We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
We collect basic website visitor information on this website and store it in cookies. We also utilize Google Analytics to track page view information to assist us in improving our website.
Learn more about Chamber Circles for Women and Entrepreneurs
|
|
||
|
The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the nominees for its 2024 annual Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards.
The awards celebrate the successes and accomplishments made by the dedicated volunteers and staff of local not-for-profits and services clubs throughout the last year by recognizing the impact they’ve made in the community through collaboration and outstanding leadership.
This year, more than 50 nominees representing nearly 40 groups are being recognized by the Chamber in nine award categories. An additional award, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, will be presented to one individual who during the past 15 years or more, has made significant contributions to the community and whose accomplishments have brought recognition to Waterloo Region.
“We created these awards as a way to acknowledge how much we appreciate and admire these organizations and individuals and what they do to make our community a great place to call home,” said Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Durocher. “These awards are an important way to show these dedicated individuals who operate in the non-profit community that their commitment has not gone unnoticed.”
The awards represent a wide spectrum of categories highlighting the great work undertaken by these individuals and organizations. These include the Community Leadership Award, which is given to an individual who stands out because of their exceptional professional and/or volunteer achievements in the community, as well as the Arts and Culture Award, recognizing an individual or organization that has contributed significantly to the local cultural scene in the past year.
Several hundred community leaders and guests will attend the awards event on Thursday, Nov. 14, at Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. The ceremony is one of the Chamber’s most popular events and has honoured the contributions and achievements of these community builders for more than a decade.
Learn more about the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards.
The nominees and award categories include:
Community Collaboration Award
Community Leadership Award
Arts and Culture Award
Best Event of the Year Award
Volunteer of the Year Award
Organization of the Year - Under 10 Employees
Organization of the Year- 11 and Over Employees
Lifetime Achievement Award
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
The following profile appeared in a special edition of our Insight Magazine celebrating the Chamber’s 100th anniversary
Giving back to his community is something Murray Garlick takes very seriously.
For several decades, the retired Cambridge business owner and long-time realtor dedicated his time assisting the community by volunteering for several prominent organizations, including the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
In fact, when Murray was elected president of the board of the newly formed Cambridge Chamber of Commerce in November of 1972 at the age of 30, he was one of the youngest leaders in the Chamber movement provincewide.
“It actually melded together pretty well,” he says of the organization which officially came into being two months later when Galt, Preston and Hespeler amalgamated Jan. 1, 1973. “There was a fair bit of diversification on the board. We had lawyers, retail, and commercial reps which was healthy.”
This new business organization, created through the amalgamation of the Galt and Preston Chambers of Commerce and the Hespeler Retail Merchants Association, consisted of 24 board members including vice-presidents and members from all three of these organizations, among them the late Bert Boone, a local councillor and realtor, and Bob MacDonald, who owned McDonald Steel Ltd. in Preston.
Valuable business knowledge
“I welcome the responsibility of leading a team of such outstanding calibre,” Murray was quoted in the media at the time in 1972. “We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we’re convinced that we have a vital and important role to play in the new City of Cambridge.”
He had already been an active member of the former Galt Chamber for four years prior to serving as its retail committee chairman and vice-president, so he was more than familiar with the Chamber world.
Murray also brought a wealth of business knowledge to the organization where he would serve as board president for two terms - in 1973 and from 1983 to 1984.
“It was sometimes a hard sell. A lot people would ask ‘Why do I need the Chamber of Commerce?’,” he says, referring to those early days. “But the thing that really brought the Chamber together was when Art Mosey (formerly of Marshall Insurance Brokers Limited and later BGM Financial) proposed the group insurance plan.”
He says having that plan significantly boosted the Chamber’s membership, which up until that time consisted primarily of retail businesses.
“It became attractive for different industries to now join the Chamber in order to get in on the plan,” says Murray, noting that many retail businesses began to suffer when the John Galt Mall (now the Cambridge Centre) opened in 1973. “It was very viable in downtown Galt. The stores were all full and at one time, there were six or seven menswear stores.”
