THE BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber at a
Glance September 2026
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
SEPTEMBER 2026
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR GM BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR THE YEAR AHEAD Members of the Chamber, The summer months may be quieter on the Chamber calendar, but behind the scenes, they are anything but quiet. Over the past several months, our staff have been focused on preparing for the fall. From events and networking opportunities to member benefits, advocacy priorities, and committee work, much of the summer has been about laying the groundwork for the September-to-May season. At the centre of that work is something simple: listening to our members. Our new industry sector roundtables are one way we are creating more opportunities for business leaders to speak directly about what they are seeing, what challenges they are facing, and where they see opportunities for our community. Those conversations will help shape committee priorities, strengthen our advocacy, and ensure the issues we bring forward reflect what is actually happening within Brandon and Westman's business community. Our committees are also preparing for the year ahead, establishing clear priorities and work plans for the coming months. The goal is to make sure the conversations happening around our committee tables lead to meaningful work and that there is a clear connection between member feedback, Chamber priorities, and the issues we advocate for. That advocacy work did not pause over the summer either. We met with members of the Progressive Conservative caucus and with provincial representatives, using those opportunities to bring Brandon and Westman priorities forward and continue building relationships with decisionmakers. At the same time, we are taking a more deliberate approach to tracking policy issues and the concerns being raised by our members. That preparation matters. Opportunities to meet with ministers, senior officials, and other decision-makers do not always come with much notice. When they do, we want the Chamber to be ready with a clear mandate, a strong understanding of the issues, and feedback grounded in the experience our members.
BRANDONCHAMBER.CA
All of this work is happening while businesses continue to navigate an uncertain global environment. Tariffs, shifting Canada-US trade dynamics, and broader geopolitical pressures may seem far removed from our day-to-day lives, but their effects can reach businesses here at home through costs, supply chains, investment decisions, and overall confidence. The Chamber will continue monitoring those developments, sharing relevant information with members, and making sure the local business perspective remains part of the conversation. Summer gave us the opportunity to plan, listen, organize, and prepare. The foundation is built. Now it's time to put that work into action.
Curthis Hullick
CHAMBER GENERAL MANAGER
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
SEPTEMBER 2026
Welcome New Members! Department of Business Administration
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
SEPTEMBER 2026
2026-2027 EVENTS LINEUP
SEPTEMBER 3rd Business After 5 with Compass Coach Lines 4th First Friday Coffee 17th Climate Change Luncheon 23rd AI Workshop
FEBRUARY 5th First Friday Coffee 18th State of the Province Luncheon TBD - Business After 5
MARCH OCTOBER st 5th First Friday Coffee 1 Annual General Meeting nd 10th W.O.W Conference 2 First Friday Coffee th 15 Health Care Luncheon 18th Building Workforce Luncheon st 21 AI Workshop TBD - Business After 5 22nd Business After 5 with Art Gallery of SW Manitoba
NOVEMBER 6th First Friday Coffee 12th AI Workshop 19th Economic Growth Luncheon 19th GROW Brandon Economic Summit 24th Business After 5 with Patterson LLP DECEMBER 2nd AI Workshop 4th First Friday Coffee 10th State of the City Luncheon TBD - Business After 5 JANUARY 8th First Friday Coffee 14th Economic Future Luncheon 20th Business After 5 with Mindful Milestones Psychotherapy
APRIL 2nd First Friday Coffee 15th Industrial Transformation Luncheon TBD - Business After 5 MAY 6th Annual Business Awards Gala 14th **Second Friday Coffee 20th Small Business Celebration Luncheon TBD - Business After 5 JUNE 3rd First Friday Coffee 4th Presidency Changeover Luncheon 9th Business After 5 with Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum 16th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament
For all event registrations, please visit: https://members.brandonchamber.ca/events/
BRANDONCHAMBER.CA
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
SEPTEMBER 2026
Upcoming Events AI WORKSHOP SERIES FUNDAMENTALS & RESPONSIBLE ADOPTION SEPT. 23, 2026 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | BACKYARD ON ABERDEEN
REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPT. 21
BRANDON CHAMBER ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OCT. 1, 2026 | VIRTUAL EVENT FREE EVENT, REGISTRATION REQUIRED
FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE OCT. 2, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | 1043 ROSSER AVE FREE EVENT, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
HEALTH CARE LUNCHEON Presented by Compass Credit Union OCT. 15, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | CLARION HOTEL REGISTRATION CLOSES OCT. 12
BRANDONCHAMBER.CA/EVENTS
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
SEPTEMBER 2026
SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON
CLIMATE CHANGE & BUSINESS RESILIENCE EVENT RECAP
PRESENTED BY
PREPARING BUSINESS FOR CHANGE On September 17th, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce welcomed over 250 business and community leaders to Victoria Inn for the Climate Change and Business Resilience Luncheon. Featuring Emilia Cameron of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), the session focused on practical ways businesses can prepare for extreme weather and strengthen resilience. TOOLS AND PLANNING FOR RESILIENCE During her address, Cameron discussed the risks severe weather and climate events can create for businesses, including property damage, operational disruptions, and the importance of business continuity planning. She also highlighted ICLR’s free Open for Business™ toolkit, designed to help small and mid-sized businesses assess risk, prepare, and recover after a disaster.
