| CHAMBER
HEADLINE NEWS
April
2, 2008
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Dear
Member,
Chamber
Headline News is a bi-weekly electronic newsletter
sent directly to our members. It provides up to date
information on current Chamber events, membership
services and the latest policy and advocacy
news.
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In
this issue:
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Wednesday,
April 9, 2008
18th
ANNUAL BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Last
Chance for tickets. Deadline April 4, 2008
| Focusing
on the positives of our great region, Believe
Windsor Essex! |
| Title
Sponsor: |
Exclusive
Broadcast Sponsor: |
Reception
Sponsor: |
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Location:
Caboto
Club (5:00 p.m Reception, 6:00 p.m. Dinner &
Show)
Continuing
on the success of last year’s fantastic event,
the celebration features a gourmet dinner as award
recipients are announced in 9 categories.
Don’t miss out on this premier business
event saluting business excellence. Click
Here to register.
EVENT
SPONSORS
TD
Bank Financial Group, Union Gas Ltd.
AWARD
SPONSORS
Bell,
BMO Financial Group, Dan Kane Chevrolet Cadillac
Ltd, Janisse Bros. Marcotte Funeral Home Windsor,
KPMG LLP, McTague Law Firm, Miller Canfield, St.
Clair College, University of Windsor, Woodslee
Credit Union
SILVER
SPONSORS:
OLG, Caboto Club, Koolini’s
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Friday,
April 25, 2008
CHAMBER'S
ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE PRESENTS:
WINDSOR ESSEX ENERGY FAIR
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Peter
Love
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Sponsored
by: Natural
Resources Canada
Luncheon
Sponsor: Enwin
Utilities
Supported
by: Province
of Ontario, ECNG Energy, Union Gas
Location:
Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue, Windsor
Time:
9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
$30
in advance / $35 at the door. (Includes a
buffet lunch)
To
register visit Events
Online or download
flyer.
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Learn
how to conserve energy and save on future energy
costs! |
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Keynote
speaker: Peter Love, Chief Energy Conservation
Officer for Ontario.
For
Sponsorship Opportunities call Igor Siljanoski at
519-966-3696 ext. 28.
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Thursday,
May 8, 2008
AFTER
BUSINESS NETWORKING & TRADESHOW
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Sponsored
by: Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets and
Applebee's Grill and Bar
Location:
Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets, 1555 Talbot Road
$10
Members ($15 at the door), $20 Future members, $100
Member Exhibitor Booths (Includes 2 tickets)
To register visit Events
Online
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Meet old friends or
make new ones the easy way. After Business is one of the
many programs offered by the Chamber to help businesses
operate more successfully in our area. Need help
networking? Let us connect you with one of our Network
Navigators.
Name
6 stores at Windsor Crossing for a chance to win one of
two $250 gift certificates!
As
always, enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres sponsored by
Applebee's and bring
your business card for a chance to win one of the many
door prizes.
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Mark
your calendar
Wednesday,
May 28, 2008
MAYOR'S
LUNCHEON
More
information coming soon!
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Thursday,
June 5, 2008
AFTER
BUSINESS NETWORKING & TRADESHOW
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Location:
Canadian Club Brand Heritage Centre
People
do business with other people! Invite
customers and/or treat staff members to an evening out
to mingle with over 100 prospective new customers.
$10
Members ($15 at the door), $20 Future members, $100
Member Exhibitor Booths (Includes 2 tickets)
To
register visit Events Online.
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Thursday,
June 12, 2008
72ND ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
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Sponsored
by: Kelly
Services, RBC Financial Group and
Johnson Inc.
Location:
Pointe West Golf Club
Your
golf package includes: Golf & Deluxe Cart, Deli
Luncheon Buffet, Prime Rib Dinner, Specialty
Prizes and more!
To register for this event visit Events
Online or call Marianne Burke at 519-966-3696 ext. 21.
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Mark
your calendar
Friday,
June 20, 2008
CHAIRMAN'S
BALL
Location:
Casino Windsor (soon to be called Caesar's
Windsor) in the Augustus Ballroom
It
is a celebration of the work of the Chamber and the
excitement generated by our community with businesses
working together to build a strong network.
Mark your calendar, you won't want to miss this
event.
