Vaughan Chamber of Commerce
In this issue...
Message from the Chair
Chamber Happenings
Member Discounts
VCC's Annual Mayor's Luncheon
Peer Learning: Client Retention
Breakfast with Julian Fantino
NEW! Free Networking Sessions
Call for NOMINATIONS
RFP: Marketing
Business Achievement Awards
HOTLINE TO HR Special Promotion
Boardroom For Rent!
Chamber Member NEWS
Vaughan Business Expo
Winter Safety Tips
The Chronicle
Online

January 2011

Dear Members:
Michael
Welcome to 2011!  As we launch into a new year, I look back on 2010 and all that the Vaughan Chamber has accomplished.  It was a challenging year for many, but we strove to consistently provide excellent service to our members, while bringing you new initiatives to add value to your membership dollar.  2010 saw the launch of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Business Academy (VCCBA). The VCCBA brought to the table two new programs: a monthly Mentoring program that sees a small group of business owners and executives meet to discuss and brainstorm solutions to problems many businesses face; and monthly Learning sessions featuring topics that take us back to basics in areas such as sales and customer service.  With the Vaughan Chamber now thoroughly settled into our new location, remember that we offer boardroom rentals for a reasonable cost.  We also offer, at no charge, a small meeting room that can be booked in 2-hour blocks, and an on-site Library for members' use.  All of these rooms and resources have proven to be most popular and of extreme value to our membership.

 

As a member-driven organization, membership has always been a priority, and 2011 is no different.  We ask that you act as our ambassadors this year.  Remember, this is your chamber, and together we can continue to build a stronger chamber, resulting in even more added value for you. Please forward any contacts or leads for potential members that you may have to Fiorina Riga, Membership Investment Co-ordinator at 905-761-1366, ext. 228.

 

Looking ahead, our drive to keep members informed and empowered continues. We start the year with a special breakfast session this month with elected MP Julian Fantino, who is looking for your input on the upcoming federal budget. In February, we will hold our Annual Mayor's Luncheon with new Mayor, Maurizio Bevilacqua. Both events speak to a strong desire to work closely with our elected representatives. Of course, the Chamber is always looking for candidates to sit on our Board of Directors. We currently have a "Call for Nominations" for 2011 Board members, who will be elected at the end of March at our Annual General Meeting. In April we feature our annual Business Achievement Award event. We have received so many excellent submissions that this Gala event is sure to be one of our most popular yet. Information on all these events is in this newsletter.

 

Thank you for being a part of the Vaughan Chamber. We are the Voice of Business in Vaughan.


Sincerely,

Michael Manett
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Annual Mayor's Luncheon
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
 
11:30am - 12:15pm
Registration & Networking 

12:15 - 2:30pm 
Lunch & Presentation
 
La Primavera Hospitality & Convention Centre, 
77 Woodstream Blvd,  Vaughan

 
Registration info ... 
 

 

 






Peer Learning Session
Thursday, January 20, 2011

7:30 - 9:30am

Vaughan Chamber of Commerce,
25 Edilcan Drive, Unit 2
  

 

 






Chamber Happenings
 

 
There were a number of great chamber and member events over the last month.  Click here to view pictures...  

Don't forget to visit the Events Page on our website to check out all upcoming events at the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce!
Member Discounts!
 

 
Click here to see the great discounts you can get from fellow Vaughan Chamber members!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Welcome New Members !


Appleday Dental Care
Dental Services
Mr. Alex Pister
8280 Highway 27
Vaughan, Ontario L4H 0R9

Beacon Brokerage
Business brokerage services
Mr. Will Fischtein
5300 Yonge Street, Unit 205
Toronto, Ontario M2N 5R2

BM Tax & Financial
Bookkeeping and tax services for small business
Mr. Brian Magid
36 Hayfield Crescent
Richmond Hill, Ontario  L4E 0A4

Chartwell Classic Valley Vista Retirement
Independent retirement living
Ms. Lisa Chapman
600 Valley Vista Drive
Vaughan, Ontario  L6A 4H2

Crystal Flooring
Hardwood flooring - retail
Ms. Jessica Rutledge
3000 Langstaff Road, Unit 11
Concord, Ontario  L4K 4R7

GG&N Insurance Brokers
Insurance Brokerage
Mr. Jason Genua
1069 Gorham Street
Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 5G9

MicroInformatix Consulting Inc.
Custom software development, web applications development, website design
Mr. Yourik Hacoupian
111 Zenway Boulevard,  Unit 16
Vaughan, Ontario  L4H 3H9

Morcan Financial Inc.
Mortgage Brokers & Consultants
Mr. Joe Taibi
9100 Jane Street, Unit 15
Vaughan, Ontario  L4K 0A4

Producers Cut Inc.
Video production / photography / multi-media
Mr. Santo Garofolo
1133 Creditstone Road, 2nd Floor
Concord, Ontario  L4K 4N7

Rotator Products Limited
Distribution of mechanical and electrical power transmission equipment
Mr. Ajay Bajaj
101 Innovation Drive, Unit 8
Woodbridge, Ontario  L4H 0S3

Seneca College Workforce Skills Centre
Workforce Training
Ms. Donna Hall
1490 Major Mackenzie Drive, Unit D5
Vaughan, Ontario L6A 4H6

York Central Hospital
Health Care
Ms. Melina Cormier
10 Trench Street
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 4Z3

 

 


 



 
2011 Annual Mayor's Luncheon!

BevilacquaJoin us in welcoming Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua to the podium on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 to discuss the issues and initiatives that will continue to impact the growth and development of the City in 2011, providing a Vaughan perspective on the challenges of the current global situation!

