Chamber in a Minute
Chamber in a Minute
October
Hello from the folks at the Chamber of Commerce. With many events either on the go or well into the planning stages, we have been running hard to get it all done. I’ve had a chance to chat with a few of the businesses and people that attended the Giant Garage Sale a couple of weeks back and am pleased to have heard it was a huge success. Congratulations to the members in the background and participating businesses that made this a great event. Due to popular request, plans are in the works to make this an annual event.
Speaking of congratulations, Small Business Week is in full swing. This is our chance to recognize those businesses in our community that excel. You can nominate any business for an award, the nomination forms can be found in the local newspaper or most merchants in town. Please do take the time to let us know who has provided you great services or products, they deserve a pat on the back.
We get Small Business Week going with the “Breakfast Kick-off” on Oct 19 at the School of Hope. Along with a free breakfast our mayor, Bruce Marriott, will speak on current events in our community. As an added bonus you’ll have a chance to meet and chat with local business members.
We finish off Small Business Week with the awards Luncheon on Oct 23 at the Seniors Centre. The awards you voted on are presented to their deserving recipients, a great lunch is served and a guest speaker takes the floor. This year we got lucky in that Mr. Jeff Mulligan was available and jumped at the chance to come out. I’m looking forward to hearing Mr. Mulligan talk about seeking and developing the leaders of the future.
In conjunction with Small Business Week the Chamber and Alberta Employment and Immigration have teamed up to provide workshop seminars. The first will be held on Oct 27 from 6 to 9:30 pm to discuss methods business owners and managers can use to attract and retain employees. The second workshop will be held on Nov 17 from 6 – 9:30 pm and address strategies and advantages for employer’s that help employees develop better work-personal life balances. Both workshops are free and include a light supper but seating is limited. To reserve your spot, or get more information, contact Anna at the Chamber office by phone 780-853-6593 or e-mail anna@vermilionchamber.ca.
Several other events are up and coming, but there is one in particular we need a little help with. The Chamber is looking for a new logo designed locally. If you would like to submit a design we would be happy to take a look at it. The logo must be submitted in a digital format. Please include your name and contact information with your submission. If we choose yours, you will receive 500 Vermilion Bucks (redeemable at Chamber member businesses) and recognition on the Chamber website for your design. For more information see the Chamber website, www.vermilionchamber.ca.
Our quote for the month comes from a public speaker and author,
“You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want. “ - Zig Ziglar
Chamber in a Minute.
September
Welcome to “Chamber in a minute”, the Vermilion and District Chamber of Commerce’s column to the community. The Chamber’s Executive would like to extend its sincere appreciation and thanks to the many businesses, organizations and individuals that contribute to our continued and future success.
The Chamber of Commerce exists to serve the business community and assist business to grow and prosper. As our motto says “Advocate for Business”, we are looking to help all businesses, currently existing or future members of our community. Whether you are looking for information, trying to find a product or service, or just want to get a feel for the “environment”, stop by the chamber office. Or better yet, catch up with the members and Executive at one of the monthly Chamber Meetings. The one in September is on the 9 at the White Swan over the lunch hour. We were able to get Ken Kolby, the president of the Alberta Chamber of Commerce as the guest speaker to explain the benefits of being a Chamber of Commerce member.
The big event coming up in the month of September is the Giant Business Garage Sale. With many of the business’s set up in the arena, this presents an excellent opportunity to get some of the Christmas shopping out of the way early and help reduce that last minute panic (hint fellas). Local home based businesses are welcome as well, if you have a product or service to offer, this is the event for you. To book a table(s) for the September 24 event you can stop by the Vermilion and District Chamber of Commerce located in the Tourist Information Booth or call Anna at 780-853-6593. We look forward to seeing you there.
Small Business Week is quickly approaching. This is our chance to celebrate the vibrant businesses in our community and congratulate those that excel. The event is opened up with the Breakfast Kick-off on October 19 and concludes with the awards luncheon on October 23. Both events will have guest speakers discussing topics relating very well to the present and future of our community.
Coming really soon is a new digital advertising board at the Chamber of Commerce/tourist information booth. In conjunction with FCSS, the town of Vermilion, Lakeland College and the Chamber of Commerce it will be used to advertise local events, businesses and organizations. With plans to have it visible to the traffic on highway 41, it will provide an excellent venue to “get the information” out there to the community at large.
On a final note for today, Streetscapes is starting to take shape. You can actually start to visualize what it is going to look like when it’s done. Wow, I think this is going to look great and provide a beautiful core to our town. The work crews have been working a lot of hours and for the most part I have been very impressed with their work ethic and the respectful way they have worked with the local businesses. It is nice to see on several occasions when they have stopped to provide assistance to people trying to access different areas around town.
Our quote for September comes from an unknown but determined optimist.
“Never tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”
