APRIL 2014

Volume 5, Issue 4

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Networking Tip of the Month:

People don't need you 'til they need you. A relationship evolves over time, needs to be nurtured and requires investment. Networking ignites and fuels the process, but there is no relationship shortcut. What are you doing to fuel your fire?

Sincerely,

Bob Malcolmson,
CEO & General Manager

Take The Latest OCC Policy Survey

The ways in which government supports training, immigration, and accessibility in the workplace are changing. Are you prepared?

Help the Chamber gauge awareness of these changes among Ontario businesses by taking this five minute survey. You could win a round-trip ticket to any Porter Airlines destination.

The results of this survey will form the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) advocacy efforts and help focus the design of the OCC business programs.

TAKE THE SURVEY!

The survey closes at 5pm on
Friday, May 9th.

Building New Business Connections!

Now you can register for all events ONLINE!

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ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO REGISTER!!!

Women in Business
Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Ann Adair, Vice President Communications & Strategy at Siemens Canada

Great networking opportunities with your peers!

This is a women's only event!

Fazio's Restaurant
33 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa, ON

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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Nominations Now Open:
GOCC Business Excellence Awards
SUBMISSION DEADLINE - APRIL 25, 2014

award Nominate a leader in your community today! The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations of companies whose significant business achievements have made an important contribution to the economic and social well being of the Greater Oshawa area.

The categories for nomination are:
Business Person; New Enterprise; Civic Pride; Business Excellence and Innovation.

The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m., Friday April 25, 2014. The honorees will be recognized at the
19th Annual Business Excellence Awards on September 18th.

For details, download nomination form [editable word doc].

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INFORMATION NIGHT!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

44 Richmond St. W. Suite 100, Oshawa

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Kemp Travel and China Visit Tours, is planning a 10-day trip to China scheduled for October 15-25, 2014. This trip is open to the general public and the partners are hosting an information evening to provide an outline about this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime trip. This is a FREE information event, everyone is welcome!

For more information about the China trip, and to register to attend the FREE information evening, click here.

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New Member Reception

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Come one, come all to meet our new members! This is a FREE event and everyone is welcome: members, employees and potential members, so bring a guest!

Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce Boardroom
44 Richmond Street West, Ste. 100, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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Annual Golf Tournament

Thursday, May 15, 2014 - 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Golf icon

Network with your peers during a fun afternoon on the greens! Includes lunch, 18 holes of golf and dinner at the Oshawa Golf & Curling Club! Showcase your brand! Sponsorship opportunities available. Great Prizes!!!

Oshawa Golf & Curling Club
160 Alexander Street, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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Golf Tournament Welcome Gift Bag

DEADLINE FOR GIFT BAG SUBMISSION:

Monday, May 12, 2014
Golf Tournament - Thursday, May 15

Add to the swag! At the Chamber's Annual Golf
Tournament, each golfer will receive their own personal "gift bag" full of great stuff! If you wish to highlight your product or service, then you don't want to miss putting an item in the "bag" or donating an item for the silent auction.

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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Business 4 Breakfast - YOU ARE THE SPEAKER!
Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

BIZ BREAKFAST ICON Topic: You are the speaker...this gives each member company an opportunity to showcase who they are and what they do (2 minute spotlight) plus tour the newest boutique hotel in downtown Oshawa, La Quinta Inns & Suites.

Great networking opportunities with your peers!

La Quinta Inns & Suites
63 King Street East, Oshawa

Click here for more information and to REGISTER.

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jumpstart logo Visit web.oshawachamber.com/events for more upcoming events.

For your JumpStart Checklist, click here .

Moving Forward On Highway 407 East

Since 2004, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, supported by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, has called for completion of Hwy 407 to Highway 35/115 stressing that the negative economic, safety, and capital investment impact to Ontario of not proceeding to complete the Eastward Extension is real. The Chamber called for the government to commit to firm timelines and commitments for the eastern extension of the 407 past Oshawa to 35/115 prior to opening the Harmony Road and/or Simcoe Street interchange and to have in place contracts and commence work on the completion of Hwy 407 to 35/115.

On Tuesday, April 15th, Minister of Transport, Glen Murray announced the province is making progress on the final phase of construction for Highway 407 East...

READ MORE > > >

Business Of The Month

Tip Top Auto!

On behalf of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and the Ambassador Committee, congratulations to Tip Top Auto on being named Business of the Month!

READ MORE > > >

[Nominate a Deserving Business as "Business of the Month"]

Blood Donations Needed During Easter Weekend

As people gather with family and friends and prepare to celebrate the Easter long weekend, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is asking that they also remember to give blood.

The need for blood and platelet donations never takes a holiday - especially over a long weekend. With many people away or busy with family activities, blood donations normally decrease. CBS needs people to book appointments now to donate blood leading up to, during and immediately following the long weekend to maintain a strong blood supply for patients.

The Oshawa Permanent Clinic located at 1300 Harmony Road North (Harmony and Taunton) will be open this long weekend on:

Good Friday, April 18 - 9:00-1:00
Saturday, April 19 - 8:00-1:00
Easter Monday, April 21 - 3:00-7:00

To book an appointment, please visit www.blood.ca or call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

triOS College:
Changing the Face of Education in Canada

Join us in congratulating triOS College! For the fourth consecutive year, triOS College Business Technology Healthcare, has been awarded the Deloitte Best Managed Company Award and this year becomes a Best Managed Gold Standard Winner. triOS has been awarded this designation for redefining post-secondary education by listening to student and employer needs and delivering. After three consecutive years of maintaining the Best Managed status, companies are named Gold Standard Winners. These winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully reapplied for the designation.

Tribute to Our Troops Dinner!

