MOVING
FORWARD 2016 Annual Report
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We have a great story to tell today, hence a reason to celebrate .
This has been my 9th year in service on the board of directors of Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, and I have to say, it’s with sadness that this year will be my 10th and final.
In the past year, we have overcome some challenges. After some reflection and planning we have:
Recruited a new CEO
assessed our finances
Reviewed staff job descriptions
assessed our events
surveyed our membership
began to tailor our strategic goals to align with the needs of the membership
balanced our budget for the first time in 5 years.
We are now ready to move forward and explore the next level impact this chamber can have on members and this community and build better partnerships with sister organizations such as the municipalities, BDC/EDC, SLEP, TSL, SLWDB, Workplace Group, etc.
I’m proud of what we have accomplished. I`m excited to see what is in store. The Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce is a pillar in our community. We remain committed to be the “must be’’ organization for business as we grow together.
It was a pleasure to serve as your chair.
Mark Lumley
Chair of the Board of Directors
Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce
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It is an exciting time to be President and CEO of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. The past year has been a challenging and highly unusual one for the Chamber and its staff and we have made substantial progress in dealing with what are primarily issues of a financial nature and we are just beginning the turnaround effort.
The Chamber emerged in 2016 well positioned to benefit from a new period of opportunity and renewal. Through consultation with our stakeholders, 2017 will represent the start of a new journey as we begin to chart a course that we believe will deliver new levels of value to the entire membership, those who are already committed and a new generation of business leaders that, we hope, will soon be enthusiastic in their support of what we’re focused on achieving.
Our new strategic vision provides the framework of all our Chamber activities, moving forward as a more determined organization with the vision, the commitment, the energy and purpose that will deliver sustainable value as the voice of business at the local level.
Improved communications with members, businesses, government and other Chambers is a key component of achieving our strategic vision, and it’s one of our main goals. We`ve already started the process by meeting with members directly throughout the summer, at roundtable sessions and by putting into place a new website.
I’d like to acknowledge the contributions of our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Whether ensuring seamless operation from behind the scenes, shaping policy and advocacy, or putting together extraordinary networking and award events, or bringing new members into the fold, our dedicated staff and volunteers have repeatedly demonstrated that they are without a doubt our most precious resource.
It is with great pleasure that I serve as President and CEO of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to another year of continued partnership and success. Shirley de Silva President and Chief Executive Officer
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Board of Directors
Chair’s Report
President & CEO Report
Our Stats
2016 Financials
Business After Five
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Golf Classic
Awards Night
Policy & Advocacy
Volunteers
Committees
Chamber Staff
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MISSION
The Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business, commi ed to an cipa ng and serving the needs of our mem-bers and community. VISION
Our vision is to be widely recognized as the leading advocate for busi-ness in Sarnia-Lambton and a proven catalyst of posi ve enhancement and change for our members and the community at large. VALUES
A focus on serving member needs, regardless of business size or ex-
perience
Recogni on of the importance of volunteers, staff and partners
Integrity, open communica ons and responsiveness
Respec ng historical roots while being a catalyst for growth in the
community
Commitment to suppor ng and strengthening a healthy
entrepreneurial community
Respect for the confiden ality and privacy of informa on in our pos-
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Executive
2016 Board of Directors
Directors
Linda Sparks Suncor Energy / All Seasons Trophies
Mat Berube Leadwave
Noeleen Tyczynski The Workplace
Kathleen Mundy Little Caesars
Ryan Bell George, Murray, Shipley, Bell LLP
Peter Barnes Ex-Officio BDO LLP
Mark Lumley Chair Fairwind Farms
Michael Kooy 1st Vice Chair RBC Wealth Management
Rob Kardas 2nd Vice Chair Lambton College
Donna Mathewson Hon. Sec. Treasurer Royal LePage Key Realty
Rob Taylor Past Chair Sarnia Lambton Industrial Education Cooperative
Shirley deSilva Ex-Officio Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce
Mike Service Larlyn Property Management Ltd.
