CHAMBER CHAT - Week of August 17
We have a couple busy weeks ahead to wind down the summer and leading up to the golf tournament. Those of you with children returning to school are also no doubt trying to pull together supplies and prepare emotionally for the transition; we're probably all anxiously awaiting the outcome of the closest thing to normal we've seen since things closed in March.

Over that time, there will be opportunities for some quick updates from us here with events and webinars but we'll return mid-September with our focused Chamber Chat and the development of our new newsletter for community events through Discover Belleville. Watch for your opportunity to subscribe to that coming soon.

Thanks to all who have registered to join us on Wednesday - we have about 5 spots left - and we're looking forward to seeing those of you able to come then! We'll be outside on the patio where we can maintain physical distancing in an outdoor environment.

We're also looking at the Digital MainStreet project that has been expanded to include a number of partners, there is also an excellent program offered through the World Trade Centre at Scale Up RAP but if you're looking for something most local - I met with Jamie Hosking last week, the consultant hired by the City for the e-commerce assessment project. Read below for more details...

Please stay involved with the #CanadaUnited campaign - watch the video and share your own story of supporting local! CanadaUnited

As always, do stay in touch and let us know if there is anything we can do to help you!
Only a few spots left...
5OTH? ANNUAL CHAMBER
GOLF TOURNAMENT
A tournament like no other, ever before...
we are introducing some exciting and fun new elements to this year's event.

Register as a foursome, pair or individually.  We can team you up!

We are using the scramble format with a couple of twists! More to come!

Space is limited!
Tee times will be staggered starting at
10 a.m.

Fees have now been confirmed and register now to save your spot!  We will be in touch with details on fee structure and more, and to confirm your registration.

Thanks to our confirmed sponsors
Microage
Jack Cook's Wee Sport Pub

Expedia Cruises
McDougall Insurance
Montana's
O'Flynn Weese LLP
Sienna Senior Living
WinMar Property Restoration

We still have sponsorship opportunities available. 
Please reach out to Lisa Grills if you are interested in exploring options.
 
FREE HOTLINE for financial help
included in Financial Support section link https://bellevillechamber.ca/financial-support-during-covid-19.php
Get the help you need with eCommerce
I met with Jamie Hosking last week and while I've been hearing about the e-commerce advisor the City had hired to support economic recovery for local businesses - I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this resource.

It's my goal to ensure the information we share is truly useful and I'm excited about how easy this could be for any of our members who are wondering about their online presence. As an advisor, Jamie offers his expertise and background to help you figure out your next best move so I'd recommend you reach out for an independent consult but we're also working with Jamie to develop a Lunch & Learn series to begin in September.
As a Belleville-area business manager, web designer, digital skills consultant and educator, Jamie Hosking has helped clients learn and effectively use computers, software and the web to achieve their goals, improve their business, get that job they were aiming for, and improve their quality of life.
Over the past two decades, Jamie has created written content, produced events, crafted social media strategies, and helped build brands for everything from small businesses to global corporations.
To help clients as part of the Belleville eCommerce Assistance Program, Jamie offers web design and development, e-commerce planning and execution, branding and marketing information and consultation.
The Ontario government is investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to provide grants to help eligible non-profit organizations, including food banks, child and youth programs and Royal Canadian Legion branches, recover from COVID-19 and continue the delivery of vital programming in their communities. Read more…
UPCOMING WEBINARS
THIS WEEK

PENINSULA presents
webinars designed for business owners. Our goal is to give you tools to achieve a more productive, safe organization; ready for longevity!
Preparing for a second COVID-19 wave
Tuesday, August 18 - 3:00 pm

Balancing remote working and return to workplace
Tuesday, August 25 - 3:00 pm

Canadian Chamber of Commerce & TC Energy
Building Digital Resiliency during COVID-19
Thursday, August 25 - 1:00 pm
Digital innovation was the foundation that enabled TC’s employees to remain productive, collaborative and connected in the wake of the pandemic. Embracing change allows organizations to accomplish things they didn’t know were possible – it unlocks creativity and innovation, inspiring and motiviatng people to realize untapped potential and deliver outstanding business outcomes to build business resilience. 

Join Chris Foster, Vice-President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer with TC Energy, as he discusses building digital capacity and business resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Small Business Centre is offering a variety of free workshops and webinars to assist business in moving forward. 


RECORDED WEBINARS

Navigating Your Business To Recovery, With Desjardins 
Have questions about navigating through the government support programs? Want to learn more about ecommerce and cybersecurity? Or maybe you have questions about labour laws during the pandemic? We were joined by experts from Desjardins for a webinar to discuss these questions and explore how Canadian businesses can navigate recovery. 

Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Facebook
Facebook’s Summer Of Support
Facebook has launched a free six-week initiative called Summer of Support, designed to help business owners get the digital skills and information needed to navigate these challenging times. The program will feature a mix of content including free online training and live sessions. Each week will focus on a different theme and highlight different speakers, like basketball legend and entrepreneur Magic Johnson, as well as Chairman of O'Shares Investments and television personality Kevin O’Leary.
We have joined with RBC, other chambers and partners across the country to support the #CanadaUnited campaign. More details here and links to how you can help! BCC/Canada United

Every time you watch the video, RBC will contribute 5¢ to the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund. (up to $2 million)

The Small Business Relief Fund will supply grants to those businesses that meet the minimum eligibility criteria, including but not limited to, the requirement that you must own and operate a small to medium size business registered or incorporated in Canada, with annual sales between $300,000 and $3 million and up to 75 employees and hold commercial generality liability insurance in the minimum amount of $2 million. Full eligibility criteria and grant application details will be available at https://occ.ca/canada-united-small-business-relief-fund/
In case you missed it... we are developing the "Meet our Members" directory of stories - find those we've done here

Want to be our next feature? Contact Lisa to tell your story!
THE LOG CABIN IS NOW OPEN
Summer Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30 - 6:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday 10:00 - 4:00
Belleville Chamber of Commerce | www.bellevillechamber.ca