The fifth annual Tribute to Our Troops Dinner will be held on Thursday April 24th at the Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility in Ajax. This annual event will mark the 100th Anniversary of the 1st World War. The guest speaker for the evening is retired Major-General Lewis W. Mackenzie. Canadian men and women in uniform, including those belonging to Durham Region's own Ontario Regiment, have helped to preserve peace around the world, defend our borders time and time again and come to the aid of citizens who have been impacted by natural disasters. The "Tribute to Our Troops" dinner is a way of saluting these Canadian heroes past and present and raise funds for the Ontario Regiment Foundation. Visit www.troopstribute.com for sponsorship opportunities, ticket requests, and silent auction donations.

Celebrating A Milestone?

If you are celebrating a major milestone such as receiving a professional award, celebrating a grand opening, new location, major expansion or special anniversary, contact the Chamber at 905-728-1683 or email details to marketing@oshawachamber.com.

Welcome New Members...

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome all new members who joined in April 2014.

B.G. McPherson Training Center Inc.
Buchanan Bookkeeping Solutions
C.S.P Water Treatment
Corinne Stewart - Remax Rouge River Realty Ltd.
KPS Construction Ltd.
Lia Sophia Jewellery - Jill Thertell
Mushroom Media Group Inc.
Oak Hills Water Durham Inc.
Ruby Pearl Quilts
Safecom Workplace Safety Ltd
Shrimp Cocktail
Taecovy
Tak Ka Lai Acupuncture

Click here for a complete list of members who have joined since the Business Directory was published on April 1, 2013.

We encourage you to always . . . . . . .

TESTIMONIALS!

Have you received great service or a one of a kind experience with us?

We would love to know!

Tell us your story of how the Chamber provided support either through programs, networking or advocacy and/or tell us why you would recommend the Greater Oshawa Chamber to other businesses!

Please take the time to send us your feedback.

Highlighting Chamber Benefits Programs!

Why Chambers Plan?

Over 25,000 businesses purchase group benefits from the Chambers Plan. Comprehensive benefit packages apply to home-based businesses and small business firms - with no industry restrictions. For-profit businesses with three people and up are eligible for guaranteed coverage. Coverage for 1 to 2 people is also available.

Customized Coverage for Firms
Pooled Benefits - Keeping employee benefit costs stable from year to year
Guaranteed Non-Cancellable Regardless Of Your Firm's Size
Customer Service Operated at the Local and National Level
Health & Dental Claims Usually Paid Within 48 Hours

Enjoy Group Benefits with a Difference!

Click here for a complete list of Chamber Cost Savings Benefits!

You Now Have A Choice!
TD Merchant Services Program or First Data Merchant Processing Services

TD logo The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the continued partnership with the TD Merchant Service program which remains in affect locally and will continue to offer the same service and benefits currently enjoyed by our members. The partnership between TD Merchant Services and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce expired on December 1, 2013.

If you are a Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce member currently on the program, or wish to participate in the program, the Chamber has been assured that your relationship with TD Merchant Services will continue seamlessly with no immediate changes. If you have questions about the program or wish to participate in the program, please call our TD rep Karen Mann at 1.877.394.5813 or call the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce at 905.728.1683.

---- OR ----

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce an agreement with First Data Canada, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, in which First Data will offer Canadian Chamber members exclusive merchant processing services.

As part of this agreement, Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce members will receive preferred rates on electronic payment processing services, including credit, debit, eCommerce, mCommerce, cheque guarantee and gift cards.

Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce members can sign up for First Data's merchant processing services at https://www.firstdatacanada.ca/chambermembers/ or by phone at 1-888-265-4117.

Contribute!

Send us your news! Put an event on the calendar!

Announce something to everyone!

This is a FREE service for members! Promote your business in the next edition of Business Matters, Business Matters eNews or on the Chamber's website, please send the details by email. Copy deadline for eNews is the first of each month, for Business Matters it is the 15th of each month, and for the website, there is no deadline, send it anytime!

In This Issue

OCC Survey

Networking Events

Highway 407 East

Business Of The Month

Members in the News

New Members

Testimonials

Highlighting Chamber Benefits Programs!

Merchant Services Program

Contribute

Chamber Events

Business
Events

Click here to view all events,
scroll down right
side of home page

9th Annual Economic Outlook Breakfast

Tue. Apr, 22/14

Grow Your Business Using Social Media - RBC
Free Seminar

Thu. Apr, 24/14

Trip To China -
Information Night
Tue. May, 6/14

INNOVATION 2014 Conference - Rethinking Management 2014

Tue. Jun, 24/14

Adventure to CHINA!

Wed. Oct, 15/14 -
Sat. Oct, 25/14

Community Events

Click here to view all

events, scroll down right side of home page

Blood Donations NEEDED - Easter Weekend!
Fri. Apr, 18/14 -

Mon. Apr, 21/14

Easter Brunch @

Quality Hotel
Sun. Apr, 20/14

Youth Orientation Session To Help You Find Work!
Tue. Apr, 22/14

A Tribute To Our Troops Dinner
Thu. Apr, 24/14

Trinity College School Open House
Sat. Apr, 26/14

27th Annual Reverse Draw, Dinner 7 Silent Auction - Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood
Thu. May, 8/14

BBBS - Bowl For Kids Sake
Wed. May, 14/14

3rd Annual "Race for Kids'
Sat. May, 31/14

Habitat for Humanity Durham's Inaugural Women in Power Build!
Thu. Jun, 19/14 -

Sat. Jun, 21/14

Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
44 Richmond St. W., Suite 100, Oshawa, ON L1G 1C7
T. 905-728-1683 | F. 905-432-1259 | E. marketing@oshawachamber.com
www.oshawachamber.com