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NOVEMBER 2015
Mission Chamber of Commerce
Government Engagement and Policy is a focus for your Chamber of Commerce The Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce, Through its Government Affairs Committee, believes in strong advocacy and is committed to representing the common sense business values and innovative thinking which makes Mission and the surrounding region a great place for business to prosper!
Jon Garson President & CEO BC Chamber of Commerce
Recently Canada’s Chambers of Commerce gathered at this year’s AGM in Ottawa, the weekend
before the federal election, to put policies in place to engage the newly elected Liberal government, 10 B.C. crafted policies will be a part of the Canadian Chamber and BC Chambers federal advocacy efforts for the next three years.
Chamber looks forward to working with the newly elected government to move the policy agenda set at the Canadian Chamber AGM forward, policies built by BC Chambers for the benefit of B.C. and Canada’s business community alike.
“We want to congratulate Prime Minister Trudeau and his Liberal team
Garson added. Our role as Chambers of Commerce is to be the ‘Voice of Business’.
The BC Chamber looks forward to working with the newly elected government to move the policy agenda set at the Canadian Chamber AGM forward, policies built by BC Chambers for the benefit of B.C. and Canada’s business community alike. on winning a majority government.” said Jon Garson, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “The BC
At this year’s Canadian AGM, BC Chambers put forward and business leaders across Canada have stood together to
call for opening up trade with the Asia-Pacific, expanding needed oil pipeline infrastructure, a renewed focus on the Canada-US Border Pact, and further development of the renewable and clean technologies sector. The BC Chamber will be sure to work closely with the newly elected federal government, while keeping them to task, ensuring businesses in our province and across our country are competitive.
use, rehabilitation of drug affected properties and transportation planning. We have also regularly participated in consultation for governmental budget development as well as a variety of one to one member to Government facilitation’s when the need arises.
Members and all levels of Government. We are Mission's “Voice of Business”
Did you know? The Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee works to ad-
“B.C.’s Chamber network had great success at this year’s Canadian Chamber AGM. We are proud of the policies put forward. These policies are of major significance to our province that will keep our economy strong and moving forward” said Garson. Policies for which the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce is taking a leading or active roll in include; advocacy for the Fraser River, mobile business licensing, liquor reform, effective land
vocate on behalf of our members on issues that are important to the Mission Business Community. Members are welcome to take part in David Sawatzky Government Affairs Committee Chair Mission Chamber of Commerce
Your Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce continues to be an active liaison between Chamber
our advocacy efforts by joining our government affairs committee. Meet monthly at the Mission Chamber of Commerce office. Contact Kristin Parsons at execdir@ missionchamber.bc.ca for more information.
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2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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November 2015 Cal Crawford
VICE PRESIDENT
President's Report
Sean Melia
TREASURER PAST PRESIDENT
Dustin Hughes
Heather Schular
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Andrea Walker
Dave Sawatzky DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Tony Luck
Alana Martens
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Small changes greates big impacts for our local economy Local businesses strengthen communities, build resilience and foster innovation. They create good jobs, support local charities, contribute significantly to our tax base and recirculate the dollars they make many times locally by using other local businesses as suppliers for marketing, financial, legal and other services. Reduced Footprint – local businesses reduce transportation impacts associated with global supply chains when they work with local producers, manufacturers and distributers. Jobs and wages – local businesses hire locally, creating jobs and circulating wages.
Doug Elias
DIRECTOR
Allan Main LIAISON, C.F.N.F.
DIRECTOR
Carlo Billinger MDBA LIAISON
Randy Hawes DOM LIAISON
Ann Harper PRESIDENT
Don’t Miss our next Luncheon November 19th with Dave Watson, Constant Contact/Xtra Contact The Lasting Power of E-Newsletters, Leveraging Social Media
Ilona Klimczak
Banking- local businesses often keep banking local. Those local bank and credit unions then finance other local businesses and community groups. Infrastructure – local businesses have a greater share of operations here, contributing more of their taxes to our essential services like roads, transit, parks and community centres. Local purchasing – local business typically buy marketing, accounting, legal, maintenance and other services from other local businesses. Charitable giving – local business give five times more per dollar of revenue to groups in their communities. Please join us on November 28th to celebrate our local businesses by Shopping your Neighbourhood!
