2024 Chamber Update

Chamber Office

The Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce Strategic Working Plan is a comprehensive plan outlines our vision, goals, and strategies to drive our organization forward.

Strategic Working Plan 2024 - 2026


Progression to date:


Stay tuned for some exciting news about changes to our membership levels, along with our new Member-to-Member Program. Discover how you can benefit from these exclusive opportunities through your membership!


The "Pinnacle of Business Excellence Awards", was held on Thursday October 24, 2024. The awards are a prestigious program that recognizes outstanding achievements

and excellence in various business sectors. These awards celebrate organizations that have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and leadership in their respective fields.

On behalf of the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce, thank you to all who attended the 2024 Pinnacle of Business Excellence Awards.

Congratulations to all the nominees and the recipients.

Thank you to Bonnechere Bakery & Bristo, for catering the meal. We extend our sincere gratitude to Stephen Lyons for capturing and sharing the stunning photographs of our beautiful area.

Thank you to Sherry Haaima for capturing the moments of the evening.

Thank you to all our Sponsors, the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and the volunteers who helped make this wonderful event possible. It has been a pleasure to celebrate and honour the very special members of our business community.

Photos by Sherry Haaima.


Congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients.

The recipients of the 2024 Pinnacle of Business Excellence Awards:

Business of the Year: King’s Offroad & Small Engine Repair - Sponsored by Gourleys Outdoors

Breakout Business of the Year: The Juice Box – Sponsored by BrokerLink Insurance

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Kinsey Maxwell – In A Bind Renfrew: Sponsored by RPM-Academy

Lifetime Achievement Award: Gourleys Outdoors – Sponsored by Chartwell Quail Creek

Employee of the Year Award: Tracy Essiambre – The Bruce Gannon Memorial Award – Sponsored by Renfrew & Burnstown Castle Building Centres

Youth Employee of the Year Award: Lacey Shea – Sponsored by the Renfrew and Area Chamber of Commerce

Hospitality Award: Bonnechere Bakery and Bistro – Sponsored by the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce

BIA Member of the Year: In A Bind Renfrew – Sponsored by the Downtown Renfrew-Renfrew Business Improvement Area

Chamber Member of the Year: Keith Gourley, Gourleys Outdoors– Sponsored by the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce

President’s Award: Jon Pole, My Broadcasting Corporation – Sponsored by the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber Board of Directors continues to meet in person and by Zoom meetings. Our next Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday December 17, 2024, beginning at 8:00 a.m.in the

Town of Renfrew Upstairs Boardroom.

  

127 Raglan St. S., Renfrew, ON K7V 1P8 Phone: 613-432-4848 ext. 181 Cell # 613-717-0395

info@renfrewareachamber.ca www.renfrewareachamber.ca

Have you heard about the Chamber Sticker Initiative?

It’s a fun and easy way to support the Chamber! For just $5, you can purchase a Chamber sticker and enter for a chance to win the Calcutta Cooler Bag, packed with various items from our members. The winner will be drawn live on Facebook on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!

The Calcutta Cooler Bag full of prizes for the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce Sticker draw keeps growing!

 

Sneak Peak at what you could win

if you purchase a Chamber sticker!

 

Gourley’s Outdoors - $300.00 Gift Cards & Koozies

Gourley’s Outdoors  - Calcutta Cooler Bag - $150.00

 

Renfrew Burnstown Castle – Milwaukee Heated Jacket

 

Renfrew Medical Esthetics - $200.00 Gift Certificate

 

Renfrew Wolves Hockey Organization – Game Tickets

 

Downtown Renfrew BIA - $100.00 Gift Card

 

Town of Renfrew – ¾ Zippered Sweater

 

Ontrac Employment Resource Services - Gift Bag

 

Renfrew Public Library - Four Novels

Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce Member Benefits


Did you know that as a member of the Chamber has its rewards!

Discounts from Esso, Freight and Group Insurance are a few of them. Contact the Chamber office for more information.

See below for some information on a couple of benefits that are available to Chamber Members.


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Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan



Learn More about the Chambers Plan Group Insurance


Welcome to Canada's #1

Group Benefits Plan


Exclusive Group Benefits for Chambers Members



https://www.chamberplan.ca/

Chambers Plan Employee Benefits

Chambers Plan is the #1 employee benefits plan for Canadian small businesses,

and it’s offered as an exclusive benefit for our chamber members.



More than 30,000 small to midsize businesses choose Chambers Plan to protect their employees with comprehensive group benefits. It's built for chamber members with 1-50 employees, including self-employed entrepreneurs, home-based businesses and farms.


Learn More


For more information or a free quote, feel free to contact

our designated advisor Heather Allin.



Heather Allin, CEBS

Broker

Email: heather@doucettinsurance.ca

Phone: 613-253-2410


      www.chamberplan.ca https://doucettinsurance.ca/ info@doucettinsurance.ca

You can also contact the Chamber office for more information regarding this plan. info@renfrewareachamber.ca

Compliant Policy Manual Done for You!

A 75-page HR Policy Manual from HR Covered

valued at $1500—it's yours at no cost!

Schedule a brief consultation to get your manual!

BOOK APPOINTMENT



Newsletter – November 2024 – HR Covered


Follow the link to view the services offered to our members.

You will have access to Newsletters, Blogs, and Webinars.

HR Covered Services

Partnerships, Funding, Events and Seminars

The Renfrew Santa Claus Parade will be on 

Saturday, December 7, 2024.