To keep that momentum going, he also played a key role in establishing the Downtown Cambridge Business Improvement Area (BIA) in 1976. The same year the Preston Towne Centre Business Improvement Area was also created.
Giving back important
Murray served as chairman of the downtown BIA as well and believes it was one of the first in Ontario, requiring him to visit Ottawa to see what systems were used in operating its BIA. He’s quick to point out the significant difference a between Chambers of Commerce and BIAs.
“The BIA is a retail association and it’s concentrated in just one area,” says Murray, noting at the time the organization put most of its efforts into projects to beautify the city’s core.
He spent 11 years as a downtown business leader, first with Walkers Stores on Main Street where he had been the youngest store manager in the company’s history before leaving to take over ownership of Barton’s Men’s Shop, another downtown menswear store located a few doors away, changing its name to Garlick’s Men Shop.
Tough economic times prompted him to make a difficult decision and give up his shop but in turn sparked a successful 38-year career in real estate, bringing his decade-long relationship with the Chamber to an end when he became president of the local real estate board.
“I was on that board (real estate) for quite a while,” says Murray, who is now enjoying retirement alongside his wife, Susan, spending his time golfing at the Galt Country Club and volunteering three times a week at Cambridge Memorial Hospital – both located a short distance from the couple’s long-time home.
He credits his late father, Fred, who was known as ‘Mr. Guelph’ due to his community involvement which included a stint as board president of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, for instilling the importance of giving back.
“My father always told me that if someone has a situation, and they are in trouble and you’re capable of helping them, then you help them,” says Murray. |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
The following profile appeared in the spring edition of our Insight Magazine celebrating the Chamber’s 100th anniversary
Like many couples, Art and Deb Mosey share many similar interests.
But it was their mutual interest in promoting the success of the business community that would eventually bring the pair together many years ago when they found themselves enveloped by their work for the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
“It was essentially a retail operation then. I think it had a couple of hundred members in Galt,” says Art, describing how the Chamber’s membership looked when he first arrived in the area in the early 1970s.
“The downtown back then was really thriving,” says Deb, who had already been immersed in the Chamber world since her father, the late Don Faichney, became general manager of the former Galt Chamber of Commerce two years prior to the big amalgamation.
“The funny things my sister and I did for dad and the Chamber,” laughs Deb, recalling how they once dressed up as ‘Easter bunnies’ as teens to promote a raffle the organization was running.
She pursued a career in nursing before returning later as a Chamber volunteer after her mother, Betty, became general manager of the still relatively ‘young’ Cambridge Chamber of Commerce in 1975 after her father passed away.
A paid position developed for her in the early 1980s when the Chamber struck a deal with Bell Canada to temporarily house its payment office at its headquarters in Preston after the company closed its Cambridge office.
“The Chamber took that on as a contract so people could still come into the office and pay their bills,” says Deb, who was hired to spearhead this service. “They didn’t know who to hire for this position because nobody was really interested working a six-to-nine-month contract.”
That led to an administrative position at the Chamber overseeing its group benefits program, which was launched to coincide with the amalgamation of the former Galt and Preston Chambers of Commerce and Hespeler Retail Merchants Association on Jan. 1, 1973 – the same day the City of Cambridge was officially born.
Benefits package program a hit
“The benefits package certainly broadened the horizon of bringing in Chamber members who were in manufacturing, or were service or supply industries,” says Art. “It broadened the scope of the different types of members.”
To say he knew the power of the program, the first of its kind for Chambers in Canada, is an understatement since Art was its official ‘architect’ after arriving to Cambridge that year to work for Marshall Insurance Brokers Limited (now BGM Financial) to develop its Employee Benefit and Life Insurance business.
Art had connected with the local company while still working for a large Toronto brokerage and implemented this new local plan following a year of intense study, which included reaching out to Cambridge businesses.
