Being
a member of the Chamber of Commerce brings a variety of benefits for
your company and your employees. Did you know that if your company
is a member of the Chamber, so are all your company's employees? Every
Chamber member gets a different combination of benefits from their Chamber membership.
Depending on your company's size, sector and needs, you can
and should focus on different aspects of your Chamber membership. You
should look at how various aspects of what the Chamber provides can add value to your business operation.
This page provides a summary of Chamber benefits and, in may cases, testimonials
from various members outlining how they have benefited from different Chamber
services.
NETWORKING
Providing networking
opportunities to help our members grow their businesses is one of the
primary objectives of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce.
Networking isn't just about having lunch or chatting over a glass of
wine. It's about sharing information, learning about each other's
business and helping grow each other's business. Networking can
take many forms. It happens at our events designed specifically
for networking (like our Business After 5,
our Business Before 9, or our Showcase
events). Networking also happens on our committees and at our
seminars, it happens at our Gala and our Golf
Tournament, and it happens when our members meet each other in a
restaurant and on the street. Networking is a very powerful way to
grow your business and the Chamber makes developing relationships
through networking easier. The
Chamber works hard to provide networking opportunities for all our
members. Our Programs
Committee designs and schedules events designed specifically to
maximize your networking opportunities. We even host seminars
to teach you how to get the most out of networking events. Our
networking events are designed specifically so that you can meet suppliers,
customers, new business-people and peers.
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BUSINESS EDUCATION
The Burlington Chamber of
Commerce is here to help your business grow. Through our business
education seminars you can learn new skills, stay informed or get
motivated. Our business seminars are organized by various Chamber
Committees based on the needs and interests of Chamber members.
Seminars are always interesting, topical and affordable.
All of our upcoming seminars
are listed on our Seminars web page and
we always keep members posted with our very popular eNews
announcements. Chamber members always receive a discount on seminar
attendance fees. Click here to see
some of the most recent Chamber business education seminars.
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ADVOCACY
A key objective of the
Burlington Chamber of Commerce is to be an effective advocate for
Burlington business. The Chamber works on your behalf. Our alliances
with other Chambers and Boards of Trade, including the Ontario and
Canadian Chambers, provide us with information and access to all levels
of government. We carry the collective and individual views of Chamber
members to all levels of government to ensure that your voice is heard.
Over the past few months, the Chamber has been active delivering your
views to the City of Burlington, the Region of Halton, the Provincial
and Federal governments. Most of the Chamber's advocacy work is
done by the Political
Action Committee and Health
Committee. Our Advocacy
Page lists some of the
advocacy activities of the last several months.
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BUSINESS
REFERRALS & CHAMBER DIRECTORIES
One of the major challenges
for most small or medium size companies is to continually grow and
expand their business. Some of their growth comes from additional sales
from existing accounts but in this area there are some limitations. When
building new contacts that can materialize into clients two of the major
criteria's are commonalities and a level of trust. By being a member of
the Burlington Chamber these two factors are already in place. Active
and new members have access to both information on the Internet with
specific outlines of organizations and companies products and services
and usually their key contacts. As well, there is a printed member
directory. This easily available information can save the members
valuable time and money in growing their business. Additionally,
the chamber office often receives phone calls looking for information
about specific business. The Chamber always refers Chamber members
only.
"To have your company name become known is an
ongoing process that needs constant attention. Companies spend millions
of dollars yearly to promote their business and services by exposing
their company name and image hoping to catch their potential client's
interest. In today's market place we are continually bombarded with
advertising and competition is ferocious. As part of the free
advertising that is available to the members the Burlington Post will
give your company exposure by printing your company name in the
newspaper as a new member. As well you have an opportunity to write an
editorial on a subject that would be of value and interest to its
readers. This is part of the Chambers monthly insert in the Post. Why
not be smart and take advantage of the free advertising for your
company? Contribute to the readers and expose your company
simultaneously." Margareta
Laffoley, Creative Discovery and Associates
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EMPLOYEE
DEVELOPMENT
Finding ways to develop young professionals
can be a challenge. In addition to a wide variety of business
seminars, the Chamber has several Committees and Task
Forces that give volunteers opportunities to develop and enhance team
building, organizational and leadership skills. Only Chamber members can
sit on Committees and Task Forces. It is not uncommon for regular
committee members to chair a committee and then move on to the Chamber's
Board of Directors.
"When our Company joined the Chamber six
years ago, one of the best decisions I made was to join a Chamber
committee.
Being a member of the Membership Committee has developed several
rewarding client relationships establishing both friendships and new
business associates. It has given me exposure within the Chamber and
allowed me to work with other committee volunteers and Chamber staff. I
would strongly encourage new business owners to join and get involved."