 

Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Time: 11:30am - 2:30pm
Location: La Primavera Hospitality & Convention Centre


To register for this event, please click here!
 
Peer Learning

The Importance of CLIENT RETENTION


Don't miss our first session of the New Year!  The Vaughan Chamber is holding our next Peer Learning session on Thursday, January 20, 2011 with the topic of Client Retention.

 
You'll hear an in-depth presentation on the importance of responsiveness, integrity and managing expectations.  Session cost is only $20 + HST.
 
Date: Thursday, January 20, 2011

Time: 7:30 - 9:30am

Location: Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, 25 Edilcan Drive, Unit #2, Vaughan


To register for this event, please click here
!
 

Economic Consultation Breakfast with Minister Julian Fantino

Friday, January 28, 2011

 

FantinoHarperJoin the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce and the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre on Friday, January 28, 2011 as we hear from our new MP, Julian Fantino. Mr. Fantino will speak about the new Federal budget and the economic action plan.  He will welcome comments, observations and hear suggestions and opportunities from the small business community in Vaughan.

Date: Friday, January 28, 2011
Time: 7:30 - 9:30am
Location: Novotel Toronto Vaughan Centre, 200 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan  L4K 0B9
 
Register early!  Limited seating is available!  Call Jennifer at 905-761-1366, ext. 221.
 
 

 
Free Networking Sessions 
New initiative from the Vaughan Chamber! 
 

Starting January 21, 2011, the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce will begin offering free "networking only" sessions to our members!  Our first session will be held on Friday, January 21, 2011 at the Vaughan Chamber offices from 7:30am until 9:00am. No pre-registration is necessary! Simply drop in and introduce yourself to your fellow Chamber members!

For more information, please call 905-761-1366, ext. 224. 

Call for NOMINATIONS! 

For 2011 Board of Directors

The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce is officially accepting nominations for the 2011 Board of Directors. If you are interested in running for election to the Board, nominations are due by 4:30pm Monday, February 28, 2011.

Please note: To be considered by the Vaughan Chamber's Nominating Committee, please submit your nomination by Friday, January 28, 2011.  You can submit a nomination up until February 28, 2011, but it will not be reviewed by the Nominating Committee.
 
Click here for more information, and to read the Vaughan Chamber's by-laws.  Please take special note in the by-laws of Sections 6.2, 6.3 and 6.6.  All resumes and inquiries should be forwarded to Deborah Bonk Greenwood, President & CEO of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce.

The Annual General Meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, 2011.  More details coming soon!


Request for Proposal!

 
The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce management is seeking the expertise of a marketing consulting firm to develop a comprehensive marketing plan and strategy for rebranding.  As a result, the Vaughan Chamber is putting forth a "Request For Proposal" to our membership.  To read more about this RFP,  please click here!
Business Achievement Awards

Gala event planned for April 28!

 

BlueAwardThe nominations are now in!!  The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards celebrate business excellence in the City of Vaughan. The 2011 Business Achievement Awards will bestow "Business of the Year" recognition to nominees in a number of various categories. A flood of nominations were sent, and the selection process is now under way!


Click here for more information on our upcoming Awards evening, scheduled for Thursday, April 28, 2011!

Exclusive Offer from HOTLINE TO HR!

 
The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce is pleased to include HOTLINE TO HR as one of our Affinity partners. 

HOTLINE TO HR now has an EXCLUSIVE offer for Chamber members only: a NO COST FREE 30 DAY TRIAL!  If you are not satisfied with the service for any reason, just cancel prior to this offer ending and you will NOT be billed.  If you decide to continue with our service, the exclusive chamber program will include an Employee Handbook valued at $500.00. The free trial expires February 1, 2011.

To read more about this offer, please click here!
Business Luncheons and Training Sessions ...  
Look No Further Than the Vaughan Chamber!
 
Looking for a location to hold your staff training session?  Hold your event at the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce!  We have the perfect location for your gathering. Our on-site boardroom will work as the ideal environment for your sessions. Private, neutral and located centrally in Vaughan, our meeting room can be adapted to suit your needs. With a full kitchen and two restrooms, our boardroom will be just what you need for your sessions, whatever they may be. 
For more information, please click here or call Lori today at 905-761-1366, ext 224, or email lori@vaughanchamber.ca.
Pinchevsky & Co. Changes Name  
Company name now listed as Alma Consulting Group
 

Pinchevsky & Co, a leading provider of Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) and innovation consulting in Canada, announces that effective January 1st, 2011 the company will be known as Alma Consulting Group Canada Inc. 

To read the rest of the Press Release, please click here.
 

Ninth Annual Vaughan Business Expo  
Hosted by VBEC!
 

The Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre is proud to be hosting the Ninth Annual Vaughan Business Expo on February 16th, 2011. This is the largest business to business trade show in Vaughan.The show will feature two exciting key note speakers, Sarah Prevette, Founder & CEO of Sprouter and Ross Marin, Founder and President of Marin Media Group. Registration is now open. Please click here for more details and registration information.

 
Winter Safety Tips

Pointers from a chiropracter!
 

It's that time of year again...winter, which brings snow. Shovelling snow can cause strains and pain....so there are a number of important pointers to keep mind.  For example, be sure to wear several layers of loose clothing to create heat traps.  This will help keep you warm on those frosty days.

To read the rest of this article, supplied by Chiropracter Dr. Mark Verratti of the Woodbridge Rehabilitation Centre, please click here.