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SPRING 2019 7 Top: Gimli Harbour. Far right: Travel Manitoba President & CEO Colin Ferguson (left) and MCC President & CEO Chuck Davidson. "There are significant shifts happening in the labour market, and businesses are facing powerful disruptions in the way of fast-moving technology, evolving job roles, and in the rise and fall of sectors and industries," says Chuck Davidson, MCC President & CEO. "Our goals with this summit were to host experts whose messages would be directly beneficial to members of our local Chambers and business leaders. Delegates walked away energized, ready to address the challenges facing Manitoba and take advantage of opportunities." On Thursday, May 2, representatives from more than 20 local Chambers of Commerce participated in the MCCs 88th annual general meeting, which saw the election of two new board members, Beverlie Stuart of the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) and Eric Wiens of Stantec. The meeting was followed by lively policy debate and discussion led by MCC Policy Committee Chair Brian Kelly, on topics ranging from skills development and workforce readiness to northern 911 service, oil pipeline projects, school tax amendment proposals, air travel expansion, and more. Davidson says that policy development and advocacy is a big part of the MCC's mandate as a provincial Chamber organization. "Our policy book contains almost 60 well-researched statements on issues affecting Manitoba's competitiveness — most of which have been submitted by local Chambers in our network for consideration then voted in at AGMs — and others which have come from our policy committee and approved through the same process. We believe it's one of the most significant roles we play, because together, our 10,000 business members have a much stronger voice than when they're speaking alone." The 2019 Manitoba Economic Summit was the first of its kind CONTINUED >>

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