Karyn Williams, Duca
Financial
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CHAMBER EVENTS
The
Chamber host a wide variety of events (more than 75 each year).
These events meet a number of Chamber objectives focusing on networking,
education and advocacy. Most events are organized by Chamber
committees.
BUSINESS
AFTER 5 and BUSINESS BEFORE 9 Networking is one of the top
reasons companies join the Chamber of Commerce so we have events that
are designed specifically to give you effective networking
opportunities. Our Business After 5
takes place in the evening and usually sees between 150 and 200
guests. Our Business Before 9 takes
place first thing in the morning. So, if you want to meet
prospective clients and supplies, bring lots of business cards and come
prepared to network.
"My
first encounter with the Chamber was at a BA5 (Business After 5) meeting
that another member invited me to. I was impressed with the
friendly atmosphere and the large number of local businesses who
attended. I picked up at least 20 business cards and felt the
Chamber gave me a strong but non-threatening vehicle for
networking. The food was great too! As a result of my BA5 experience
I decided to attend BB9 meetings. There I discovered a different
group came out in the morning and was rewarded with several new business
contacts as well. Lots of coffee didn't hurt either."
Rob Wheeler, Sharp
Electronics of Canada Ltd.
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BUSINESS
AWARDS GALA The Chamber of Commerce Business
Awards Gala is Burlington's premier business awards event. The
Chamber presents the highly coveted Business Excellence Awards, BEDC
presents their High-Five Awards, Tourism Burlington presents their Ambassador
Award and Mayor Cam Jackson presents his community service awards.
The Gala has seen record attendance over the past three years.
"Lights Camera Action! Every year the Chamber of Commerce recognizes business
excellence in Burlington at the Business Awards Gala. It’s a stroll on the red carpet as the
Business Awards Gala showcases the best in business that the city of
Burlington has to offer. Preparation for a classy evening of cocktails,
food, fun and entertainment begins early and nominations are made to the
Chamber months in advance. Weeks of deliberation and interviews of the
nominees culminates in the list of finalists being produced and
announced on the Chamber website and in the media. These companies
are the best of the best; representing their industries and segments of
business with the highest levels of customer service and business
excellence. Gala tickets sell out quickly and the event has seen record
attendance over the last few years. Sponsors are an important part of
the event and ensure that the Burlington Chamber can host an excellent
event each year. The business community enters the Gala in their best
evening attire, thrilled to be in attendance at this special event. The
Business Awards Gala sees the presentation of the Chamber of Commerce
Business Excellence Awards, the BEDC High-Five Awards, Tourism
Burlington’s Ambassador Awards and Mayor Cam Jackson’s Community
Service Awards. Chamber Board Chair Rosalene Phillips extends a warm
welcome to our distinguished Mayor, the finalists, event Sponsors and
all in attendance. The winners are announced, each receives a stunning
award and has the honour to offer their acceptance and thank you
speeches to an exultant audience. As proud members of the Burlington
business community do your utmost to ensure that you are counted amongst
those in attendance at this year’s Gala." Melanie
Lalloo, Maximum I.T. Solutions.
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SMALL
BUSINESS CHRISTMAS PARTY This
event, launched in 2000, was created so that small- to medium-sized
companies could have an easy solution to the challenge of hosting a
company Christmas party. The
party created a tremendous atmosphere with hundreds of people enjoying a
festive holiday event with other local businesses.
"As
a small to medium size business owner, holding a Christmas Party to
thank your staff can be a challenge. It's difficult, if not impossible,
to host a dinner/dance with entertainment and prizes for less than 100
people. Let's be honest, dinner out with the staff and maybe their
spouses at a restaurant can be a little boring. As a one or two person
operation, Christmas can be a bit of a letdown without having a festive
event to attend. The Burlington Chamber of Commerce has a solution to
this challenge. Our Christmas Party for your Business (launched in
2000), was created so that small to medium sized companies could have an
easy solution to the challenge of a company Christmas Party. Not only
does our event committee take care of the details, we also create a
tremendous atmosphere with the almost 300 attendees this event attracts.
This event sold out three years in a row so that tells you what a great
party it is! We encourage you to come on out and socialize with other
small businesses like yours. You'll be glad you did." Cheryl
Stephenson, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Limited
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ECONOMIC
FORECAST PANEL Each year the Chamber hosts an Economic Forecast
Panel. What separates the Chamber Economic Forecast from all
others is the unique makeup of our panel. Our typical panel is
made of an economist and a pollster. This unique mix of speakers
brings a unparalleled economic information to Burlington's business
leaders. The Economic Forecast Panel is usually held in January to
kick off the Chamber's yearly calendar of events.
