Pipeline Newsletter - March 21, 2012

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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

In this issue of Pipeline:

Hamilton Chamber - Special Week of Activities
Happy Retirement to Jan Watts, Chamber's Controller
Hamilton Chamber - Policy Priority
Chamber Panorama Supplement in Hamilton Spectator Business News April 4
Chamber Updates and Chamber Events
Community Calendar

Special Week of Activities

Hamilton Chamber - March 26 Special week of activities (details are listed under Events on www.hamiltonchamber.ca)

The Chamber will be hosting a number of key events and activities the week of March 26. It begins with our collaboration with Hamilton Economic Development in marking a "Celebration of Business" on Monday March 26. The day is full of workshops, recognition and celebration including Salute to Small Business in the afternoon, recognition of BIAs' Property Excellence Awards and the Chamber's Outstanding Business Achievement Awards during the evening. All events take place at both the C Hotel by Carmens and the Carmens Banquet Centre. Tickets are now on sale for the events.

On Wednesday March 28, 7:45-8:45am at McMaster Innovation Park, the Chamber, in collaboration with neighbouring Chambers, will host Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ted McMeekin who will provide members with a post provincial budget briefing (budget is being delivered on March 27) followed by a question and answer period.

On Thursday March 29, 7:30-9am at the Waterfront Centre, the Chamber's Connections Committee is hosting John Porter, President of Tradebank Canada who will speak about the benefits and opportunities associated with a business barter system. All members are welcome and encouraged to register and attend this breakfast event.

Then, on Friday March 30, Noon-1:30pm, the Chamber is hosting Federal Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver. The Minister will speak about the federal budget (being delivered on March 29) and address the future of Canada's natural resources, in particular how the oil sands provide benefits across the country including manufacturing opportunities in Hamilton.

Additional information about these events, including costs and registration, are available on the events section of the Chamber website at www.hamiltonchamber.ca

Happy retirement to Jan Watts, Chamber's Controller

Following a 35-year career with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Jan Watts, our Controller, will be retiring on March 30. In recognition of her long service, please join fellow Chamber members as well as past Board Chairs and Board members at a "drop-in" retirement tea at the Chamber office on Thursday March 29 from 2-4:30pm and share some memories and laughs with Jan as she begins a new journey!

Hamilton Chamber - Policy Updates

The new policy theme for the Hamilton Chamber this year is "Growing Hamilton's Economy through smart green infrastructure"

On Tuesday April 17, from 8-10am at McMaster Innovation Park, the Chamber is partnering with Sustainable Hamilton to offer the "Smart Business Workshop". Learn and interact with experts who will offer practical ways for you to improve your bottom line with simple business solutions that will also help you contribute to sustainable business practices. For more information, including registration details, visit the events section on the Chamber website.

Chamber Panorama supplement in Hamilton Spectator Business News April 4

Watch your edition of the Hamilton Spectator and its Business News Magazine on Wednesday April 4 for the Chamber's new Panorama insert. Panorama will cover Chamber activities, list new members, outline upcoming events and share business priorities.

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:

Transportation: Tuesday April 3, 8am, Waterfront Centre

Human Resources: Wednesday April 4, 8am, Waterfront Centre

Government Affairs: Wednesday April 4, Noon, Waterfront Centre

Reports from last week's Chamber Division and Committee meetings:

Glanbrook Division - met on March 15 andChamber member Frank Scremin, President and CEO of Hamilton International Airport provided an update on airport activities.

Dundas Division - met on March 15 and Chamber member John Dolbec, President and CEO of TransHub Ontario provided on update on TransHub's activities.

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

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EXCITING EVENT!

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 and The Hamilton BIA Awards Reception

For further details contact Whitney at 905-522-1151 ext. 237 or to register go to: www.hamiltonchamber.ca

Business After Business

Thursday, March 22nd

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

Host Location - Hamilton International Airport/Canadian Warplane Museum

To Register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

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)

$20 + hst (includes breakfast)

To Register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

Ancaster Community Awards

Come out to support Ancaster Citizens, Youth and Businesses

Tuesday, April 3rd

Ancaster Mill

5:30 p.m. Reception 6:30 p.m. Dinner

Guest Speaker: Bob Wilkins, Ancaster Heritage Village BIA

Sponsors: RBC Royal Bank, Ancaster Mill, Heritage Household

To Register: w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

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

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

April 17 - Smart Business Workshop

April 18 - Glanbrook Trade Show

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

April 27 - Dundas Community Awards

Long-time Chamber Member wins Prestigious Award

The Insurance Institute of Ontario/Hamilton/Niagara Chapter was pleased to recently announce that this year's recipient of the David McLauchlan Award is Dan Lawrie, CLU C.F.S.B President & CEO of Dan Lawrie Insurance Brokers. This award is presented annually to someone who represents all that is good about the people who work in our industry. Whether it is donating time to a community service organization, church or charity group - these individuals go above and beyond and in doing so, make life better for others. They are the people who live strongly by their values and exhibit professionalism in both their personal and business lives. Their commitment makes a difference.

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.