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Advocacy
News and Updates
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| ONTARIO
BUDGET: STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION |
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On
March 25, 2008, Dwight Duncan, Windsor-Tecumseh M.P.P.
and Ontario Minister of Finance tabled his
government’s latest provincial budget.
The
budget focuses on skills training, tax exemptions and
cuts, second career strategies and expanded
apprenticeship programs in an effort to solve
Ontario’s manufacturing crisis.
Federica
Nazzani, Chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional
Chamber’s Finance and Taxation Committee says the
budget is a “balance between the short term and long
term.”
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Federica
adds the budget is a "step in the right direction
in that some measures will have an immediate impact
and others will be rolled out over time.
But overall, I think the budget helps position Ontario
and Windsor to be ahead of the game in the long-term
as we seek to diversify and become more of a
knowledge-based economy."
For
more information on the budget contact Igor Siljanoski,
Manager of Policy at isiljanoski@windsorchamber.org.
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MANUFACTURING
SURVEY OUTLINES REGION'S PRIORITIES
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The
results are in from last February's manufacturing survey conducted
among Ontario Chambers, including the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The results show unfavorable foreign exchange, diminishing product
demand and cross border delays as the biggest challenges for local
manufacturers.
The
Province of Ontario is
currently conducting broad-based consultations that will
culminate in a report to the Premier outlining the challenges
faced by small and medium sized manufacturers.
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The results of the Chamber's survey were delivered to MPP David Ramsay for inclusion in his
report to the Premier.
To
obtain a copy of the local survey results click here.
To
obtain a copy of the Ontario survey results click
here.
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| U.S.
OFFICIALS PUBLISH FINAL RULE FOR PASSPORT
INITIATIVE |
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On
March 27, 2008 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
published its final rules, implementing a change in
documents accepted at border crossings.
The
rule formalizes information previously released by the
department regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative such as allowing enhanced drivers licenses
as proof of citizenship. The new requirements for Canadian and U.S. citizens, entering the
U.S. at land and sea border crossings, will take
effect June 1, 2009.
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| Together
with our American and Canadian Chamber partners, the
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce has been
active in lobbying Washington and Ottawa to remove
barriers to legitimate trade and commerce while
ensuring free flow of people across the border.
To
obtain more information on the final rule proposals
and the latest business efforts to address the issues
related to WHTI visit the BESTT coalition website
at http://www.besttcoalition.com. |
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Membership
Benefits:
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CHAMBERS
OF COMMERCE GROUP INSURANCE PLAN
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This
Plan is rated #1 in Canada for small business and is
ranked in the Top 50 Best Managed Companies in
Canada. Chambers Plan allows you to pick the type of
coverage that fit your company. Your group’s
premium will reflect the choices you make plus your
company’s demographics.
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Every
company is eligible to apply even if it is a
one-person operation. There is no industry
restriction; all for-profit businesses are eligible
to participate as long as they are Chamber members.
The Chambers Plan guarantees your firm can renew
coverage as long as premiums are paid each month.
For more information see our website at http://www.windsorchamber.org/groupinsurance.htm.
Our agents include Dave Seeley, Ned Colovic and John
Merwin. |
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In
the Community:
| NATIONAL
VOLUNTEER CITY CELEBRATION |
| Mayor
Eddie Francis and Windsor City Council invite you to
attend the 2nd annual National Volunteer City
Celebration: MISSION
POSSIBLE...Hit
The Ground Leading
Wednesday,
April 30, 2008
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
Giovanni Caboto Club / 2175 Parent Avenue (at Tecumseh Road
East)
The
National Volunteer City Celebration provides an
opportunity to celebrate the collective contribution
of various groups, organizations and not-for-profit
charities in our community. Through leadership and
volunteer support, the community connects and inspires
growth, strength and change.
Tickets
are $10 each and include pastries and refreshments,
and a personal copy of Hit the Ground Leading! by
Angela Mondou, keynote speaker. Angela will be
available for book signing after her presentation.
Reservations
available now through the mayor's office 519-255-6100
ext. 6309 or nromero@city.windsor.on.ca
or by calling 311.
For
more information visit: http://www.citywindsor.ca/002686.asp |
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We
appreciate your feedback. If you have any comments on how to
improve our electronic newsletter or if you would like to opt out
of receiving it simply reply to this e-mail or call
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