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, our municipal, provincial, and federal government partners, and more.
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.
|
|
The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce and the City of Grande Prairie have teamed up to deliver highly tailored instructional workshops to support current business needs in a virtual series called Serving Up Knowledge. The goal of each session is for business leaders or owners to leave with a skillset or ability to action the topic that is covered.
TURNING UP THE VOLUME ON YOUR MESSAGES TOGETHER
Thursday, May 27
10:00-11:00 AM
Presented by nine10 Inc.
Join Nicole and Marissa from nine10 Inc. as they share with you ideas and tools to use to Turning Up the Volume on Your Digital Messages Together.
Learn how to use partnerships and ambassadors to promote your business and expand your reach to a larger audience. Nicole and Marissa with share with you ideas for new innovative partnerships and ambassadors as well as the tools you can use to promote them.
To view or review last week's session, Step into Mobile Marketing with GetintheLoop, please click here.
|
|
CHAMBER COFFEE BREAK
The next Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffee Break for members is Friday, May 28 at 10:00 AM.
These regular virtual networking events offer an opportunity for our members to meet or reconnect online.
The informal event is intended to be a light-hearted discussion including 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]. |
|
Chamber Community Pulse Series
The Grande Prairie area has a robust and diverse economy. The Community Pulse series is designed to provide updates and insights from a variety of the industries, sectors, and organizations that make up the fabric of our unique and incredible community. Join us for this weekly series, helping us to share valuable information about our region and the people who make it special.
Our first session will feature an update from the President & CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, Ken Kobly, on current advocacy efforts on behalf of business as well as details from the most recent provincial survey on Skills, Training and Labour Market needs.
We will also be joined by the Chair of the Board for the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, Larry Gibson, and CEO Tanya Oliver, who will present an update on local activities and projects.
Wednesday, June 2
10:00-11:00 AM
No cost to participate but you must register to receive the Zoom link
FUTURE SESSION PRESENTERS:
June 9 - City of Grande Prairie Economic Development
June 16 - Grande Prairie Regional College
June 23 - Municipal District of Greenview Economic Development
June 30 - County of Grande Prairie Economic Development
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING PARTNERS: City of Grande Prairie Economic Development, County of Grande Prairie Economic Development, and Grande Prairie Regional Innovation Network; AND OUR SUPPORTING PARTNERS: Chambers Plan, Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region, GetintheLoop Grande Prairie, and HUB International.
Partnering with the Chamber provides great value in helping members to bring topical information and insightful presentations to the Grande Prairie business community. We have a variety of partnership opportunities available; contact Cindy for more information by email, [email protected] or call the office 780-532-5340.
|
|
CPP Investments – A global powerhouse, working on behalf of Albertans
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) plays a critical role in the lifetime retirement security of more than 2.8 million Albertans. It is also a major investor in some of the province’s largest companies and major projects, with over $10.2 billion invested in Alberta. Join Jeffrey Hodgson, Director, Global Stakeholder Affairs on Thursday, June 3 at 3:00 PM for a discussion on what’s ahead for the pension fund investment manager and its role in supporting Alberta’s economy, including the evolution of key sectors like energy and technology.
Registration details will soon be available on our Chamber website.
|
|
Hosted by Community Futures Grande Prairie & the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce; Powered by Project Gazelle
About this event
This book review discussion will explore four money mindsets:
1. In-Debt,
2. Break-Even,
3. Comfortable and
4. Rich.
Author Karen Sutton-Johal explains that each mindset impacts the way you make, spend, save, invest and give money. Through this book review participants will discover their hidden attitudes to wealth. Understanding these mindsets will positively change the way you think about money.
Get your book here!
Tuesday, June 8
11:30 AM-1:00 PM
|
|
FEATURED CHAMBER MEMBER VALUE ADDED BENEFIT
Our highlighted Chamber Member value added benefit this week is Purolator.
As a member of your local chamber of commerce you can receive volume discounts up to 45% on Purolator Express® and Purolator Ground® services.
Use the Purolator Mobile App, E-Ship Services and Online Billing options.
|
|
New Members for Month of March & April:
Dan the Stickman Ltd.
DRL Mechanical Ltd.
Drop the Shop Auto Inc.
Gaelan Sterr Enterprises Ltd.
Gel's Beauty Hub
Grande Prairie Minor Baseball Association
Northern Talent
RBN Supervision Ltd.