Mary Jean O’Donnell MJ Waste Solutions
Charles Fisher Mainstreet Credit Union
George Mallay Ex-Officio Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership
Tim Lozen Ex-Officio Blue Water Chamber of Commerce
Dave Ferguson Ex-Officio Lambton Federation of
Directors
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INFLUENCE
CONNECT
GROW
Engage in the conversation about issues that matter. Our advocacy team works with political leaders to develop policies that benefit your business.
Grow your business by accessing programs that are only available to our members.
Connect to other businesses, new customers and industry leaders through networking and top-tier business events.
Sarnia Lambton Chamber has been working for 112 years to make our region a better place to live and work for all. We exist to make our member businesses more successful. We do this by focusing on three key benefit opportunities.
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710 Total members
91.7% Member retention (over 2015)
74 New businesses joined as Sarnia Lambton Chamber members in 2016
3525 Attendees to Chamber events in 2016
234 Businesses nominated by their fans for the 2016 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards
316 Attendees at the 2016 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards
25 Governing officials met with directly to discuss issues critical to business success
13 Politicians who came to speak at your local Chamber giving the Sarnia Lambton business community direct contact with the individuals who make the laws in our city, province and country
47 Number of events the Chamber held in 2016 to help our members grow, connect and influence
3674 Followers across the Sarnia Lambton Chamber’s media platforms who tune in to hear the Chamber’s messages and comment on the latest business
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Membership in the Sarnia Lambton Chamber provides a variety of benefits to fit your needs at every stage of your business.
The core of the Chamber is our members and in 2016, Chamber staff met a variety of business owners from Sarnia and Lambton County who operate in different sectors of the economy. From a flower shop to home builders, to restaurants, your business is our business, and we will meet you where you are.
Serving the needs of our members
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One of the most important aspects of business is making new connections and growing your network. Business After Five is a monthly networking event that creates the perfect opportunity for participants to discover new businesses and meet potential clients. It’s casual and fun, whether you want to meet new business connections or just socialize. A different member is the host each month, and an average of 150 business people attend to network.
Business After Five
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It’s hard to find a better place to build, deepen and strengthen business relationships than on the golf course. Our annual golf tournament gives participants the opportunity to mingle with some of our great community leaders in a casual and fun setting. Attracting some of the top business and political leaders, this golf tournament is really about high-level networking at its finest.
Chamber Golf Classic
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Outstanding Business Achievement Awards
Winners
John Duff Ltd.
Cat Caba jar-The Painted Cat
Janice McMichael-Dennis
Bluewater Power
Lambton College
Esby and Soph Kids Concepts
Terrapure Environmental
Women's Interval Home
Cameron McCormack McCormack Funeral Home
Centrepoint IDA Pharmacy
Libro Credit Union
Eve Morgan – Blackburn Radio
Anderson-Webb Ltd.
Burchill Financial Services
SS Greenhouses
Zekveld’s Garden Market
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Policy and Advocacy Report Responding to the issues that impact members The Chamber worked on the following policy issues:
Electricity Prices Budgets
Climate Change Innovation
Infrastructure Transportation
Red Tape and Regulations Workforce Development
Agribusiness Local Economy
Retirement Savings Elections
Policy Wins The Chamber spoke and policy makers responded:
Local government
Local municipalities declared continued support the Oversized Load Corridor project and the City became project manager
City of Sarnia incorporated Chamber members’ input into its updated strategic plan and shipping containers bylaw
The Government of Ontario
Cancelled the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP)
Reduced residential and business electricity bills by 8 percent and proposed fur-ther reductions
Acknowledged Lambton County’s unique energy history in the 2016 provincial budget speech
Provided more clarity on how cap and trade proceeds will be spent in the Climate Change Action Plan
Amended the emergency services arbitration process to speed up negotiations
The Government of Canada
Canada Revenue Agency simplified foreign investment reporting for properties valued under $250,000
Bioindustrial Innovation Canada’s COMMSCI project received $12 million in federal and $3 million in provincial funding
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Connecting Members with Government Officials The Chamber invited members to participate in the following meetings with government officials:
MP breakfast with Marilyn Gladu and Bev Shipley
MPP luncheon with Bob Bailey and Monte McNaughton
Luncheon with then Interim Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Rona Ambrose.
