PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

There is only one reason for the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce to exist: to help its members succeed in business. There is one goal but many routes to that goal.

The Chamber will not run your business – that is the job of you and your staff. However we will help you to run your business better and at lower costs. With a membership of 900 and the strength of our national organization we are able to purchase services and products for you at reduced cost. Examples include life and disability insurance coverage, home and auto insurance, Merchant services for VISA, Mastercard and Interac and discounts on hotels and car rentals.

A personal favourite benefit is the M2M (member to member) programme. Offered to owners and staff the M2M card provides discount prices for a wide variety of goods and services from fellow Chamber member companies – everything from pastries to pedicures. The principle is simple: I support you and you support me.

The Chamber is not a social club – but we have powerful networking events. This reception is a good example. Every year the Chamber and its members have dozens of receptions, banquets, breakfasts, seminars and other meetings where you and your staff can meet with other businesswomen and men. These are wonderful opportunities to learn more about our city, other businesses and issues which affect all of us.

The Chamber is not a political organization – but we do advocate forcefully on issues affecting our members. Government policies can either benefit or harm business. Over the last few years the Chamber has presented the business case to the City, the Province and the Federal government on many occasions. Issues have included physician recruitment, implementation of minimum wage increases, taxation, zoning, higher education, transportation, government deficits and pensions.

The Chamber is a respected voice and seen as an honest advocate; therefore we have had our opinions sought by governments during the development of policy. We want government to work with business to build a better Canada.

The Chamber is not an educational institution – but we support several mentoring and teaching initiatives. Every year the Chamber and its partners host seminars, Lunch and Learn forums and other events where members can learn business basics such as marketing, human resources, taxation and the like.

In addition we try to keep members abreast of new developments in technology and social changes. As well the Chamber and its partners have developed the Immigrant Mentorship programme which is helping newcomers establish and grow new businesses here.
By working smarter our members can meet competitive challenges and prosper.

The Chamber does many things - but it does not do them alone. We have strong, longstanding partnerships with Enterprise Fredericton, Downtown Fredericton, Business Fredericton North, the Airport Authority and many other organizations. These partnerships strengthen our voice and our impact. They also reduce overlaps and confusion in our messages.

Finally, the Chamber is dedicated to your success but the Chamber needs your help to meet its goal. Please support your Chamber by renewing your dues, volunteering, attending events and encouraging other businesses to join. Being part of the Chamber is like a dose of happy vitamins: it is fun and it is good for you.

In short the Chamber wants you to prosper. We are trying to create a tide which will raise all the boats. Thank you all for your support.

Andrew Steeves
President
Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
2011-2012