2016 FALL EDITION • WWW.CHARLOTTETOWNCHAMBER.COM IMMIGRATION: CENTRAL TO P.E.I.’S ECONOMIC FUTURE STOP INTO KKP TO SEE OUR LARGE DISPLAY OF STORE SIGNAGE Stand Out! with the help of 91 Euston Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1W3 | P: (902) 892-0156 | [email protected] | www.kkpei.ca Upcoming EVENTS 2016 Fall Edition Lunch and Learn Business Workshop: Best Practices for Collections Economic Information 4 President’s Message of Accounts Receivables Observation 4 Executive Director’s Update Presented by Krista Walsh, CFCP Presented by Atlantic Economic October 12, 2016 Information Observatory. 6 Chamber News 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. November 16, 2016 New Members GCACC Boardroom 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 8 GCACC Boardroom 9 Summer Mixers 11th Annual Biz 2 Biz Expo October 20, 2016 November Business Mixer 10 Our Diverse Community 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. November 17, 2016 17 Member Reflections Eastlink Centre 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by Corkum, Arsenault, Host & Location: 19 Advancing Island Connection Crozier and Stewart McKelvey Holiday Inn Express Sponsored by MRSB Group 20 Excellence Awards Finalists Business Roundtable: 22 PEI Connectors Update CRA Serving You Better 2016 Advancing Island October 24, 2016 Connections 23 Member News 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. November 24, 2016 GCACC Boardroom 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. 26 Benefit Facts / JA News Delta Prince Edward Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce 2016 President’s P.O. Box 67, 134 Kent Street Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2 Ph: (902) 628-2000 Fax: (902) 368-3570 Excellence Awards 2016 President’s Christmas E-mail: [email protected] November 2, 2016 Reception www.charlottetownchamber.com 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. December 7, 2016 @GCACCbuzz CharlottetownChamber Delta Prince Edward 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sponsored by Atlantic Confederation Centre of the Arts PUBLISHER: Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce Lottery Corporation Sponsored by Eastlink DESIGN: Results Marketing & Advertising PRINTING: KKP Design & Print Centre Lunch and Learn: Communications Committee Chamber Business Magazine Contributors: Developing a Good Chair: Wendy Drake, MRSB For further information or to register, Carol Horne, Confederation Centre of the Arts Business Plan Rose Fitzpatrick, PEI BioAlliance November 9, 2016 contact (902) 628-2000 or visit Michael Wasnidge, Upstreet Craft Brewery Katherine Baird 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. www.charlottetownchamber.com Chelsey Rogerson Atlantic Technology Centre Staff: Penny Walsh McGuire, GCACC Boardroom (4th floor) Ellen O’Brien, GCACC Sponsored by Grant Thornton Chamber Business magazine makes no warranties of any kind, written or implied, regarding the contents of this magazine and expressly disclaims any warranty regarding the accuracy or reliability of information contained herein. The views contained in this CHAMBER BUSINESS MIXERS ARE SPONSORED BY magazine are those of the writers and advertisers; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce. CONNECTING BUSINESS! Chamber Members and their guests are welcome to attend our monthly mixers. To exhibit at one of our monthly chamber mixers please register online or call 902-628-2000. WWW.CHARLOTTETOWNCHAMBER.COM @GCACCBUZZ CHARLOTTETOWNCHAMBER 3 2016-17 President’s Message Pam Williams, President BOARD OF It continues to astound me when I look around and see how our population has diversified in the last 10 years. On my son’s soccer team this summer, there were at least five nationalities represented (not including the coach from Nigeria) and DIRECTORS multiple languages spoken. EXECUTIVE In my view, this is one example of the successful settlement and retention efforts being made in the province through various initiatives and programs, including our own chamber’s PEI Connectors program. There is no question we need these programs for our province to be successful. With a birth rate soon to be outpaced by an increasing death rate, it is clear that immigration is a key solution for our economic and social future. An influx of new Islanders has many fiscal benefits, including increased employment, creation of succession avenues for some businesses, and direct and indirect economic impacts associated with an increased population. But the benefits for our communities and our newcomers go beyond the tangible. Pam Williams Rory Francis Jennifer Evans st nd President 1 Vice President 2 Vice President If we are proactive, there are untold opportunities ahead of us to exchange new ideas and learn from one COX & PALMER PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND OCEAN 100 / HOT 105.5 BIO ALLIANCE another. Newcomers, by nature of being here, have looked beyond provincial and national borders to build a different future for themselves. They seek global opportunities and do not see our location as limiting. On the other hand, established Island businesses have the advantage of firm