Chamber of Commerce Edmonton - 75 Years

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The mission of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is To Create the Best Environment for Business. For 125 years the Edmonton Chamber has worked on behalf of its members to create the opportunities that make a lasting difference for entrepreneurs and business people. Join us as we celebrate their success.

A PART OF

HISTORY WTCE’s time-honored structure compliments our modern, yet classic downtown core and maintains its historic presence.

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orld Trade Center Edmonton was designed by the most momentous architects of the early modern Alberta era: Rule, Wynn and Rule. It has become a significant historical and architectural component of downtown Edmonton. The building was originally constructed from 1950-1951 as the residence for Edmonton’s first financial institution, the Imperial Bank of Canada, now titled Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).

The seven-storey building was officially completed and occupied in mid-1954, looking very much as it does today. This particular architecture is an example of early techniques used throughout Edmonton. WTCE’s time-honored structure compliments our modern, yet classic downtown core and maintains its historic presence. Today, classic architectural styles remain and new trends have the latest in environmental technology.

Prior to its present incarnation as a modern office facility, the building stood empty and silent for a number of years. During the 2003-2004 winter season the structure was renovated from top to bottom, modernizing its contents—a testament to our city’s urban past. This historic downtown landmark became the proud home of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce on July 8, 2004. Located on the 6th floor, WTCE is the international division of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and offers business services to the Edmonton region. Edmonton’s structural development has progressed significantly, but fragments of the past continue to lead our city into a bright future.

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Edmonton Chamber of Commerce - Celebrating 125 years

LOOK TO THE

FUTURE Our sense of optimism is palpable and the Edmonton Chamber is working on behalf of members to ensure that the region and province maintain our competitive advantages.

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fter 125 years as a part of the business community, it is time to take stock of where we are and look towards the future. The key elements are in place for continued success. The region enjoys strong demand for its core product: hydrocarbons.

There is continued investment in training and workforce development that will create the skills and innovation needed for the future. Business enjoys good access to capital and an infrastructure base that is being steadily built.

More importantly, the business community is full of entrepreneurs who have the necessary skills to launch start-ups and build them into world leading enterprise. The Edmonton business community has what it takes to compete on the world stage.

Edmonton Chamber members are steadily diversifying their products and services to reach out across the globe and find new markets and build new relationships.

Our sense of optimism is palpable and the Edmonton Chamber is working on behalf of members to ensure that the region and province maintain our competitive advantages. Now is the time for Edmonton business to make its mark. The Edmonton Chamber will support them every step of the way for the next 125 years.

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce - Celebrating 125 years

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THE SPIRIT OF

COMMUNITY It is a true honour for the Edmonton Chamber to be associated with many member companies who donate great deal of their time and effort to support our thriving community.

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ur city’s sports teams, charities, festivals and attractions are of the unforgettable aspects of Edmonton’s lively community. Edmontonians have always provided exceptional support as fans, volunteers, donors and educators due to our passion for our community and our people. Whether we lead our faithful teams—Oilers, Eskimos, Rush and youth leagues—to victory through cheers of encouragement or provide monetary support to help save the lives of our fellow acquaintances, Edmontonians continuously demonstrate and strengthen community spirit.

Providing support and encouragement throughout our city formulates strong community bonds and positively impacts our economic position.

The Edmonton Chamber is proud to provide business support to strengthen community spirit, relationships and initiatives. It is a true honour for the Chamber to be associated with many member companies who donate a great deal of their time and effort to support our thriving community.

Edmonton’s active citizens possess admirable qualities of determination, persistence and friendliness, and have the ability to exceed expectations, face tough challenges and even survive in Alberta’s harsh winter season. The people of Edmonton create unique icons of encouragement to demonstrate team spirit, such as encasing vehicles in Edmonton Oilers branded gear. We donate our time, effort and funds to individuals in need at various associations throughout our city and consistently meet our non-profit goals. These commendable aspects continue to evolve, and have conceived Edmonton’s memorable history and bright future as a City of Champions.

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Edmonton Chamber of Commerce - Celebrating 125 years

Congratulations on 125 years of building Edmonton.

edmontonoilers.com

CONNECTING TO

THE WORLD Northern Relations are a strategic priority of the Edmonton Chamber and countless members do a tremendous amount of business in communities across northern Alberta and in the far North.

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ome of the first businesses in Edmonton looked to Canada’s North as their prime opportunity for growth. From the earliest days on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton has been a natural gateway for goods and services that flow northwards. Our transportation and infrastructure networks have served to ship materials and goods eastward and to the West Coast. Despite the winters, Edmonton business has benefitted from the city’s location in the middle of the prairie.