“We were able to bring a lot of new members with that plan. Most of them were smaller industries, plus we had an upper-level tier for larger companies where they could participate and get discounts,” says Art. “It was unique in its formation and was copied by the national plan (Canadian Chamber of Commerce).”
Creating the plan also gave him valuable insight into what the Chamber did for businesses and after being elected to the board, found himself moving up the ranks to serve his first term as board president in 1978, followed by a second term in 1991-1992.
“I think the general public maybe has never really appreciated the scope of the Chamber and its relationship with provincial and national Chambers to have more clout and knowledge in certain government areas,” he says. “Chambers are a voice and a very powerful voice throughout the country.”
Closer to home, Art says the Chamber, particularly in the 1970s, kept a very close eye on local government and served on its Government Relations committee.
“I sat on that committee making sure the city didn’t screw up,” he jokes, adding how Chamber staff and board members often attended city council meetings and reported back to the board. Art jokes city staff often inundated the Chamber with pages of minutes from its meetings, making it nearly impossible to review them in time to present a report at board meetings.
“I think they purposely swamped us with paper,” he laughs. “We became the critics of municipal politics, and that’s not to say we also didn’t criticize provincial and federal politics as well.”
Chamber has always advocated for businesses
Deb says at the time, there was not much trust, especially in regional government, following Cambridge’s amalgamation.
“With the amalgamation, I think people were on edge because they thought they were losing their identity,” she says, noting the businesses in the Chamber were a very cohesive group following the amalgamation. “Trust was built over time.”
Art agrees.
“The Chamber was considered advocates for business in a big way and that was the role we played, but it became more harmonized as time went on and we realized we didn’t need to be such big critics when municipalities did something,” he says. “We could find areas of common ground where we could convey our side of the story without blasting opinions out in news articles.”
Deb left the Chamber in the late 1990s to work with Art at BGM, where they soon married. Art and Deb sold BGM in 2006 but stayed on an additional three years to manage the transfer of ownership.
“You can only carry on in business for so long,” he says, adding being part of the Chamber was, and remains, a great way to be part of the community. “You really get to know what’s going on in the city and its relationship to other communities.” |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
Sometimes, yes only sometimes, do I feel sorry for elected officials at all levels. Now is one of those times, however, I also firmly believe it is their own doing. Some of the problems the Chamber and our colleagues provincewide and nationwide are dealing with right now is ensuring that all the issues related to businesses can get highlighted and dealt with.
The reason I say much of this is of their own doing is because, in fact, it is either the action government officials have taken, or it’s their inaction. This is, without question, a result of simply not paying attention to what is happening in the world of business.
Earlier this year, our former Past Board Chair Kristen Danson and I converged on Queen’s Park in Toronto for the Ontario Chamber network’s annual ‘Advocacy Day’ event. This was a time for us to meet with senior government officials and lay out the issues and solutions they can implement to assist businesses.
While this is extremely valuable and important, this is often just the beginning of the process. The wheels of government turn very, very slowly; Ontario Premier Doug has said this to me personally and that he is as frustrated as many of us are as well.
At some point, however, we need to get our provincial and federal governments to act, and act as quickly as we need them to act.
Connecting people is our job
Local governments are not any different, which is what I hear nearly daily from a business owner, contractor, or developer who is in the process to get some of the simplest answers out of City Hall. These answers can often take far too long and require correction. In some ways, I think politicians need to stay out of the way because they often slow the process down, but at the same time should be involved to insist on immediate action.
Another vital job we have as a Chamber is connecting people. You see, no one has ever purchased a major product or service from a company. You don’t buy a car from the manufacturer; you buy it from the salesperson at the dealership.
People are the endearing element in the equation of sustainable economic prosperity. So, we embark down the path routinely by creating programs and events that centre on connecting one another.