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GOLF
TOURNAMENT AND GOLF AFTER 5 The Chamber recognizes
that business really does happen on the golf course. To increase
your opportunities to develop business relationships, the Chamber hosts a golf
tournament each year and Golf
After 5 networking events every week in the summer.
"Studies
have shown that golf and networking are a perfect match.
Business leaders know that golf can be an important tool in
business. Spending time with
clients and prospective customers has
the potential to return many times its investment in increased revenues.
Even restaurants and the client luncheon can’t possibly surpass
time spent on the golf course for effectiveness in client development
and relationship building. Imagine you had an opportunity to hold
court with a prospective new customer for two to four hours. Do
you think you could learn something about that person in that time?
Do you think that they could learn important things about you and
your business by having their undivided attention?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, then consider
the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Golf After
5, and the Annual Past
Presidents Golf Tournament. Golf with clients and prospects is not
necessarily about talking business, although it usually develops naturally
as people spend time together. What it is about is relationship building.
And successful business is built on solid relationships.
The Chamber Past
President's Golf Tournament is a great
day of networking that includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner and prizes.
You can enter as a foursome or as an individual and, best of all, you
don't have to be a golfer to have a great time. The Chamber's Golf
After 5 takes place every Tuesday
evening in June, July, August and September when Chamber members
and their guests meet to play nine holes of golf, enjoy dinner and
network. Take some
time from your busy schedule and try these two Chamber only events."
Francis
Mackan, Horne LLP
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CURLING
BONSPIEL The Chamber's annual Curling
Bonspiel has very
quickly become one of the most talked about Chamber networking events.
A
great combination of curling, instruction, networking, gifts and prizes,
the newly resurrected annual curling bonspiel has proven to be one of
the Chamber's most popular events. The 2006 and 2007 bonspiels
were sold out weeks
in advance and no one went home disappointed. What makes this event so
special is that it caters to both curlers and non-curlers.
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BUSINESS SHOWCASE
TRADESHOWS
A
Business Showcase event combines our very popular
Business After 5 networking event with a mini-tradeshow.
The Burlington Chamber holds three Business
Showcase events each year. Every
Business Showcase gives members the opportunity to showcase their
company's products and services to an audience of Burlington
businesses.
"This is
an excellent opportunity to showcase your company and the services you
provide. The Business Showcase event has given me a
tremendous opportunity to promote and display my Company's products and
services. The various locations chosen are excellent, display tables are
set up with other new & existing Chamber Businesses and the event
ensures that members learn about your business by visiting your table.
My increased business comes from chamber members, and has already paid
for our membership." Karyn
Williams, Duca Financial
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EXECUTIVE
ROUNDTABLES
Chamber
Roundtables provide a unique peer-to-peer resource group for Burlington
manufacturing firms. They offer an opportunity for financial and
operating executives to share experiences and information. The two
Roundtables operate on alternating monthly schedules; one group consists
of CFOs and the other of Operations Executives. All Roundtable
meetings are completely confidential and topics are based on the needs of
members.
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BUSINESS,
COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
Being
a member of the Chamber gives you access to a wide variety of vital
business information. The Chamber's online Reference
Desk presents business,
community and government information (and no Chamber information) and is
the fourth most popular page on our website. The online Chamber
Library provides access to all Chamber polices, surveys, advocacy
letters, and quick poll results. Our online
Communications Archive provides access to the most recent Chamber
communications pieces.
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DOCUMENT
CERTIFICATION
Certain
countries require a Certificate of Origin for exportation of
goods. Without the Chamber stamp and/or seal, some countries
will not allow goods into their country. The Burlington Chamber
provides this service to help companies carry on business with other countries
(not all Chambers provide this service). Visit our Document
Certification page for details.
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ESSO
DISCOUNT
The
Chamber of Commerce, in association with The
Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Esso is pleased to offer you a reduction
on fuel with every fill up. You can save money on every
purchase whether you buy it across the street, across town or across the
country. 3 cents per litre discount off the total dollars of each
purchase at any Esso Brand service station in Canada with over 2,300
Esso locations. Read this
flyer for more details.
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VISA
/ MASTERCARD
The Chamber helps our members
save money while making money. The Merchant Program enables you to
save money with preferential credit card and debit card transaction
rates.
As a retailer, you can't
afford to not take part in this program. Rates
as low as 1.75%. Click
here to see how much your company can save by taking part in the Chamber
of Commerce VISA / MasterCard program.
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GROUP
INSURANCE BENEFITS
Small
companies can get the group benefits programs that are typically
available only to large companies. The Chamber of Commerce Group
Insurance Plan is the largest small business program in Canada and
insures over 70,000 business owners and their employees. Benefits
are
available to firms with one employee and all businesses are eligible to
participate in the Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan as long as
they are members of the Chamber. Click
here for more information.
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