Welcome to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.   We have been the voice of business in Burlington since 1947.   With 1,100 members we advocate on behalf of local business and provide valuable networking opportunities to help your business grow and prosper.

 

 

0% MEMBERSHIP FEE INCREASE IN 2010

 

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SECTOR-SPECIFIC HST WORKSHOPS

 

Over the past six months, the Chamber has several calls about the Harmonized Sales Tax and how it will be implemented.  To help you understand how the HST will affect your business and how you should implement HST at your company, the Chamber has partnered with BDO Canada LLP to host a series of five sector-specific workshops.   This series of workshops is structured based on sectors that have similar tax rules.  Workshops include: For-Profit Businesses, Sales of Goods Sector,   Not-for-Profit Sector,  Construction & Home-Builders, and Non-Collecting Enterprises.

 

 

NETWORKING 201 SEMINAR

Networking is the number one reason companies join the Chamber.  Each year the Burlington Chamber hosts 24 events designed specifically to help you network.  You attend these Chamber networking events but are you getting the best value for your time investment?  The Chamber is hosting a free networking workshop on March 4, right before our Business After 5.  Click here for details.

 

 

ARE YOU INNOVATION READY?

 

The New Economy has changed the rules of what it takes to run a competitively successful business. In the Old Economy, businesses and individuals who demonstrated some innovative flair were the exception to the rule and therefore, assured competitive success. Product and service life cycles are now two to three years in length and service life cycles are sometimes less than one year into roll-out when the competition arrives on your doorstep to pressure your margins and viability. This will be a working session geared towards those who wish to tap their own unique entrepreneurial genius in order to flourish in the uncertainty and chaos that marks this new era. Click here for details.

 

 

ZERO PERCENT MEMBERSHIP FEE INCREASE

 

After approving the Chamber budget for 2010, the Board of Directors is very pleased to announce a zero percent Chamber membership fee increase in 2010.  Normally, to balance the Chamber's budget, membership fees increase at approximately the rate of inflation.  The Chamber Board felt that after many years of strong support and a year of difficult economic circumstances, it was important to give something back to our members.  It was felt that budgeting a zero percent membership fee increase was a great way to do this.

 

 

ECONOMY IN 2010 SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN

 

Our "Economy in 2010" survey shows that Burlington business people are optimistic about their company and the economy in 2010 compared with 2009.  62% of respondents said the economy will be better in the new year (a huge increase from the 9% in last year's survey) and 63% said their business will perform better in 2010 (up from 25% in last year's survey).  In all, there is a strong feeling that 2010 will be much better than 2009.  Click here for the full survey results.  The results are being given to our Economic Forecast panelists to give them a sense of the Burlington business community's views on the economy

 

 

 

 

CHAMBER DELEGATION AT CITY COUNCIL

 

With a vote on a McMaster campus in Burlington on the agenda at the October 20 city council meeting, the Chamber appeared as a delegation (along with Team Burlington partners BEDC and Tourism) in support of the project.  Board Chair Janet Whitehouse cited the positive economic impacts (as outlined in the consultant's study) along with the benefits of the proposed downtown family health unit and affiliated teaching facility at JBMH as key reasons that city council should ensure the campus comes to Burlington.  Council voted unanimously to proceed with the next steps of project.  Click here to read the Chamber delegation.

 

 

CHAMBER DRIVES MAJOR WIN FOR BUSINESSES

 

On March 21 federal parliament voted against Bill C-257 (which proposed anti-replacement worker legislation). This is a major win for businesses in Canada and an excellent example of how being a member of the Chamber of Commerce can help your business. When plans for this new bill were announced, the Canadian Chamber mobilized local Chambers throughout the country. The Burlington Chamber contacted local MP Mike Wallace and solicited his support in defeating this Bill. This type of advocacy work is only possible because of the strength of each local Chamber and the channelling of that strength to the federal level. Your membership makes a difference.

 

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OTHER RECENT CHAMBER NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 

Chamber Hosts Revenue Minister Wilkinson on HST (October 2009)

Chamber Hosts Business Consultation with Hon. John McCallum  (August 2009)

Chamber Hosts Business Consultation with Hon. Jim Flaherty  (August 2009)

Golf Tournament a Success Despite Rain (June 2009)

Business Excellence Award Winners Announced (May 2009)

Chamber Helps to Defeat Replacement Workers Bill  (April 2009)

Chamber Hosts Business Consultation with Marc Garneau  (April2009)

Chamber Launches Economic Uncertainty Seminar Series (January 2009)

Economy in 2009 Survey Results Released (January 2009)

Chamber Membership Reaches All-Time High  (November 2008)

2007 Business Excellence Award Winners Announced  (May 2008)

Chamber Introduces New Board of Directors  (April 2008)

Chamber Surveys Members on Performing Arts Centre  (March 2008)  

Chamber Scholarship Fund Reaches $100,000 Target  (November 2007)

 

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The Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of Team Burlington.