2020/2021 CHAMBER REVIEW

MOMENTUM

CHAMBER REVIEW

2020 - 2021

THE VOICE OF BUSINESS

CEO & CHAIR MESSAGE We are Saskatoon’s voice for business, representing a powerful network of businesses, organizations and community-minded leaders who want the best for their city.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair, Carla Browne Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc. 1st Vice-Chair, Graham Snell Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan 2nd Vice-Chair, Colton Wiegers Wiegers Financial & Benefits Past-Chair, Chris Sicotte AON Reed Stenhouse CeCe Baptiste Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) Todd A. Denzin Nutrien Katrina German KatrinaGerman.com Joseph Gill McKercher LLP Juan Godinez ViviGro Sustainable Solutions Ltd. Tara McKeown Conexus Credit Union Adam McInnes Med Hack Enterprises Incorporated Sandra Ribeiro Canadian Light Source Inc. Heather Ryan Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL) Tanis Taylor CCA Consulting

STAFF Jason Aebig, CEO Margot Orr, Director of Policy and Government Relations Terry Lawrence, Business Manager Roz Macala, Office Manager Treena Skaalid, Events Manager Henry Buitrago, Marketing & Communications Manager Pamela Kenny, Member Relations Manager

Much will be written about the challenges we faced as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world, threatening all lives and livelihoods in its path. Not a single person or country was spared. In its wake, families and communities were turned upside down. Economies were ground to a halt. Promising new ventures and entrepreneurs were stopped in their tracks. Businesses were forced to “pivot” while attending to the safety of their employees, customers and families.

The effects of COVID-19 were real, widespread and unprecedented – and they will be felt for a long time.

While too many good businesses were unable to stay afloat, many more were able to weather the storm. Well-timed government investments – and an outpouring of “buy local” community support – helped propel many of Saskatoon’s businesses through the darkest days of 2020. For the rest of the journey, grit, creativity and determination carried them to shore.

It’s said: when you’re in a sea of trouble, keep paddling. And that’s exactly what they did.

Inspired by their example, we did too. We buckled down, bailed water and kept our oars in the water day after day – helping members, mounting events, lobbying for targeted COVID assistance and pushing against calls to close businesses and our economy. Our lights and our team stayed “on” through the pandemic and, together, we cut through the waves and came through the other side: • We provided personal outreach and direct support to over 1,300 members, helping them assess COVID supports and other relief programs.

• We stabilized our budget and retained over 90% of our membership.

• We re-established partnerships with the Indigenous Chamber of Saskatchewan (ICCS) and Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (SYPE).

• We programmed a full suite of online events featuring community and business leaders.

• We introduced new SABEX awards to our line-up and made it easier than ever to apply.

• We negotiated new affinity and savings programs for members coming in Fall 2021.

• We launched a “Totally Locally” buy local initiative that will be expanded this year.

• We powered up our approach to advocacy, holding the line on commercial tax increases, advancing issues like SMR and the proposed entertainment district, and securing COVID relief for small and medium-size businesses.

Looking ahead, we’re eager to build on our renewed strength and momentum, focused on delivering exceptional member value and building a Chamber worthy of the great city we call home.

The sky is clearing. The shore is in sight. Momentum is on your side – and so are we.

2020 CHAMBER REVIEW is a publication of the

Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce 110-345 4th Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1N3 Phone: (306) 244-2151 chamber@saskatoonchamber.com www.saskatoonchamber.com Follow us on social media: @TheChamberYXE Copyright 2021

Jason Aebig, CEO

Carla Browne, Chair

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 2020

1,389

BY THE NUMBERS 1,494 2019

138

The Chamber has been t h e Vo i c e o f Business in Saskatoon for

39

NEW Members

Events put on by the 2017 Saskatoon 1,449 Chamber

1,883

118

2016

176 1,430

178

Elegible voters for the 2021-22 Board of Directors Election

YEARS

32.2%

2018

1,466

2,571

120 100

1,389

80

2019

40

60

1,494

153

20 0

2018

1,466

176

Canidates ran for the 2021-22 Board of Directors

9

180 140

2020

13 181

Certificate ofNEW OriginMEMBERS export documents 200 signed by the Chamber

Business Voice issues

180 178 176 Reporting Period: January 2020 - May 2021

160

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP

141

Eblast Open Rate

141 FISCAL YEAR GROSS REVENUE

2020 91

$1,010,003

2019

$1,401,335

2018

$1,448,177

$1,163,964 2017 2020 2019 2018 1 2 3 2016

Series1

2017 4

2016 5

6

$1,122,203

2017

1,449 176

178

141

181

153

176

2016

REVENUE BY TYPE

1,430

NEW MEMBERS 200 180

180

160

178

176

140

56% Membership Dues 141

120

FISCAL YEAR GROSS REVENUE

100 80 60 40 20 0

91

2020

$1,010,003

2019

$1,401,335

$1,448,177 2018 2020 2019 2018 1 2 3 2017

$1,163,964

2016

$1,122,203

11,655

F

Series1

22% Rebates & Royalties 14% Events & Projects 2017 4

2016 5

6

Fiscal Year: January - December 2020 SOCIAL MEDIA

3,530

REVENUE BY TYPE

Social Media Followers

8% Publications & Other

d 2,029 Õ

3,494

j

2,568

ù 34

2020-21 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Carla Browne

Graham Snell

Colton Wiegers

Chris Sicotte

CeCe Baptiste

Todd Denzin

Katrina German

Joseph Gill

Chair Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc.

