Learn more about Chamber Circles for Women and Entrepreneurs
|
||
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 |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
For the first time since March of 2020, the Chamber hosted its first in-person Business After Hours event on Dec. 13 at Four Fathers Brewing Co.
It was a great opportunity for our Members to meet safely and reconnect with old friends and new ones.
We also took this opportunity to ask a few our guests the following question:
What will you remember the most about the pandemic?
“Probably how well we can pivot. People can pivot and basically take a look at things and do things differently.” - Tony Rossel, Best Version Media
“I will remember missing community and just being able to meet with people and see faces and connect in-person,” - Heid Brouwer, Galt Osteopathy
“Endless Zoom meetings and learning how to facilitate meetings. It looks a lot easier than it really is. And that the number of kilometres I’ve driven has been cut in half. We’ve discovered some creative solutions and so much work is now being done at home.” - Murray Smith, Blue Canoe Consulting
“How poorly the government handled this. They contradicted themselves a lot initially with what you should do – wear a mask, don’t wear a mask, wear two masks, or get the AstraZeneca shot, or no you don’t need the AstraZeneca shot. They tried too hard without putting any thought into it and it just never seemed to work. I will remember that indecisiveness – everything’s fine, or no it’s not. They didn’t lead well, and I will always remember how poorly they led us through this.” - Rick Gallinger, Top-Notch Concierge
“I will remember how much I missed being around family and people. Sometimes it makes us realize how grateful we should be when everything is good because we take a lot of things for granted, and we really need to be more thankful and more aware and enjoy every moment that we can.” - Maggie Herrington, Top-North Concierge
“I just feel so fortunate that we were able to continue to stay open and look after our customers. I feel like we’ve been really lucky, - Laurie Herald, Cambridge Tirecraft
“The fact we couldn’t have in-person social events. For me, I miss that interaction and I’m so excited that we are slowly getting back to reality. But the worst part has been looking at your family and friends losing jobs and having to stay at home. I have two stepchildren and the virtual learning was really hard for them. I think it was struggle for them and the teacher so I’m happy they are back in the classroom.” - Stephanie Jane, Marketing Manager at Four Fathers Brewing Co.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce is easing its way back into hosting traditional events.
After more than 20 months since the pandemic began, the Chamber is set to host its first in-person Business After Hours event on Dec. 13 at Four Fathers Brewing Co. in Hespeler.
Chamber President and CEO Greg Durocher says is an important step for the organization. “It’s a priority for the Chamber to start getting back to in-person events,” he says. “But whether they will be ‘normal’ as we all remember them, that probably won’t happen for some time.”
In fact, Greg expects future Chamber events will be of the ‘hybrid’ variation to a certain degree, providing Members the chance to attend in-person or remain in a virtual setting.
“That’s going to be for the benefit of everybody,” he says. “But we will certainly provide Members with value in regard to our content the best that we can.” He says having an in-person Business After Hours event is important to many Chamber Members.
“It’s important for people doing business in the community to have an opportunity to meet safely with others face-to-face,” says Greg, noting the importance of following strict safety protocols and restrictions set out in the Province’s Reopening Ontario Act.
As a result, participants will not only have to register in advance, but proof of vaccination is required as well as identification that matches that material. Just like restaurants, the provincial QR code will also be utilized at the event.
“Most of our events take place in other venues, such as conference centres, restaurants or meeting rooms that are not ours,” says Greg, noting regulations set out in the Act apply to these locations.
As well, the Cambridge Chamber Board of Directors recently passed a mandatory vaccination policy for the Chamber office for staff and visitors arriving for meetings or programs. Those with a valid COVID-19 vaccination exemption, or having valid documentation to present, will be required to take a rapid antigen screening test before entering. These tests will be provided by the Chamber at no cost.
“These are precautionary measures put in place on behalf of the staff because our staff want assurances they are working in a safe environment and we’re doing whatever we can do to make sure that happens,” says Greg, adding like many businesses, the Chamber office is also covered under the Reopening Ontario Act and is entitled to invoke a vaccination policy.
Creating a safe environment will also be key at the Business After Hours event which is why the Chamber will provide colour-coded lanyards to participants when they arrive.
“Each colour will indicate that person’s comfort level of contact,” says Greg, noting that physical distancing and masks remain important. “Some people are very anxious to get out and meet others in-person, and others are anxious to get out and meet but aren’t quite comfortable enough to do so.”
Business After Hours takes place from 5-6:30 p.m. For more, visit https://bit.ly/3pdiUVI |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Hello Chamber members,
Happy New Year to all Chamber Members and their families! With the holidays behind us, it's time to get back to the grind. There is no better time to start with attending our first Business After Hours of the year on January 13th at Betroth … The Wedding Store in downtown Hespeler. I had the opportunity of attending there grand opening and I encourage you to attend to see this unique facility !! Many thanks to Information Network Systems for sponsoring the entire year of Business After Hours come on out and speak to their reps they offer some significant savings to Chamber Members for office equipment.
Thanks to the Chamber members who supported with ads our Relocation Guide should be ready soon. The Winter Spectrum will be hitting the streets soon and the magazine just gets better and better if you are interested in the Spring issue let me know the deadline is March 10th.
Welcome to new Chamber Members in the last week or so…Retire at Home Services, Warriors Through Time, Danipa, ROI Capital, Argosy Securities and Long Bridge Inc, . Welcome to all these new members.
