Airdrie Chamber November E-Newsletter
COVID-19 Updates and Support
Programs Ended
 
CEWS & CERS
The current Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) programs ended October 23rd, 2021.
New Programs
 
A new program created to provide wage and rent subsidies for hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, festivals, convention centres and restaurants. Maximum wage and rent subsidy 75%. To receive this maximum, your business must experience an average revenue loss of at least 40% over 12 months (March 2020 to February 2021 as a comparison) as well as a minimum revenue loss of 40% in current month. The subsidy starts at 40% and matches the revenue loss up to 75%.
 
This program is open to businesses in all other sectors that have experienced revenue reductions of at least 50%. Maximum wage and rent subsidy 50%. To receive this subsidy, your business must experience an average revenue loss of at least 50% over 12 months (March 2020 to February 2021 as a comparison) as well as a minimum revenue loss of 50% in the current month.

Unchanged Programs
 
A revenue loss of only 10% is required. Businesses can receive a 50% subsidy of incremental wages (from increasing wages, hours worked or hiring more staff) compared to the spring of 2021. The government announced an extension to May 7, 2022.
 
For your employees, the government announced the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit extensions until May 7, 2022 with the maximum duration of each benefit extended by 2 additional weeks.

Full vaccination required for Restrictions Exemption Program
 
As of Oct. 25, Albertans now need to provide proof of two COVID-19 vaccine doses or a privately paid negative COVID test to access many restaurants, movies, sporting events and other businesses province-wide. More information.
Network In Person & Win Prizes!!
Come network in person and celebrate the Shop Local movement with a FREE launch of Airdrie's new online Chamber Market!

Airdrie.ChamberMarket.ca is where small businesses can sell their products, services and gift cards to consumers who can shop and in-turn support local! It's a win-win! 

Speaking of winning, we are giving away tons of prizes from the market at the event. Join us and enjoy a complimentary appetizer buffet, drink and entertainment by Airdrie's own Brandon Lorenzo 
Date: Thursday, November 18th, 2021
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM with a short presentation and prize giveaways at 5:30 PM. 
Location: Maritime Pub & Eatery (formerly East Coast Pub & Restaurant)
Cost: Free
The event is open to 100 guests and registration is required.
You must be in attendance to win prizes.

Please note: Maritime Pub & Eatery is operating under the REP Program with updates taking place on November 15th, 2021.
Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online Workshop
Psychological First Aid (PFA) focuses on the social and psychological support that people need most after experiencing a distressing event, providing humane and practical assistance in a way that respects their dignity, culture, and abilities.

These trainings will help participants to understand the most supportive things to say and do and will provide information about how best to approach disaster, pandemic, and emergency situations to ensure personal safety and the safety of others.

Date/Time:
Tuesday, November 16th
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Free to attend

Please note: this event will not be recorded due to the interactive and confidential nature of the workshop. If this time/date does not work for you, please email events@airdriechamber.ab.ca for alternative dates AHS is offering this webinar.

Save the Date - Annual Christmas Luncheon
SMARTstart Applications Now Open
Applications for the 2022 SMARTstart program opened October 25th. The program will begin in February and will be a mixture of virtual and in-person learning. Click the below link learn more about this award winning program, and see upcoming information sessions.
Shop & Win at ChamberMarket.ca!
Start shopping today! The first 50 shoppers to spend $50 will get $50 Chamber Market value offers in return while supporting local businesses!
Extend Your Reach to Your Current and Potential Local Consumers!
NO monthly or annual fees! We are waiving the one-time merchant account fee of $25 for the first 100 businesses who join! Apply the promo code SHOPLOCAL when completing your application*. You will also receive a $25 credit to your business to encourage consumers to shop for your products/services on the platform. At minimum you can list your business in the directory or sell a gift card for your services! All you have to lose is sales!

Record demand for ecommerce is expected to drive holiday spending online to $207B! With online spending remaining elevated and demand levels poised to surge, the online retail holiday season is expected to top $200 billion for the first time.
Bonus!! We are also offering 25 businesses, on a first come first serve basis, access to a photographer who will take professional photos of your products/services to promote online.

And... we will also run a paid promotion across our social media platforms promoting your business on the Chamber Market!

