NEW AFFINITY PROGRAM LAUNCH: TRAVEL SAVINGS FOR MEMBERS!
Trip 1: Mexico, January 2017
Trip 2: Ireland, September 2017

Exclusive Opportunity for Chamber Members of Grand Bend & Area, South Huron and Huron!

After almost two years of discussions, member feedback and working out the details with our sister chambers and Chamber Member travel partner - Ellison Travel - we're proud to offer YOU this new member program.
 
2 Exciting Trips Are Planned:
 
Mexico, January 2017 - Book before August 15
 
The Ocean Coral Turquesa is an all-inclusive resort located on prime beachfront property in Puerto Morelos, just 20-minutes from Cancun Airport. This special Chamber Member program offers $400 savings per person. Departs from London Airport.
 
Book by August 15, 2016. Price is based on a minimum of 5 rooms being booked by Chamber members. Trips booked can be cancelled with no penalty if the minimum number of rooms are not sold.
 
Ireland, September 2017 - Special Presentations 
 
A popular section on the member survey, the second trip is to Ireland in September 2017. A special presentation on Ireland's offerings will be presented this September for those interested in taking this trip. 
 
You will see the Titanic Belfast Museum, the Giant's Causeway, hear about the history in Derry, see the dramatic 650 foot Cliffs of Moher, tour the Ring of Kerry, enjoy a pint of Guinness at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and more.   
 
If you're interested in this trip, please register for one of the presentations being held September 2016 in either Goderich, Exeter or Grand Bend. Presentation dates and locations to be announced in August 2016
 
Booking & Registration Information
Visit the special website setup for Chamber Members to get more information, register and book.
 

REGISTER BY JULY 31 FOR A CHANCE TO WIN YOUR GOLFING FEE!
5th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
1pm shotgun start
Bayview Golf Course
 
Think about it - the summer rush is done, it's mid-September - don't you, your clients, your staff, your family and friends deserve some fun? Of course you do!
  • 18-holes of golf with Power Cart
  • BBQ Dinner
  • Prizes
  • Golfer's Goody Bag
  • Golf Games
  • Take-home Wine Gift
  • 4-person scramble / Mixed or Same Gender

ONLY $95 per golfer or $380 per foursome. Tournament open to EVERYONE!




Be a registration Early Bird for a chance to win!
LAMBTON SHORES NOISE BYLAW: CHANGES COMING
Make Your Voice Heard
Chamber Letter to the Editor 

In the June 15 edition of the Lakeshore Advance and through the Living in Lambton Shores Weekly subscriber eNewsletter, the Municipality of Lambton Shores announced its current review of the Noise Bylaw and invited the community to provide feedback.

Noise and bylaw have been perennial issues within Grand Bend for years and in recent years has been more pronounced as local businesses responding to consumer demand for live music performed on patios encounter bylaw enforcement issues.

The Chamber has crafted an open letter outlining what we believe are important facts for the Municipality to consider in revising the Noise Bylaw. The letter will be distributed to the:
SMALL BUSINESS IS TOO BIG TO IGNORE
Ontario Chamber of Commerce Consultations
Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 6 - 7:30pm 
Pine Dale Motor Inn

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is partnering with its member chambers to promote the importance of small business in Ontario through its "Small Business: Too Big to Ignore" campaign. 
 
We will be posting various web badge buttons on GrandBendChamber.ca, Facebook and Twitter to help spread the word. Look for these posts and share on your social media.
 
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: September 20, 2016 Meeting 
We are hosting a special meeting September 20. 2016 at 6pm to get YOUR take on "what exactly is ailing small business in Ontario". 

YOUR INSIGHTS will be sent to the OCC for inclusion in a final report being released during Small Business Week, October 2016.

The OCC advocates for business at the provincial level and has 21 staff working for you, representing 60,000 Ontario businesses. 
     
ONTARIO'S 2016 TOURISM ACTION PLAN
Ontario Chamber of Commerce Consultations

YOUR Board of Directors and several of your fellow Member restaurants and accommodations are providing feedback to Scott Boutilier, Senior Policy Analyst with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) regarding the Ontario government's Tourism Action Plan released June 9. 

The Action Plan is the first output from the consultations the Ontario government conducted late 2015 and earlier this year. 

Scott is looking for feedback from chambers involved in tourism regarding our overall impression of the action plan, what we agree or disagree with, other items we would like to see included and whether the plan addresses key issues facing Ontario's tourism industry. The OCC will formulate an official response for presentation to government later this year.

Click here to download Ontario's Tourism Action Plan

OCC Contact: Scott Boutilier, Senior Policy Analyst, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
scottboutilier@occ.ca | 416.482.5222 ext. 2330
SUMMER SUNSET SOUNDS WEBSITE LAUNCHED

As part of the Chamber's in-kind support of local initiatives that drive visitor traffic to the area, we are pleased to announced we have designed and built a one-page website for the Summer Sunset Sounds concert series.

www.summersunsetsounds.ca
INCREDIBLE VIDEOS WITH YOUR iPHONE
 July 11, 2016, 9am to Noon 
Oxford County Administrative Building, 21 Reeve St., Woodstock
Cost: $100 
 
A 3-hour hands-on workshop using an iPhone is being presented by Tourism Oxford is open to YOU.

Melissa Schenk will show how busy business owners can stand out online and develop their own video content for YouTube and Google. Learn pre-production, production and post video traffic optimization to maximize impact.

BONUS: All participants will receive MS2 services to edit 1 mobile video (no more than 3 minutes in length) within 6 months of taking the workshop.
  • Pre-Production: Keyword research, create a shot list, picture strategy, YouTube template and scripting outline.
  • Production: iPhone controls/settings, get quality filming from your iPhone, iPhone audio accessories and external microphone, video posting optimization for ranking and traffic to your videos.