Hope to see you sooner than later. Happy New Year and remember shop Chamber members first!! Scott |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
Chamber Members,
It was great to see so many faces, new and old at the Christmas Business After Hours held here at our office on December 9th.. Thanks to Bruce and his team at Scotiabank for sponsoring and the fantastic food from Zoup and Strodes Catering. Cambridge Chambers Business After Hours provides a great networking opportunity (but only if you attend!!)..the good news is there is always another BAH right around the corner.
Interested in promoting to potential NEWCOMERS moving to Cambridge?....The Chamber is currently working on our new Relocation Guide (only printed every 2 years)….so if you are interested in marketing to this very targeted audience please drop me an e-mail at [email protected] and I would be happy to assist.
Welcome to lots of new Chamber Members in the last week….Emote Media, Warm Embrace, Sharkeys Insurance Group, Forbes Hobbies, ATZ Electric, Protrans Personnel Services, Ontario Sports, AMG Electric and Mill Creek Electric. Welcome to all these new members.
Hope to see you sooner than later. Happy Christmas Shopping and remember shop Chamber members first!!
Scott |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
Hello Chamber Members,
I had the privilege recently of attending the Annual Christmas open house at Pavey, Law and Witteveen. Always a great event and great food but better yet a wonderful opportunity to share some cheer with so many great members of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce . Our annual Mayors Breakfast was, as every year a packed house at the Galt Country Club. If you attended you know there was some serious networking going on. Keep your eye out and attend our next breakfast in the new year. Thanks to our breakfast sponsor Graham Mathew and Andrew Johnson from Sunlife without your support this simply wouldn’t be possible.
Welcome new member to the Chamber Grand Gifts.
Hope to see you sooner than later!! |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
Hello Chamber Members!!....Although it’s getting cold outside things are still heating up here at the Chamber. On November 27th we hosted a round table discussion with 24 New Chamber Members sponsored by Cowan Insurance Group. It was great to hear their individual stories, which they shared amongst each other and it was rewarding for us at the Chamber to see business being done. “People Do Business with People They Know”. Our goal is to try and bring people together through networking, providing our members with opportunity to make those connections.
We are looking forward to another busy week ahead with my favourite Breakfast of the year, the Annual Mayors Breakfast next Wednesday at the Galt Country Club. Thanks again to our breakfast sponsors Andrew Johnson of Sun Life and Graham Mathew.
Our inaugural year for the Not-for-Profit Series wraps ups with month and we were pleased that all 6 sessions were widely attended by our members in the not-for-profit sector. The new initiative was designed to help local non-profits learn, grow, and connect. All sessions were made available complimentary to our members, sponsored by Graham Mathew.
It’s beginning to feel like Christmas at the Chamber office as we get ready to host the Christmas Business After Hours. We hope that you will mark December 9th on your calendar and join us! Zoup and Strodes Meat & Deli will be providing the munchies this year and you will need to join me in the Scotiabank Photo Booth! It is also great opportunity to get reacquainted with the Chamber office.
The Business Development department will be soon selling two fantastic publications; The Relocation Guide is a very targeted magazine sent to people who are looking at relocating to our City and a brand new publication that will contain all the Chamber University online courses, which will be sent to 45,000 homes in Cambridge. If you are interested in promoting your business in one or both publications, touch base with Brandi or I at 519.622.2221.
We welcome the following members that join us in the past couple of weeks: My Walk In Closet, Kids Alive international, Valet Car Wash, Bloomingdale Auto Sales and Leasing, Canada Heavy Equipment College, Your Advantage Insurance and Fuzion Fitness. We hope that you will also welcome them.
Remember to support Chamber Members First!
Hope to see everyone sooner than later!!
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
|
||
The last few weeks have been busy times at the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce ... and we are enjoying it.
I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of Betroth Wedding Store. What a great concept all in one wedding store including holding the wedding onsite .Congratulations Ron, we are looking forward to the Business After Hours at your location on January 13, 2014.
It was great to attend the community lunch at Lang’s! We are lucky to have such a great facility here in Cambridge.
A special thank you to all the sponsors that have supported our events and programs during the last couple of weeks; Social Media for Businesses was educational,the Inaugural Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards, Gary Goodyear’s European Free Trade Agreement Session was very informative and provided a room full of attendees with great information. Thank you for Knapp Fasteners, The City of Cambridge, Mitographics, Can-Technologies Inc. and Noah Jensen for support this session.
If you haven’t considered advertising in our publication Spectrum we are currently working on our Winter Edition that is 80 percent SOLD OUT it will hit our 1900 members in mid-January a great option to assist with that winter sales drive.
The three area Chambers were extremely excited with all the positive feedback that was received from exhibitors and attendees. Special thank you to the Catering Sponsors, Media Sponsors, Exhibitors and attendees for making the 2013 Business Expo such a success. This is one of my favourite events of the year as I get to reconnect with old and new friends. It is networking at its best!!
New members continue to make the Cambridge Chamber a part of their business plan. We welcome the following members : Belmar Roofing, Wozniak Denture Clinic, Batteries Expert Cambridge, The Gardener Landscape Maintenance, KC Yard Care and Snow Removal, Kate’s Katering and Bakery, Worldlynx Wireless Bell Store, First Choice Computers DiPietro Fresh Meats.
Make a point to support our Members first! See you soon! |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
Brian Rodnick 214 October 7, 2024 |
Greg Durocher 41 July 28, 2023 |
Canadian Chamber of Commerce 24 January 29, 2021 |
Cambridge Chamber 2 March 27, 2020 |