2016 advocacy trip to Queen’s Park
Monthly meetings with local mayors and quarterly meetings with senior municipal government staff
Budget roundtable with MPP Taras Natyshak
Meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Transportation
Roundtable with the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources
Focus group sessions with the City of Sarnia on shipping containers and strategic planning
Meeting with representatives of the Independent Electricity System Operator
Delegation to Alvinston for lunch with the Mayor, municipal staff and businesses followed a tour of Munro Honey
Representing Members in the Community: The Chamber represented members at the following events:
Lambton Federation of Agriculture’s MP/MPP Roundtable
Lambton County Municipal Association’s 75th Anniversary Dinner
Western Ontario Warden Caucus’s roundtable on economic development
Blue Water Area Chamber’s public affairs committee
Oil Spring’s Economic Development Committee meeting
Teeny Tiny Southwest Summit in Alvinston
Ontario and Canadian Chambers of Commerce annual meetings
Lambton College’s health centre opening ceremony
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Randy Alwood
Kelly Ash
Gary Atkinson
Brian Austin
Jim Babirad
Joaquim Balles
Mike Banovsky
Pete Barnes
Terry Barros
Paul Beaudet
Ryan Bell
Mat Berube
Wes Beveridge
J.D. Booth
David Bowles
Hugh Brignall
Ed Brost
Don Burnard
David Burrows
Reid Campbell
Wayne Carpani
Jamie Carson
Shauna Carr
Dianne Chute
Helen Cole
Jason Cole
Dianelle Cooper
Nicole Crosby
Steve Crozier
Joe Dedecker
Joeanna DeMarco-Bolce
John DeGroot
Ellan Dickieson
Bryan Doull
Jesse Drydak
Tara Duff
Michael Edgar
Teresa Edwards
Cam Ellis
Tony Felder
Dave Ferguson
Franco Filia
Ray Fillion
Charles Fisher
Lisa Fowlie
Johanna Franz
Tim Fugard
Kathy Gadsby
Ryan Gervais
Laura Gibson
Randy Goertz
David Grant
Laura Greaves
Richard Hall
Dan Gutteridge
Mike Hanki
Doug Hatch
Brian Heaman
Wendy Heasman
Scott Henderson
Mabel Higgins
Leona Holland
Beverly Horodyski
Jim Houston
Peter Hungerford
Keith Hunt
Matthew Hutchinson
Julia Iacovella
John Innes
Devin Johnson
Rob Kardas
David Kerwin
Michael Kooy
Jim Kutyba
Erik Labonte
Sharon Lapier
Doug Lasenby
Joe Lasowski
Helen Lomax
Tim Lozen
Maike Luiken
Julie Lukon
Mark Lumley
Cathy MacLellan
Mike Maitland
George Mallay
Sandy Marshall
Donna Mathewson
Jon McEachran
Matt McEachran
Jason McMichael
Terry McNally
Rob Mina
Matt Mitro
David Moody
Andre Morin
Gus Mumby
Kathleen Mundy
Natalie Normand
Peter Norris
Bill Norton
Mary Jean O’Donnell
Alex Palimaka
Jordan Parker
Rick Perdeaux
Bevin Perdu
Vicky Praill
Marty Raaymakers
Fred Rekman
Adelle Richards
Ben Riser
Steve Rothman
John Rozema
Jordan Rudanycz
Mark Russell
Lucio Sandrin
Mike Service
Sharon Sielky
Matthew Slotwinski
Peter Smith
Linda Sparks
Tom Strifler
Debra Taylor
Rob Taylor
Noeleen Tyczynski
David Vanos
Adam Veen
Greg Wagner
Ed Wang
Maria Webb
Paul West
Christian Willemsen
Marlene Wood
Don Wood
John Wood
Joe Zanyk
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
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Many thanks to all our amazing volunteers who contributed on committees in 2016.
