Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
  E-Chat - May 2019 Issue
In This Issue
From the Chamber
Upcoming Chamber Events
Chamber Member Events
Chamber Member News
Community Events/News
Member Benefit of the Month
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
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                       DEAR CHAMBER MEMBER                         
                    
From the desk of the Executive Director...

Spring is finally here!  May will be a very busy month here at the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce. We have many events happening this month please check out this newsletter to find out what we have planned.
  
2019 Membership Renewals were sent out by email in March if you have not yet paid your membership you will be receiving a reminder invoice. We ask for your prompt attention.

Important Notice:  Looking for 1856070 Ontario Inc. you promptly paid your membership by did not give your company name so we don't know who to credit. Please contact the Chamber office ASAP. Thank you!

Please note the Chamber office will be closed May 13th - May 20th for a week of vacation.  For urgent issues please contact Dez at 613-732-3333 ext 515 or Kaitlin at 1-866-413-7071 ext 7141.

Lorraine MacKenzie, Executive Director

Please keep the Chamber office updated with any changes in your business.  We especially want to know if you have moved locations, have a new email, new contact person etc. Email is the main communication tool we use so please make sure we have yours.

It is important to keep up to date on your membership in order to take part in the advantages. If you would like more information on what the chamber can do for you, please feel free to contact Lorraine at the office.

As a member of the Chamber there is an opportunity for you to host a Business After Hours event. Here are some tips on making your event a success.
  
The Chamber has a Facebook page. Click Here and make sure to like our page for new updates.
   
 
From the Chamber
 
 
UOV Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards
The process for nominations and choosing the finalist for this year's awards was a little different this year. We opened nominations for a month and accepted nominations of businesses, organizations and individuals for 13 award categories.

This resulted in:
Small Business - 24 nominees
Large Business - 7 nominees
Start-Up Super Star - 21 nominees
Best Community Impact - 25 nominees
Employee of the Year - 14 nominees
Agribusiness, Farming or Rural Achievement - 4 nominees
Construction or Skilled Trades - 8 nominees
Professional Services - 13 nominees
Tourism, Events or Promoting - 8 nominees
Creative Services - 15 nominees
Excellence in Education - 7 nominees
Food, Wine or Hospitality - 13 nominees
Customer Focus - 15 nominees

We then opened voting to get the top 3 finalists in each category. This resulted in 3,474 people casting votes for over 45,000 votes to be tabulated!

Top 3 Finalists in Each Category
Congratulations to the following businesses/persons who have been named the Top 3 Finalists in 13 award categories:
Business of the Year - Small
Joe's Family Pizzeria
Pick-It-Fence
The Nook Creperie

Business of the Year - Large
Giant Tiger Pembroke
Hyska's Independent Grocer
Whitewater Brewing Company

Start Up Superstar Award
McGuire's Donuts
Sugar Society
Wilkies Fresh Baked Bread

Best Community Impact Award
Canadian Cancer Society
Carefor
Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre

Employee of the Year
Brittany Pike - The Nook Creperie
Justin Zadow - Physio in the Valley
Pat Frasso - The Nook Creperie

Excellence in Agribusiness, Farming or Rural Achievement
Forest Cove Farm & Country Market
Hugli's Blueberry Ranch
M& R Feeds

Excellence in Construction or Skilled Trades
H & H Construction
M.A.D. Hair Designz
Saffco Electrical Heating & Plumbing

Professional Services Award
Dwight Montgomery - Lawyer
Mike Ogilvie - Mike's Tax Service
Physio in the Valley
 
Excellence in Tourism, Events or Promoting
Ottawa Valley Promotional/Inspired Events
Township of Laurentian Valley Skating Trail
Wilderness Tours Whitewater Rafting

Creative Services Award
John A. Butler Photography
Paperback Events
Sarah Neadow, SJL & Co. Events

Excellence in Education
Algonquin College Waterfront Campus
Lil' Troopers North - PMFRC
Wise Owl Day Day Centre

Excellence in Food, Wine or Hospitality
Thai Gardens
The Nook Creperie
Ullrich's

Customer Focus Award
Crazy Beautiful Dresses
Joe's Family Pizzeria
Sugar Society
Ed Chow To Receive Lifetime Business Achievement Award
The Board of Directors recently announced that Edwin Chow will receive this year's Lifetime Business Achievement at the UOV Business Excellence Awards on Friday May 31st, 2019 at the Germania Hall in Pembroke.


