Thank you for supporting the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce! This WEEKLY email highlights information and updates from our Chamber, the Alberta and Canadian Chambers of Commerce, and our municipal, provincial, and federal government partners.
Be sure to watch for our weekly Member Marketplace newsletter on Thursdays featuring sales, promotions, accomplishments, events, and general awareness of our membership. Email [email protected] for info.
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The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce and Seven Generations Energy invite you to a webinar "Sustainability / ESG: What is Your Business Ready For?" on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:00 AM via Zoom. There is no cost to participate but you must register to receive the Zoom link.
Among the topics up for discussion:
- What’s in a name? What is the difference between sustainability, ESG, CSR, triple bottom, people, planet and profit, etc.?
- Why is sustainability important for businesses, all levels of government, individuals, etc.?
- What are some of the key issues in sustainability?
- What can you do to be more sustainable as an organization, community or as an individual?
- What does it mean to be a good ancestor? An introduction to sustainability and how sustainability impacts future generations.
- The Good Ancestor: How our social and environmental decisions today impact future generations.
- Business with a purpose: what does it mean to be a responsible company?
- There will also be time for questions.
Our guest speaker is Marie Jurcevic.
Marie is a Manager of Sustainability at Seven Generations Energy.
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We've teamed up with the City of Grande Prairie to deliver a series of free instructional workshops to support current business needs.
The goal of each session is to cover a specific topic in detail which will allow businesses to leave with a skillset or ability to action the content covered.
The next session in the series is Recruiting the Right Candidate and Keeping Them on Thursday, March 25 at 3:00 PM.
Recruitment isn’t easy. There are many factors to consider when trying to find the right person for your company. Join us on Thursday, March 25th with Jennifer Caseley from Caseley Consulting as she takes us through the process of recruiting a great hire and how to retain them once you find them.
To view our previous session on The Pandemic is Ruining Everything with Argyle Public Relationships, CLICK HERE.
If YOU have a topic you would like to see covered, or if you and your business have a skillset you'd be willing to share, please email [email protected] or [email protected].
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CHAMBER COFFEE BREAK
The next Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffee Break for members is THIS FRIDAY, March 26 at 10:00 AM .
These virtual events take place every second Friday and offer an opportunity for our members to network online.
The informal discussion includes ice-breaker introductions, questions of the day, and current news topics of interest.
For more information, contact our office by phone at 780-532-5340 or email [email protected]. |
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CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Membership renewal notifications have been emailed. If your business has not received an invoice for 2021, please contact our office by phone at 780-532-5340 or email [email protected].
Members are also encouraged to contact Leah Fujarczuk, Member Relations and Engagement, with any other questions including updating your account, enhancing your webpage, posting information, registering for events, accessing our digital sign and more. Email [email protected].
Members will receive their 2021 Chamber certificate electronically upon renewal payment.
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Contact our office for more information on the Partnership Plan:
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The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is offering the Edmonton Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) to businesses in Grande Prairie. TAP familiarizes participants with exporting resources to support the development of a customized export plan with the mentorship of industry experts.
More than 60% of Edmonton graduates are actively exporting to international markets and have experienced an average revenue growth of 24% one year after completing the program. Over $1.7 billion in export revenue has been generated nation wide by TAP graduates one year post-graduation.
We are in the process of recruiting candidates for the Grande Prairie session starting on May 10. If your company is interested in joining the program, we highly encourage you to apply today as registration closes April 26.
If you have any questions, please reach out to John Gerum at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce at [email protected] or 780.409.2128. You can also visit the Edmonton TAP website which lists the eligibility criteria as well as alternate dates at www.edmontonchamber.com/TAP.
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These recordings will be available to REGISTERED ATTENDEES for the month of March.
Log in using your email and password you used for Growing the North 2021 to access the videos.
Participants have been emailed with this information as well.
Thank you from the GTN Organizing Committee.
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Join the County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network for a Private Online Live Course With Disney Institute – New Date!