Many small businesses and organizations find themselves seeking the right strategies, tools and tactics to make their marketing efforts as effective as possible. But between Facebook and Twitter, email and mobile, and whatever new social network is rolling out that month-there's a lot to keep up with. And there are only so many hours in each day. The number of marketing options and possibilities can feel overwhelming. This seminar will help make sense of the noise. We'll talk about how to: • Make the most of combining Email and Social Media
•Permission-based Email marketing (CASL) Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation • Use simple tools to engage with your existing customers, prospect, and supporters • Take advantage of the fact that: your next best prospects are your customer's friends or contacts. Followed by a workshop on “How to create a great email’ and how Constant Contact tools help with meeting CASL requirements.
Dave has been in Sales & Marketing for over 25 years bringing experience from the corporate world to helping small businesses with their online marketing solutions. As a leading Business Partner / Solution Provider with Constant Contact since 2006, Dave has worked with his clients to grow their businesses through email marketing and integrate Social Media, Blogs and website SEO to maximize their online marketing efforts. Location: Best Western Chapel Room
Date: November 19th Place: Rockwell’s Chapel Room Time: 11:30-1:00pm Price: $20 members $25 non members Book your spot today online missionchamber.bc.ca or by calling Allison at 604-826-6914
Looking? Listing? CALL TODAY! When you know the local real estate market like I do, sales happen faster.
A Move Ahead
Cal Crawford Over 30 years experience 604-854-0392 103-32471 Lougheed Hwy. Mission |
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Email: calinmission@hotmail.com
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CHAMBER COMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS November 19th
CHAMBER MONTHLY LUNCHEON
Speaker: Constant Contact – The Lasting Power of E-Newsletters, Leveraging Social Media & CASL Place: Rockwell’s Chapel Room Time: 11:30am-1pm Price: $20 members $25 non members
November 28th
SHOP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD (a Yellow Pages initiative) Participating businesses will offer incentives to consumers who are encouraged to make local purchases on this day. www.shoptheneighbourhood.ca for details of participating stores. Ken Selvaraja, owner of Lanka Jewels, in his store at The Junction.
PHOTO: CLICK MEDIA WORKS
32ND ANNUAL MISSION CANDLELIGHT PARADE
Spotlight on Business:
With Lanka Jewels, it’s customers first, second and always Kathleen Rake
CLICK MEDIA WORKS
While businesses everywhere strive to provide a full customer experience, very few are recognized for it formally by their customers and business community. Lanka Jewels, this year’s recipient of the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence – Customer Experience Award, opened its doors in Mission in 1979. Since then, owner Ken Selvaraja and his team, which has grown in its 36 years, have worked hard to earn people’s trust. To receive the award, a business must demonstrate special consideration for customers, ongoing employee training and a high level of understanding and commitment to service excellence. “Customer service isn’t something we do; it’s not something we’re conscious of,” said Selvaraja. “It’s the result of us
just doing what we always do—listening to customers, understanding what they need and delivering so they have the best experience possible.” “When a grown man from outside Mission comes in because his grandmother said ‘Go see Ken at Lanka’, then I know we’ve built trust—multigenerational trust.” The staff at Lanka Jewels train to achieve a level of professionalism that they pass on to customers, regardless of the dollar value of the purchase. Everyone receives the same care and attention at Lanka, from the person coming with a small repair to the child using his or her allowance to buy a Mother’s Day gift to the person who decides to commission a custom-made piece of jewelry. Selvaraja and his team consider the entire community, not just individuals,
December 4th
in its day-to-day activities: “We count on the community, so we like to make sure we give back.” Over the years, Lanka Jewels has participated in charitable events and fundraisers for local schools, churches, non-profit organizations, as well as for those international in scope. Most recently, Selvaraja designed and donated a pendant valued at $4,000 for the fall fundraising efforts of Stone Soup, a forum to facilitate the coming together of the public to tackle homelessness. Anything Possible, a Mission Community Services initiative, will receive the proceeds. Lanka Jewels is at #326 – 32555 London Ave., Mission, in The Junction Shopping Centre. For more information, visit www.LankaJewels.com or call 604-826-5766.