Among these is our new Chamber Circles mentoring program which enlightens participants on connecting and benefiting from each other's experiences and knowledge. As well, our staff regularly facilitates meetings with buyers and sellers to ensure that everyone understands we all do business with people we know, like and trust.
And finally, bringing our community together in these ways, working hard on behalf of our business community and the broader community to find solutions to our problems is at the core of our existence in this community.
It is why we’ve had 100 successful years of building, fostering, influencing, and leading our community in many different directions. We connect, we influence, we drive, we solve, and we are committed to you and this community today. We expect to be here for at least another 100 years, ringing a bell which tolls for you, too.
- Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Greg Durocher |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
One hundred years (plus) of economic history in our community is truly something that needs to be unpacked and we have been working hard throughout this year to capture some of those highlights over those years, even stretching back to the 1800s. Cambridge (Galt, Preston, Hespeler, and Blair) has always had a strong beat in its heart for industry. It’s not surprising since being located at the convergence of the Speed and Grand rivers where the water moves at a pace fast enough to turn mills that we quickly became a prized location to build business and community in the early days of industrialization of this country. I am sure that has been our collective “secret sauce” over the years. Our predecessors were innovators, dreamers, and action oriented. I can recall when I served on Cambridge City Council in the 1990s, walking along the Grand River on the Linear Park Trail with a senior staff member from the City discussing a ditch that ran adjacent to the river and the trail because it seemed an odd anomaly for nature to have left behind. I discovered nature wasn’t involved at all. In fact, during the early days of community building an early settler had come to Preston to find a place to build his mill operation. The Linear Park area, undeveloped, looked like the right spot to do that so he started to dig the waterway for the mill. Just as he was ready to open the ditch to the incoming water that would power the mill, his river access was denied, abruptly ending the project which, as memory serves me, was later revived in Hespeler. However, if you head out for a walk along Linear Park Trail today, you can still see the ditch, now overgrown, but still there.
Chamber history is your history
In the spring edition of our Insight Magazine, you will find some fascinating information on the building of this community and the integral part business played in that. The Chamber’s history is your history and the business community’s history tells the story of how we became who we are today. Innovation, determination, dedication, and a love for our community have always been the driving force behind our Chamber of Commerce. When we look around our community, we see evidence of our impact on the world. For instance, IMAX creator Graeme Ferguson was a Galt Collegiate Institute grad, and one of his partners Robert Kerr, former owner of Kerr-Progress Printing Company was mayor of Galt, and later Cambridge. Also, Cambridge-based Heroux-Devtek Manufacturing built the landing gear for the Apollo Lunar Module that landed on the moon. As well, COM DEV (now Honeywell) developed a spinoff company called exactEarth Ltd. (now Spire) that monitors all the shipping traffic in the world via low earth orbiting satellites which were built right here in Cambridge. That same company is also responsible for developing the key equipment on the James Webb Telescope which now allows us to see back in time to “first light”. These are just a few of countless others who are changing our world for the better, every single day. The Chamber solidified its purpose for existing through the pandemic, amplifying its dutiful responsibility for ensuring the voices of business are always heard and that economic vitality remains our No. 1 priority. We have always insisted the community’s problems become our problems to solve, and that we connect the community to those who can develop, provide, and inspire solutions that champion economic growth.
Test kits helped businesses
During the pandemic, even the Federal Government couldn’t figure out how to distribute COVID test kits to small businesses, that is until they mentioned their troubles to me. On a cold Saturday in March of 2021, I suggested to the Assistant Deputy Minister on the phone that the Chamber of Commerce could get them out faster than anyone, and we would be happy to help. Within a couple of weeks, we had thousands of rapid screening kits piled up at our Hesepler Road office and within a month, every Chamber of Commerce in Canada was distributing the kits to small and medium-sized businesses from coast to coast. Locally, we distributed about 1.5 million kits, and collectively Canadian Chambers of Commerce distributed more than 15 million. These kits not only assisted businesses stay open despite a tight regulatory environment but helped keep workplaces safe and employees feeling safe at work, which in turn saved lives. The Chamber is the place to turn when problems require solutions, where things need to get done, and where momentum must be forward moving. That is what we do day in and day out, and that is what we’ve done for the past century on your behalf, always keeping you in mind and community in our heart. We are just celebrating now the impact we’ve had in the past 100 years, which serves as a reminder that we have lots of work to do. The next 100 years begins right now!
- Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Durocher |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
Debating policies to create evidence-based solutions that will benefit the business community and province’s economic growth played an important role at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s recent 2024 Annual General Meeting and Convention in Timmins.
Approximately 100 delegates representing Chambers provincewide made the trek north, including Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Greg Durocher and incoming Board Chair Murray Smith.
“Ensuring businesses have the legislative backing and supports they need to succeed and prosper is at the core of what Chambers and Boards of Trade do and the policies approved at this event assists our network in creating a roadmap to make that happen,” says Greg. “The conference also provides a great opportunity to connect with other Chamber leaders and share ideas and best practices.”
This year, 28 policies were approved by the delegates covering a wide variety of issues that can directly affect businesses including labour, education, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing, and housing. These policies now become entrenched in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s policy ‘play book’ to guide its ongoing advocacy work at Queen’s Park.
The AGM, held April 25-27 and referred to as A Northern Experience, featured sessions related to the creation of a more prosperous business climate for success in Ontario’s north surrounding labour and supply chain issues touching on the needs of the growing EV market in the southern part of the province. Guest speakers included Minister of Mines the Hon. George Pirie, plus representatives from the mining and renewable energy sectors.
Another session focused on the OCC’s Economic Reconciliation Initiative, created in partnership with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, and provided delegates the opportunity to share challenges and opportunities with OCC representatives that they have regarding building relationships with Indigenous Peoples and businesses in their communities.
The OCC will now review their findings and report back to the Ontario Chamber Network with feedback and potential solutions.
Economic growth imperative
The need to create economic growth was at the heart of a video message shared with delegates from Canadian Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Perrin Beatty, who urged the government to modernize its regulatory framework.
“Requiring federal regulators to apply an economic and competitive lens would encourage manageable regulations and reduce the interprovincial trade barriers affecting over 1/3 of Canadian businesses,” he said, adding doing this would ‘fortify’ Canada’s economic foundation. “Modernizing our regulatory framework would cost the government little or nothing at a time when Canadians and businesses from coast to coast are struggling with affordability. The government should be looking to relieve financial burdens wherever possible.”
Beatty also stressed the need for strategic and long-term investment in infrastructure to create a “resilient network” of gateways and corridors.
“As the world increasingly needs what Canada can provide, it’s critical that Canadian businesses are able to get their goods and services to market reliably,” he said. “If we have learned anything from 2023 is that supply chains are only as strong as their weakest link.”
As well, Beatty also called on the need for the government to provide financial supports, like the CEBA (Canada Emergency Business Account) program during the pandemic, that require more tailored, strategic, and innovative solutions.
“The issue isn’t about how to bail out small businesses but how to build them out,” he said, adding collaboration between the Canadian and Ontario Chambers of Commerce, as well as local Chambers, is needed to make change happen. “The work of the Canadian and Ontario Chambers, and the rest of the Chamber network has never been more important than it is today. Canada has never more greatly needed what we as a network of Chambers can offer.”
Click here to see the OCC Policy Compendium.
Cambridge Chamber policies approved by Ontario delegates
The AGM provides an opportunity for Chamber leaders to come together to discuss and debate key policies that shape the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) advocacy agenda for the coming year. The Cambridge Chamber presented three policies which received overwhelming support from delegates:
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
Advocating for public policies that can benefit businesses has been a cornerstone feature of the Chamber of Commerce movement for generations.
The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, like many of its counterparts in the Ontario Chamber network, works consistently all year striving to translate the needs and wants of their members into potential policy resolutions aimed at prompting change at both the provincial and federal levels of government.
