The Board of Directors of the Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our members and their communities for the continued support over the past year. We have many priorities at the Chamber this year, some highlights include improved promotion for Trade and Commerce, promotion of membered Businesses and Communities, opportunities for business networking, and providing a cohesive force while representing the local interests to all levels of government.
This column will be used to introduce our new Board of Directors and to inform the community of the benefits of our membership, the many events that we have planned, and a reflection on the past.
As the President I would first like to share some of our accomplishments. Our focus concentrated on building relationships within Chatham-Kent, one being the fruition of the President’s Forum. Under my direction the forum allowed for communication across a wide spectrum of local leaders. The first meeting hosted 21 groups and with combined effort great things took place. A great example was when the community rallied in support of WMLA and their quest for $25,000 from TSN/Kraft. The Chamber also entered into a Joint Venture with CiK Marketing. Owner Chantielle Kennedy created a program called Shop Local CK where businesses and community citizens could shop locally and receive discounts. This program was the perfect fit with our Business Membership and ended up replacing the Value Added Member-to Member Discount Program. By building this relationship the Chamber increased its membership above previous projection.
In November, at the Annual General Meeting we elected our new Board. The 2012 Executive consists of President John Ritchie, Integrated Financial Services, Vice President Carmen McGregor, Hyde, Hyde & McGregor, Treasurer Matthew Montague, TurnerMoore LLP and Secretary Mike Hatfield, Chez Denise and Greg Walton of Sobeys. The balance of the Board is made up of Gerry Flynn of M&M Meats, Ron Laroche, Community Living Wallaceburg, Greg Hetherington, CKXS FM, Fran Dobbelaar representing the Farming Community, Dan Chauvin, St. Clair College Employment Centre, John Salisbury, GSL Group, Gloria Tulp, Dresden’s Park Street Place, Kelly Hetherington, SunLife Financial, Whitney McGregor, Goodwill Future Focus and Brad Borland Canadian Tire. We are very excited about the diversity and strength that this will add to the makeup of the current Board. We would also like to make a special thank you to our outgoing Directors that gave of their time and made many contributions to our communities; Stacey Ewing, Benefit Brokers Travis Hooper, Southwest Community Credit Union, Janet Barnes, Community Living Wallaceburg, Lisa Nogeuira, HC Stark, Karen Verstappen, ER Schepens Electrical Services Limited and Karen Debergh, Freedom 55 Financial.
Throughout the coming year we have a slate of events and opportunities for members and the community. Our Membership Committee will be working hard at creating a new Membership Enrolment Packages for 2013.
Our Marketing Committee will be working on creating a Marketing Plan to redevelop our Illuminated Bridging Opportunity signs with target dates of 2013.
Our Special Events committee is working our annual Business Excellence Awards which will be held on April 26, 2012. A call for nominations for 2012 is in the works. Anyone wishing to nominate a Business, Association or Citizen that has worked hard for our community should contact Tina at the Chamber office 519-627-1443. Other events that are in the works are Lunch and Learns to includes information to our members about Toastmasters and another that will present the opportunities available through the St. Clair College Employment Centre that has recently opened on McNaughton Ave. and a Members Fair to inform and entice membership of the benefits we offer.
On February 2nd, the Chamber will be in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and our local MPP Monte McNaughton to host a roundtable discussion surrounding the concerns with WSIB. If anyone would like details please contact John at 519-626-9772.
Our first Community After 5 (CA5) will be on February 16th from 5-7pm at Crabby Joe’s. The Alzheimer Society will also be on hand with information regarding its growing concerns. The upcoming list can be found on our website or by phoning Tina at 519 627 1443.
Our Golf committee will host our annual Golf tournament to be held at Baldoon Golf Course on Friday June 15, 2012.
At the Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce we are working hard to increase opportunities for our Community.
John Ritchie, President
Wallaceburg District Chamber of Commerce