connections in the local community and ease with the local business culture. In working with newcomers across the province to help build and solidify business relationships, PEI Connectors staff have seen first-hand the benefits that pairing these perspectives can bring to local companies and our Blair Corkum Wendy Drake Penny Walsh communities. As you read this issue, I encourage you to consider what opportunities immigration may present Vice President Finance Past President McGuire for your business. BLAIR CORKUM FINANCIAL MRSB CONSULTING Executive Director PLANNING INC. GROUP GCACC BOARD of DIRECTORS Executive Director’s Update Penny Walsh McGuire, Executive Director Fall is a busy time at the Chamber as we gear up for a number of exciting events that bring our business community together for connecting, sharing and celebrating! The Biz 2 Biz Expo on October 20th is our premiere business to busi- Nazmi Lawen Adam Runge Steven Loggie COLES ASSOCIATES LTD. INVESCO ENTERPRISE MARITIME ELECTRIC ness tradeshow and free to attend. This year we are thrilled to have the award SERVICES COMPANY LTD. winning entrepreneur, “retail activist”, author and Dragons’ Den game changer, Barb Stegemann as our keynote speaker. If you don’t know Barb’s incredible story, check out the trailer for her new documentary Perfume Wars and mark your calendar for this year’s Biz 2 Biz! On November 2nd, we’ll celebrate business excellence at the 11th annual President’s Excellence Awards with awards being presented in eight categories. An independent panel of judges determined the three finalists for Darcy MacNeill Aaron Stavert Dawn Binns each category from the more than 60 nominated organizations. As you’ll see, finalists ranged from small busi- EARTHFORM CORP. OPEN PRACTICE INSIGHT BRAND & MARKETING STUDIO nesses to national companies. In addition to recognizing companies in various categories, it gives us great plea- sure to recognize the entrepreneurial icons and generous volunteers of our community with the Entrepreneur of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards. These awards will be announced in mid-October. In this edition of Chamber Business, we highlight just some of the newcomers to PEI who are making incredible contributions to our vibrant and diverse economy on PEI. A common theme throughout the stories you’ll read is how much we can learn from each other and in turn grow our businesses and our networks. With many opportunities to make connections through the Chamber’s various programs, let’s commit to reaching out and Jeff Murphy Matthew McMillan MURPHY’S PHARMACIES MACPHERSON ROCHE cultivating a relationship with someone who is new to Prince Edward Island’s business community. SMITH & ASSOCIATES 4 WWW.CHARLOTTETOWNCHAMBER.COM @GCACCBUZZ CHARLOTTETOWNCHAMBER GETTING TO KNOW YOU! GET TO KNOW THE GREATER CHARLOTTETOWN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2016-17 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dawn Binns Dawn Binns is a partner at Insight Brand and Marketing Studio, a local marketing agency she and Kerry Anne MacDougall have been operating together for 5 years. This company has grown from an owner operated busi- ness to full service agency with 7 full-time employees serving clients locally as well as across the Atlantic region and Canada. In addition to recently joining the Board of Directors, Dawn has been an active member of the Chamber Policy Committee and other local community charities and sports organizations. This also includes the new Get Up & Go entrepreneurship and women leaders events. Jeff Murphy Jeff Murphy is Vice President of finance and real estate with Murphy Healthcare, a local firm that owns and operates pharmacies, medical centres and retirement homes. Prior to returning to PEI in 2010, Jeff was head of transaction advisory services for CPCS, a global consulting firm that specializes in public private partner- ships in emerging markets in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Jeff has a business degree from Bishop's University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. 2016 President’s SAVETHE DATE Christmas Reception DECEMBER 7, 2016 | 5 P.M. – 7 P.M. CONFEDERATION CENTRE OF THE ARTS @GCACCbuzz Sponsored by CharlottetownChamber WWW.CHARLOTTETOWNCHAMBER.COM @GCACCBUZZ CHARLOTTETOWNCHAMBER 5 Chamber News Chamber Partners on YDAY P.E.I. Welcome – New Additions YDAY is an interactive, one-day event, which will allow to the Chamber Team a diverse group of young Islanders (ages 16-34) to network with peers, hear inspiring speakers and engage Welcome Kay! in conversations around strategies for making P.E.I. a The Chamber is very pleased to welcome great place to work, grow and thrive. YDAY takes place Kay Doherty to the role of Membership on Oct. 21. Services Manager. Kay will be a familiar face to many – she was a Chamber Ambassador Over the past months, Chamber staff have been working with the YDAY for many years and also the coordinator of steering committee, which is made up of representatives from the pro- the Chamber Ambassador program. She was vincial government, UPEI and Holland College, as well as young Island Chamber Volunteer of the Year 2012. Kay is a leaders.