But this work, and the work of other Chambers, is often carried out without many of their members even aware there is a widespread network advocating on their behalf.
“This isn’t unique to the Chamber movement and quite common for any advocacy organization because it’s a concept so intangible to a lot of individuals who aren’t engaging in it and don’t necessarily understand the value of it,” says Andrea Carmona, Manager of Public Affairs for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Advocacy, I feel, is a little bit like a unicorn. When you’re a small business owner who is probably focused on keeping your business running, you’re more likely to be looking towards your local Chamber for what are the more tangible services they can offer – programs, events, and grants.”
She says collectively, promoting its advocacy work is something the Ontario Chamber network must communicate clearly as possible.
“It is kind of a difficult thing to explain to people, but really it’s all about amplifying issues and having a chorus of voices saying the same thing so that we can move the needle and make an impact,” says Andrea. “That’s ultimately what advocacy looks to do.”
Making that impact formulated the basis of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s recent Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park. This nineth annual event gave nearly 100 delegates representing Chambers provincewide, including Cambridge Chamber President and CEO Greg Durocher and Board President Kristen Danson, the opportunity to meet with MPPs to discuss various issues facing business communities.
Some of the key areas targeted by delegates included:
Although the Chamber network’s advocacy efforts are ongoing year-round, Andrea says Advocacy Day provides an ideal opportunity for face-to-face meetings and discussions with the decisionmakers.
“It’s all about ongoing engagement and follow up,” she says. “It can’t just be a single day of advocacy. We need to ensure Chambers are keeping connected with their local MPPs. A lot of this is relationship building since they see Chambers as a credible source for what is happening on the ground.”
Andrea says building those relationships sets the groundwork for support and the ability to drive change that can assist the business community.
“It’s a great opportunity to connect across party lines,” she says. “Politics is unpredictable, and you don’t know what is going to happen in 2026 so you want to ensure you are establishing relationships across the board. We are a non-partisan organization and of course the government of the day is important, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t be engaging with other parties.”
Andrea notes it’s also a two-way street for the decisionmakers who participate in Advocacy Day, as well.
“It’s such a great opportunity for them to hear about such a broad stroke of local perspectives across the province,” she says. |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
In the past year local businesses have faced many issues surrounding economic and labour concerns.
Despite these challenges, many have managed to prevail and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles which is why the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local business leaders to recognize their success through a nomination at our annual Business Excellence Awards.
“The hard work of our business community is something we should all be very proud of and celebrate, especially during these current economic times,” said Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Durocher. “Our awards are an important way to show how much our business community means to all of us.”
The Business Excellence Awards is the Chamber’s premier event and has honoured the achievements and contributions of business leaders in the City of Cambridge and Township of North Dumfries since 2000.
It features 11 award categories, most of whom require nominations. These include Business of the Year, Spirit of Cambridge, and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented to the owner or director of a new or existing business that has achieved great success this past year.
“We have so many dynamic and innovative young business leaders in our community,” says Greg, referring to this award. “This is a great opportunity for them to be recognized for their work at building a successful business.”
Also included among the award categories are the prestigious Chair’s Award which is selected among from among the nominees and the Community Impact Award which is presented to an individual who has contributed, or continues to contribute, to the overall prosperity, economic growth, or vibrancy of the community.
“These awards really speak to the calibre of businesspeople we have in Cambridge,” says Greg, adding the awards are great way to let others know what local businesses have accomplished. “This is the time to share your story.”
The awards will be held May 29 at Tapestry Hall. Nominations close Feb. 23. Click here to submit a nomination.
Award Categories and Criteria:
Spirit of Cambridge Award – This award recognizes an outstanding effort and commitment to making Cambridge and/or Township of North Dumfries a better, more prosperous community through corporate leadership and social responsibility.
Business of the Year (1 – 10 employees) – This award is given to a good corporate citizen who exhibits a competitive edge through technological innovation in one or more of three following areas: customer service; workplace environment, products and services, growth in business, employee retention.
