December 2021: Chamber at a Glance

DECEMBER 2021

Chamber at a

Glance

In This Issue

How You Can Give Back This Season Plan Your 2022: 10 Chamber Events To Fill Your Calendar Get Noticed: Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Shop Local.

Dine Local.

Think Local.

Love Local.

KINDNESS IN THE AGE OF COVID

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Winston S. Churchill The holiday season naturally lends itself to

Holiday

a feeling of goodwill and giving. It’s that

which donated $500 to 12 different non-

time

profits across the communities they serve.

of

year

when

we

look

outside

Happiness

Campaign

contest,

ourselves when purchasing gifts for loved

ones,

We also watched many local businesses

donating

time

or

goods

to

local

charities, and simply pondering the many

run

things we are grateful for in our lives.

resources for various charities. A big shout

– your family, elderly, strangers

out

Share

Which is a good thing. months,

I

have

Murray

Velvet

events

Dip,

to

help

Vanish

Chevrolet,

Skin

Brandon

raise

Don’t make anyone feel like a burden

Clinic,

Chrysler

good

news

and

beautiful

pictures on social media

conversations

Dodge, Champion Towing, Heritage Co-

Don’t hoard

op, Youth Revolution, Princess Auto, Apple

Send someone a nice note, a box of

patience and kindness. The world is on

&

chocolates, or a coffee.

edge

Western

standing dealing

whether

in

line

with

yet

at

many

to

and

about everyone’s diminished capacity for

and

had

Over the last few

drives

"kindness restores hope (both for the recipient and the giver)"

it’s

when

the

another

you

grocery tech

are

store,

issue

at

Pine,

Maxim

Sobey's

West,

Manitoba Truck

and

Shopper

Regional Trailer,

Mall,

Library,

Maple

Open a door for a stranger

Leaf

Ask

Foods and so many more!

how

people

are

doing

and

actually listen

work or seeing the dirty dishes stacked in

the sink, it seems it doesn’t take much to

Your

boil over these days. The world is need of

volunteers) recently helped with hamper

Thank a loyal customer and tell them

a little kindness.

packaging

you appreciate them

Cheer and launched a ‘Random Acts of

In

a

recent

article

I

read,

the

writer

Support a local business and tell them own

Chamber

and

team

deliveries

(staff

with

and

why you like them

Brandon

Shovel a neighbor’s sidewalk

Kindness’ Campaign.

Be patient

attributed our ‘misbehaviour’ largely due

to fear and that ‘fear stamps out hope’.

Kindness can be as simple act but make a

Wishing you a joyous holiday season filled

While

big impact. Here are several ideas on how

with time with family and friends, and a

degree I think everyone is just tired out. In

you can spread kindness cheer:

new

either case, kindness restores hope (both

optimism...and lots of kindness to share.

there

is

truth

in

that,

to

a

large

year

filled

with

prosperity

and

for the recipient and the giver) and can

Tip higher than you usually would.

be a catalyst for our own well being.

Show appreciation for delivery drivers,

I know you will all hit it out of the park!

postal

is

doing day to day work that you might

Luckily,

we

businesses

are

blessed

leading

the

to

have

way

many

through

workers

and

anyone

Smile and make eye contact

Share

take

year

we

the

community

watched

time

to

in

some

many

give

businesses

back

really

BIG

to

a

positive

review

of

your

favourite business on social media

the

Contact

ways.

Notably, Meighen Hadded LLP launched a

who

normally overlook.

positive action for the community.

This

an

old

friend,

distant relatives to say hello

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | DECEMBER 2021

colleague,

Carolynn Cancade General Manager Brandon Chamber of Commerce

02

FOUR WAYS TO GIVE BACK THIS

BRANDONWESTMAN CHRISTMAS CHEER: ADOPT-A-FAMILY CAMPAIGN Help

us

make

brighter

for

community! be

new

the

families

in

Donations and

unwrapped perishable

holidays our must

could toys,

food

be: non-

items,

baby

HOLIDAY

PROVINCIAL EXHIBITION OF MANITOBA: WINE FUNDRAISER

HELPING HANDS CENTRE OF BRANDON: BOTTLES OF WATER DRIVE Did

you

know

we

SEASON

Holiday

are

different 6 bottle options,

our

are

one all reds and one reds

having

a

and whites, for $130 and

year,

we

we

a delicious gourmet food

home

–

basket

donations

Health

our

takeout in

Due

restrictions

serving

are

?

we

lunches

capacity need

to

of

in

and

bottles

of

pick

ages,

craft

our

Building

paper

or

mittens,

cloth

hats,

gift

bags,

neck-warmers,

earmuffs.

