We have a COVID-19 Resource page on our website, and we make every effort to keep it up to date.

Our new format for e-Blasts will start with a table of contents so that you can easily see what will be outlined and so that you can scroll to the parts that interest you the most.

As the month of June comes to a close the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone for their support this last month with our EAT LOCAL GPRC Bingo Game and our Indigenous Business Connections virtual event.

Our EAT LOCAL GPRC Bingo Game came to an end June 21, 2021. Our Bingo games helped promote local restaurants whole also giving people a chance to discover new restaurants in the area, we encourage everyone to continue supporting these local restaurants. Congratulations to our winners John Jansen, Avery Reiche and James Olsen.

On June 18, 2021, the GPRC hosted out first Indigenous Business Connections event and were met with tremendous interest having over 100 people register. We would like to thank our sponsors and partners for a very successful, informative presentation and look forward to continuing to build the relationships we have started by hosting this event.

You can always contact us by calling: 780-963-4545, or emailing any staff member. Our contact information is online here: www.gprchamber.ca/our-staff/

Amazon plans to open its first Amazon robotics fulfillment center in Parkland County, Alberta creating more than 1,000 full- and part-time jobs hourly wages starting at $16 an hour with comprehensive benefits.

From Darcy Trohjelm, Chair - As we look over the past year and some, the world has been shook a bit. The Chamber was no different. After all the great work by the TRAC Committee to represent the Tri-Region as the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce, COVID-19 hit and offered us many different challenges as we worked through the many adjustments and all that amalgamating had to offer. Zoom became the norm and meeting face to face was allowed, but not allowed, you were there but not really, keep your distance and covering your face - it was a challenge, and the challenges were felt for everyone; the Chamber persevered and continued on. The board continued to work diligently, the staff found ways to still reach out to businesses and continue to connect in ways that were different but effective.

Our Committees were no different. Our Advocacy Committee has moved forward in greeting and establishing a presence with all levels of Government, advocating for businesses and establishing itself as a working partner and guide for our business community. Our Indigenous Business Committee is new and well on its way to establishing a greater connection for Indigenous businesses in our area and helping bring an awareness to Indigenous culture. Our Membership Committee has continued to work at establishing a greater membership connection as well as ensuring that our membership continues to grow, enabling us to be even stronger and more effective as we continue to be the voice of the businesses in the Tri-Region. We have also started a New Committee - Emerging Leaders. We are excited about the opportunity to work with young/new Entrepreneurs and help grow this region as a successful place to establish your business; large or small. Our internal committees – Governance and Financial - ensure that we are well maintained financially and also continue to establish good governance to ensure the GPRC is functioning well for many years to come. Thank you to all that continue to work on the committees, I know that the work has been rewarding and fulfilling and well appreciated.

The Advocacy Committee has been hard at work to complete our goals for 2021/2022. The Advocacy Committee is focused on two goals:

For the first goal, the advocacy submission form on our website has been updated to be more comprehensive, and efficient on the administrative side for the GPRC. To go further, we’ve created an Advocacy Tracking Spreadsheet which will keep the committee transparent and on track to fulfill our commitments to our membership and those who bring advocacy issues forward to the GPRC. Both tools can be found on the GPRC’s website here: www.gprchamber.ca/advocacy

For the second goal, the advocacy committee has fully completed the first cycle of ‘closed door meetings’ with all elected officials, with the second meetings on the books for the MPs and MLAs. The committee has decided to wait to schedule the second round of meetings with the regional Mayors after the municipal elections happen on October 18, to meet with the incoming Mayors. The schedule of meetings can also be found on the advocacy page of the GPRC website here: www.gprchamber.ca/advocacy

The Advocacy Committee is Chaired by Board Member, Dan Duckering, with Vice Chair Melissa Johnson.

Kendra Wambold is the staff person assigned to the Advocacy Committee.

The Indigenous Business Committee met in June following the devastating news of the tragic discovery of the bodies of 215 children at Kamloops Residential School. As a committee we discussed those relationships between many businesses and Indigenous Peoples are evolving and that businesses understand an important component of succeeding in Alberta and specifically our region is involving our Indigenous neighbours in the initial stages of development. The Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce covers a geographical boundary that has over 3,000 registered businesses across the region, and we represent one third within our membership. We know that our Indigenous neighbours are not represented in that count and we are fully aware that we are a region that has over 8,000 people living on and off reserve. We share the lands with the Treaty Six Communities; the First Nation communities on the west side of Edmonton including Paul First Nation, Alexander First Nation, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, and Enoch Cree Nation as well as the Region 4 of the Metis Nation of Alberta.

