CHAMBER BUSINESS CONNECTION PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE COMING EVENTS Chamber Members, As my term, as president of the Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce, draws to a close, I’ve finally taken a moment to sit back and reflect on the past year. And I’m Breakfast Networking flooded with thoughts both positive and some not so positive, a couple that I’d like to share. First and foremost, only now do I fully realize the scope and immense responsibilities that Meetings this position entails. I think of all the Past Presidents who volunteered before me and I now have a greater Thursdays, 8 am-9 am appreciation of the leadership and vision of all who have served in this critical role and who have paved the way. Over the years we have celebrated our successes and learned from September 8 our mistakes but one thing is for certain, this chamber has become one of the strongest and most active chamber’s in the chamber federation both provincially and federally. We September 15 Jeff Lorenz are known, and being modelled by our peer chambers, for all that we do - both in terms of 2015-16 Chamber President the events we put on and, most importantly, for the work we do standing up for and being a passionate voice of the business community. September 22 At this time, last year, I said in my acceptance speech “tough economic times were ahead” and that I saw our role, as a lobby group representing a membership of 1200 businesses, and the way we could make the biggest impact for the business September 29 community was through advocacy to the three levels of government. The last year or so the political landscape changed provincially and federally. The phrase “we want all businesses to give just a little bit more” was coined by the new provincial government and quickly spread Federally to the newly elected Liberal government and then, as you all know, we were handed Chamber of Commerce increases in our local municipal budget in November. While the tax increases were anticipated we maintained our position that the economic landscape wasn’t right, that spreading the cost of services to everyone would make more sense. Ye t, despite Luncheon & General all of our conversations and efforts, we saw tax increases imposed on our businesses – from all 3 levels of government - that combined were the biggest annual increase in taxation to our membership in decades. I maintain that the current costs to Meeting business aren’t sustainable and will continue to support this message in my role as past president and will support our incoming President as we continue to speak on behalf of our membership. Wednesday, While on one hand I’m so proud of the work we did as a Chamber, promoting opportunities for our membership through successful events like our Canada Day Parade, Trade Fair, Curling Funspiel, Golf Tournament, After-hour mixers, Breakfasts September 21, 2016 – to name but a few. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that I felt as though our message, while heard loud and clear, fell short. Our Member Satisfaction Survey just concluded and showed that twenty percent of the members who responded said their 11:30 pm- 1:00 pm business has decreased over the past year compared to only six percent two years ago. How are businesses, small medium and/or large going to continue to be taking risks, creating jobs when revenues are going down at the same time taxes are going Festival Place, 100 up? The survey also told us that you the members rated Government advocacy as the number two priority for the chamber in the coming year. This confirms that our priorities and direction over the past year have been and still are your concerns that Festival Way need to be addressed. So my year could be summed up as challenging. We worked hard. We stayed the course and maintained our position on critical Members: $26.75 issues that impact our membership. The manner in which we’ve communicated with our political leaders in the past wasn’t having the impact we needed and given our challenging economic environment, we were the most vocal we’ve been in years. Non Members: $31.50 Someone made the comment that you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, yet the honey simply wasn’t working and so we went with more vinegar – but that’s what your chamber does for you, our membership, and the role we sign up for when we sit on this Board. And, despite the challenges, changes in tactics and, at times, contentious conversations - we still put on some tremendous events and networking functions. With that I’d like to conclude with some thank you’s. I want to thank the entire board for their generous support and participation not only in our advocacy role but for their volunteerism in all projects, events and in all the chamber activities that we participated in throughout the year. I would also like to thank