As we - and your Board of Directors - get ready for “your” mingle this week, I want to reflect on why “Membership” matters. Over the past couple of years, we’ve spent a great deal of time defining the value of your dues and where you get that ROI or Return On Investment. Part of defining that comes from our past but also our current conversations with you – some who’ve been members for years and those just joining.
We created our tagline – Connect. Represent. Share. – to describe the means by which we help your business prosper.
As one of the oldest Chambers in Canada – celebrating 155 years in 2019 – the Boards of Trade were established to assist with economic development and trade relations between communities and even the United States. I look back through some of our old documents and marvel at the communication between us and Chicago (as one example) – where we were encouraged to support and promote opportunities of mutual benefit to both countries. There was also an ongoing push to support “tourism” or the Belleville area as a destination for conferences for the purpose of attracting new business and residents. Some things don’t change but evolve and ultimately circle back so no real surprise these are the topics around the table of the newly formed Economic Development & Destination committee and it is also (in part) where the idea for the www.visitbelleville.ca site was born. The other push was to mitigate regulation and government involvement in how business could or should manage themselves, which remains at the core of our mandate to protect, support and advocate for the needs of business to generate revenue (and yes, profits) but also to support the needs of labour force development and housing.
Your membership directly ties to our membership with the Ontario & Canadian Chambers of Commerce who take our local voice to the provincial and federal powers that be… regulation has been an ongoing topic of concern for many months now and both governments are acknowledging how legislation can hamper the competitiveness of the business climate across the nation. This is the one thing we do that benefits all members of the business community, whether they are members of the Chamber or not. Thank you for supporting that activity because you make it possible for us to continue this work.
While we connect and share this representation and advocacy with you in our newsletter when it is relevant, we also love the chance to discuss your particular needs for who you need and want to know. Some members just want to meet other members and those who get the most out of it, spend time nurturing the relationships with people they meet. Looking back again at the membership list and those who were involved in a variety of ways, so many who are now entrenched within our business community met their first clients and built their network through Chamber events and activities. Sometimes, we help by knowing who you need to know and making the direct connection. Other times, it’s about sharing what you’re doing with the intention of helping someone connect with you themselves. It goes without saying those who benefit the most are often those who put the most in - but even if you can't join us, you remain important and we will continue working on your behalf, behind the scenes as you do.
Our Member Appreciation mingle on Wednesday is that chance for us to connect with you, share your successes and represent what you mean to this community! Much as we celebrate your milestones and contributions at our Annual President’s Dinner in February, this is our mid-year check-in to keep us in your loop and continually exploring ways to help you Connect. Represent. Share.
Finally, your membership extends to your team, staff, employees – and they are all welcome to attend any of our events, get this newsletter, take advantage of our M2M offerings or even join a committee!. If you have someone new on board or someone looking to broaden their network, encourage them to join you!
We hope to see you there!
|
|
We're having our 2nd Annual
Member Appreciation
mingle!
Please join us so we can
Thank You
for being an investor in our Chamber and the advocacy work we do on behalf of our business community.
Crate Marine has a beautiful marina and NEW event lounge and they will be our host for the evening. Come out and enjoy some refreshments and networking , while having an opportunity to win a special door prize.
Join us on.....
Wednesday, August 14
5:00 - 7:00 pm
including the presentation of our
2019 CORNERSTONE CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Do you have something you'd like us to share?
An achievement, a milestone, a new product/service?
Please add this to your comments when you register.
|
|
|
|
2018 Cornerstone Citizenship Award
winner
Kristin Crowe
, owner of Alarm Systems is thrilled to present this year's award to our 2019 recipient.
We invite you to join us at the mingle and celebrate the incredible contributions this individual has made to our community.
|
|
Join us for an annual tradition.....
Two formats available -
Play your own ball
as we revive the old trophy and you can drive to have your name
included with past tournament winners like Roger Ling, Ted Hurst, Charlie Higgins, Joe Leggett, Stan Wilkinson and Vern Hartwig.
OR
Scramble (best ball)
where everyone has fun and you don't have to be a good golfer
to enjoy a beautiful day outside with friends.
|
|
We are still looking for members who would be interested in a cart sponsorship,
hole sponsorship or tee sponsorship opportunity.
Sponsorship information available
HERE
|
|
Wednesday September 25
-
Chamber Breakfast
|
|
Wednesday October 2 -
Chamber Federal Debate
|
|
Thursday October 10
-
Mingle at The Banquet Centre
|
|
October 22 - 24
-
Small Business Week Workshops
|
|
Wednesday October 23
-
MEGA Mingle at The Armoury, Picton
|
|
Friday October 25
-
Quinte Business Achievement Awards
|
|
Wednesday November 6
-
Mingle at BGH Foundation
|
|
Thursday November 14
-
Mingle/Open House at Belleville Nurse Practitioner Clinic
|
|
BELLEVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, August 12
4:00 pm
Council Chambers, City Hall
|
|
Canada’s Cannabis Opportunity: Let’s Think Bigger
It has been nearly ten months since Canada became the second country and first large developed economy in the world to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use. This bold economic experiment is generating new jobs and economic opportunity as thousands of Canadians have flocked to work in this bourgeoning industry.