Director Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)

Juan Godinez

Director ViviGro Sustainable Solutions Ltd.

First Vice-Chair Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan

Director Nutrien

Tara McKeown

Director Conexus Credit Union

Second Vice-Chair Wiegers Financial & Benefits

Director KatrinaGerman.com

Dr. Adam McInnes Director Med Hack Enterprises Incorporated

Past-Chair AON Reed Stenhouse

Director McKercher LLP

Sandra Ribeiro Director Canadian Light Source Inc.

Members play an important role in setting the direction of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce by nominating and electing other members to the board each year. This annual, city-wide election sets the Chamber apart from other groups and associations, reinforcing its unique role as Saskatoon’s voice for business.

Heather Ryan

Director Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL)

Tanis Taylor

Director CCA Consulting

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of our 2020-2021 Directors for their leadership and service to Saskatoon’s business community this past year. Our Chamber is stronger and better, thanks to you.

JANUARY 2020 - MAY 2021 NEW MEMBERS 222's Fastpitch Inc. Academy Studios Active AgriScience Inc. ADESA Saskatoon AEL Electric Ltd. Amra Dedic Realtor - Realty Executives Saskatoon AquaTemp Arbour Crest Tree Services Ltd. Axxis Motorsports Basic Truck & Trailer Repair Incorporated Bayliss Construction Ltd. Belong Lifestyle BerryFirst Natural Products Ltd. BLOK Dental Studio Breakout Escape Rooms and Board Game Lounge Brock Canada Cafooda International Ltd. Cambridge Homes Inc. Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan Carol Reynolds Communications CDS Group of Companies Central Avenue Health Centre Christina Cherneskey Communications CNIB Foundation Concept3 Business Interiors Connect Architecture Continuity CPM Group Dakota Dunes Resort Daycome Pharmaceuticals Ltd. dB Consulting Ltd. Destinate Group DJB Transportation Services Inc. Dr. Myat Tun Lin Nyo Medical Prof. Corp.

Dr. Perry Kurz, Orthodontist Enterprises Holdings Inc. Ernest Plumbing, Heating and Full Home Service ET Works Canada Ltd. Evolution Electrical Products Inc. Evolve Family Law Exquisitely Clean Service Fable Ice Cream Family Business Association of Saskatoon (FBAS) Family Legacy Advisory Group Fast Consulting Fitness 2J2 Flooring + Home Flooring Cache Ltd. Flynn Group of Companies Frances Murphy Fresh Dish Catering Freshslice Pizza Glassworks 360 Globex Management Corp.

Government of Saskatchewan - Ministry of Central Services GP Miller Strategic Finance Haven Family Connections Incorporated HearingLife House Creative Media Company HST Trading Ltd. imperial Janitorial Services Ltd. Innovation Credit Union Innovative Stonecraft Inc. International Indigenous Speakers Bureau Invisible Fence Brand of Saskatchewan Islamic Association of Saskatchewan Jamaica Food Basket JDS Building Supply Ltd. Jill Sauter Marketing & Communications

Jother Contracting Ltd. Just B Coaching & Consulting K.I.B. Cleaning Services Ltd. Kahkewistahaw Economic Management LP Keepsake Keto Candies & Chocolates Kingsmere Financial KY Fitness and Nutrition Inc. Laserology Skin Clinic LBF Business Consulting Living Skies Cannabis MAG Entertainment Corp.

Martin Charlton Communications Maschek Billiards Mayfair Diagnostics MetCredit Metis Nation - Saskatchewan Secretariat Inc. Neesh Dental Next Level Benefits OpenSail Digital Agency Park Derochie Coatings (Saskatchewan) Inc. Pelmac Stables Popeye's Supplements Saskatoon Prairie Bliss Botanicals & Laser Ltd. Prairie Harm Reduction Prairie Road Solutions Inc. Premium Fire Protection Ltd. PRIMECom Corporation Protein Powered Farms Inc. Push Interactions Raj Manek Mentorship Program Refreshen Web Design Restaurant Kashmere Rivercity Technology Services Ltd. Ryan S & E Trusted Online Directories San McNakar Consulting Inc. Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association Saskatoon Dermatology Centre Saskatoon ENT Clinic Saskatoon Medical Imaging Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel Sixteen Safety Services Inc. Smart Earth Camelina Corp.

Smokerbroker Holdings Ltd. SMT Business Strategies SST Trucking St. Paul's Hospital Foundation Staples Canada (8th St) Stardust Clothing and Accessories Sunnyville Farms Ltd. Sure Shot HDD Contracting Sutherland Beer & Wine Store SymmetryPR TCC Building Construction Management The Print Baron The Teacher's Trunk Store Ltd. Tim Hortons Tony Banik, CPA Prof. Corp.

