Creating more prosperity

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“Come 2025,” says Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Rakesh Naidu, “we’ll be celebrating our 150th year in existence. But even 148 years in, we have so much to celebrate.”

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce represents the interest of all businesses throughout Windsor and Essex County, across all sectors and all industries. The Chamber’s members are made up of small, medium and large organizations, although Naidu estimates that up to 85 per cent of them are small and medium enterprises.

“Our tagline says it best,” he says: “In Windsor-Essex, we are The Voice Of Business.”

Longtime, thriving business leaders, as well as new entrepreneurs just dipping their toes into business ownership, recognize the challenges of business, especially in today’s economy. For this reason, Naidu says, it’s more important than ever to provide businesses with support and a platform where our needs, issues and concerns can be raised. “As an agnostic association, we advocate (for businesses) across all three levels of government. What we do, whether it’s on the municipal, provincial or federal level, is absolutely non-partisan,” he says.

“Because we are self-funded – our funding comes through membership dues and events – we generate our own revenue, which means we are not aligned with any party or its views or any political ideology.

“And for this reason, we can say wholeheartedly that we are truly a non-partisan, business-focused entity. That’s how all Chambers of commerce are set up, and by intent, meant to be non-aligned to any political party, ensuring transparency and fairness. It means zero influence because of funding, and an absolutely independent operation that is objective in the issues raised and policies that must be put in place.”

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce offers five tiers of membership: Gold Circle, Pillar, Community Builder, Connector and Business Builder.

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Each tier, beginning from the Business Builder level, receives member pricing at all chamber events, access to its benefits and savings programs, and a basic listing the Chamber’s online membership directory.

Connector members are also eligible to receive two category listings in the Chamber’s membership directory, as well as a 30-day online advertisement in the Chamber’s homepage and a member spotlight article in its electronic newsletter.

Community Builders can take advantage of three category listings in the Chamber’s membership directory, a 60-day online advertisement on the Chamber’s homepage, and a member spotlight article in its newsletter.

The Chamber provides access to all levels of government for all Pillar members, and represents their needs and best interests to municipal, provincial, and federal representatives. Members of this tier include Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Enwin, KPMG and Bell Media.

At the highest level – the Gold Circle – the Chamber makes a concerted effort to listen to their concerns both for their organization and for there sectors.. Gold Circle members include Enbridge, Green Shield Canada, Hiram Walker and Sons, Caesars Windsor, the University of Windsor and St. Clair College.

“While each tier provides different benefits, we really prepare by taking input from our members, reaching out proactively and inviting them to several round tables so we can get direct feedback, and network with some of the key stakeholders in Canada, or even outside as well,” says Naidu.

“While the topmost tier – the Gold Circle – is by invitation only, those who have contributed significantly to the Windsor-Essex region by creating a lot of employment and have significant influence in the sector which they operate, all members benefit at any tier,” says Naidu.

“This is because there is a whole matrix of benefits, whether it’s discounts for services that help businesses lower their operational costs, training programs, membership programs, virtual sessions or partnerships.”

Naidu acknowledges the value of what may very well be the most exciting event for many Chamber members: the Business Excellence Awards. Celebrating its 32nd year in 2023, “It’s a way for us to recognize all the great work these businesses do, but to also celebrate with them, give them a platform, and hope that such an acknowledgement will help take them to newer heights they may not have reached had it not been for this recognition or celebration.

“Our intention,” he says, “is that through the visibility they receive, they can get even more successful outside of Windsor-Essex, or even outside of Canada, to create even more prosperity in our region. And it’s celebrating our own. We take great pride in each Chamber member, because of all that they give to our community.

“They are the reason this region has and will become bigger, better and more successful.”

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