Visit

brandonwestmanchristmasche er.ca to donate money.

Call 204-727-2559 or email xmaschr@gmail.com to learn more.

a

MB

Mon-Fri

most vulnerable members of

wrapping

we

hosting

day

water

kits,

Usually,

person

games,

all

are

now available! We have 2

board

for

packs

serving up to 200 meals per

sleepers & children’s pyjamas, books

wine

THE WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTRE: UN-GALA 2021

to

disperse

community.

10:00am

-

to

the

deadline

Runs 3:00pm,

is

$75.

Dec

at on

Order

raise

important ton are

but

work of

for

while

fun.

all

our

in

funds

This

staying

need

has

for not

for

changed. In fact, requests for our services are higher

Dec

16th

Visit denardi.ca/product/br andon-provincial-agholiday-fundraiser2021/ *Select "Pick Up" at checkout*

Email helpinghands@wcgwave.c a or call 204-727-4635 to learn more.

to

a

be

Dome

13th

the

between 4-6pm.

December 11, 2021.

Connect and give back.

up

for

would

fundraiser

than

ever

due

to

the

ongoing pandemic.

Make a general donation online at www.thewomenscentreb randon.com or call 204726-8632 to learn more.

Canadian Red Cross Society: (204) 729-4970 Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum Inc.: (204) 727-2444 Ducks Unlimited Canada: (204) 285-9779 Enactus Brandon (BUSU): (204) 720-5808 Family Visions Inc.: (204) 726-5602 Habitat For Humanity Manitoba-Brandon Chapter: (204) 717-0602 Heart and Stroke Foundation: (204) 996-3542 Helping Hands: (204) 727-4635 Manitoba Metis Federation Inc. Southwest Region: (204) 725-7520 Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (Westman Region): (204) 721-2174 Provincial Exhibition Of Manitoba: (204) 726-3590

Adult & Teen Challenge Super Thrift Brandon : (204) 949-9484 Assiniboine Community College Students' Association Inc.: (204) 725-8710 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon: (204) 727-1787 Bioscience Association Manitoba: (204) 272-5095 Brandon Area Community Foundation: (204) 571-0529 Brandon Community Drug and Alcohol - Youth Revolution: (204) 729-3287 Brandon First: (204) 729-2156 Brandon Friendship Centre: (204) 727-1407 Brandon Local Immigration Partnership: (204) 729-2490 Ext 112 Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation: (204) 578-4226

Royal Canadian Legion (204) 728-5026 Sexuality Education Resource Centre MB Inc.: (204) 727-0417 St. Boniface Hospital Foundation: (204) 237-2067 St. John Ambulance - Brandon Branch: (204) 727-4466 The Counselling Centre (204) 726-8706 The Salvation Army Brandon Corps: (204) 717-8332 The Women's Resource Centre: (204) 726-8632 United Way of Brandon & District: (204) 571-8929 Westman Dreams For Kids: (204) 729-8898 Westman Lions Manor (204) 727-4911

Brandon Salutes: (204) 571-7651 Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc.: (204) 571-2052 Brandon University Students Union : (204) 727-9660

For a full list of non-profits in the City of Brandon, contact us. 204 571 5340

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | DECEMBER 2021

03

CHAMBER EVENTS IN

October Friday Coffee:

October Member Meetup:

October Luncheon:

In Person @ the Chamber

Dark History Tour w/ BGMA

Small Business Week with Chez Angela

Business After 5:

November Luncheon:

November Luncheon:

The Riverbank Discovery Centre

Economic Reconciliation

Ron Helwer Presents

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | DECEMBER 2021

04

THE BRANDON CHAMBER of COMMERCE SENDS A BIG

Thank You to our Sponsors!

