Annual Report
CHAMBER BY NUMBERS
Representing
Since 1906
promoting, connecting, celebrating + supporting regional businesses
Advocating
Working with government to ensure the region provides an atmosphere conducive to sustainable business + community growth.
VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBERS
14 from the regional business community
COMMUNITIES SERVED: +1
City of Leduc, Leduc County, City of Wetaskiwin,County of Wetaskiwin, Maskwacis, Nisku, Millet, Calmar, Beaumont, Devon, Thorsby + Warburg
1 Policy Developed:
Driving Our Economy Forward: policy to support trucking and supply chain issues passed at both provincial and national levels. Met with Minister of Transportation for Alberta in Developing Policies.
ADDED
DEVON CHAMBER
Began a management contract with the Devon Chamber in 2022
Solving
17% OF MEMBERS SAVING $$ on the Chambers Plan health & dental plan, joining 30,000 other businesses in teaming up with Canada's #1 Plan
Political Action Day
Met with several members throughout the year to identify issues. We participated in several stakeholder engagement sessions with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
Promoting
143
NEW BUSINESS MEMBERS IN 2022
local businesses completed the Digital Economy Program
Educating 48 EVENTS HELD TO
1,123 VALUED MEMBERS
30+ Sponsored content emails sentto exclusively market members to regional business/community members
45
inform, educate + connect members Nominations submitted for the Annual Business Awards
FOR CHAMBER EVENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Celebrating RIBBON CUTTINGS CELEBRATING BUSINESS OPENINGS, ANNIVERSARIES +MILESTONES
SOCIAL
3,181 FACEBOOK 2,186 INSTAGRAM 610 LINKEDIN
Connecting 1,738 NEW E-MAIL CONTACTS 235,416 E-MAILS OPENED | 57% CLICKED LINKS
MEDIA FOLLOWERS:
REGISTERED
CHAMBER HIGHLIGHTS
NEW Grant
The Chamber worked with UAlberta to offer the Digital Economy Program (DEP) to businesses in our region. Helping small businesses go digital successfully; this service helps businesses reach their goals through one-onone training and advisory support towards digital strategy development, Google My Business assistance, social media posts, product and business photography, and more.
NEW Contract
Our Chamber entered a management contract with the Devon & District Chamber of Commerce. In 2022 we hosted 8 Devon events and took on 100 new members, effectively connecting, supporting, promoting local businesses and working to strengthen the regional economy.
GREW Initiative
Created to increase visitation to the region, educate locals + visitors, DLR has worked to have the Leduc Region recognized as a sought-after Alberta travel destination. The Leduc, Nisku & Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber of Commerce, along with founding partners, The City of Leduc and Leduc County, are committed to enhancing the visitor experience, and contributing to the health of the economic development of the region by exemplifying a community alignment approach. The beautiful Leduc Region unites six distinct municipalities under a single, united brand including: City of Leduc, Leduc County, City of Beaumont, Town of Calmar, Town of Devon, and the Town of Millet
GREW Initiative
Beyond a shop LOCAL push...it's communities coming together to support the businesses that, in turn, support the community. We started a movement to create a bigger impact, for the good of our entire region. SPENDING, DISCOVERING, EMPLOYING, and GROWING LOCAL means changing the way we live and work to create a bigger impact with our dollars.
SUCCESSFUL Event
GREW Initiative
We continued to promote our online hub and monthly enewsletter for commercial real estate listings for sales or lease, businesses for sale & local bids & tenders.
An 11 day trip to Greece took 49 people on an unforgettable journey. The trip included a four-day island cruise of the Greek islands. With professional and licensed English-speaking guides, travellers learned about the rich history and cultural heritage of Greece. They experienced museums, an olive grove tour, Ancient Olympia, Ancient Ephesus, and Delphi.