Open to public Place: Along Hwy 7 from Horne to Park St Time: starts 7:30pm Register your float today!
December 17th
CHAMBER CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Join us as we round up the year and celebrate the season of good cheer! You never know Santa might even join us! Place: Rockwell’s Ballroom Time: 11:30am-1pm Price: $20 members $25 non members
Chamber Holiday Office Hours Closed Noon December 24th Re-open January 4th, 2016
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW
MEMBERS Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation
Mission Minor Softball
WELCOME OUR NEW 7324 Hurd Street Mission, British Columbia Ph: 604-814-5190
Venom Industrial Inc
National People Locators
2021 Everett Street Abbotsford, BC Ph: 604-621-1721
Abbotsford, BC Ph: 604-852-8779
NorHaz Solutions Inc.
Shop The Neighbourhood is a Yellow Pages initiative to encourage local shopping and support for small and medium businesses. Shop The Neighbourhood will take place on Saturday, November 28th, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two shopping days notorious for driving dollars online or across the border.
103-197 Warren Avenue East Penticton, BC Ph: 250-492-8849
Experience Works 1-32618 Logan Avenue Mission, BC Ph: 604-287-1207
To become a member visit us online at missionchamber.bc.ca or call 604-826-6914
member_services@missionchamber.bc.ca
“Membership has its benefits!” execdir@missionchamber.bc.ca
20 15 CH AMBE R T E AM
Paint the Town Yellow
Mission, BC
Kristin Parsons
Allison Jack
Executive Director
Member Services
Also, your centre for Mission & BC Tourist Information
To u r i s m M i s s i o n , B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a C a n a d a
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On Saturday, November 28, 2015, the Mission Chamber of Commerce encourages our members and businesses to participate in Shop the Neighbourhood and highlight the contribution and importance of local shopping and small businesses in Mission. Allison, Member services coordinator for the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce will be in the community Painting the Town Yellow with all her swag giveaways courtesy of Yellow pages.
JOIN US FOR MISSION'S PREMIER FAMILY EVENT It’s countdown to that time of year again with only 41 shopping days until Christmas! (Start shopping locally now and avoid the crowds). The more important countdown is for Mission’s Candlelight Parade. Celebrating its 32nd year the Mission Chamber of Commerce is proud to work in partnership with key community businesses and individuals to bring the largest nighttime parade in Western Canada.
SO MARK THE DATE: FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH AT 7:30PM To register a float in this year’s parade go to www.MissionChamber.bc.ca – it’s free and a great way to promote your organization or business.
To advertise here, contact Karen at Creative the Directo Kevin Plastow Suite 1 33775 Essendene Avenue, Abbotsford 604.746.2972
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“Promoting Business and Tourism Development in Mission” I N F O R M AT I O N A V A I L A B L E
• Mission Community Profile • Commercial and Industrial Property Inventory • Business Opportunities 34033 LOUGHEED HWY., MISSION, BC V2V 5X8 Tel: 604.820.3789 • Fax: 604.820.6738 • Toll Free: 1.866.814.1222
email: edc@mission.ca • www.mission.ca
11496 DEWDNEY TRUNK RD., MISSION, BC • MAIL - BOX 3663 • V2V 4L2
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604.820.5463 ❚ fax 604.826.8266 3 3 0 4 7 F i r s t Av e n u e , M i s s i o n , B C ❚ V 2 V 1 G 2 k e v i n @ m i s s i o n c i t y re c o rd . c o m w w w. m i s s i o n c i t y re c o rd . c o m
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Discover China 2016 October 7-17, 2016 for only $2,299
Beijing • Shanghai • Suzhou • Hangzhou
TWO INFORMATION SESSIONS WILL BE HELD: *Monday, Jan 18, 2016, 5:30-7:00 p.m. At Mission Chamber 604-826-6914 34033 Lougheed Hwy, Mission BC *Tuesday, Jan 19, 2016, 5:30-7:00 p.m. At Ridge Meadows Chamber 604-457-4599 12492 Harris Rd., Pitt Meadows, BC
Experience China with us at the Mission Chamber of Commerce as we host a eleven day, all-inclusive trip to China. Travellers will visit four of China’s leading cities - Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai - to see the natural beauty, culture and traditions of a country home to 1.3 billion people.
