Pipeline - February 1, 2012

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

In this issue of Pipeline:

Hamilton Chamber Policy Updates
Input to Province's Southwestern Ontario Development Fund
Ontario Chamber of Commerce: New Paper: Emerging Stronger - A Transformative Agenda for Ontario
Updates from Chamber Divisions and Committees
Chamber Updates and Chamber Events
Community Calendar

Hamilton Chamber - Policy Updates:

The four policy priorities for the Hamilton Chamber this year are:

Mass Transit
- All day, two-way GO Train Service to Toronto
- Development of LRT in Hamilton
Fair Taxation
Strong voice at Queen's Park
Creation of an arms-length land development corporation

LRT: The Chamber's LRT Task Force met on January 25 and received an update presentation from the City's Rapid Transit team. To review the presentation, click on this link to the Chamber website.

Input to Province's Southwestern Ontario Development Fund

The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation is hosting the last two consultation sessions this Friday February 3 (St. Catharines) and Monday February 6 (Guelph) to gain input from business about the new Southwestern Ontario Development Fund. For more information and to register for one of the sessions, click on:

http://www.ontariocanada.com/ontcan/1medt/en/swodf_en.jsp

Ontario Chamber of Commerce: New Paper: Emerging Stronger - A Transformative Agenda for Ontario

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Mowat Centre and Leger Marketing are pleased to present, Emerging Stronger: A Transformative Agenda for Ontario.

For 100 years, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has championed an economic vision for this province and advocated for a more competitive Ontario. Developed in partnership with The Mowat Centre and Leger Marketing, Emerging Stronger: A Transformative Agenda for Ontario outlines a strategic plan for how to best leverage Ontario's competitive advantages into greater prosperity.

This economic vision serves as a foundation for dialogue with government and civic leaders about opportunities for progress and what Ontario needs to do, but most importantly, what Ontario can become.

Updates from Chamber Divisions and Committees:

Please note that upcoming Chamber Division and Committee meetings will now be posted on the calendar of events on the Chamber website homepage. Please check the calendar for upcoming meetings and guest speakers. http://www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca/events/events

Hamilton Economic Summit Advisory Committee met on January 26 and are finalizing the content for the 5th Annual Hamilton Economic Summit, scheduled for Thursday May 10 (mark your calendars). More details, including early bird registration information will be available shortly.

Upcoming Meetings:

Transportation Committee: Tuesday February 7, 8am Waterfront Centre

Hamilton HIVE: Wednesday February 8, 8:30am, Waterfront Centre

Business Development Committee: Wednesday February 8, 12:00 noon.

Guest Speaker: Renew Hamilton - Inspired Urban Environments with presenter: Richard W. Allen, Director, The Renew Hamilton Project

Richard will showcase a fresh community-based project now operating under the auspices of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. The mission of Renew Hamilton is to help document, promote and accelerate the regeneration of our built and natural environments with a focus on downtown and adjacent neighbourhoods. The presentation will look at this initiative through the lens of tangible business opportunities arising from local investments in restorative development.

Innovation and Technology: Thursday February 9, 8am, McMaster Innovation Park

Ancaster Division Meeting: Friday February 10, 12:00 noon at the Ancaster Mill.

Ancaster Division

Nominations are open for the Ancaster Community Awards

Do you know an outstanding volunteer or business? Nominate them for the RBC Ancaster Citizen of the Year, Ancaster Mill Youth Volunteer of the Year and the Heritage Home Business of the Year.

Nomination deadline is Friday February 17th.

Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Tuesday, April 3rd at the Ancaster Mill.

Forms located at www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca

Dundas Division

Nominations are open for the Dundas Community Awards

Do you know an outstanding volunteer or business? Nominate them for the RBC Dundas Citizen of the Year, Dundas Valley Collision Youth Volunteer of the Year and the Dundas Business of the Year.

Nomination deadline is Friday March 2nd.

Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Friday, April 27th at the University Club at McMaster.

Forms located at www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca

For more information about becoming a member of a Division or Committee, please contact the Chamber's President and CEO at, d.adames@hamiltonchamber.on.ca
For an overview of the Chamber's committees and divisions, please visit, http://www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca/committees/committees

Chamber Events and Updates

2013 Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory Kick-Off

It's never too early to save money! The Chamber is now reserving advertising space in the 2013 Membership Directory. Maximize your company's coverage in this once-a-year marketing opportunity. We have expanded our audience to include a digital version on the Chamber's website. "Flip with a click" will include hyperlinks to websites from the ads and membership listings. Book before April 30th, 2012 and receive 5% off! Call Patricia at 905-522-1151 ext. 240 or 905-818-1173 or e-mail p.dieryck@hamiltonchamber.on.ca. Click here for more information and member rates.

