Business Climate Survey is made possible in partnership with MNP, LLP. To watch the presentation, please visit: brandonchamber.ca

GET NOTICED WITH CHAMBER SPONSORSHIP Sponsorship with the Chamber is an effective way to promote your company! Get noticed by your fellow Chamber members when you sponsor and advertise with the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. The power of advertising through sponsorship is that your investment instantly buys you a multifaceted marketing strategy through: brand association, publicity, business relationships and advertising.

Ready to learn more? Contact Erin, Event & Program Coordinator: Phone: 204-571-5343 or email: events@brandonchamber.ca

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL NOTICE The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is one unified voice for business, and with approximately 600 members, our voice speaks louder than each business can alone.

We strive to provide the tools that your business needs to succeed and thrive. Your membership extends to all of your employees, so not only can you be involved, but, all your staff can be involved. Chamber Membership is one of best investments your business can make!

Membership renewals start June 1, 2021 (prorated accounts from 2021 not included). Questions? Call Alix! Phone: 204-571-5344 or email: members@brandonchamber.ca

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CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | APRIL 2021

MEMBERSHIP CONNECTION

centre

Meet a Member Avanta Financial Services Inc.

(204) 638-7528 brandon@avantafinancialservices.com What exactly does your organization do?

Investment & Insurance solutions with focus on employee benefit programs and the needs of business owners.

What are the goals for your organization? To provide Holistic benefit services to the business community and their Employees.

What is your favourite part of your job? Our relationship with our clients- Identifying needs and solutions.

What is the most challenging part of your job? Finding new staff and the education and training of new staff with a fastgrowing Company.

What is a product or service your organization provides that people might not know about? With Sunlife we have access to dedicated financial planners that will put together a very comprehensive plan at no cost.

Did you know? Avanta Financial Services is your new Chamber Group Plan advisor.

Brandon Local Immigration Partnership (BLIP) 440 Rosser Avenue Brandon, MB R7A0K3 204-729-2490 ext 114 (work) WELCOME info@brandonlip.ca brandonlip.ca

NEW Taylor Janitorial 780 Phillips Street Box 1250 Portage La Prairie, MB R1N 3J9 MEMBERS 1-204-857-5800 (work) brianmitchell@taylorjanitorial.ca taylorjanitorial.ca

What are the most important issues facing your organization today? Right now, it would be with the pivot that had to happen due to Covid.

Why is your organization a member of the Chamber? We are true believers to the benefits of the Chamber network.

Scott has been past president and member of the Dauphin Chamber board since 2006. He also had seven years of service on the board of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce

Scott Whitmore Contact Scott Whitmore, our preferred advisor today: 204 638 7528

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | APRIL 2021

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Chamber at a Glance is published twelve times per year by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce 1043 Rosser Avenue | Brandon, MB R7A 0L5 Phone: (204) 571-5340 | Fax: (204) 571-5347 info@brandonchamber.ca www.brandonchamber.ca

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Spencer Day | President Progressive Westman Barry Cooper | Vice-President Heritage Co-op Tanya LaBuick | Secretary/Treasurer CW2 Construction Guardian Fencing LaBuick & Co.

cont'd from pg. 1 In the meantime, please remember this, the thousands of lives that have been saved over the course of the pandemic have been shouldered in large part due to the sacrifices of small business owners who have diligently closed and changed their business operations to help make our communities safer. Those same small business owners will be the ones, who once we have enough vaccinations to allow for some normalcy to return, will be the ones who will put in the blood, sweat and tears required to drag our economy back. They deserve to be supported and I feel we owe them that much!

Next month we will have the opportunity to celebrate all the finalists and winners of the 2021 Chamber’s Business Achievement Awards. Our Business Development Committee has done an incredible job with the changes they brought forward for the awards presentation and recognition for our members. This will give us a chance to highlight so many more incredible stories from the past year, help us share some positive news, and better promote business in our community. Make sure you tune in!

Your personal stories and struggles have helped us advocate for meaningful change. We welcome anybody reading this to reach out to the Brandon Chamber of Commerce with your concerns, stories, and feedback. Member or not, we have your back. We are here to work for you!

Cathy Snelgrove | Past President Siere Laurie Brugger Century 21 Westman Realty Ltd. Andrea Epp Epp Law Office Chris Finley Mazergroup Ryan Jacobson Affordable Storage Brandon Forbidden Flavours Roastery Meredyth Leech Leech Printing Ltd. Lois MacDonald Alternative Landscaping Ltd. Scott Norosky South End Lumber (1978) Ltd. Jaime Pugh MNP LLP. Aida Tahhan Aida's Catering CHAMBER STAFF Carolynn Cancade General Manager Erin Houck Events & Program Coordinator Alix Coucill Director of Member Relations Jordan Horkey Office Coordinator

Spencer Day | President The Brandon Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER HIGHLIGHTS March 2021 Review WHO WE MET

Meeting with Manitoba Chamber of Commerce CEO, Chuck Davidson Meeting with local MLAs, Len Iseifson, Cliff Cullen and Reg Helwer Meeting with new City Manager, Ron Bowles Meeting with Provincial Officials, Dr. Roussin, Hon. Heather Stefanson, MLA Helwer, MLA Cullen, MLA Isleifson (among others) Meeting with Workforce Development Manitoba and the Province Attended City Council meeting Met with the BSD Board to discuss the 2021 Budget

WHAT WE DID

The Chamber Board approved three (3) policies: Tracking Students and Funding Post Secondary Institutions Policy Transfer Credit System for Post Secondary Policy Meals and Entertainment Claim Policy Hosted 6 events: TechMB Roundtable, First Friday Coffee, Supewoman 2.0, Speaker Session: Building the Future, Chamber 101 and Cyber Security in Canada Completed the 2021 Business Climate Survey Confirmed the 2021 Business Achievement Award finalists

Who We Are: The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the grassroots level.

Our Mission: To encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment, favourable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.