Connect.
 Grow.  Prosper .
  WEEKLY NEWS - FEBRUARY 2017
February 14, 2017   
a
a
  CHAMBER
ON TAP

Join us for our monthly business mixer and informal chat on Thursday, Feb 23, 2017.

Our Guest, Melissa Johnson, owner of Maid in Alberta will be interviewed in a very casual and conversational format by our sponsor Dean Chapman of Frontline Financial.

These are the stories of business owners right here in our community who discuss successes, failures, and how they have achieved success.

There will also be lots of time to mix with fellow members and develop your network.

Our private section at The Canadian Brewhouse in Spruce Grove opens at 4:30 pm and the interview is from 6:00 until 6:30 pm.


Be inspired. Build your network. Save Money! 
 E-MARKETING MINUTE

Have you signed up for Hot Deals notifications from Spruce Grove Chamber members?

Sign up for our Hot Deals eNewsletter and you will receive an email notification when new Hot Deals are added to our website.

If your business isn't on here yet, go ahead and log in to list your current promotions. Best part is that its FREE (for a limited time)! Log in and spread the word.

Get Noticed. Save Money.
SAT MAY 13 2017
A SPECIAL INVITATION TO ALL BUSINESS IN SPRUCE GROVE & DISTRICT

This is Spruce Grove & District Chamber's Signature Event! It is unique to us, and has been specifically planned to connect our business community and our area residents in a meaningful and powerful way. It's created for the community as a whole, where everyone will experience a true celebration of our amazing region.

Be recognized as  an active business leader by joining us for a day in the park where business meets community and shares in the celebration.

Commuter Transit

The City of Spruce Grove is pleased to offer a commuter transit service to Edmonton through a contract with Edmonton Transit System (ETS) and the City of Edmonton. This service is an affordable and environmentally-friendly alternative to the costs of driving into the city and parking downtown or on campus. For more information

ATB'S Merchant
Payment Program
Enjoy a discount of 1/2 off on your Unlimited Business Banking account at $30.00, (regular price is $60.00). For further information please click here
The 2017 Community Chamber Directories are now available. If your business advertised with us and you would like to pick up your copy, our office is open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

The Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce welcome Mayor Stuart Houston of the City of Spruce Grove and Mayor Rod Shaigec of Parkland County as our guest presenters for the Annual Mayor's Regional Address, Thursday, March 9th at the Elk's Hall in Spruce Grove. Please join us and register on-line at your earliest convenience (click here) or call 780.962.2561 for more information.  This evening dinner event sells out each year so register soon.
NEWS WE ARE FOLLOWING    February 10, 2017 

Premier meets with business leaders to talk U.S. trade

Premier Notley will meet with provincial business leaders in four key sectors to discuss ways to build on Alberta's strong trade relationship with the U.S.


L-R: Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier, Premier Rachel Notley, Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd, Economic Development and Trade Minister Deron Bilous at McDougall Centre in Calgary
Quick facts
  • Alberta and the U.S. benefit from a longstanding and productive trade relationship?
  • Trade between Alberta and the U.S. is considerable - it totaled more than $100 billion in 2015
  • $80.6 billion worth of goods was exported from Alberta to the U.S. in 2015
  • That same year, Alberta imports to the U.S. totaled $19.7 billion or more than 2/3 of Alberta's total international imports
  • Main export industries from the U.S. to Alberta include:
    • agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
    • mining and oil and gas extraction
    • utilities
    • manufacturing 
    The Premier held the first of a series of roundtable discussions with business leaders from the oil and gas, agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing sectors over several days to discuss our trade relationship with the U.S., the economy and how Alberta can continue to ensure strong trade ties that will help generate jobs for millions of Albertans and Americans... read more
Missing ingredients for small business owners

Whether companies have large or small sales teams, they can be struggling! Do we hire? Do we let some go? Do we keep status quo? It is a dilemma for business owners, no doubt. 

Nov 15, 2016  l  by Mark Bernard  l  Business Edge

In a robust, thriving economic environment, sales teams can get lazy. They may become more like order takers than hunters.

On the other hand, when there is hardship or the economy becomes unhealthy, customers change their buying habits. They become cautious, prudent and make the sales person work for their business. Companies demand more. Sales reps have to re-learn how to sell again.

Companies know great sales teams require ongoing training and resources. However, most hire a sales rep with experience so they do not have to provide sales training, right? Whether it is a healthy or unhealthy economic environment, sales training and sales coaching are the missing ingredients. They are a required staple for companies who choose to stay in the game to grow and prosper. Today more than ever, you must stand out and outsell your competition! Customers want a sales rep to bring resources to the table to get the job done...read more

Albertan's lead the nation in debt-load
Alberta Venture
Despite one CIBC survey finding that Canadians' top financial priority for 2017 is paying down debt, another of the bank's reports found that 48 per cent of Canadians aren't taking the steps needed to do so, preferring to continue spending apace. Albertans are right up there, with a nation-leading average debt load of $27,956 as of Q3 2016.

Where you fall on the scale is your own business, but, for comparison purposes, you can see the income breakdown for the average Canadian... read more
Share the wealth:   Could employee ownership be right for your business?
Business owners always say employees are their biggest asset. Employee ownership is one way to prove it.

Feb 10, 2017    by Alberta Venture Staff

It wasn't supposed to work for Banff Caribou Properties. The principal owner of the lodging and hospitality company, whose suite of 18 hotels are nestled in Canada's oldest national park, wanted to keep the company locally owned, and needed a succession strategy, too. An employee share ownership plan, or ESOP, could work - in theory. But there were twin challenges: this was around the 2008 recession, and Banff is home to a transitory workforce. An ESOP, which allows employees to acquire equity in a company, seemed like a long shot for solving Banff Caribou's problems. Would young, fleeting employees be swayed by investments that only pay off in the long term? And during a recession, to boot?
"This kind of workforce just didn't fit the profile of a typical ESOP company," says Gord Lozeman, president and CEO of Banff Caribou Properties. "I mean, most of our team is focused more on tomorrow's ski conditions than they are on investing for their future." ...read more

FAMILY DAY l  10AM - 4PM
  For more information click here
Coldest Night of the Year 2017 
Spruce Grove

Learn how you can help
 
It's cold out there. Walk with us on Saturday, February 25, 2017 in the Coldest Night of the Year, a fantastically fun, family-friendly walking fundraiser that raises money for the hungry, homeless and hurting in 100+ communities.

Parkland Food Bank is hosting a Walk-a-Thon to raise funds and awareness to fight poverty in our community.

Della Saunders,  Marketing Coordinator
Spr uce Grove Chamber of Commerce 
Hot Deals Job Postings Update your profile