Our region has a labour market shortage both in skilled and non-skilled areas and many businesses attract a workforce from out of the region.

 

Our one-day Indigenous Business Connections Event on Friday June 18 was a huge success. This is only part of our ongoing focus on building and supporting all levels of engagement. This event allowed the committee, stakeholders and business owners to connect and establish a relationship that benefits both parties, their respective communities, and builds the region.

Through this event, we were able to bring focus to Indigenous business and Indigenous labour demands and opportunities. Our aim was to create opportunities and facilitate conversations to bring focus to those amongst our communities that are seeking employment and/or skills training.

As a committee we understand that genuine engagement starts at the ground level.

The Indigenous Business Committee is Chaired by GPRC Vice Chair, Paulla Adamitz.

Cathy Fournier is the staff person assigned to the Indigenous Business Committee.

The Membership & Retention Committee continues to focus on three key areas.

To provide input to the membership tiering adjustment, to receive more information on the Emerging Leaders Group, or if you are an interested Acheson business, please contact Jodie at: jmacpherson@gprchamber.ca.

The Membership & Retention Committee is Chaired by GPRC Chair Elect, Paul Befus.

Jodie MacPherson is the staff person assigned to the Membership & Retention Committee.

The Governance Committee made amendments to the bylaws as a deficiency was returned by Corporations Canada. The amendments were presented at the Board of Directors meeting on May 19, 2021 and the Board approved the recommended changes. A Special General Meeting was called and scheduled for June 22, 2021 and approved by the Membership. The amended bylaws were sent to Corporations Canada on Friday, June 25, 2021.

The Governance Committee is also conducting an extensive review of the Board Policy Manual and has considered other updated Chamber manuals as reference material. Focusing on good Governance, the Manual is intended to help and support the Board of Directors acting on behalf of the organization of their duties, responsibilities, and the various legislative and regulatory conditions which govern their conduct.

The Governance Committee is Chaired by Board Member, Brieanne MacLeod.

Julie Roberts is the staff person assigned to the Governance Committee.

The Financial Committee advises the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on all matters relating to the Chamber’s financial affairs and resources. The role of the Treasurer is to monitor the financial planning of our organization and work with the CEO to ensure a high level of fiscal management and transparency. Regular meetings and phone conversations continue, and this has developed confidence and an open and honest relationship.

Areas of focus for June have included:

The Finance Committee, an internal committee, works with the CEO, where conversations are had on the financial risk of the organization as we move in to the second half of the year. The GPRC is a front-end revenue organization; our membership dues are sent at the end of the calendar year with collections through the first quarter. This means that our opportunity to attract significant revenue for the second half of the year is dependent on our ability to host successful, well attended events.

The GPRC anticipates that with lifted restrictions we will be able to commence in person events with the health and safety of our attendees and staff being paramount.

The Financial Committee is Chaired by Treasurer, Landis Vanthuyne.

CEO, Sarah Parry is the staff person assigned to the Financial Committee. Sarah also sits on each committee mentioned above.

The Emerging Leaders Committee is a new committee set to commence fall 2021. Stay tuned for future updates.

Please see below for the June Economic Review and Alberta Recovery. For more detailed information on these statistics, please contact Jodie at jmacpherson@gprchamber.ca.

You may have heard that we have a new Gold Sponsor, Community Futures Capital Region. They have teamed up with the GPRC to offer 50% off of digital sign advertising. The Stony Plain sign is already 50% off with our recovery and resiliency discount, and Community Futures Capital Region is taking it further by offering another 50% off. That makes the Stony Plain digital sign 75% off!! The generosity of Community Futures is extended to the Wabamun sign as well, so you can capture the attention of all of the traffic visiting the hamlet this summer!

Check out our marketing opportunities for more information, or email: kwambold@gprchamber.ca if you’re interested.

Aug 27-29 - Tri-Expo & MARKETPLACE

The Tri-Expo & MARKETPLACE will be held August 27-29, 2021 at Heritage Park in Stony Plain. This family-friendly event will be expanding with local food vendors on-site and tasty treats for everyone!

Networking is key when it comes to marketing you business, and nothing can beat connecting with your audience personally. One of the most important benefits of participating in an expo is that it helps in creating brand relevancy.

This e-Blast is from: Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce

Name: Elizabeth Olsen

Title: Office Administrator

Company: Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce

Contact: 780-963-4545