Don't miss out on these incredible opportunities! Our team is ready to support you through the onboarding process today.
Doing Days
Grace Lever is the founder of The Doing Academy, where she is devoted to empowering female entrepreneurs through a personal and professional philosophy centring on the simple concept of “doing.” Grace provides her global community of female entrepreneurs with the specific tools and strategies the marketing and advertising expert relied on while achieving such a remarkable degree of entrepreneurial success.

Michelle Neustaedter, a local Certified Clinical Counsellor, has been working through Grace’s programs to build her business. She is no stranger to the twists and turns that life can take us on in both business and life. She has faced many trials in life. As a wife and mother of 4 children and many difficulties along that road.

Through all that Michelle was still able to successfully build a business and when she started she'll tell you it was NOT easy! She had 0 clients, 0 resources, and 0 dollars. Slowly but surely she struggled her way through until she found Grace's programs which took out a lot of the guess and test that Michelle had been doing. They gave her straight forward tools that have helped her grow her business. And now she's here to give some of that to you.

She is calling these “doing days” because it is not just about learning something - it is about the practical application of that learning and taking massive imperfect action right now. So you will actually do what you are talking about during your 90 minutes together. On each of the doing days, you will go through a different business building tool.

There are 5 dates coming up and you don’t have to attend all of them, only the ones that fit into your schedule.
November 24th – Set and Forget Social
December 9th Million Dollar Mindset
January 13th – Social Selling
February 17th – Video Marketing
March 17th – Your Next Hire
Fee: Only $1
Help Shape ACC Advocacy!
Value Added Savings!
Cost-effective offsets and green energy to comply with new federal, provincial and territorial regulations.

Anova Energy is a leading Canadian energy brokerage and sustainability consultancy firm. Anova Energy extends services to chamber and association members seeking to cut their carbon emissions, whether they are looking to become more sustainable or meet their obligations under federal or provincial/territorial emission regulations. Anova directly negotiates and purchases discounted renewable energy, whether this be carbon offsets, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or Emission Performance Credits (EPCs). Without having to search for sustainability and carbon offset options, Anova provides both cost and time savings.
Meet Our New Members!
24/7 Maintenance Solutions
(587) 449-9110
948 Brewing Company
(403) 948-2337
A Fine Balance Health Care
(403) 540-8878
Alberta Bariatric and Lifestyle Clinic
(403) 960-1234
DaBomb Hot Chocolate Bombs
(403) 891-8571
Happy Paws Veterinary Clinic Ltd.
(403) 299-0336
Jazz Tax
(403) 973-9708
NRG Fitness Inc.
(403) 630-1553
QMBeautique Inc.
(825) 509-1905
Skyline Group of Companies
(519) 826-0439
Solitaire Home Inspections Ltd.
(587) 887-3386
Vena Mobile Health Inc.
(403) 999-7359
White Acre Realty
(587) 507-5173
New Member Spotlight
Welcome A Friend Indeed!

Please welcome new member Robyn Pearson, Owner / Founder of A Friend Indeed to the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce!

It's important to Robyn that seniors are not only supported but feel valued and significant. Giving them a chance to escape from the "usualness" of the day, she sees so much potential for access to creativity, fulfillment and active living with the support of a Friend.

A Friend Indeed offers customized Companion Care visits for your aging loved ones lifting a weight off of your shoulders helping you find balance. They schedule regular companion visits with your loved one on a weekly or even daily basis visiting seniors in Airdrie, Carstairs, Olds, Didsbury, Calgary and area.

Do you know your loved one's stories?

Check out A Friend Indeed's new Musings & Memoirs, Your Video Storytelling Production service. The ultimate gift to pass down. REAL stories about REAL moments with REAL loved ones. A precious keepsake for you now and for generations to come!
E-News Sponsorship Opportunity
This is your opportunity to become an exclusive e-newsletter sponsor and have the ability to customize your message every month to over 500 chamber members! That's close to 1400 active emails!

  • Cost: $150 per month (includes two newsletter updates to 700+ emails).
  • Customize your ad(s) for the top and bottom of the newsletter linking to your website.
  • Offer is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Members can sponsor for more than one month in order to maximize your message or promotions throughout the year.

Contact marilyne@airdriechamber.ab.ca for more information.
Airdrie Chamber of Commerce
102, 150 Edwards Way NW
Airdrie, AB T4B 4B9
403. 948.4412