This will be an evening parade starting at 5:30 pm. There is no theme for the parade. Participants are encouraged to decorate their float in “holiday style” using lights.


One float per organization/business.


The route is from Muriel Ave/1st Street in front of St. Joseph's High School through downtown Renfrew following Raglan St. S. The parade will end at Munroe Ave. with "Pictures with Santa" immediately following the parade at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 148 in Renfrew at 30 Raglan St. S. 


If you are interested in being a sponsor for the parade CLICK HERE. Sponsorship will be granted on a first come first serve basis.


If you are interested in registering a float for the Santa Claus Parade CLICK HERE.


For more information contact our Programs Team. programs@renfrew.ca 613-432-4848 x 118

We excited to launch our new Downtown Renfrew BIA Corporate Gift Card Program.

Introducing a great way to reward your employees, whether you’re thanking employees or strengthening relationships, our gift cards demonstrate your appreciation, not only to the receiver, but also to your local businesses.

The program allows you to reward your employees with the only gift card that can be used exclusively at over 50 Downtown Renfrew businesses.

You can purchase your gift cards at https://gohello.ca/ybesvc


If you would like more information regarding the Corporate Program, please contact Wanda at 613 432 4848 ext185 or email info@downtownrenfrewbia.ca

Renfrew Seniors Home Support Events


Enterprise Renfrew County is pleased to announce two informative webinars for small business owners for the month of December.


  1. BDC Services for Business Growth – Discover Business Development Canada’s services and resources to help small businesses thrive.


Date & Time: December 5, 11am to 12pm

Link to register: Workshops & Events | Enterprise Renfrew County


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  1. Consumer Protection for Businesses – Consumer Protection Ontario from the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement will leading a session on consumer protection education for businesses.


Date & Time: December 12, 10:30am to 11:30am

Link to register: Workshops & Events | Enterprise Renfrew County


Both webinars are free and provide valuable insights to support business owners in Renfrew County.

RESOURSES

The Ottawa Valley Business Hive, located within Renfrew Town Hall at 127 Raglan Street South, Renfrew, serves as a central hub for valuable resources accessible to businesses in Renfrew and the surrounding area. Our office partners include the Downtown Renfrew Business Improvement Area (BIA), Enterprise Renfrew County, the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), and the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce.


For information, services, and more, feel free to reach out to any of our business partners:


Additionally, office and boardroom spaces are available for rent based on availability, with updated costs reflected in the Town of Renfrew Fees and Charges Schedule.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Access to up-to-date information that affect Canadian Businesses. Visit the Canadian Chamber of Commerce website.. http://www.chamber.ca

Did you know that membership with Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce has its rewards. Through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, members are eligible for discounts with Esso Esso Fuel Savings, Chamber Members Save Big on Shipping and have a variety of Resources. Programs and Services

Find out more about how we make decisions by reviewing the Operational policy manual, Employer Classification Manual, and Adjudication support documents. You’ll also find useful forms and fact sheets on a variety of topics, including benefit payments, and rights and responsibilities. Follow the link for access to these resources.

Resources for Businesses


As your health and safety partner, we are here to support you. To help kickstart your health and safety journey, we are excited to introduce a free orientation handbook generator. This tool is tailored for small businesses like yours to help ensure compliance and success.


Compliance has never been easier!

The handbook covers defining responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and essential safety policies, including orientation, workplace duties, violence/harassment, emergency information, and common hazards.


Customizable, compliance friendly, and free in three easy steps:

1. Click on Get Started

2. Enter your info and save

3. Download your handbook


GET STARTED

The Labour Market Report


We want you...to give your input!

Your input is important to help address labour market challenges. Our community partners are working together to develop homegrown solutions that work for rural areas. These consultations are used to exchange ideas and we can’t wait to tell you what we are hearing in Renfrew County.

Join the Renfrew-Lanark Labour Market Working Group for one of four community consultations as we tackle the challenging question of how rural areas can address their workforce needs now and in the future.

Register for Pembroke November 20th

Register for Virtual December 3rd

We value your input!

Our 2023 survey gathered valuable data that is not otherwise available in Renfrew and Lanark Counties. Highlights include...

  • 74% had difficulty hiring
  • 50% had retirements
  • 64% posted a position more than once because of limited applicants

We would like to invite you to participate in our annual Employer Pulse Survey.

Please take 4 minutes to fill out our survey!

Why Your Input Matters

By taking a few minutes to complete this survey, you will be playing a crucial role in shaping labour market solutions. Here is why your participation is invaluable:

  1. It helps us build innovative workforce solutions that are beneficial to the communities in our region.
  2. It provides real-time insight into how our local labour market is evolving.
  3. It informs our community of opportunities and threats to our local labour market.

How to participate:

To participate in the survey, click on the survey link. It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will be used solely for the purpose of labour market planning. The survey will be open till December 01, 2023.

Thank you for being an integral part of our success. We look forward to your participation and the continued growth of our partnership.

Employer Pulse Survey

Learn More

Did you know since 1901, the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce has been an active and progressive non-profit voluntary organization promoting the civic, commercial, industrial and tourist development progress of this great community.

Did you know that the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce is composed of the Township of Admaston / Bromley, Township of Greater Madawaska, Horton Township and the Town of Renfrew. We have representatives of each municipality on our Board of Directors. For more information for each municipality please follow the links below to access the

Township of Greater Madawaska Horton Township Township of Admaston / Bromley Town of Renfrew

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