MBiz

4 MBiz May 2014 O ver the past 12 months under new leadership, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) has continued to build its brand as the "Voice of Manitoba Business." Following an exhaustive review of how the chamber operates, both internally and externally, a new focus has emerged: A stronger focus on delivering value to members and non-members, opening lines of communication with our 66 local chambers, and increasing meaningful participation with the launch of a new breakfast speakers series and events that put the business community in one room with leaders from across the province. All that work behind the scenes came to the forefront over the course of three days in April, when the growing community of Dauphin played host to the 83rd Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Annual General Meeting. The weekend not only showcased the strengths in the parkland region, but highlighted the strength and commitment of MCC. In late 2013, chamber managers and executives called on MCC to help provide an outlet to explore best practices and fi nd ways to reach out to grow the chamber network. This led to the establishment of the Chamber Executives of Manitoba, which held its inaugural AGM in Dauphin. It was an opportunity for chambers from all areas of Manitoba to come together and discuss the issues facing their chambers, initiatives they've implemented to increase value to their members and ways they can best feed into improvements in the provincial chamber network. In past years, the MCC's AGM has focused primarily on policy and issues related to policy development. Over the past year, members made it clear that while policy is the core of what MCC does, there needs to be a better balance. MCC heard that message loud and clear and has worked to improve. A new AGM format, focused on business sessions, was created to bring in speakers from different fi elds to speak on a variety of topics — the power of tourism, economic development opportunities, the benefi ts and importance of exploring new markets and strengthening the chamber network. In addition, Winnipeg Blue Bombers COO Jim Bell provided a look at the future direction of the football team and how it's connecting with and growing its fan base across Manitoba. MCC also welcomed a new board of directors, and unveiled a new, three-year strategic plan that will help form the guiding principles for MCC. Designed after months of consultation and discussion, the plan focuses on three priorities: Economic competitiveness, development of the local chamber network and MANITOBA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE SETS NEW DIRECTION AT 2014 AGM Above: Chamber Executives of Manitoba in attendance were (back row from left) Matt Allard (Francophone/St. Boniface), Becky Cianfl one (Altona), Candace Olfason (Morden), Carolynn Cancade (Brandon), Dianne Friesen (Winkler), Linda Peters (Steinbach) and (front from left) Ernie Nairn (Assiniboia), Cindy McDonald (Portage), Chuck Davidson, Angela Braun (Winkler), Sheri Skalesky (Selkirk) and Chantal Skraba (Dauphin). Photos courtesy of Manitoba Chambers of Commerce MBiz_spring2014.indd 4 MBiz_spring2014.indd 4 5/14/14 8:25:53 AM 5/14/14 8:25:53 AM

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