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
CHAMBER HIGHLIGHTS
NEW Contract
In 2022, the Chamber signed a service agreement with the Leduc Downtown Business Association (LDBA) to support businesses within the Central Business District. In 2022, the Chamber managed the Downtown District social media and website to support and promote events and businesses. The Chamber also provided event coordination, hosted meetings, and connected with businesses to build relationships and enable the LDBA to fulfill the strategic goals that enhance the downtown district businesses and their patronage.
>downtownleduc.com
GREW Initiative
Start Up supports anyone from their business idea to startup and on to growth phase up to 5 years. Providing the tools, connections, resources, and knowledge to help new businesses thrive. Program partners and sponsors for 2022 include the City of Leduc, City of Wetaskiwin, Leduc County and JEDI. In 2022 the four components of the initiative saw; 74 1-1 StartUp Steps Sessions, 4 StartUp Series Workshops, 12 StartUp Mastermind Peer Group meetings, and 13 entrepreneurs who participated in the 10-month SMARTstart Entrepreneurial and Mentorship Program.
>startupleducwetaskiwin.biz
EXPANDED Initiative
We grew our local job board to consistently feature 120+ local jobs. Employers, job seekers & students can find free resources to find jobs, training & other supports on this online hub and monthly enewsletter.
>leducwetaskiwinjobs.ca
SUCCESSFUL Events
We hosted three Welcoming Workplaces sessions:
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace
• The Intergenerational Workplace and
• Recruiting & Retaining Newcomers to Canada.
These sessions enabled business owners and employers to build an understanding of the concepts, how they impact employers and employees, what these ideas look like in practice, and helpful tips for implementing changes—empowering our local businesses to become more effective and embrace opportunities
WE ARE ACCREDITED WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
It is the formal acknowledgement, by an arms' length Council, that member chambers of commerce/boards of trade have been successfully evaluated against rigorous national standards of policy, service, and performance.
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS
Board President’s Message
In 2022, the Chamber was successfully evaluated against rigorous national standards of policy, service, and performance and became an accredited Chamber of Commerce, formally acknowledging that we are leaders in the industry. We continued efforts to help businesses recover and thrive after the effects of the pandemic on our business community. We created new educational sessions and offered digital business support through the Digital Economy Program. We grew the Discover Leduc Region tourism initiative and StartUp Leduc and Wetaskiwin Regions initiative, solidified the Job Connector as the region's top job board, took on the management of the Devon & District Chamber, and support of the Leduc Downtown Business Association, and so much more
We hosted many well-attended events, including provincial election forums, luncheons with experts and elected officials, and educational sessions. We celebrated new businesses and anniversaries with ribbon cuttings, and diversity with our Welcoming Workplaces series. As the end of the year approached, we marked the generosity of the business community with the Spirit of Giving Luncheon. Our focus remains on supporting your businesses with valuable connections, essential resources, and exciting opportunities. Together, we will navigate new challenges and foster collective growth as we look toward the future. Our incredible progress is a testament to the vision and dedication of our Board Directors, the hard work of the Chamber team, and, most importantly, engaged members like you.
We thank every one of you for your contributions to our region. We create a stronger, more vibrant community that prospers when we collaborate.
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
President, Tanis Techer
Treasurer, Cyrus Dastouri MNP LLP
Director, Kimberly Demchuk Allstate Insurance
Secretary, Tenielle MaGee Leduc Physio
Appointed Director, Kelly Lynn Lewis Leduc County
Director, Joe Letourneau J. Lettourneau Insurance Solutions Inc.
Director, Jo-Ann Keller Rig Hand Craft Distillery Ltd.
Director, Raelyn Kruitbosch Edmonton Regional Airport Authority
Director, Brett Powlesland Sleep F/X
Policy Chair, Wayne DiLallo DFW Career Services
Appointed Director, Bill Hamilton City of Leduc
Vice President, Trevor Palmer Canadian Western Bank
Director, Leslie Cochrane Loft 3 Design Company
Director, Debbie Hofstra Hofstra Dairy Farms
Tanis Techer Insurance Solutions
