I just posted payroll for week 25 of 26 which means 2022 is almost over.

Already! Anticipating this may be one of our last newsletters of the year, please take a few moments to read through some exciting things going on and of course, invitations...

It's been a year of conflicting emotions and behaviour coming out of the pandemic.

Events have been our best and those attending are just happy to be out and about.

These smiling faces have sustained us while we also contend with the uncertainty surrounding the economy. We all looked so forward to coming out of lockdowns and the new normal, I certainly didn't imagine this would include a war in Ukraine, a near halt to the supply chain and the resulting explosion in prices, topped off with the increase in interest rates. Oh - and staffing and housing shortages everywhere. It's certainly no consolation to know that it is happening across the province and every Chamber is hearing the same story from their membership.

Yet somehow, our business community continues to hold fast and grow! Your resilience through the past 3 years is truly remarkable.

On the subject of resilience, Arlene Dickinson (of Dragon's Den fame but accomplished on multiple levels) offered some great insight at last week's Fireside Chat hosted by Loyalist College.

I love my job - working on behalf of members, celebrating you, advocating for your needs but being invited to sit with her on stage was a perk I never imagined would happen! Thanks so much to Mark Kirkpatrick for considering me for such an honour and extending the rebated ticket exclusive to you (our members). Through Mark and his team, Loyalist is looking for ways to connect with the community and this was one of their first steps. They are planning a second Fireside Chat in March, so if you missed this one - please stay tuned for the details.

I'm also so excited to share that Loyalist College has ALSO prepared a great list of all their student placement opportunities. I often hear people suggest "using a placement student from Loyalist" to assist with special projects only to find out the timing won't work. As you're planning for the coming year, please take a look at all the opportunities from the variety of programs at Loyalist where you could have a student take on a particular task as part of their education. This is such a win-win!

Please see the details on just one of their upcoming Co-op programs below and click here for the full li sting of programs available.

Connecting employers to potential employees continues with Trenval's new Mentor program. Please use the image below to connect to details and additional links below to our Jingle Mingle, invitation to our Open House next Friday, great initiatives in place for United Way and Food for Learning.

Hope to see you before the holiday break!

Tuesday, December 13th

JINGLE MINGLE 5-7 pm

Thanks to our hosts,

The Belleville Club and the folks at Linguine's and The Export Grill.

Join us for some great networking in one of the most historic spots in Belleville. This amazing space is truly one of the city's best kept secrets.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Friday, December 16th

HOLIDAY

OPEN HOUSE

@ The Log Cabin ·

5 Moira Street East

11 am to 4 pm

join us for some tasty treats, and even better company

(and wish Susan Walsh Happy Birthday!)

HOPE TO SEE YOU THEN!

SAVE THESE DATES IN 2023!

BREAKFASTS!

Wednesday, January 25th

Meet the New Board

Hear what we have planned

for the year ahead

with special guest

Sandie Sidsworth,

Enrichment Centre for Mental Health

on behalf of

MINGLES!

Thursday, January 19th

Join us at the YMCA in Belleville for a behind-the-scenes tour, refreshments,

and more!

Wednesday, February 8th

Join our hosts Quinte Film Alternative, at the Empire Theatre from 4:30 - 6:30 pm.

All Chamber members + 1 guest are invited to stay for the movie presentation at 7:00 pm.

MORE Information on these events and more will be coming in the new year!

Wednesday, February 22

in partnership with

SHOWCASE your business

Want to host a mingle!

Contact lisa@bellevillechamber.ca

OR call 613-962-4597 ext. 2

NEWS and EVENTS FROM OUR MEMBERS!

Congratulations to

Meyers Creek Brewing Company on the opening of their new taproom.

Celebrations took place on Wednesday, November 23rd, with local dignitaries on hand for the official ribbon cutting. Jill and President Anthony Callaghan were also proud to present the Chamber plaque to owners, Rick, Bill and Gretta commemorating their membership since the opening of the brewery in 2020.