TPK Management Consulting Inc. Union Freight Forwarders Limited Verolingo Communications ViviGro Sustainable Solutions Ltd. Winmar Saskatoon WINTERSTEIGER Wow Pizza YXL Real Estate Investments

ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS TAXATION • 2021 Provincial Property Tax Revaluation Consultation Made recommendations to improve transparency and lower the level of complexity.

• Municipal Property Tax Ratio Advocated for a favourable non-residential to residential tax ratio, setting the tone for accelerating economic recovery.

• Commercial Contingencies Supported contingencies for 2020 and 2021 while encouraging admin to find efficiencies and decrease number of appeals.

BUSINESS SUPPORT • Mandatory Masks The Chamber advocated for mandatory masks in public spaces.

• Deferral of Property Taxes and Utility Payments Extended deferral and repayment of property taxes and utilities on a municipal and provincial level.

• COVID-19 Related Supports Advocated for numerous other initiatives/programs including but not limited to: Changing labour relation laws, a Provincially funded rent bank, changes to CEWS, the lifting of the suspension of evictions, for supports to be extended to new businesses etc.

INVESTMENT

C

• Downtown Entertainment District Consultation with stakeholders and lobbying for the creation of a Downtown Joint Use Facility and Entertainment District.

•R

IN

•S h a t •M ( c

ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS

CRIME AND SAFETY

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

FISCAL MANAGEMENT

• Retail Theft Outreach with community on theft leading to further collaboration with SPS. • Saweyihtotan Supported the Indigenous-led homelessness and addiction pilot project and assisted in receiving further funding for phase two.

• Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) Recommended that the City develop a comprehensive Downtown policing strategy.

• See me As I Am Partnered in the national newcomer support strategy.

• Local Immigration Partnership Active member in the City run group that facilitates the integration of newcomers into life in Saskatoon.

• SOAR In partnership with SREDA provided grants to six promising Indigenous small businesses to assist in growing their businesses.

• Provincial & Federal Budgets Conducted a comprehensive analysis on both budgets to determine what matters most to Saskatoon business members.

ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS INNOVATION

COVID’S HARDEST HIT

GOVERNMENT PROCESSES AND EFFICIENCY

• VIDO-InterVac Provided continuous support for VIDO to expand its facility at the University of Saskatchewan.

• Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Policy Resolution Resolution passed at Canadian Chamber AGM with a 96% approval encouraging further federal backing.

• Hotel Industry Support Partnered with Hospitality Saskatchewan and Tourism Saskatoon continuous initiatives have been undertaken.

• Support for Canada’s Airport Recommended short-term rent relief and a longer-term stimulus package.

• Support for Restaurants Partnered in national initiative identifying programs, funding and legislation needed.

• OCP Consultation Ensured alignment with Chamber priorities.

• Crown and Agency Procurement in Saskatchewan Consulted on best value and transparent procurement practices.

•V V S •S R w b

EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS EVENT HIGHLIGHT SABEX: 25th Annual Premier Business Awards Gala

SUMMIT &

The Chamber celebrated the contributions, strength and resiliency of our Saskatoon Business Community in a carefully designed, safe event for an evening recognizing our Community.

Presented of the Cham featured a questions t our memb

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS SUMMIT & Mayoral Debate

Ch

Presented the Roundtable findings that formed the basis of the Chamber’s Advocacy platform. The SUMMIT also featured a Mayoral Candidate Debate to bring forward questions that had been strategically designed with you, our members, in mind.

Ad As Wa Je Ke Jo

EVENT HIGHLIGHT

Chamber on Tap Series

Power Lun

Advice from those who have started up and started over.

Asif Moola- Momentum Clothing Wally Start- Bamboo Shoots Jenna Dube & Taylor Morrison- Living Sky Cafe Kevin Sharfe- Sherwood Chevrolet & RV John & Barb Cote- Black Fox Farm & Distillery

A joint-use district, is o decided, wh done? Expe Sasktel Cen milestones,

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Power Lunch- Downtown Entertainment District

Pow

A joint-use facility, in a new and vibrant entertainment district, is on the horizon. Once a downtown site has been decided, what's next and how long will it take to get it done? Experts in facility development and leaders from Sasktel Centre and TCU Place, touched on the key milestones, timelines and factors that will drive the process.

A di you ees righ that

EVENT HIGHLIGHT

Power Breakfast: No Jab? No Job?

State of th

A discussion of legal options and best practices to needle you in the direction. Can employers require their employees to get a coronavirus vaccine? How can we balance the rights of employees and responsibilities of employers now that vaccine is flowing?

As we come Canada’s gr addressed t drive recove businesses

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

State of the City Address with Mayor Charlie Clark As we come out of COVID, what’s on the horizon for Canada’s greatest city? His Worship Mayor Charlie Clark addressed the current state of our city, what priorities will drive recovery and growth, and how we can help our businesses and neighbours thrive into the future.

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