Business of the Year (11 – 49 employees) – Given to a good corporate citizen who exhibits a competitive edge through technological innovation in one or more of three following areas: customer service; workplace environment, products and services, growth in business, employee retention.
Business of the Year (More than 50 employees) – This award is given to a good corporate citizen who exhibits a competitive edge through technological innovation in one or more of three following areas: customer service; workplace environment; products and services; growth in business; employee retention.
New Venture of the Year Award – This award is presented to a new or existing business that through innovation of design and technology has significantly improved the esthetics and functionality of their operation.
Outstanding Workplace – Employer of the Year - The recipient of this award goes above and beyond to ensure it provides employees with the best overall workplace, with a strong focus on a happy and healthy work culture and environment.
Marketing Excellence – This award is presented to the business or organization that has best demonstrated excellence, innovation, and originality in traditional or new-media marketing.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – The recipient of this award is presented to the director/owner aged 18-40 of a new or existing business who has achieved outstanding results by successfully building it up to a new level.
WOWCambridge.com Customer Service Award - Each month the Chamber has recognized an individual at a business who has gone above and beyond, providing extraordinary service in everyday situations. These individuals and the businesses they work for exemplify service excellence. This award is presented to one of those monthly winners as the Grand Award Winner.
Community Impact Award - This award recognizes an individual who has contributed, or continues to contribute, to the overall prosperity, economic growth, or vibrancy of our community through their business, volunteer or philanthropic endeavours, and exemplary overall service to assist others.
Chair's Award - The Chair's Award recognizes an outstanding organization or individual who makes an exceptional effort which goes above and beyond the call of duty in any area of business and/or community development. |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
The holiday season is not only a time for festive decorations and gift-giving but also an opportunity to foster camaraderie and build connections in the workplace and at industry functions.
Work-related events during this time of the year provide a unique setting for networking, as colleagues and potential clients come together to celebrate the spirit of the season. These gatherings, which can take place right into the New Year, offer more than just a break from the daily grind — they create a platform for professionals to connect on a personal level, share experiences, and build lasting relationships.
“You’re there to start building relationships because people prefer to do business with others they know, like and trust,” says Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Greg Durocher. “It’s not about being the salesperson, because you’re not selling a product or service, it’s about selling yourself and building a relationship to the point where people want to start doing business with you.”
One of the key benefits of networking during holiday season workplace events is the relaxed atmosphere. This informal setting allows professionals to get to know each other beyond their job titles and responsibilities.
Additionally, holiday season work events often include activities that promote team building. From festive games to group activities, these events create opportunities for collaboration and teamwork. Working together in a different context can reveal new aspects of colleagues' personalities and skills, leading to a deeper understanding of each other's strengths and abilities.
Also, networking during holiday events provides a chance for professionals to express gratitude and appreciation.
Embracing the festive spirit of the season, professionals can build meaningful relationships that extend beyond the workplace, creating a supportive and collaborative professional network that lasts throughout the year.
Here are some tips to make the most of business networking at this time of year:
Be Approachable: If you want people to know you’re approachable, remember that body language is important so try not to cross your arms and legs, or use objects (drinks or plates of food) as potential barriers. Also, maintain positive eye contact and lean in slightly to let others know you are interested and engaged.
Stay Professional: While the atmosphere may be festive, remember that you are still in a professional setting. Maintain a level of professionalism in your interactions, even in a more relaxed environment. How you greet people at these events can impact their perception of you. A warm and firm handshake, or a light touch on the arm or shoulder can create an instant bond.
Prepare An Elevator Pitch: Be ready to succinctly describe your business or professional background. A well-crafted elevator pitch can make a lasting impression during brief encounters.
Dress for Success: Wear appropriate attire. Always remember this is a business event. Festive and stylish is great, but flashy or too revealing can be unprofessional.
