Pipeline Newsletter - April 4, 2012

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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

In this issue of Pipeline:

Hamilton Chamber - Federal Budget Reaction

Congratulation to the winners of the Ancaster Community Awards

Hamilton Economic Summit - 5th Annual: Thursday, May 10th

Canadian Chamber of Commerce Survey

Hamilton Chamber - Policy Priority

Chamber Updates and Chamber Events

Chamber Office Furniture For Sale

Community Calendar

Hamilton Chamber - Federal Budget Reaction

The federal budget, presented in the House of Commons on March 29, has a longer-term focus based on five themes that will contribute to increasing Canada's competitiveness: innovation, investment, education, skills and communities.

Additional key points from the budget proposals include:

The deficit for 2011/12 will be $24.4 billion, $6.6 billion lower than originally projected
The medium-term fiscal plan hinges on the government's commitment to limit annual program spending increases to an average of about 2.1% per year through fiscal 2016-17
The government continues to rule out tax increases to balance its books. This is a victory for the Canadian Chamber and the network that pushed hard for spending restraint over growth-killing tax hikes to balance the books
The debt-to-GDP ratio, an important measure of fiscal sustainability, is on track to fall to below 30% by 2016-17, returning it to its pre-recession level. Overall, the federal government's relatively favourable fiscal position, compared to other G7 countries, should be well received by markets

The Hamilton Chamber would like to thank the federal Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver for his speech to members last Friday at the Waterfront Centre. The Minister spoke about the budget and business opportunities associated with Canada's natural resources sector. MPs David Sweet and Mike Wallace also attended the event.

Congratulations to the winners of the Ancaster Community Awards

Last night, April 3, the Ancaster Division hosted the Ancaster Community Awards. The winners for this year are:

Ancaster Citizen of the Year: Anton Plas (sponsored by RBC)

Ancaster Youth Volunteer of the Year: Derek Hambly (sponsored by the Ancaster Mill)

Ancaster Business of the Year: Heritage Green Landscape Contractors (sponsored by Heritage Household Services)

The Chamber would like to thank Bob Wilkins, Chair of the Ancaster BIA, who was the guest speaker at the event. We would also like to thank Ancaster & Ancaster AM Rotary Clubs who provided the Youth Bursary. The Chamber also congratulates the nominees for the Youth Volunteer and Business of the Year: Business: Cora's Ancaster and SupperWorks; Youth: Natasha Breward; Emma Kolesar; Anjali Vig and Erica Zucker.

Hamilton Economic Summit - 5th Annual: May 10

On Thursday May 10, the Chamber will host the 5th Annual Hamilton Economic Summit at the Hamilton Convention Centre based on the topic "Hamilton's role in the regional economy and beyond". This is the must-attend business event of the year. There will be both an Executive and Sales track. The day will include plenary and break-out sessions covering eight subjects: Advanced Manufacturing, Creative Industries, Education, Health Sciences, North End Business Park, Real Estate, Small Business and Transportation. The Summit will also include the "5 Star" session that will celebrate five business success stories from the past year. Registration is now open at www.hamiltoneconomicsummit.ca

Canadian Chamber of Commerce Survey

As part of the chamber network's ongoing consultation on the issues related to skills/competitiveness, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is requesting our members to complete a short survey on the important issue of skills development. The survey is available at second survey.

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 Today

Watch your edition of the Hamilton Spectator and its Business News Magazine today 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:

Energy and Environment Committee: April 10, 8am: Waterfront Centre

Business Development Committee: April 11, Noon, Waterfront Centre; Featuring guest speaker Vince DiCristofaro, One Power and AVL Metals.

Ancaster Division: April 13, Noon, Ancaster Mill; featuring guest speaker David Sweet, MP Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Westdale

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

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

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

Chamber Events and Updates

Second Annual LiON's LAIR:

The Hamilton Chamber is pleased to be collaborating once again with Innovation Factory to present the second annual LiON's LAIR on October 4. More information is available at

www.pitch-it.ca. To get ready for the event and submissions, the following key dates are coming up in April:

April 2 from 6-9 Innovation Factory is hosting a Q&A and workshop to help people prepare submissions, details and registration at http://lionslairworkshop2012.eventbrite.com/
April 30 is the submission deadline for proposals - apply at
https://innovationfactory.wufoo.com/forms/lions-lair-2012/
Plus, a great video of the finalists from 2011 talking about their experience at http://pitch-it.ca/finalists/current-finalists

Coffee with CEO

Friday, April 13th

David Adames welcomes guests

Louise Dompierre, President, Art Gallery of Hamilton and Chair, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and

Richard Allen, ReNew Hamilton

8:00 a.m.

Mulberry Café. 193 James Street North

$10.00 at the door

Smart Business Workshop

Tuesday, April 17th

Is your business postitioned to prosper in the new economy? Are you incorporating triplebottom-line best practices? How do your business practices compare with others in Hamilton?

The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Sustainable Hamilton would like to show you how taking a sustainable approach to your business strategy and operations is simply smart business. Becoming a more sustainable operation does not have to cost money... it just calls for different thinking. This means lowering your operating costs, increasing your profitability and reducing your environmental footprint. For more information go to www.hamiltonchamber.ca

Business After Business

Thursday, April 26

Network with other Chamber member and guests

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

Host Location: Beverly Golf & Country Club

To Register: Whitney at w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

Women's Golf and Glamour Day

Monday, May 28th

Fun Day of 9 holes of golf, spa treatment, shopping, lunch and more..all for charity

To Register: www.hamiltonchamber.ca or E-Mail: Whitney at w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

Sponsorship Opportunties still available

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 24 - McMaster University Alumni Luncheon

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

April 27 - Dundas Community Awards

May 10 - Hamilton Economic Summit

May 28 - Women's Golf and Glamour Day

June 5 - Chamber's Annual Golf Tournament

June 14 - Contacts 2 Contracts

Chamber Office Furniture for Sale!

We know you've heard... the Chamber is moving our offices back to the downtown core! Our new location will be in the Standard Life Building, Plaza Level, on the corner of King and Bay Streets. We are excited about our new location, but we can't take everything! That's why we would like to give our Chamber members first chance to buy some gently used office furniture. What we have:

4 cubicles (sold as a quad). This includes 4 L-shaped desks, overhangs for each, and under desk file storage. Cubicles are partitioned by common dividers. Price: $500.00 per cubicle.

1 reception counter, L-shaped, 2-tiered, with overhang and under desk storage. Price: $750.00

1 stand alone cubicle, L-shaped desk with overhang, under desk storage and 2 partition walls. Price: $650.00

3 telemarketing cubicles with overhangs, under desk storage divided by common partitions. Sold as a set of three. Price: $1,000.00 complete.

Please stop by for viewing or call us for more details at 905-522-1151. Our offices will continue regular business hours at our 555 Bay St. N. location until April 30th. (Disassembly and shipping are the responsibility of the purchaser).

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 information included.

*Please Note: Member News is reserved for Not-for-profit member news and Hamilton Chamber Member milestone news i.e. Anniversaries, Grand Openings, Awards etc. All Chamber members are welcome to include their events in the Community Calendar.

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.