Table of Contents
  1. GPRC Trip to Spain and Portugal - Information Session (Jan. 9)
  2. MP Dane Lloyd, Meeting with Chamber Members (Jan. 19)
  3. Building a Foundational Understanding of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) - Workshop (Jan. 25)
  4. Welcome to the Chamber Team, Rik Kaminsky!
  5. Member2Member 2023 - WE WANT YOU!
  6. New Indigenous Mural for the Visitor Information Centre
  7. Workforce Trends Digest
  8. Shining Member Spotlight
  9. New Members in November
The GPRC is Going to Spain & Portugal and
We Want YOU to Join Us!
January 9, 2023
7:00pm - 8:30pm | GPRC Boardroom, Stony Plain
The GPRC is excited to be working with Travel Your World International to offer our members group travel to Spain & Portugal in September 2023! From September 16-29, 2023, travel through Spain & Portugal with stops in Barcelona, Madrid, Segovia, Salamanca, and more as we experience food, shopping and culture in this incredible travel experience!

If you would like to learn more, Travel Your World International is offering an information session that will include details, as well as food and drink samples to please your palate! Join us on January 9 to get all the information you need about this upcoming adventure!
MP Dane Lloyd, Meeting with Chamber Members
January 19, 2023
2:00pm - 3:30pm | Rosenthal Hall
Join the GPRC and Special Guest, MP Dane Lloyd, Conservative Member of Parliament for Sturgeon River-Parkland, at Rosenthal Hall in Parkland County for a high-level update on significant federal issues and his efforts as Member of Parliament, followed by a Q&A session. This is an informal event where members of the GPRC are welcome to network and ask Mr. Lloyd questions.

This in-person event is exclusive to Chamber members only.
Building a Foundational Understanding of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
January 25, 2023
3:00pm - 5:00pm | Glowing Embers RV Park, Acheson
A welcoming workplace is essential to fostering employee productivity and retention. Employees who feel comfortable and valued at work are more likely to perform well and stay at your company. Creating a welcoming workplace is a key part of becoming a diverse and inclusive business. Employers who tap into the full potential of the region's workforce by building a welcoming and inclusive work environment are posed to better attract and retain workers.

Join us on January 25 for the latest session in the Creating a Welcoming Workplace Series: Building a foundational understanding of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), facilitated by Ada Tai, Renate Burwash and Mike Annett.

The session will focus on how a foundational understanding of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion impacts employers and employees within an organization. It will help create a business case for organizations to embark on or continue in their EDI journey, touching on key definitions, the benefits of various EDI strategies, and a high-level understanding of unconscious biases in our every day lives that impact decision making as employers.

Members: $25 | Non-Members: $30
All prices are subject to GST.
Welcome to the Chamber Team Rik Kaminsky!
There's a new face in the office of the Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce! Rik Kaminsky brings his extensive set of skills, acquired over a long career in various fields and start-ups, to the role of Business Engagement Specialist. He will be utilizing his gift of cultivating powerful professional networks to support the vision of the GPRC through meaningful partnerships while representing the business community in a variety of government, stakeholder groups and Indigenous communities.

Over the years, Rik's position as Chair and Director of the Spruce Grove and District Chamber of Commerce allowed him to engage in, and influence, business at the municipal level while supporting policy creation for the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce. This involvement has reinforced his belief in the strength of community and collaboration.

Rik will be working closely with the Membership Services Team and the Marketing and Communications staff member to strategically position the GPRC with target audiences to strengthen their understanding of the mandate and values of the GPRC.

For more information, or to connect with Rik, email rkaminsky@gprchamber.ca.
Member2Member 2023 - We Want You!
We are looking for partners for the 2023 Member2Member (M2M) program. These members are businesses who want to connect with other business owners by offering specials or discounts ONLY to other GPRC members. M2M discounts are valid for the entirety of 2023 and participants receive advertising as a M2M business on our website, in some eBlasts over the course of the year, and in the Membership Investment Opportunities document given to all prospective members of the GPRC. Thanks to all our 2022 M2M participants!!
The Greater Parkland Visitor Information Centre has a New Indigenous Mural
The Greater Parkland Visitor Information Centre in Stony Plain now has a mural painted by Indigenous artist, Mackenzie Brown. Everyone is welcome to come and check it out.
Workforce Trends Digest
Here are some highlights of the December 2022 Workforce Consultant Newsletter:

Labour Market Statistics
  • Employment in the province declined (-15,100 month-over-month) in November after gaining 17,700 in the previous two months.
  • Full-time employment declined by 10,000 in November but remained the driver of job gains so far this year, up 52,500 since December 2021. Part-time positions also went down by 5,100 in November.

Employer Resources
Canada Alberta Job Grant - Eligible employers can get government funding to help employees access training opportunities. Did you know:
  • The CAJG covers 66% of training costs for current employees to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee per year.
  • If hiring and training an unemployed Albertan, up to 100% of training costs are covered, up to $15,000 per trainee.
  • Applications are accepted year-round.
  • Visit alberta.ca/CAJG to apply.

Much of the information in this section is a digest of the bimonthly email Workforce Consultant Newsletter from Michael Smith, Workforce Consultant with Alberta Labour and Immigration. If you want more information, or to receive the full bimonthly email from Michael, contact him at michael.x.smith@gov.ab.ca.
Shining Member Spotlight
We are shining a spotlight on a few members each month so you can learn about them and get to know what they do. To learn more about each of these members please click on them to follow the link!
New Members in November!
Welcome to our
NEW MEMBERS!!

We look forward to seeing you grow in the community!
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR
This Newsletter is from: Greater Parkland Regional Chamber of Commerce

Name: GPRC
Contact:780-963-4545