Bayview Golf Course changed ownership in 2018 and since then there's been exciting changes - including a name change to the White Squirrel Golf Club. Extensive renovations to the club house include new washrooms, new bar, new tables and chairs, new decor, new hours and new staff for a whole new dining experience. 

Come on out to this Mixer event to sample the appetizers, view the new club house, tour the golf course (depending on weather and ground conditions), meet the management team and find out more about the White Squirrel's plans for 2019.

Be one of the first 34 to RSVP and we'll buy you a wine or beer at the event. 

We are looking for a sponsor for this event - call Susan at 519-238-2001 if you're interested!

RSVP NOW

Why You Should Attend

• Get insight into the current tourism climate
• Have an opportunity to network and make meaningful connections
• Learn new skills necessary for today's market
• Keynote speakers ready to inspire and spring attendees into action
• Q&A sessions with speakers for a personal approach

Who Should Attend

• Stakeholders of the Tourism Industry
• Business owners
• Investors
• College and University Students
• Consultants
• Municipal & Provincial Government

Lambton County reported that 39% of county businesses report difficulties in finding the skilled talent required to meet their staffing needs. County agencies seek your help in finding and hiring the right talent locally.

In partnership with Lambton College, the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce recently issued a survey on recruitment and retention challenges generally with some specific questions around hiring international students/graduates. 

We felt the survey had merit and would like to collect similar data from the Huron Shores catchment area - Lambton Shores, South Huron, Bluewater and North Middlesex. 

TAKE THE SURVEY  

Mixer Sponsorship is $249. As the sponsor you get to brand a corner of the venue with roll-up banners, feather flags, demos and promo materials etc. and own the mic for up to 10 minutes. We typically have between 40 and 60 attendees at mixer events.

Celebrate the Season Awards Dinner

• Thursday, November 7, 2019 - DATE CHANGE!

Download Updated Membership Benefits & Services 2019

In the MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS & SERVICES leaflet included in the membership renewal package mailed out in August, the Members Forum located on www.grandbendchamber.ca was in a plug-in called BuddyPress. 

It seems however, members were confused about how to access this section of the website, so we've made it easier. 

All the Annual General Meeting minutes and documents and the Board of Directors monthly minutes and financial statements have been moved to just two pages: (1) AGM Docs & Meetings and (2) Board of Directors Minutes & Financials.

Once logged-in, you will see links to those two pages magically appear! Simply click through to the page you'd like to view.

CHECK IT OUT NOW

Wi th increasing costs, reductions in wage grants and fundraising results, and several Welcome Centre repairs (replacement of light fixtures - 2017, gas fireplace repair - 2018; expected roof repair 2019), we have been forced to increase membership fees. 

Every membership tier will see a $20 increase and a $10 increase for add-on businesses.

The new fees will take affect for current members starting with the 2020 membership year and for new members joining in 2019.

• 60 attendees - best attended Mayor's Breakfast in 8 years
• 4 Lambton County agencies in attendance: Don Anderson - Sarnia Lambton Business Development Corporation (SLBDC), Chantelle Core - Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP), Laura Greaves - Sarnia Lambton Workforce Development Board (SLWDB),  Mark Perrin - Tourism Sarnia Lambton (TSL) 
• Also attending - John Fraser from MPP Monte McNaughton's constituency office and Marissa Vaughan and Dianne Faubert from South Huron Council
• Huron Shores Transit Committee - $2-million Community Transportation Grant confirmed and pilot project a go-ahead
• 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) to begin in Lambton County. Mayor Weber promised ongoing consultation to get it right. London and Windsor already collecting MAT, as are 20 other municipalities in Ontario.
• Lambton Shores has applied for a Rural Economic Development grant (RED Grant) from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to assist with business retention and expansion.
• All Lambton Shores planning and engineering departments now located at the Northville office for one-stop-shopping for developers.
• Council approved a 34% increase, from $18k to $24k, in monetary support to the Chamber's Tourism & Visitor Services activities.
• Grand Bend bridge re-construction, $10-million repair and road-widening project, to start September 2019; bridge to remain open during the two-year project.

Questions from attendees:

• Will the "Property Tax Rebates For Vacant Commercial and Industrial Buildings" be eliminated to encourage improved commercial occupancy and building appearance/maintenance? Weber: Municipality does what it can through property Bylaws.
• Will the Municipality be looking to replace parking spots lost due to sale of the parking lot beside Archie's' Surf Shop? Weber: Municipality always looking to extend parking where possible, although nothing currently in pipeline.
• Will the Honkmobile data on the number of people visiting Grand Bend (measured by paid parking) and where they originate be released? Weber: we can look into that. Side note - these statistics would be a boon to event planners applying for grants and businesses applying for development loans and grants.