Upcoming Chamber Events
 
Mayor's Business Breakfast - Tuesday May 21st


Best of Iceland Webinar or In-Person - Wed. May 22nd


Grand Opening of UOVCC New Office - Thurs. May 23rd


In-Person Presentation for Both Trips - Peru Express & Best of Iceland - Wed. May 29th
Join the Chamber, TravelOnly Brian Kendrick and Indus Travels as we present an overview of the 2 trips the UOVCC has scheduled - Peru Express and Best of Iceland.  

5:30 pm at the Best Western Pembroke Inn
Click to register for In-person presentation for trips

Free Business Event - Thurs. May 30th


UOV Chamber Business Excellence Awards - Friday May 31st 



Chamber Member Events
Ottawa Valley First Aid - Courses Available
If you or your employees are needing a CPR or First Aid Certification we can help you out. Ottawa Valley First Aid is a Red Cross training partner that puts emphasis on participants understanding and feeling confident to deal with emergency situations. We also have the reputation of making the class enjoyable and entertaining!
We have a public course coming up in Pembroke on June 19th 7 20th.  We can also do private courses on site if you have 8 or more people and a suitable location.
To book online or for more information visit us at www.ottawavalleyfirstaid.com email [email protected] or call 343-369-6218

17th Annual Options Skilled Trades Career Fair - May 15th
The award-winning Options Skilled Trades Career Fair program has been introducing youth in Renfrew County to skilled trades career opportunities for over 15 years. This one-day showcase of apprenticeship training is one of the largest regional skilled trades showcases in Eastern Ontario.
This year's event will be Wednesday May 15th, 2019, 9am to 2 pm. Opening ceremonies start at 8:15 am and competition winners will be announced at 2:15 pm.  It will be held at the Pembroke Memorial Centre.

Algonquin Spring Business Leadership Conference - Thursday May 23rd
In response to Renfrew County's growing need for local, affordable, and quality professional development opportunities, Algonquin College and Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, are partnering to present this conference opportunity again this year on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the Pembroke Waterfront Campus.
For full details on the two keynote speakers and workshops head to 
     

Chamber Member News

Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre - Spring Leaf & Yard Waste
Click here to read the recent article on the Spring Leaf & Yard Waste.




Community Events/News

 Downtown Pembroke Shop Hop Thursday Dec 13th


W.T.F. Wine Tasting Friday at Museum
On Friday May 10th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the Champlain Trail Museum will be hosting their annual WTF - Wine Tasting Friday event fundraiser. Come and enjoy a sampling from Pelee Island Winery and our local Brewers Edge paired with delicious samples of cheese by St. Albert's Cheese and Ivanhoe Cheese courtesy of Gay Lea Foods.  Mouth-watering hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Ullrich's on Main.
Tickets are $25.00 per person and can be purchased in advance at the Museum or online at


Downtown Shop Hop - May 23rd






Member Benefit of the Month
First Data - Clover Flex

Ontario Chamber of Commerce
 
Supporting Ontario's Budding Cannabis Industry
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce just released a report click the link below to find the media release and the link to the report.

UOVCC Attended the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM
Lorraine MacKenzie, Executive Director had the privilege to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in Muskoka May 2nd - May 5th. The strength of the Ontario Chamber Network was on full display with 114 delegates representing 94 Chambers and Boards of Trade in attendance. The attendance of all four political party leaders, demonstrated the collective strength of our voice and the importance of the work we do.
Lorraine carried the vote of the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce as well as the vote of the Greater Arnprior Chamber of Commerce.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Be Prepared for the Upcoming Federal Election - Vote Prosperity
In mid May the Canadian Chamber of Commerce will launch their Vote Prosperity campaign. Watch for details on the CCC key priorities to help in having discussions with candidates leading up to the election. These discussion need to be beneficial and productive for both businesses and communities.
As a Chamber Member we are happy to include your event in our newsletter. Please submit to the Chamber office. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
  
Sincerely,
  

Lorraine MacKenzie - Executive Director   

Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce

224 Pembroke St W

Pembroke ON K8A 5N2

Phone (613) 732 - 1492