• Roundtrip International Airfare & Chinese Domestic Airfare & Tax • 4-and 5-star Hotel Accommodations • 3 meals/day • Deluxe Bus Tours • Fluent English-Speaking Tour Guides • Entrance Fees for Attractions
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
Price reflects Double occupancy Add $500 for single occupancy Add $6,000 to fly Business Class
• Sightseeing in Beijing, including The Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, Ming Tombs, the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace. • Trip A visits Suzhou and Hangzhou featuring the Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, and the Lingyin Temple, as well as a boat cruise on West Lake. • Trip B is an alternative itinerary for days 6, 7 and 8 and features a trip to view the Terra-Cotta Warriors • Explore Shanghai’s historic Bund, Yu Garden and old town bazaar. Travel with business leaders and friends for this once in a lifetime China Adventure. Space is limited!
Symons Tire
• Add $200 to take the Terra-Cotta Warriors Itinerary • Valid passport and visa required • Includes free shuttle bus on departure & return day • Includes all Tax & Post Departure Travel insurance *$200 Additional for NonChamber Members *$400 non-refundable deposit due upon booking Mission Chamber 604-826-6914, email execdir@missionchamber.com For more information visit our website at missionchamber.bc.ca
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UFV Graphic & Digital Design program helps Relaunch Mission’s Biz-e-news For those of you who are unfamiliar with the name, the Mission Biz-e-news is a publication focused on the business, investment and development community in the Lower Mainland. Subscribers include business owners, managers, realtors, developers, investors and interested local community members who like to stay engaged with local business activity and growth. Featured stories include major project updates, sector development initiatives in areas like tourism, film and technology, and business spotlights that feature the success of our home grown entrepreneurs. Working in partnership with Mission’s very own University of the Fraser Valley, Graphic & Digital Design Department, a new sleek look has been created with “hot off the press� stories
sent directly to your e-mail. Graphic and digital design students were challenged with the task, given nothing more than the original layout and a design brief, with the mandate to create a newsletter format that was in keeping with the interests of the business community. The class worked in teams and the final work was presented to District of Mission staff Stacey Crawford (Economic Development Officer) and Michael Boronowski (Manager of Civic Engagement & Corporate Initiatives). Congratulations to the successful team, Nicole Hatter, Shayleen Bain, Eugene Kulaga, Paige Nelmes and Shelby Smithson. When asked how they worked through the process they advised it began with brainstorming the logo, which then allowed them
to refine the typography and colour scheme. They also researched many websites to create the most user friendly platform. The University prides itself on giving students the opportunity to do class assignments based on real world projects. The group added “We would like to thank Mission Biz-e-news for choosing our design and for the honorarium donated to the Graphic & Digital Design program which will go towards our portfolio show in April.� Check out the Biz-enews for yourself at www. missionbizenews.ca For further examples of the Graphic & Digital Design programs work, the community is invited to attend their next fundraising event “Don’t Stay Home Alone� on November 28, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at Finnegan’s Pub in Abbotsford.
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TWO INFORMATION SESSIONS WILL BE HELD: *Monday, Jan 18, 2016, 5:30-7:00 p.m. At Mission Chamber 604-826-6914 34033 Lougheed Hwy., Mission *Tuesday, Jan 19, 2016, 5:30-7:00 p.m. At Ridge Meadows Chamber 604-457-4599 12492 Harris Rd., Pitt Meadows
Price reflects Double occupancy Add $500 for single occupancy Add $6,000 to fly Business Class • Add $200 to take the Terra-Cotta Warriors Itinerary • Valid passport and visa required • Includes free shuttle bus on departure & return day • Includes all Tax & Post Departure Travel insurance *$200 Additional for Non-Chamber Members *$400 non-refundable deposit due upon booking
For more information contact Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Chamber 604-457-4599, email info@ridgemeadowschamber.com Mission Chamber 604-826-6914, email execdir@missionchamber.com
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