the staff of the Chamber of Commerce; Kara, Jamie, Caroline, Nida, Britney, Cheryl and our Executive Director, Todd Banks. The board and staff made my year a pleasure to be president and everyone contributed to make our Friday, October 21, 2016 organization stronger! Holiday Inn Sherwood Park Lastly, I want to extend a sincere thank you to all the elected officials Federally, Provincially and Municipally that I’ve had the opportunity to work with over the past year. At times we represented different positions, ideas, strategies and I truly commend & Conference Centre, all of you for the passion you brought. I’ve always said that business is business and I really took that to heart this year. Nothing was ever personal and I believe we always had the most respectful relationships. While I’ve been hard on you, it’s been the 2100 Premier Way, will of our members. I respect what you do more than you’ll ever know and want to thank-you for all that you do to support Sherwood Park the Chamber. Our Mission Statement is: “Improving the Economical, Industrial and Civic Life of the Community through the Development and Promotion of Free Enterprise”. We as a chamber would not be as successful as we are in our mission without Now accepting nominations. the relationship that we have with all levels of government! It has been a tremendous opportunity and a great privilege to lead the Chamber in the past year. In closing, I would like to say To download a nomination form, thank you to the membership for your belief and support for myself and the Board over the past year. I know Dave Stanley-Smith Please go to the Chamber and his Board will do a great job representing you, the membership over the next year. Dave if I can be of assistance over the next year as past president I am here for you and look forward to your leadership and sincerely wish you nothing but success website at in the 2016 – 17 year as president. www.sherwoodparkchamber.com Thank you! Jeff Lorenz Chamber Year in Review 2015 - 2016 Chamber Luncheons The Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce hosts 10 luncheons each year which are organized to comply with our by-laws that require a monthly meeting with our general membership. These Luncheons update our members on current news and events, providing networking opportunities and feature a guest speaker to address current issues or provide local updates. I was proud to serve as Chair and Emcee of the luncheon portfolio and on behalf of the Chamber thank the following 10 speakers. September: Heather Nedohin, Business Manager, Sherwood Park Curling Club October: Neil Shelly, Executive Director, Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Assoc. November: Iain Bushell, Fire Chief, Strathcona County Emergency Services December: Todd Hirsch, Chief Economist, ATB Financial January: Gerry Gabinet, Director, Strathcona County Economic Development & Tourism February: Mayor Roxanne Carr, Strathcona County March: Garnett Genuis, MP Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan Dave Stanley-Smith April: Ken Kobly, President and CEO. Alberta Chambers of Commerce 2015-16 Luncheon Chair May: Dave Mowat, President and CEO, ATB Financial June: Graham Hicks, River Valley Alliance Ambassador Mayor Roxanne Carr, Gerry Gabinet, Director, Ken Kolby, Dave Mowat, Garnett Genuis, Strathcona County Strathcona County President and CEO, President and CEO, MP Sherwood Park- Economic Development Alberta Chambers of Commerce ATB Financial & Tourism Fort Saskatchewan 2015 CHRISTMAS CASH PROMOTION Forty seven businesses participated in our Chamber of Commerce 2015 Christmas Cash promotion. This annual promotion takes place 4 weeks prior to Christmas, allowing customers of participating businesses to fill out entries for a chance to win the grand prize of $2015. The draw was made on December 15, 2015 at our Chamber’s Annual Christmas Open House and the grand prize winner drawn was Courtney Gartner! Her winning entry was submitted at Albert’s Family Restaurant. She will be spending her winnings at businesses who participated in the Christmas Cash promotion. Businesses that participated in the promotion were entered into a separate draw of which 3 names were drawn. The winners and prize denominations are as follows: Nufloors $100, Wild Wing $200, T and T CHRISTMAS CASH DRAW WINNER From left to right: Sean Polglase, Chamber Member Services; Todd Banks, Chamber Executive Director; Jeff Lorenz, Chamber President; Courtney Gartner, 2015 Christmas Cash Winner; Joseph Akle, Albert’s Family Restaurant Chamber Year in Review Sixth Annual Curling Funspiel Twenty teams participated in our Chamber Curling Funspiel that was held on February 5, 2016. Members The Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce would like enjoyed a great day of fun and to thank the students in the Elk Island School District who took networking.