Pipeline Newsletter - March 14, 2012

pipeline header

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

In this issue of Pipeline:

New Chamber Policy Theme
Chamber email communication protocol changes
Business Question of the Week
Updates from Chamber Divisions and Committees
Chamber Updates and Chamber Events
Community Calendar

New Chamber Policy Theme

The new policy theme for the Chamber, announced at our March 5 Annual General meeting is: "Growing Hamilton's economy through smart green infrastructure". In the coming months, the Chamber will be working with our members through our divisions, committees and task forces to better understand the needs of our business community related to opportunities associated with green infrastructure. We will tap into our members' experience and expertise to add perspectives to discussions and decisions around policies that will foster the growth of green infrastructure and associated business opportunities.

Through this theme, the Chamber will add its voice to how Hamilton can generate economic activity from the green economy. This theme aligns with both the federal and provincial government plans to support economic growth and the City of Hamilton's Economic Development strategy.

As part of our work on this theme, we will explore questions related to ways of supporting and growing industries, companies and jobs in the smart green economy, including questions such as:

Why and how is smart green infrastructure good for businesses and their bottom lines?
What unique strengths does Hamilton have to create new opportunities for existing companies while fostering new business as well?
What kinds of investments and policies are required to drive those opportunities?
How do we assess returns on different kinds of green infrastructure investments?
What roles need to be played and by whom?

For the Chamber, we will use this theme to shape discussions at future events including the Hamilton Economic Summit (2012 topic is "Hamilton's role in the regional economy and beyond") and through seminars and workshops such as the April 17, 2012 workshop with Sustainable Hamilton that will help businesses understand ways to improve their bottom lines through sustainable business practices. Our future communication and advocacy plans will also be informed by this new theme.

We will provide updates on the work for this theme, so please check our website for information.

Chamber email communication protocol changes

Effective Friday March 9, the emails for Chamber staff will change over to @hamiltonchamber.ca (for example, d.adames@hamiltonchamber.ca). To send an email to a Chamber staff member, please use first initial followed by a period followed by last name, then @hamiltonchamber.ca

Business Question of the Week:

The Hamilton Chamber is going to pose a question of the week in our weekly Pipeline to engage our members on some business issues. If you are interested in responding, please click here to email your response.

This week's question:

Employment grew in the Hamilton CMA by 20,000 positions (February 2011-February 2012) - what are your hiring plans for this year?

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.ca/events/events

Upcoming Meetings:

Glanbrook Division: Thursday March 15, 8am: Glanbrook Municipal Service Centre, Binbrook Road: Guest speaker: Frank Scremin, President and CEO, Hamilton International Airport.

Dundas Division: Thursday March 15, Noon: Winchester Arms, King Street, Dundas: Guest speaker: John Dolbec, President and CEO, TransHub Ontario

Young Entrepreneurs and Professional Division: Wednesday March 21, Noon: Waterfront Centre

Division and Committee Meetings (past week):

Innovation and Technology Committee met on Thursday March 8, and heard from guest speaker Justin Hogeterp about his business Fluid Media.

Ancaster Division met on Friday March 9, and heard from guest speaker Fran Cheyne about Ancaster Heritage Days.

Energy and Environment Committee met on Tuesday March 13 and heard from guest speakers Brian Montgomery and Tom Chessman about the City's Climate Change and Energy Office initiatives.

Ancaster Division

Tickets are now available for the Ancaster Community Awards Award winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Tuesday, April 3rd at the Ancaster Mill, featuring guest speaker Bob Wilkins, Chair Ancaster BIA.

Forms located at www.hamiltonchamber.ca

Dundas Division

Tickets are now available for the Dundas Community Awards Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Friday, April 27th at the University Club at McMaster featuring guest speaker Mayor Bob Bratina.

For more information about becoming a member of a Division or Committee, please contact the Chamber's President and CEO at, d.adames@hamiltonchamber.ca

For an overview of the Chamber's committees and divisions, please visit,

http://www.hamiltonchamber.ca/committees/committees

Chamber Events and Updates

New Member Orientation Session

Thursday, March 20th
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Waterfront Banquet Centre
Come out to meet the Chamber's newest members and to learn more about the Chamber an how it can benefit you and your business.

Business After Business

Thursday, March 22nd

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Host Location - Hamilton International Airport
Join us in the International Arrivals Hall located in the terminal

To Register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

Dundas Home & Lifestyle Fair

Lions Community Centre

(Market & King St. W. Dundas)

Saturday, March 24th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Email: ourdundas@gmail.com or click here for flyer

Come out to showcase your product or service, generate leads and support your community initiatives.

A Celebration of Business in Hamilton

The Chamber's Outstanding Business Achievement Awards

Monday, March 26th

Come out and support our finalists......

Small - Albanese Branding, Joseph Haulage
Large - Grand Olympia, Hamilton International Airport, Sheraton Hamilton Hotel

Not-for-Profit - Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Victoria Park Community Homes, YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford

Ironman - Agro Zaffiro, September Seventh Entertainment Ltd.

Young Entrepreneur - Chris Farias (kitestring creative branding studio), Steve Kulakowsky (Core Urban)

Communications Technology - ECE Software Solutions, KKT Interactive

Century - Forsythe Lubrication

Sponsors: BMO Bank of Montreal, Bell, Grant Thornton, Hamilton Economic Development, Hamilton Spectator, OLG, Cogeco, Dan Lawrie Insurance

Also during in the day there will be a salute to small business by the Small Business Enterprise Centre (click here for flyer) and The Hamilton BIA Awards Reception

Connection Group

Invites all Chamber members to come and hear their next speaker. Mr. John Porter, President of Tradebank Inc.

Thursday, March 29th

7:15 a.m. Breakfast

7:30 p.m. Speaker

Waterfront Centre (Free Parking)

To Register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

Mark Your Calendar- Check the Chambers' website for upcoming details about the following events.

April 3 - Ancaster Community Awards

April 13 - Coffee with CEO (Richard Allen, ReNew Hamilton)

April 17 - Smart Business Workshop

April 18 - Glanbrook Trade Show

April 24 - Luncheon with McMaster University Alumni Association

April 26 - Business After Business - Beverly Golf & Country Club

April 27 - Dundas Community Awards

Community Calendar & Member News Updates

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.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.