October Luncheon September Luncheon

November Luncheon

Host

Host

Booth

Booth

Host

2021 Human Resources Conference

Member Meetup

First Friday Coffees

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | DECEMBER 2021

Business After 5

Workshops

05

CHAMBER EVENT LINEUP

Mark Your Calendars

SECOND FRIDAY COFFEE - VIRTUAL EVENT 9:00am - 10:00am | January 8, 2022 These mini events are an excellent networking opportunity for you and your business. Chamber Coffees promote the exchange of ideas and discussion and often we host special guests with insights on current issues and topics relevant to our members.

Zoom | FREE | Registration Required

CHAMBER WORKSHOP: SOCIAL MEDIA 11:00am - 1:00pm | January 11, 2022

In this one hour virtual lunch and learn, ACC instructor Liz Pittman will explain how to start a social media strategy, discuss the difference between organic and paid social media, chat about influencer marketing, and share why a content calendar is an important tool when using social media for your business.

Zoom | $15/per person (transferable) | Registration Required

JANUARY LUNCHEON: STATE OF THE PROVINCE 11:00am - 1:00pm | January 20, 2022 On January 20, 2022, The Brandon Chamber will welcome Manitoba’s 24th Premier, the Honourable Heather Stefanson, for her State of the Province Address. Manitoba’s business community will hear from Premier Stefanson on her vision for our province.

Victoria Inn | $15/per person (transferable) | Registration Required

BUSINESS AFTER 5: MEIGHEN HADDAD LLP 5:00pm - 7:00pm | January 26, 2022

Join us for a Business After 5 featuring host Meighan Haddad. This event is open to all employees of our member's businesses; bring a colleague! Registration is required, but you can come and go as your schedule allows.

Members Only | FREE | Registration Required

FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE - IN PERSON! 9:00am - 10:00am | February 5, 2022 These mini events are held the first Friday of every month and are an excellent networking opportunity for you and your business. Chamber Coffees promote the exchange of ideas and discussion and often we host special guests with insights on current issues and topics relevant to our members.

1043 Rosser Avenue | FREE | Registration Required

FEBRUARY LUNCHEON: BUILDING SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE 11:00am - 1:00pm | February 17, 2022 Join us on February 17th to listen to Ian Seunarine, Chair of Supply Chain Manitoba and CEO of the Duha Group talk on current supply chain issues and how we can rebuild business in a post-pandemic world.

Keystone Centre | $35/per person (+tax) early bird | Registration Required REGISTER FOR ALL EVENTS AT BRANDONCHAMBER.CA or CALL 204 571 5340 *Please note that things change! So keep in mind that dates, times, speakers, locations and formats can change and/or be cancelled. Double vaccination is required to attend Chamber in-person events. To learn more about how we are keeping you safe, visit brandonchamber.ca.

CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | DECEMBER 2021

06

CROSS PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES FOR A STRONGER SMALL BUSINESS SEASON December 2021 / Author: Christina R. Mitchell / Source: FrankJKenny.com

T

his holiday season, we are supporting

shop

small.

We

want

to

celebrate

or even a billboard. Your local chamber

the

may

have

some

ideas

on

how

you

can

uniqueness of small business as well as the

defray advertising costs by partnering with

treasures and exquisite services that can

other similar or nearby businesses.

be

found

in

our

backyard.

But

small

businesses have challenges as they take

·Run a contest.

on

running

larger,

national

perception deals,

that

more

selection, takes

a

more

the

giants

attractive

can

be

creative

of

competitors.

the

have

hours,

strong.

to

a

If

holiday

you’re

planning

contest,

you

on

could

better

approach nearby businesses to see if they

more

will donate a prize and partner with you

and

That’s

approach

why

it

for even greater reach.

·Pop-up

capture

door to you, you may be able to create a

promotion can be a very effective way for

pop-up market and split the costs of tents,

small

entertainment, etc. For even more cross-

to

stand

dollars.

shop. If you have businesses next

Cross

business

holiday

The

out

during

the

holiday season.

promotional power, bring in a food truck

or

Why Cross Promotion?

additional draw.

Small

businesses

some

creative

promotion

have

things

both

the

agility

when

within

it

to

do

comes

their

home

business

for

entertainment

or

·Use

to

own

social.

