Trying to find the right message this week has been a challenge! So much has happened in the past 10 days, where to begin?
And, as important as our AGM is in terms of our constitution and responsibility to you - I'll save the details for next week's message.
Last week, we had record breaking attendance at our Annual Mayor's Breakfast. Thanks to the expansion at the Travelodge - we can also accommodate that many more - so a sidebar to them for their support!
His Worship Mitch Panciuk delivered the Mayor's State of the City address to over 170 Chamber of Commerce members.The Mayor's Breakfast has been a long standing tradition with the Chamber and in his remarks, commented on the value of the partnership the Chamber and the City share.
As a Past President of the Chamber, Mitch commented on how he appreciates the level of accountability the Chamber expects of the office he now holds that oversees the spending of the near $30 million the City receives in commercial tax dollars. Partnership and collaboration are critical to the continued success of both economic growth and development.
We couldn't agree more.
At all levels of government, the Chamber is standing for the needs of business because without business, there are no jobs, without jobs, there is no tax base, without a tax base, there are no services. We are all part of this together and when government can stand beside business, reduce the barriers to growth (by reducing red tape that costs everyone time and money), there are more jobs, more opportunities and we all win. For a link to his full speech, please go to our Representing section below under Municipal Government.
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And now I want to fast forward to an event happening tonight (June 6) I'm really looking forward to attending
The Community Development Council is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a speaker event - hosting Gord Hume at the Empire Theatre. I'm grabbing the below right from the bio Ruth Ingersoll shared with me... I am very excited to hear him speak and hope the info below inspires to you come out to an event that is just as much about business as it is about community.
Gord Hume is recognized as one of Canada’s leading voices on strengthening local government, and is an articulate and thoughtful commentator on municipal governance and community issues.
“Getting Cities Right” is a powerful look at the enormous changes coming in our political climate today and the technology that is going to confront governments. "The Leadership Crisis" is Gord’s 6
th
book--an insightful look at the way we lead, govern and manage our towns and cities, and the people we elect and hire to run our municipalities.
He is a popular and sought-after public speaker known for his passionate and inspiring presentations. He has addressed major conferences and local governments across Canada, as well as in Asia, Europe, New Zealand and the United States. Gord was the keynote speaker at the UNESCO Congress on Creative Cities in South Korea.
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And I have to share how much fun it was to be on the dance floor with Bruce Bell (The Intelligencer) as my dance partner with this year's presentation of VIQ's Dancing with the Stars. Congratulations to the winners - in particular, our members who participated - Emily Quesnelle, Starboard Communications placing 2nd and Dave Allen, YMCA & Kim Bushell, Donini Chocolate who placed 3rd for their performances! Honourable mentions to
Dug Stevenson, Bay of Quinte; Sheri Meeks, Belleville Police Services; Buzz Collins, Quinte Broadcasting and Dance Instructors: Annastacia Smith & Crystal Clark, Ontario Dance Academy who gave their time! #membershelpingmembers
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A great visit to the Village Green in Foxboro last week - Membership committee Co-Chairs, Jessica Klein and Sarah Hannah join long-time member Karyn Wright who hosted a Cash Mob - bonus was 25% off anything in the store - but there are still some amazing plants and very interesting locally and Canadian sourced amenities at 535 Ashley St. You should go!
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LUNCH with HEXO's Dr. Terry Lake
Monday, June 10 - 12:00 pm
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Beyond Job Creation:
HEXO’s Investment in Our Community
As HEXO continues to ramp up operations at its new facility in Belleville, join Dr. Terry Lake, VP of Corporate Social Responsibility at HEXO and the former BC Minister of Health, as he talks about how HEXO is working with our local government, non-profit organizations and businesses to make further investments in our community beyond job creation. Dr. Lake will also touch on the impact of cannabis legalization on safety at work and answer your questions about HEXO’s plans and its long-term commitment to Belleville.
Bring or Buy Lunch
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UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Save the Dates
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Mayor Mitch Panciuk Addresses Chamber of Commerce
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Our Chamber members are invested and engaged in our community. Their interest in hearing about how our City plans to move forward was represented with over 170 people in attendance on May 29. If you missed it, read the Mayor's perspective on his first 6 months and outlook and aspirations for the coming year.
Thanks to Bell for sponsoring this event!
(photo credit - Michael Summers, Nesda Technologies Ltd.)
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Our Chamber neighbours to the east have worked through us to host the following event - and have extended the member rate to our membership.
Kingston is currently represented by the NDP official opposition and haven't had the opportunity to hear what the leading party has to say about some of the significant changes happening at Queen's Park. You may be interested to hear it as well...
The Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Honourable Todd Smith for a member only event, Friday June 14th at the Ambassador Hotel & Conference Centre
.
Minister Smith will discuss the cutting of red tape to ease the burden on small and medium businesses, broadband and cellular investment, the restructuring of the apprenticeship system in Ontario and economic investment in agro food in the region.
Over the last 7 years, Todd has been a strong advocate for the people in the Quinte Area, at Queen's Park. He has fought to get funding for small, rural hospitals, to keep demonstration schools open, and to be a voice for businesses in our communities. Todd has also put forward Private Member's Bills that help local families and businesses such as Garrett's Legacy Act and the Raise a Glass to Ontario Act.
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The Canadian Chamber outlined its election platform considerations on May 13 and we invite you to review the many different areas of interest/concern with regard to the issues you want to know more about with the upcoming federal election. We will feature different portions of the platform in the months leading to the election but if you want your sneak peek - please visit their site at
https://platformforprosperity.com/
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Member Discounts & Affinity Programs
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Chambers Plan is the employee benefits plan for small business. It helps you attract the high-calibre talent you need to be competitive – and hold onto them, too.
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Or contact your local representative
Matthew Howell
for more information.
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Dug Stevenson, Executive Director of the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board (BoQ RMB), will talk about the business of tourism, resident attraction and what products & services could be in demand. His presentation will help answer questions you have about our region!
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- New and young workers health and safety initiative – May 1 to August 30
Did you know that new and young workers are three times more likely to be injured during their first month of employment? The Ministry of Labour is conducting an initiative to keep new and young workers safe on the job. The ministry will raise awareness of hazards and check on compliance in the industrial sector.
- New employment standards online tool
The ministry has launched the Employment Standards Self-Service Tool. The tool is helping Ontario employers and employees understand and comply with the Employment Standards Act. It also calculates whether money paid to an employee meets the minimum standards.
- Students to visit small businesses
Students will visit more than 10,000 small businesses this summer, distributing free printed resources to raise awareness of workplace laws. They will also be conducting surveys to get feedback from small business owners on the ministry’s tools, services and activities for small businesses. This will be the seventh year in a row the Ministry of Labour has hired students to conduct outreach at communities across Ontario. Small businesses can also obtain information, free resources and tools by going to
Ontario.ca/ResponsibleEmployers
.
Summer is just around the corner. This could put outdoor workers at risk of certain hazards. Employers have a duty to protect workers from these hazards. Learn about the hazards and how to comply with workplace health and safety laws.
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Quinte Young Professionals present:
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Speaker Panel
Julie Sweeny
Ryan Turcotte
Amanda Lorbetski
Caroline Reiss
David Foote
Meighen Hodgen
Key-Note Speaker, Christian Jaehn Kreibaum.
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The New
VisitBelleville.ca
is now live! This is a great resource for tourists and residents alike. The site highlights all the amazing things to see and do here in our great city and puts our best foot forward when tourists are looking to visit Belleville. Whether your interested in
Arts & Culture and Live Music or
Family Fun and the Great Outdoors or just a great new
Restaurant to try this site has everything.
It features a terrific new
Community Calendar in partnership with
Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board, and allows you to easily find information on events that are happening. It will also allow you to upload your own events and increase the reach of your event.
So check out the site and be a tourist in your own backyard or pass it along to friends & family looking to come visit and show them what we love about this great city.
Do you have a tourist business? A restaurant, attraction, accommodations, or retail shop that you want tourists to know about? Contact
Matt Munro to learn about some of the great advertising opportunities that are available.
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Something big is coming this Friday... We’re celebrating the opening of Belleville’s newest summer hot spot. With bike rentals, ice cream and fire-cooked pizza all next to the playground and beautiful Moira River, there’s something for everyone.
Join us from 4-7 p.m. in West Riverside Park on June 7 for the official launch party with food, games, live music and more!
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We welcome you to join us for our annual Pride Parade through downtown Belleville. This annual parade is made extra special this year as we have officially become a regional Pride organization including Quinte West, Belleville, and Prince Edward County.
Whether you want to march or show your support by standing along the parade route and cheering on, we want you there!
Parade leaves EMPIRE SQUARE at 12pm(Noon) travelling down front street to Dundas, then following Dundas to West Zwicks Park for our Official ceremonies and PRIDE IN THE PARK event
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Looking for more Great Events?
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Closing Thought For The Week...
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5 Moira Street East
Belleville On, K8N 5B3
(613) 962-4597
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