The County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network is pleased to announce that Disney Institute will be offering an exclusive 5-hour Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence live online course on April 7th, 2021 at 10 a.m. for our members.
Presented live online by Disney Institute leaders, Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence offers the opportunity to build knowledge and discover proven Disney business insights from our chain of excellence. The presentation will include Disney best practices in leadership excellence, employee engagement and quality service that can be adapted and applied to your own profession, team or organization to achieve greater results.
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The time has come to introduce the Northern Alberta Bilingual Tourism Network (NABTN) to the public. After months of planning the rollout, the Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta (CDÉA) is proud to unveil the website routes-ab.ca where visitors can choose from among some 200 attractions in Northern Alberta and use an interactive map to create a personalized itinerary.
Incorporated into the tourismealberta.ca digital platform, the section dedicated to northern bilingual tourism routes also offers internet users the opportunity to select a thematic circuit offering a variety of experiences. Equipped with this new, entirely bilingual tool, visitors from across the country can now access an infinite combination of points of interest and email their selection or share it on social media. An intuitive experience combining accessibility and autonomy awaits them with just a few clicks.
Le moment est venu de présenter au grand public le Réseau touristique bilingue du nord de l’Alberta (RTBNA). Après des mois de déploiement, le Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta (CDÉA) est fier de dévoiler le site Web routes-ab.ca qui permettra aux visiteurs de choisir parmi quelque 200 attraits dans la région du nord pour créer leur itinéraire personnalisé par le biais d’une carte interactive.
Incorporée à la plateforme numérique tourismealberta.ca, la section dédiée aux routes touristiques bilingues du nord offre également aux internautes la possibilité de sélectionner un circuit thématique proposant des expériences variées. Équipés de ce nouvel outil entièrement bilingue, les visiteurs de partout au pays peuvent maintenant accéder à une combinaison infinie de points d’intérêt, envoyer leur sélection par courriel ou encore la partager sur les médias sociaux. C’est une expérience intuitive qui les attend, alliant accessibilité et autonomie en quelques clics. |
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Alberta Perspectives benchmark survey:
Labour market and skills
Across the province, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce network is undertaking a large-scale business research program. With a goal of 750 responses, we need your help to shape future advocacy!
If you haven't already, please take 5 minutes to share your insights on skills, training, and Alberta’s current labour market through our annual survey. Your answers will help inform advocacy of the Alberta chambers network.
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your insights. To show our appreciation, you will be entered to win one of 20 $50 shop local credits.
The survey will close on March 26.
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Simplifying Federal COVID-19 Relief for your Business: CEWS, CERS and the CEBA Loan
Vexxit and the Alberta Chambers of Commerce are hosting a free webinar to provide simplified information on the big three federal relief funds, how to apply and what the tax implications are if you receive the funding.
Date: March 24 2021, 12-1pm MST
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Alberta’s Business Community and Post Secondaries Team Up on Talent Development
Alberta’s business community and post-secondary institutions are taking action to align skills development with labour market demands through a new Talent Development Task Force.
Led by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) and Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta (COPPOA), the task force will focus on strengthening the alignment of post-secondary programming with opportunities for business growth and expanding work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students. The task force will be comprised of regional representatives from the business community and post-secondary institutions, industry, and funding leaders.
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Enbridge Line 5 Letter
This special committee will study, among other things, energy security, the Line 5 issue, and the serious consequences of an energy shutdown for Canada. It will present a report to the House of Commons by April 15.
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ACC letter to Associate Minister Nally
The ACC drafted a letter to Hon. Dale Nally, Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity, expressing support for the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Canada's Montana-Alberta Transmission Line (MATL) Intertie Enhancement Project.