Since the earliest days of the Edmonton Chamber, it has supported the efforts of its members to work in the North. Northern Relations are a strategic priority of the Edmonton Chamber and countless members do a tremendous amount of business in communities across northern Alberta and in the far North.

Today Edmonton business connects to the globe through sophisticated networks: rail, road, air and digital. The Edmonton Chamber will continue to look to the North and advocate for sustainable investment. The special relationship that Edmonton has with the North is a part of our culture and is a core element of Edmonton’s economy.

Business in Edmonton is agile and adept at developing global partnerships that work within our regional economy. There is also a strong internal demand to create new markets. The Edmonton Chamber continues to work towards our members’ goals while as they look around the globe to grow Edmonton business.

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Edmonton Chamber of Commerce - Celebrating 125 years

Together We deliver responsibly

Sustainable transportation solutions

www.cn.ca

A PROFESSIONAL

ECONOMY A considerable number of Chamber members work in Edmonton’s professional services sector, showcasing professionalism and proudly representing our city.

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ndividuals and organizations within the professional services sector, act as integral support systems for the success of all industries, businesses and community groups. Edmonton’s professional services have significantly evolved over past decades, providing stability, security and improvement opportunities to our community’s industry and economic development.

Upon being introduced to the Edmonton market, the services industry gradually began to develop and now makes up 7.7% of our urban industry. Many of our large service corporations commenced in the entrepreneurial class, with one and two man shops. These individuals accepted the risks associated with new business ventures and progressively developed the powerful enterprises in today’s society.

Professional services experts continuously lend knowledge and support to Edmonton’s diverse culture of established and emerging businesses, making them an essential component of everyday business. A considerable number of Chamber members work in Edmonton’s professional services sector, showcasing professionalism and proudly representing our city.

One of Edmonton’s many notable aspects is our high class pool of service specialists. Our thriving city houses a respectable number of professional services experts who are recognized as some of the top Canadian and global professionals. The quality skills of our community’s professionals increase service standards throughout our city, enhancing our market environment.

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Edmonton Chamber of Commerce - Celebrating 125 years

1889 WAS THE START OF SOMETHING BIG The roots of the Parlee McLaws Edmonton office are formed Visionary pioneers launch the first Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EDMONTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON CELEBRATING 125 YEARS OF SUPPORTING THE GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF BUSINESS IN THE EDMONTON REGION. PARLEE MCLAWS LLP IS PROUD TO SHARE THIS MILESTONE WITH YOU.

Relationship Focused.

CALGARY | WWW.PARLEE.COM | EDMONTON

THE

STEADY BUILD S Due to Edmonton’s continuous growth, the construction industry is crucial for the expansion of our evolving city and the sustainability of our economy.

ince immigrants chose to settle in central Alberta, Edmontonians have been forced to design and build structures able to withstand the harsh, unpredictable elements. Constant seasonal challenges combined with new discoveries, including natural resources, have shaped our construction industry into what has undoubtedly become one of Edmonton’s core strengths. Fifty-one Edmonton Chamber members are active and influential participants in the construction industry and contribute to Edmonton’s outstanding construction performance.

Edmonton has the ability to develop exceptional construction due to Alberta’s core industry of resource extraction and our city’s perpetual growth.

Small companies maintain continuous growth for decades and become global giants time and time again.

Our experienced, innovative industry has initiated and maintained Edmonton’s current market state and is the fundamental element to future development.

We have exhibited our thorough, creative, well executed building abilities via the construction of pipelines, resource mines, landscapes and various forms of architectural structures throughout and surrounding our city. Regardless of the structure, our professionals generate quality results that withstand various climates and the passing of time.

Since our city’s birth, construction has remained a critical component of Edmonton’s market success. It provides growth opportunities for other industries and businesses, and increases our city’s population by producing living quarters for new residents. Due to Edmonton’s continuous growth, the construction industry is crucial for the expansion of our evolving city and the sustainability of our economy.

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Edmonton Chamber of Commerce - Celebrating 125 years

The Name In Active Adult Living With over 30 years of experience creating award winning multi-family urban villages for adults and seniors, Christenson Developments has been providing Edmonton and surrounding area with more than just a home.

Congratulations to the Edmonton Chamber Of Commerce on their 125th Anniversary.

MORE TIME

MORE CHOICE

CDLHomes.com

MORE FREEDOM

Who likes long term relationships?

We do.

At ATB, we take the word ‘partnership’ seriously. When we say we want to grow old with you, we mean it. That’s why we’ve stayed true to our Alberta roots for over 75 years—committing ourselves to AB businesses by offering home grown advice and unique, flexible options to help our customers reach their highest potential.

We’re here for better or worse—and we couldn’t be happier to do it with partners like the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations on 125 years. atb.com/business

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