The luncheon gave attendees steps they can take now to strengthen preparedness, protect their operations, and better position their organizations to respond when extreme weather events occur. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS A sincere thank-you to our host sponsor, Sunrise Credit Union, and to our booth sponsors Wilder Institute, United Way West Central Manitoba, Nature Conservancy of Canada - Prairie Region, Manitoba Habitat Conservancy, and the Brandon Wheat Kings for their support of the luncheon and the Chamber. We also thank Keywest Photo Image by Design for capturing the day, Look Music for audiovisual support, and the Victoria Inn for hosting the event and providing an excellent meal.
BRANDONCHAMBER.CA
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
October Luncheon
Health Care Luncheon
SEPTEMBER 2026
PRESENTED BY
Oct. 15, 2026 | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | Clarion Hotel & Suites Join us this October for an important conversation on health care in Brandon and across Manitoba, and the challenges and opportunities shaping local health services.
$49 + GST (Members) | $65 + GST (Non-Members)
REGISTER
Registration closes Monday, October 12th ***Please note: luncheon tickets can no longer be invoiced.
Join us October 15 for a timely conversation on the current state of health care in Brandon and across Manitoba, and the challenges and opportunities shaping local services. Health care affects every part of our community, from those who rely on local services to the businesses and organizations around them. Hear from Dr. Treena Slate, CEO of Prairie Mountain Health, and Darcy Bell, CEO of Brandon Clinic Medical Corporation, as they discuss the state of health care, the pressures facing the system and steps to strengthen care in Brandon and across Manitoba.
Limited Booth Availability - One Spot Remaining Get your business in front of nearly 300 local business and community leaders at our October luncheon. Booth Sponsorship - $500 (plus GST) | One Spot Remaining Includes: Two (2) complimentary tickets Display table in the networking area
BRANDONCHAMBER.CA/EVENTS
Become a Sponsor
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
SEPTEMBER 2026
Business Achievement Awards
May 6th 2027
Nominations Opening Soon!
Nominations for our Business Achievement Awards will be opening soon! Keep an eye out for your chance to recognize the outstanding individuals and businesses that help shape our community
Business Person of the Year Lifetime Business Builder Westman Top 4 Under 40 Outstanding New Business of the Year Outstanding Young Entrepreneur Award Community Impact Award (Business & Individual) Business Excellence Awards (Small Business & Large Business)
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
SEPTEMBER 2026
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 2026-27
LUNCHEON SERIES FLAGSHIP EVENTS BUSINESS AFTER FIVE CUSTOM SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Interested in sponsoring a Chamber event? Reach out to Frédéric, Member Relations Coordinator at members@brandonchamber.ca or 204-571-5343 BRANDONCHAMBER.CA
Brandon Chamber
at a Glance
JUNE 2026
Board of Directors EMELIO BROWN | PRESIDENT INTRITECH MARKETING CHRIS FINLEY | VICE-PRESIDENT MAZERGROUP
KARIN GRIFFIN ALTERNATIVE GROUP
LISA ANDREW | SECRETARYTREASURER BDO CANADA LLP
ROB STARKELL WEST-CAN HR SOLUTIONS
JENNIFER LUDWIG | PAST PRESIDENT SUPER THRIFTY DRUGS CANADA LTD.
AMBER WHITE ANYTIME FITNESS
ROSA VILLAMIZAR U-BUILD STEEL BUILDINGS & BEHLEN INDUSTRIES LP
RHEA MAJEWSKI DONALD & KEHLER LAW OFFICE
MATT BERG LIVINGSTONE OUTDOOR & LIVINGSTONE LANDSCAPING LTD.
LYNDSAY SEAFOOT CURBIRDGE
BRENT MILLER VICTORIA INN
EMMY SANDERSON BRANDON DOWNTOWN BIZ
Chamber Staff CURTIS HULLICK GENERAL MANAGER SANDRA AFFUN EVENTS COORDINATOR CALLIE FOWLER MARKETING ASSISTANT MINDY CASTLE OFFICE COORDINATOR FRÉDÉRIC RAMSAY MEMBER RELATIONS COORDINATOR We acknowledge that Brandon is located on Treaty 2 territory, traditional lands of the Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Anishinaabe/Ojibwe peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. We honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples to our community.
BRANDONCHAMBER.CA
SETTING THE PACE FOR A GREATER BRANDON SINCE 1883 The Brandon Chamber of Commerce is an independent, membership funded, non-profit organization that represents Brandon business from the grassroots level. Our mission is to encourage growth in the Brandon community by fostering a progressive business environment, favourable to enhancing existing and attracting new business.