In this issue...
Your Low Down // What you need to know Lowdown
MP Sorbara rises in house to recognize the 27th annual Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards.
MP Sorbara rises in house to recognize the
27th Annual Business Achievement Awards.

 
Nominations are NOW OPEN! 

It's time to recognize Vaughan's thriving business community. 

Who has stood out this year for business excellence? 

Who deserves to be celebrated for their accomplishments? 

Who will you nominate for the 2017 Business Achievement Awards? 

Your Connection // Upcoming Events Connection
DON'T WAIT! REGISTER TODAY!
7th Annual Women to Women Symposium




Date: Tuesday, November 1st, 2016
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Location: Paramount Conference & Event Venue

JUST ANNOUNCED...
Romina Monaco

We're excited to announce that the Emcee for the annual Women's Symposium will be  Romina Monaco! 

We are also delighted to present Zahra Al-Harazi as this year's Keynote Speaker. Al-Harazi is the  CEO, Founder and Creative Director of Foundry Communications, an international multiple award winning marketing and communications studio.

York Region's largest women's networking event!
Did you know... the first 500 arrivals receive a FREE Swag Bag, valued at $200!!!

Sponsorship and Vendor opportunities available! 
Contact Jennifer for more information: jennifer@vaughanchamber.ca
or call 905-761-1366 ext. 221

Find out more!
Find out more!
 

Transportation & Rental Housing Forum

Tuesday, November 8th, 2016 
7:30 - 10:00 am

Location:
Château Le Parc Event Centre
1745 Langstaff Road, Vaughan 

Your chance to hear 3 different perspectives from 3 levels of government.
 
Join us as local leaders address topics and concerns on transportation and rental housing that are affecting the Vaughan business community.

Corporate Tables Available! 

Register Now!
 
BDC Small Business Week Event  Canadian Entrepreneurs & the Productivity Challenge

Tuesday, October 18, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
FREE EVENT!

Aloft Vaughan Mills - Tactic Room
151 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, ON L4K 0E6

Improving your productivity is essential for any business that wants to grow its revenues, profitability and overall competitiveness. But how can entrepreneurs boost their company's productivity? And where should they start?

Join Pierre Cléroux, Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC as he presents the results of a comprehensive study on productivity based on a survey of 1,500 Canadian business owners.

- Network with like-minded entrepreneurs
- Get exclusive best-in-class strategies to improve your bottom line
- Hear about Canada's first-ever business productivity benchmarking tool
Find out more!
Find out more!
Your Voice // Policy & Advocacy voice
Important Info for Businesses: Changing Workplaces Review

The Ontario government is contemplating significant changes to the Labour Relations Act and Employment Standards Act. 

Many of the recommendations, if implemented, could have serious implications on the cost structure and agility of Ontario businesses. For example, whether access to union certification could be expanded to industries currently excluded and if card based certification should replace secret ballot votes.   Other recommendations include... 
  • removing current exemptions for overtime
  • introducing paid sick days 
  • increasing the liability of using independent contractors, sub-contractors and temp agencies
This review also provides an important opportunity for Ontario businesses to speak up about the current legislative framework. 
For example, we can ask for the framework to be simplified to make it easier to interpret and apply in our workplaces. As well, we want to ensure our employment legislation enables businesses to thrive and grow, while respecting employee rights, in our fast paced economy. 

We encourage you to read the attached article, the Changing Workplaces Review and to have your important voice heard at this time. 

 
Small Business Too Big To Ignore Update

As part of the OCC Small Business Too Big To Ignore campaign, the Vaughan Chamber engaged small businesses in Vaughan on September 7th, to investigate the top barriers to small business growth - and identify solutions to overcome those challenges. 

Based on the session, our recommendations were sent to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to include in their final report - to be released during Small Business Week.

 
 
Your Membership // Benefits & Programs membership
New savings program - Just in time for Halloween! 


Your Network  //   September New Members - Welcome! 
  • Ceridian
  • Goldhar & Associates
  • Gotcha Covered Richmond Hill
  • iPro Realty Ltd. Brokerage
  • Marlenka Canada
  • Personal Joy
  • Shelley Shifman CPA CA
  • SpillAbsorb
  • UPAK Disposals
     
Last chance to get your spot! 
Show your community support on the 2017 Banners! 
 

This opportunity is only available once a year - claim your spot today!
Contact kelly@vaughanchamber.ca or call 905-761-1366 ext. 229  
Your Community // Events Recap community
36th Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, September 19th, 2016

We had a perfect day at our 36th Annual Golf Tournament at The Country Club! Thank you to this year's Presenting Sponsor isure. All of our corporate sponsors, including isure,  played a huge part in this event's success.

We are very excited to announce close to $2,000 was raised for Easter Seals Ontario! Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets in support of this charity, which helps kids with physical disabilities succeed. 
    


With a final score of 58, congrats to Espress Labs, our Winning Foursome  &  Dinner Sponsor at our 36th Annual Golf Tournament!    



VCC President & CEO Brian Shifman (right) presented long-standing past VCC Board Director Adrian Sturino of Scotiabank (centre) with a plaque of appreciation.  Adrian served on the Chamber's Board of Directors from 2012 to 2016.  Thank you Adrian for your commitment and dedication to the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce!


  

 
 Click Here to view the Photo Album.
CEO Speaker Series
Thursday, September 15, 2016
 
We had an amazing morning launching our new event - The CEO Speaker Series! Thank you to Presenting Sponsor  isure , Breakfast Sponsor  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP , & Host  McMichael Canadian Art Collection ! We were excited to have Donald Ziraldo,  Ziraldo Estate Winery  & co-founder of Inniskillin Winery, as our first speaker. Great conversation on business success, challenges, and best practices. 
 
 
 
 
Stay tuned for our next CEO Speaker Series,
Featuring  Robert J. Deluce, President & CEO of Porter Airlines Inc.
More details to come.