Pipeline Newsletter - May 9, 2012

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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

In this issue of Pipeline

Hamilton Economic Summit - 5th Annual: Tomorrow: Thursday May 10
Hamilton Chamber releases report: "Walkability and Economic Development: How Pedestrian and Transit-oriented Environments attract Creative Jobs in Hamilton"
Local residents' opinions on some business issues
Hamilton Chamber policy approved at Ontario Chamber Annual Meeting
Canadian Chamber of Commerce seeks input on Skills development
New home for the Hamilton Chamber
Chamber Division and Committee meetings and events
Chamber Updates and Chamber Events
Community Calendar and Member News

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

Tomorrow, 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. Dr. David Foot, author of "Boom, Bust and Echo", will deliver the Summit's keynote address and David will provide important demographic information for business to use in their everyday work. The day will also include break-out sessions covering seven subjects: Advanced Manufacturing, Creative Industries, Education, Health Sciences, Real Estate, Small Business and Transportation. The Summit will also profile business success stories from the past year. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide input to the Summit Scorecard, or "to do" list that the Chamber will focus on delivering in the next year. Registration is now open at www.hamiltoneconomicsummit.ca The Chamber would like to thank all sponsors, panelists and facilitators for investing in the Hamilton Economic Summit.

Hamilton Chamber releases report: "Walkability and Economic Development: How Pedestrian and Transit-oriented Environments attract Creative Jobs in Hamilton"

The Hamilton Chamber released a report today entitled Walkability and Economic Development: How Pedestrian and Transit-oriented Environments attract Creative Jobs in Hamilton.

Building on a recommendation from last year's Hamilton Economic Summit, the Chamber commissioned the Centre for Community Study (CCS) to look at links between walkability, transit accessibility and creative industries in the City of Hamilton. As one of six sectors found within the City of Hamilton's Economic Development Strategy, creative industries represent a newer sector that is important for the city to continue to diversify and grow the local economy. In 2011, creative industries in the downtown grew by almost 20 percent from 2010, the largest growth of any sector tracked.

The Walkability and Economic Development report shows that the neighbourhoods in Hamilton that rank higher in walkability and transit accessibility have significantly higher concentrations of creative jobs across the city. Particular clusters of note include the neighbourhoods in and around downtown Hamilton (Central, Beasley, Durand, Corktown), the south-west (Strathcona, and Kirkendall North), as well as downtown Dundas.

This research supports the Chamber's policy theme of growing Hamilton's economy through green infrastructure and is an important first step at investigating how new business growth and job creation in Hamilton is linked to key Quality of Life (QOL) indicators like walkability and transit access. Click here for more.

Local residents' opinions on some business issues

In preparing for this year's Hamilton Economic Summit and to help us better understand what's on the mind of our local community related to business, the Hamilton Chamber participated in a public opinion poll last month. 400 local residents were polled through telephone interviews from April 10-25.

When asked the question "in your opinion, what do you feel would be the most important issue for a new business to establish in Hamilton", the top four responses were:

Availability of Skilled labour (45.8% of respondents)
Reasonable taxes (cited by 35.3%)
Good transportation (noted by 16.5%)
Political support (11.5%)

Another question asked was "thinking about the Golden Horseshoe, what field or sector do you feel Hamilton contributes the most":

Health Sciences was mentioned by 29% of respondents
Manufacturing 27.5%
Education 14.2%

Hamilton Chamber policy approved at Ontario Chamber Annual Meeting

This past Saturday May 5, the policy resolution from the Hamilton Chamber's Transportation committee was approved at the Ontario Chamber's annual meeting held in St. Catharines. The policy, entitled, "Goods and People Movement Long Range Transportation Plan" was an update of a policy resolution approved at last year's meeting. The resolution called on the provincial government to develop a 30-year transportation plan for Ontario, as no such plan exists today. The full policy resolution is available on the Hamilton Chamber website.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce seeks input on Skills development

As part of the chamber network's ongoing consultation on the issues related to skills/competitiveness, the Canadian Chamber is asking our members to provide input on this important issue under the skills umbrella. This survey (13 questions) focuses on issues relative to immigration processes for temporary foreign workers; permanent workers and international students. Here's the link to the survey: http://bit.ly/Top10survey5

A short one-page backgrounder on each of these immigration processes, Temporary Foreign Works, Permanent Workers and International Students is available on the Canadian Chamber website.

New home for the Hamilton Chamber

On April 30, the Hamilton Chamber moved our offices to downtown Hamilton. We are now located at 120 King Street West, Suite 770. Our phone number remains the same at 905-522-1151. In June, we will move to our permanent office at the same address, but on the Plaza Level, Suite 507. Our Divisions and Committees will continue to meet at the same locations until the end of June. Please watch for updates on meeting locations for the September start of Division and Committee meetings.

Upcoming Division and Committee meetings and events

Ancaster Division: Friday May 11, Noon: Ancaster Fairgrounds:

Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals Division: Wednesday May 16, Noon, Waterfront Centre

Glanbrook Division: Thursday May 17, 8am: Glanbrook Municipal Service Centre.

Dundas Division: Thursday May 17, Noon: Winchester Arms, Guest speaker: Donna Messer who is an author, speaker, coach and mentor, and an inspiring and passionate motivator who has addressed thousands of people on three continents. She is a former broadcast journalist and is the author of more than 4,000 articles published around the world. Her book Effective Networking Strategies is a Canadian best seller. Donna's new book, Cycles of Life, Keeping You on Track weaves her wisdom, philosophy and innovation together, illustrating how to build the relationships you need to succeed.

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

Coffee with the CEO

Friday, May 11th

8:00 a.m. Mulberry Café - $10.00 at the door

Guest: Terry Cooke, CEO Hamilton Community Foundation

Business After Business
Thursday, May 24th

Connect with other Chamber member and guests

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Host Location: Netaccess, 21 King Street, Suite 1500

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

Women's Golf and Glamour Day

Monday, May 28th
Location: Knollwood Golf Club (Old Course)

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 opportunities are still available

Chamber's Annual Golf Tournament

Tuesday, June 5th

Heron Point...play with other members and their guests.

To register www.hamiltonchamber.ca or e-mail Whitney at w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

Sponsorship opportunities still available

Breakfast with the Police Chief, Glenn De Caire

Thursday, June 21st

7:45 a.m.
Location: TBD

$40.00 + hst

To Register: www.hamiltonchamber.ca or e-mail Whitney at w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

Executive Round Table

*Evaluating your organizations ability to execute what matters most

*Examining how the FOCUS Management system produces the best execution of the most important things through Clarity, Alignment & Commitment

*Experiencing a FOCUS Meeting

Friday, June 22, 2012
Location: The Waterfront Centre
$45.00 + hst (includes light breakfast)

To Register: www.hamiltonchamber.ca or e-mail Whitney at w.simmons@hamiltonchamber.ca

Include Your Message in the Upcoming Chamber Mailing

Include your insert in the June Chamber mailing to reach 2100 of your fellow members. June 7th is the deadline for the June 14th distribution date. We would require 2100 copies of your flyers and we do the rest. Only $599.00 plus hst gets your message in the hands of businesses across Greater Hamilton. Price includes stuffing, postage and shipping. Call Patricia at (905) 818-1173 or e-mail p.dieryck@hamiltonchamber.ca

to book yours today.

Community Calendar and Member News
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.

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