Solomon Okhifoh
Surepoint Technologies Group
The Eye Doctors at Grande Banks
Milestone Members:
5 Years
Inland Concrete
Kal Tire (Clairmont)
Red Rock Urban BBQ
Tanks Direct
Teepee Creek Stampede Association
The Jump Yard
United Rentals
10 Years
Fusion Business Solutions Inc.
Rotary Club of Grande Prairie
TMG - The Mortgage Group
15 years
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
Factors Western
Fundamental Technologies Ltd.
Tower Oilfield Services Ltd.
20 Years
Geo Con Surveying Ltd.
MLA Travis Toews Grande Prairie-Wapiti Constituency
Toyz Game Emporium Inc.
30 Years
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
Micro Computers Plus Ltd.
PLEASE NOTE: We no longer mail out your Member Certificate. Members can pick up hard copy at our office or we can email you a digital copy.
Directory Listing Enhancing- email [email protected] with your updated contact information, representatives, email addresses, logo, etc.
|
|
Contact our office for more information on the Partnership Plan:
|
|
Customer Service Excellence Blue Pin Certificate Program
The County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network is excited to offer a brand-new customer service certification program through Grande Prairie Regional College.
Customer service in your business is a major factor in keeping loyal staff who enjoy their work. During these exception economic times, having the staff who excel at customer service may mean the difference between keeping repeat customers and closing the doors on your business.
The Service Excellence Blue Pin Certificate is an employee retention strategy that focuses on training and customer service skills to front line professionals, management and supervisory staff. Providing the tools to your staff to provide exceptional customer service helps your workforce perform as a team and give awesome experiences to customers.
Participants will receive a certificate and lapel pin to signify completion of this program and participating businesses will receive door signage showing involvement in this customer service excellence program.
Funding for 100 participants (75 front line, 25 managerial/supervisory) is available through the County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network (BSN) for Employers looking to certify their Front Line and/or Management Staff and for unemployed or underemployed Albertans looking to further enhance their customer service career opportunities by completing the entire Customer Service Excellence Blue Pin program.
Funding for the certification program is made possible by grant funding from Alberta Labour and Immigration and the Destination Marketing Fund.
Please note that in an effort to support businesses of all sizes, larger organizations may be limited to the number of employees eligible for funding.
|
|
County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network Roundtable
Join the County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network members and other business community leaders in this open forum to share best practices, issues or solutions and industry trends, while helping to set the stage for future CGPBSN sessions, workshops or discussions.
Tuesday, June 8
9:00-10:30 AM
CGPBSN partners: Community Futures Grande Prairie - County of Grande Prairie - Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce - Grande Prairie Regional College - Grande Prairie Regional Tourism - Peace Wapiti School Division - Western Cree Tribal Council
|
|
for more information and to apply!
|
|
Major skills expected over next three years
In a recent survey conducted by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) network, valuable data were gathered in regard to skills, training, and the labour market. View the media release for insights.
|
|
Historic investment to create thousands of jobs
The Alberta Jobs Now program will provide up to $370 million to help private and non-profit businesses support much-needed jobs for unemployed and underemployed Albertans across the province and help Alberta’s economy recover. More than 22,000 Albertans will be able to get back to work through the largest jobs training program in Alberta’s history.
Employers can learn more about eligibility and apply at alberta.ca/jobsnow. They have until Aug. 31 to apply. A second intake will open on Sept. 15 and close on Dec. 31.
|
|
Chamber of Commerce Rapid Testing Process
The Government of Alberta is pleased to partner with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce to provide rapid tests to businesses.
The Chambers will provide businesses with an application form which includes the rapid testing guidelines and terms and conditions. As long as the business does not require any amendments to the guidelines, the Chamber can approve the application form and provide the business with the tests. (If modifications are required, the business would contact the Government of Alberta directly).
The business will be required to submit reporting to the Chamber each week including the number of tests that were used, the number of positive tests and positives were confirmed by PCR test.
In Grande Prairie, contact our office by phone at 780-532-5340 or email [email protected] for more information.
|
|
The ACC will be hosting its 83rd AGM on May 27 – 28, 2021. To learn more about this event, view the agenda and visit the event page.
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
|
|
SMERG - Spring payment portal is now open
The application portal for the third Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) is open! SMERG offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees that have faced restrictions or closures due to COVID-related public health orders, and have experienced revenue losses of at least 30 per cent. Hotels, taxis and ride-sharing services are also now eligible for this payment. Eligible organizations will receive a payment of up to $10,000.