Connections Networking Group: opens its doors to all members of the Chamber on Thursday, February 2nd to come and hear their Guest Speaker, President and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber David Adames. 7:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Waterfront Centre, 555 Bay Street North, $15.00 (full breakfast included. To Register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.on.ca

New! Coffee with Chamber CEO and Guest: Friday, February 10

Come out to this casual session, which will take place the second Friday of the month from 8-9am at the Mulberry Café on James Street North. The first session will take place Friday February 10. The coffee session will feature an update and Q&A on Chamber activities as well as a different guest from the Hamilton business community each month. We are pleased to announce our first guest will be Paul Berton, Editor-in-Chief of The Hamilton Spectator. Watch twitter (@hamiltonchamber) and Pipeline for updates. The cost will be $10 (cash at the door) and seating will be limited - first come, first served!

Delivering the Goods: Friday February 17

Efficient movement of goods is critical to driving job creation and growing our economy. As part of the "Big Move", Metrolinx has been researching and planning for future goods movement in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). Come out to hear the latest information about the strategy and the impact on your business.

Members: $35 Non-Members: $45*

*includes continental breakfast/please add HST

Location: McMaster Innovation Park (Longwood Road)

Time: 7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Sponsored by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and TransHub Ontario
To register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.on.ca

Mayor's Breakfast

Monday, February 27

Waterfront Centre - 555 Bay Street North (Free Parking)

7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

$40.00* members; $50.00* non-members * add hst

Mayor Bob Bratina's 2nd address to Chamber members and their guests

Proud Sponsor: Union Gas

To register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.on.ca

166th Annual General Meeting

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce

Monday, March 5th

Waterfront Centre - 555 Bay Street North (Free Parking)

5:00 p.m. Business Meeting (Free to attend) To Register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.on.ca

Induction of New Chair and Executive by Mayor Bob Bratina
Annual Report
Constitution and By-Law Changes

6:00 p.m. A Night in Paris Networking Reception $25 + hst per person for the reception

Proud Sponsors: Hamilton International Airport; Imagination Plus, Guyatt + Moffat, CA, Waterfront Centre, Netaccess, CareGo

Mark the Date - Outstanding Business Achievement Awards: March 26 - A Celebration of Business

Rotary Club of Ancaster A.M. Paul Harris Award 2012

A Paul Harris Fellow is the highest honour given by Rotary for both service and financial support to our Rotary Foundation. In receiving one for your extraordinary service, you also know that a donation to the Foundation has been made on your behalf.

Awarding a Paul Harris fellowship increases awareness of the Club in our community. The award recognizes that the individual has made an exceptional contribution towards improving life in the area.

Paul Harris recognition is not limited to Rotarians. These honourees can be individuals in our community that have demonstrated outstanding service to the community through involvement and good citizenship.

In the case of a non-Rotarian, the nominee should be:

A resident of the area
Actively involved in the community for at least 2 years
Someone who has made a difference in the quality of life in the area.
Someone who has shown leadership in community volunteer activity
Someone whose accomplishments are viewed as "Beyond the line of duty" and exhibits "Service above Self"

In the case of a Rotarian, the nominee should be:

A member of the club for a minimum of 2 years
A member in good standing of the club
Demonstrate the same level of service as applies to the non-rotarian criteria.

To nominate an individual as a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship, please submit your nominations and a testament of their accomplishments to any of the Paul Harris Selection Committee below no later than February 9, 2012.

Randy Raphael     randy.raphael@vision.ca
Marty Schure      mschure@cogeco.ca
Carolyn Seabrook-Ferguson     rotarycarolyn@live.com
Dan Wentworth   dwentworth@sympatico.ca
Frank Stechey    fstechey@gmail.com

(Be sure to check out the Community Calendar and the Member News links on the right side panel of this newsletter. Contact Diane Stephenson at 905-522-1151 ext. 220 or d.stephenson@hamiltonchamber.on.ca to have your news included.)

Look for our weekly newsletter every Wednesday morning. This will be The Chamber's main vehicle of communication with members on a weekly basis for events, important news and updates.