Economic Policy Development Committee
Co-chairs: Charles Fisher, Julie Lukon
Members: Andre Morin, Bryan Doull, Gus Mumby, Jordan Rudanyca, Mark Lumley, Matt Mitro, Matthew Slotwinski, Pete Barnes, Peter Norris, Wayne Carpani
Energy Committee
Co-chairs: Peter Smith, Joe Zanyk
Members: Alex Palimaka, Cathy MacLellan, David Grant, Devin Johnson, Don Wood, Ed Brost, George Mallay, Joe Lasowski, Kathleen Mundy, Kathy Gadsby, Lisa Fowlie, Maike Luiken, Mark Lumley, Mary Jean O’Donnell, Michael Edgar, Paul Beaudet, Randy Alwood, Richard Hall, Sandy Marshall, Susan Thurston
Government Affairs Committee
Co-chairs: Paul Beaudet and Kelly Ash
Members: David Bowles, Gary Atkinson, Hugh Brignell, Jason McMichael, Joe Lasowski, Jon McEachran, Mark Lumley, Mark Russell, Matt McEachran, Matt Mitro, Michael Kooy, Mike Hanki, Ray Fillion, Shauna Carr, Wendy Heasman
Transportation Committee
Co-chairs: Paul West, Jason McMichael, Jason Cole
Members: David Moody, David Kerwin, Doug Lasenby, Joe Dedecker, Jim Kutyba, Jon McEachran, Lucio Sandrin, Mabel Higgins, Mark Lumley, Peter Hungerford, Rick Perdeaux, Ryan Bell, Ryan Gervais, Scott Henderson, Teresa Edwards, Terry Barros
Committees
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County/Chamber Sub-committee
Members: Charles Fisher, Donna Matthewson, John Innes, Ryan Bell, Rob Taylor, Mark Lumley
City/Chamber Sub-committee
Members: Kelly Ash, Linda Sparks, Lisa Armstrong, Margaret Evans, Mark Lumley, Mat Bérubé, Rob Kardas, Rob Taylor
Global Business Opportunities Committee
Chair: John Wood and Vice-Chair: David Moody
Members in 2016: Bill Norton, Cam Ellis, Dave Ferguson, David Moody, Ed Wang, Jim Babirad, Joeanna DeMarco-Bolce, Johanna Franz, John Innes, Joaquim Balles, Laura Gibson, Mark Lumley, Matthew Hutchinson, Matthew Morden, Mike Banovsky, Mike Bradley, Peter Hungerford, Reid Campbell, Robert Harold, Tom Strifler, Tony Felder
Business After 5 Committee
Co-Chairs: Franco Filia, Tara Duff
Members: Deanna Sandrin, Steve Crozier, Nicole Crosby, Adam Wood, Noelle Frank, Kathleen Mundy, Keith Hunt, Chelsea Workman
Chamber Ambassadors
Members: Mike Service, Noelle Tyczynski, Sharon Prouse, Jordan Parker
OBAA Planning Committee
Chair: Sharon Sielky
Members: Matt Berube, Nicole Crosby, Brian Austin, Dan Tidball, Sean Robbins, Dave Burrows, Victoria Sebben, Jamie Carson, Linda Sparks, JD Booth
YP Connects
Chair: Julia Iacovella
Members: Keith Hunt, Ellan Dickieson, Bevin Perdu, Christian Willemsen, Ian Fader, Tina Gascoigne, Jasmyn Newton, Shawn Fowler, Meghan Dibrita
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CHAMBER STAFF
Shirley de Silva President & CEO [email protected]
Ana Dailey Information Coordinator [email protected]
Diane Nadeau
Accounting & Personnel Administrator [email protected]
Aaron Schmidtmeyer Manager of Member Services, Sales & Support [email protected]
Monica Shepley Manager of Advocacy and Policy Development [email protected]
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519.336.2400
556 N Christina St.
Sarnia, ON