Limit Your Smartphone Use: If you can, leave your smartphone at home, or try to keep it out of sight. Constantly checking emails and texts while talking with fellow partygoers can send the wrong message.
Update Your Business Cards: Ensure your business cards are up-to-date and bring plenty with you. The festive season can be a great time to exchange contact information.
Express Gratitude: Send personalized holiday cards or emails to your professional contacts, expressing gratitude for the collaboration and partnership throughout the year. It's a thoughtful way to strengthen relationships.
Set Realistic Goals: Set specific, achievable networking goals for each event. Whether it's connecting with a certain number of people or initiating conversations with key individuals, having a plan can make your networking efforts more focused.
Join Online Networking Events: If in-person events are limited, consider participating in virtual networking events. Many organizations and platforms offer online gatherings where you can connect with professionals from the comfort of your home or office.
Utilize Social Media: Share holiday greetings and updates on your professional social media profiles. Engage with your network online by commenting on their posts or sharing relevant content.
Follow Up: After the event, follow up with new contacts promptly. Send a personalized message expressing your pleasure in meeting them and suggesting ways to stay in touch.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
|
Navigating the intricacies of entrepreneurship and professional growth in the business world can be a daunting journey filled with challenges, uncertainties, and a constant need for adaptability.
In this ever-evolving business environment, the mentor-mentee relationship can be a powerful and crucial catalyst for success and personal development, which is why our Chamber Circles program has been created.
The program – one for women and another for entrepreneurs - offers business leaders a platform to not only expand their network but explore potential partnerships with peers as they advance their own growth both professionally and personally.
The Chamber has enlisted a group of talented business mentors for each ‘Circle’ which consists of between four and five people who will discuss pre-selected topics once a month.
“Chamber Circles is a great way for business leaders to not only tap into our mentors’ knowledge and professional connections but can lead to networking opportunities with their peers as well as give participants the chance to cultivate their own skills and strengths,” says Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Durocher. “The monthly sessions will provide these business leaders with some added tools they need to enhance their businesses.”
He says the Chamber Circles for Women stream was created after the Chamber was approached by some female members requesting an opportunity to learn and collaborate with other women business leaders like themselves. The second stream, Chamber Circles for Entrepreneurs, is available to all business leaders.
“Having both streams provide a large cross-section of the business community the chance to thrive and succeed,” says Greg.
The program touches on a variety of topics, including bringing creativity into your work role, finding new ways to manage yourself and others, how to give and receive effective feedback, as well as a look at resiliency and the importance to continuously evolve.
“These are topics we feel are very relevant to operating a business in today’s economic climate and will give these leaders an even better foundation,” says Greg.
Click here to learn more about joining Chamber Circles.
A few reasons why joining Chamber Circles can assist your business: Guidance Through Experience By sharing their experiences, mentors provide invaluable insights that can help mentees avoid pitfalls and make informed decisions.
Accelerated Learning Curve Instead of relying solely on trial and error, mentees can leverage the wisdom of their mentors to gain a deeper understanding of industry intricacies, best practices, and strategies for success.
Building a Network Building a robust network is an invaluable asset, often leading to collaborations, partnerships, and a broader spectrum of career opportunities.
Confidence and Emotional Support Having a mentor provides a reliable source of emotional support and encouragement. This emotional support fosters confidence, helping mentees navigate uncertainties with a positive mindset.
Encouraging Innovation Mentors not only guide mentees within existing frameworks but also encourage innovative thinking. This dynamic approach to problem-solving is essential in an era where innovation is often the key differentiator between success and stagnation.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
Brian Rodnick 210 September 8, 2024 |
|
|
Greg Durocher 41 July 28, 2023 |
|
|
Canadian Chamber of Commerce 24 January 29, 2021 |
|
|
Cambridge Chamber 2 March 27, 2020 |
750 Hespeler Road Cambridge, ON N3H 5L8
Phone: 519-622-2221
Fax: 519-622-0177
Member Login