With our head start, Canada has the potential to be a world leader in the nascent global cannabis industry as other countries liberalize their medical and recreational markets. However, taking advantage of this unprecedented opportunity means we cannot rest on our laurels about being the first, it means we must continue to learn from our experience and adapt.
|
|
ABOUT #OES2019
As the global business environment is rapidly changing, Ontario is faced with an unprecedented opportunity to position itself as a leader in the new economy. At OES, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and public policy officials will meet to debate and discuss how we can ensure Ontario is prepared for success and growth, and explore opportunities to navigate our unique advantages.
Don’t miss the opportunity to develop solutions to current economic challenges and explore new ways to build prosperity with visionary leaders from across North America.
|
|
Member Discounts & Affinity Programs
|
|
Chambers Plan is the employee benefits plan for small business.
It has everything you need to take care of your team,
at a rate that holds steady year after year.
|
|
Or contact your local representative
Matthew Howell
for more information.
|
|
Click
here
for trip details.
For reservation and booking contact Marjorie Carr-Braint at
Trent Travel - 613-392-3440
|
|
J
ust when you thought your website was search engine optimized and then mobile search optimized we have another challenge--voice search optimization. Yes, that’s right. According to Bright Local’s Voice Search for Local Business Study, 58% of consumers used voice search to locate information about a local business. Nearly half of that number (46%) voice searched every day and 28% about once a week. If you’re not thinking in these terms, you’re missing out on a lot of possible web traffic.
|
|
This fair provides a great place to market part-time or volunteer
opportunities within the Quinte area to current students.
Please register by August 30, 2019.
|
|
Pleased to announce that
Chamber President Jon Tuer
will be one of the judges at this year's contest.
Head to the Square on Sunday Aug 18 and cheer on our member restaurants!
|
|
Apply for the Women Founders Fund
The Fund
·
Up to $5,000 grants to support business operations or business growth opportunities.
The Perks
THRIVE Podcast for Women Entrepreneurs.
Eligibility
·
Applicants must be women entrepreneurs or women-led businesses. Applicants' businesses must be in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field.
Applicants and their companies must be based in Canada.
Funds must be used to support business operations or access to business or professional growth opportunities. Applicants must confirm that the company is a new initiative that could not happen without the seed funding or an existing SME that is augmenting their operations or ability to access business development. The company must be at least 51% women-owned.
Apply by September 15th, 2019 at 11:59 pm PT.
|
|
Congratulations to all of our member businesses who have been nominated for this year's Quinte Achievement Awards!
|
|
Business Person of the Year
Al Ladhani - 116 Bistro
Greg & Charles Murphy - Bay Tech Solutions
John Cairns - Earl & Angelo's
John Sheratt - Starboard Communications
John Paul Tedesco - Tedesco & Associates
Maurice Rollins - Rollins Investment
Hospitality/Tourism
Barn and Country Catering
Black Bear Ridge Golf Course
Bourbon St. Pizza
Burger Revolution
Capers
Chilangos
The Boathouse Seafood Restaurant
Regulated Professions
Direct Realty
Retail
Avondale Flowers
Finkle Electric Ltd.
Friendly Fires
GLI Promotions
That Special Touch
West City Honda
Trades/Construction
A&E Tile and Stone
Duvanco Homes
Malcolm Brothers
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Stephanie Rayton - Mommy Mops
Tim Keller - Loyalist Martial Arts Academy
Manufacturing/Industrial
GH Manufacturing
|
|
New Business
Belleville Senators
Diamond Physiotherapy
Mommy Mops
Shop Bay of Quinte
Signal Brewing Company
Sole Solutions
The 116 Bistro
Not for Profit
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Children's Safety Village
Community Development Council of Quinte
Hastings Housing Resource Centre
Hospice Quinte
Quinte Humane Society
Volunteer and Information Quinte
Specialized Services
Bay Tech Solutions
Crossborder Solutions
Hannafin Automation
KKP
Ontario Dance Academy
Rillea Technologies
Rosebush Energies
Runway Bridal
The Empire Theatre
Health and Wellness
By the Moon
Hitchon's Hearing Centre
Polish Day Spa Inc.
Loyalist Martial Arts Academy
Quinte Mind and Body
Step by Step
The Fitness Guild
Wellwise by Shoppers Drug Mart
|
|
The 198th edition of the Quinte Exhibition presented by the Belleville Agricultural Society is Coming! August 29th - September 1st
Featuring; Horse Shows, Dairy & Beef Shows, Midway, Agricultural Displays, Demolition Derby, Grandstand Entertainment, Truck & Tractor Pull, 4-H and, Horse Pulls, Exhibits in Homecraft, Natures Harvest and Much More!
|
|
Looking for more Great Events?
|
|
Closing Thought For The Week...
|
|
|
|
5 Moira Street East
Belleville On, K8N 5B3
(613) 962-4597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