Creating

videos,

reels/tiktoks, and other valuable content

businesses and in partnerships with others.

takes time. You could partner with another place coupons for a free gym session in

business

draw in new target audiences. With cross

all of their bags or as part of their sales.

amount of content you produce. You also

promotion, you can also show support to

will have access to each other’s following

Cross

promotion

can

be

lucrative

and

so

that

you

can

increase

the

other businesses and create partnerships

·Reciprocal agreements.

that will help increase sales long past the

want

holiday season.

promotional offer with another business,

·In-store.

you can (and should) agree to mutually

store or business cross promotion. Online

Examples of Cross Promotion

support

they’re

If you’re considering cross promotion as

innkeepers could agree to refer visitors to

Structure your business so that things that

part of your sales and marketing efforts

local restaurants, while wait staff at local

are

this year, check out these ideas:

restaurants could refer people to nearby

promoted either on display or verbally by

independent shops.

your

with very little effort this way.

·Partnering with a complementary business that provides products or services. For instance, a gym may partner

·Ads.

to

Ads

enter

one

can

into

a

another.

help

you

If

you

formal

For

reach

don’t

for even greater reach.

cross

instance,

a

large

You can also benefit from in-

referred

to

purchased

staff.

You

as

“also

together

can

boughts.”

are

increase

your

cross

sales

audience and build name recognition. But

This holiday season, consider exploring the

they can be costly. Splitting the cost with

opportunities

for

neighbor businesses can help you afford

promotion

members. The juice bar or clothing store

a larger ad in a newspaper, mailer, cable

audiences, build relationships, and spread

may, in turn,

TV spot,

good

with

a

juice

business

to

bar

or

an

provide

athletic

clothing

discounts

in

cross

promotion.

help

you

can

cheer.

And

couldn’t

reach

we

all

little more of that?

Are you interested in being a member expert?

Contact Alix and have your insights featured in an upcoming Chamber publication. 204 571 5344 CHAMBER AT A GLANCE | DECEMBER 2021

07

Cross new

use

a

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

Barry Cooper | President Heritage Co-op

Tanya LaBuick | Vice-President CW2 Construction Guardian Fencing LaBuick & Co.

Jaime Pugh | Secretary-Treasurer MNP LLP.

Spencer Day | Past President Progressive Westman

Matt Berg Livingstone Outdoor

Laurie Brugger Century 21 Westman Realty Ltd.

Andrea Epp Epp Law Office

Chris Finley Mazergroup

Tilda Fortier Greenstone Building Products

Aida Harrison Aida's Catering

Ryan Jacobson Affordable Storage Brandon Forbidden Flavours Roastery

Meredyth Leech Leech Printing Ltd.

Jennifer Ludwig Super Thrifty Drugs Canada Ltd.

Lois Ruston R&M Homes Ltd.

CHAMBER STAFF

Carolynn Cancade General Manager

Alix Coucill Director of Member Relations

Hillary Miller Events & Program Coordinator

Britney McNamee Office Coordinator

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is excited to open the call for nominations for 2022 Business Achievement Awards!

Help us celebrate business success, innovation, leadership and contribution to our community! We encourage interested businesses to nominate themselves, or to nominate any qualified and deserving individual or business!

The nomination process remains simple – complete the nomination online or download the form and submit by email or hardcopy.

Submit your nominee name

Select an Award

Complete the nomination online or download the form and submit by email at info@brandonchamber.ca or mailing to our office at: 1043 Rosser Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 0L5.

Business Person of the Year* Business Excellence (Small & Large)

Outstanding New Business Community Impact Lifetime Business Builder* Young Entrepreneur Award Westman’s Top 4 Under 40

Tell us why you think they deserve to win In 250 words or less!

A nomination only takes a few minutes to fill out, but can make a whole lifetime of difference to a local business!

It’s that easy!

To fill out a Nomination Form, please visit: brandonchamber.ca/business-achievement-awards/2021-nominations-now-open

Next Steps: Upon receipt of your nomination, the Chamber will notify nominees via email. Nominees will be asked to complete an award application or to be available for an interview for consideration by our selection panel.

Presentation of the Awards: Awards will be presented at our Annual Awards Celebration Dinner in April 2022.

*Please note: A business may nominate themselves for an award, with the exception of the Business Person of the Year.

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.