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Associate Minister Nally visit to Orion Plastics
Thank you to Hon. Dale Nally for highlighting Orion Plastics Inc who manufacture the middle layer found in PPE masks, including the masks supplied by our ACC partner SafeDay Canada! SafeDay is working with chambers and their members to meet all of their PPE needs and support the safe re-opening of Alberta's economy. To learn more about our partnership with SafeDay and the PPE products and services available to ACC members, visit abchamber.ca/pages/ValueAddedBenefits1
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Massive expansion of rapid testing in Alberta
Alberta’s government is offering millions of free rapid testing kits to public, private and not-for-profit employers and service providers provincewide. At least two million rapid tests will be available for businesses and sectors in Alberta. This follows the successful rollout of more than 1.2 million rapid tests to long-term care facilities, schools, outbreak sites, hospitals, homeless shelters and industries across the province. Any employer or service provider in Alberta can apply for the free rapid tests.
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Bill C-11 Joint Association Statement
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Helping train 500 commercial truckers
The Government of Alberta's Budget 2021 provides an additional $5 million to help train commercial Class 1 drivers. The Driving Back to Work grant program will cover up to 90 per cent of the cost of Mandatory Entry-Level Training to help eligible unemployed Albertans get their Class 1 commercial truck driver’s licence and pursue careers as professional truck drivers. The government also launched the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Training Program in November 2020 to help Class 3 drivers upgrade their skills.
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Working Parents Benefit application open
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Government of Canada supports recovery and growth of women-led businesses across the Prairies amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Government of Canada announced more than $3.18 million in top-up funding for Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund recipients in the Prairies. This investment, provided through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is in addition to the $12.3 million in WES funding previously provided to these organizations.
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Universal Broadband Fund-supported projects will bring high-speed Internet to Alberta communities
The Government of Canada announced over $5.4 million in federal funding for projects to bring high-speed Internet to rural residents of northern, central and southern Alberta, with an additional investment of approximately $3.7 million from TELUS. These projects will help connect 5,080 underserved households to high-speed Internet.
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Support to workers and families increases with the passage of EI legislation and the coming into effect of recovery benefit regulations
The government put forward legislation to increase the maximum number of weeks available to workers through EI regular benefits. This legislation, Bill C-24, received Royal Assent. Workers claiming EI regular benefits can now access up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021.
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Government announces comprehensive plan to better protect foreign workers in order to secure Canada’s food supply chain
Over the last few weeks, the government has worked to develop a tailored solution to accommodate the anticipated volume of TFWs arriving this spring. Part of this solution included a deferral for certain TFWs – including workers in agriculture, agri-food, and fish and seafood sectors – from the requirement to stay in a Government Authorized Accommodation (GAA) upon arrival.
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Executive Summit Series: Innovation in a Business-led Recovery
March 25 | 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. ET | Virtual
Get a front row seat at our upcoming spring Executive Summit where one of our two featured panels for the day will explore health technology and digital infrastructure surrounding vaccine innovation, medical technologies, health data, virtual health, digital health, tele-health and technology that will be necessary to respond to future pandemics.
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Anyone Can Be a Victim: How to Protect Your Business, with TD
March 30 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
March is #FraudPreventionMonth! Are you able to quickly and easily recognize, reject and report fraud?
TD Business Advisors are supporting businesses as they navigate through this unprecedented time. Join Dennis Parker, VP, Business Banking, Aaron McAllister, AVP Financial Crimes and Fraud Management Group, and Julie Lavoie, VP Business Banking for this exclusive webinar on:
- Going digital. Paperless solution options — what are they; pros and cons; things to consider.
- Managing fraud risk — internal and external forces to be aware of.
- Tips on protecting your business including current stats and trends businesses are experiencing.
- Where you can find more helpful resources on these topics?
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Applied Research: Supporting a Business-led Recovery, with Polytechnics Canada
April 1 | 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
As Canadian businesses look beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and toward recovery, many will want to revamp or re-tool their operations. This is where applied research can be a game-changer, a ready-made solution for post-pandemic economic recovery utilizing post-secondary innovation capacity to help businesses respond to challenges.
During this 90-minute session, Polytechnics Canada CEO Sarah Watts-Rynard will provide attendees with an “Applied Research 101” before being joined by the leadership of two polytechnic institutions and their industry partners. The panel will provide insights into the partnership lifecycle, including the initial challenge, the engagement process, funding, project activity and results. An audience Q&A will wrap up the session.
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