Application intake for the program is open until May 31 with a budget of $350 million.
|
|
Interactive map breaks down Alberta vaccine coverage
Building on Alberta’s commitment to provide robust information to Albertans related to COVID-19 in our province, a new online map, released on May 17, breaks down vaccine coverage by local geographic area (click on "total doses administered" and scroll down).
Albertans are able to view the following information for their communities by age group:
· percentage of individuals who have received at least one dose
· percentage of individuals fully immunized
· total number of doses that have been administered
|
|
Vexxit Webinar Recording: A Guide to Vaccine Policies in the Workplace
|
|
Alberta's Mental Wellness Day for Schools
Alberta’s government is hosting a virtual Mental Wellness Day for Schools across Alberta on June 3. All students, parents, teachers and education staff are invited to take part in free online sessions on mental health and wellness.
To accommodate busy end-of-year school schedules, most sessions will be recorded and available to view online afterwards. Detailed information about the event, including how to attend, is available online.
|
|
Alberta Rural Health Week - Help Us Celebrate!
Alberta Rural Health Week is a great opportunity to honour the contributions of the rural Alberta health-care providers and community volunteers who help keep health care close to home.
From May 24-28, 2021, the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) is encouraging communities to show appreciation for the contributions of the rural health providers whose abilities enhance the quality of life in rural Alberta.
|
|
Amplifying live music funding in Alberta
Eligible live music professionals and businesses can apply through Alberta Music's website until all funds are awarded.
|
|
How Immigration Matters to Canada's Business Sector
The pandemic has highlighted the contribution of immigrants to the well-being of our communities and across all sectors of the economy.
Immigrants contribute to our economy by:
· filling gaps in our labour force
· paying taxes
· spending money on goods, housing and transportation
Through the #ImmigrationMatters initiative, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) is working to combine the power of storytelling with facts about immigration to promote positive engagement between newcomers and Canadians. If you are interested in hosting a community conversation about immigration locally, please download our toolkit.
While travel restrictions remain in place to protect the health and safety of Canadians, IRCC has announced new ways for those who have already been hard at work to stay in Canada permanently.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].
|
|
What you need to know if your employees use their personal vehicles for work-related travel
The Canada Revenue Agency is hosting a free webinar to help employers calculate, pay, and report automobile allowances for their employees.
Topics to be discussed in the webinar include:
- Definition of automobile allowances
- What is a reasonable per-kilometre allowance?
-
Why do you have to complete Form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment?
- Employment expenses your employees can deduct
- How to report these allowances
- When to exclude advances from employee income
- What should your logbook contain
This webinar is for you if you're an employer who:
- provides automobile allowances to your employees
- asks your employees to use their personal vehicles for work-related travel
|
|
Tax Form Buster: Which Tax Forms Do You Think Should Be Eliminated or Digitized by the CRA
Through our outreach with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and political offices, we have been asked to suggest ideas for tax reform. Please provide your input on specific suggestions for tax forms to be digitized, consolidated or eliminated through our Tax Form Buster.
Everyone has an opinion on taxes. We would love to hear yours!
|
|
Accounting for Crypto: The Future of Digital Currencies in Canada
May 26 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
The pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of payments and the proliferation of digital currencies on Main Street and Bay Street. Has a currency disruption tipped into a currency revolution?
This discussion will examine the rise of digital currencies and will consider how the shift will affect consumers, businesses, investors and governments.
|
|
Getting Canadians Back to Work
June 3 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
The pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of payments and the proliferation of digital currencies on Main Street and Bay Street. Has a currency disruption tipped into a currency revolution? This discussion will examine the rise of digital currencies and consider how the shift will impact consumers, businesses, investors and governments.
|
|
Big Data, Blockchain and the Digitalization of Energy
June 8 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET| Virtual
This webinar will explore the ways that big data is increasingly reshaping the distribution of energy and the role it and blockchain technologies will play in the years ahead. Areas of focus include the use of smart meters and big data to customize home energy use to achieve greater energy efficiency, the role of using new technologies to coordinate power grids that do not just distribute but also receive energy from renewable assets, and what the digitalization of energy will mean for the Canadian economy.
|
|
Women in Business Summit: Empowering an Inclusive Recovery
June 23 | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
This is not just another conference for women. Our Summit is about mobilizing the entire Canadian business community to apply its ingenuity to find the bold solutions needed for Canada to compete in a changing economic landscape.
The Summit will focus on ways to champion women, including:
1. Professional transitions and new opportunities for upskilling and reskilling
2. Creating more opportunities for BIPOC employees and equity seeking groups in the workplace
3. Mental health supports
4. Advancing female entrepreneurship
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
