Request for member feedback
Dear valued Chamber member;
As 2015 draws to a close, the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support. A Chamber membership is an investment in your business. As members, you and your staff qualify for exclusive programs from our partners offering discount rates on group health insurance, home and auto insurance, fuel, merchant services, freight and shipping and audio conferencing services. Other member benefits include: invitations to all Chamber-hosted activities at a premium rate; automatically receive a Chamber newsletter by email each Wednesday; access to educational workshops and other tools to build your business; access to member’s only marketing opportunities; and many other benefits.
We are seeking member feedback, as well as updating our membership records. Your business information on the Chamber website http://www.trurocolchesterchamber.com/ may also need to be updated. We ask that you take just a couple minutes out of your day by the end of December to fill in the questionnaire by clicking this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3RRD5DR .
Requested changes to website profiles should be emailed to [email protected].
Economic impact of Pinty's Grand Slam Curling 2015 Masters
Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling 2015 Masters resulted in $1.94 million in Economic Impact
A measure of economic impact revealed that over $1.25 million in economic impact as a direct result of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling 2015 Masters was felt in the Truro and Colchester area, and a total of $1.94 million in the Province of Nova Scotia. The numbers are based on a Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model provided by the Canada Sport Tourism Alliance.
The 2015 Masters was held at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre from October 27th – November 1st and featured the top 15 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams based on the World Curling Tour’s order of merit. The event saw the number one ranked men’s and women’s teams, Mike McEwen and Rachel Homan respectively, take home the championship prizes.
The event was estimated to have brought nearly 2,200 unique individuals from outside the Truro area to the community during the event. These spectators spent money on such things as local hotel accommodations, meals, groceries, shopping, and vehicle expenses. Along with the event spectators, there were also 30 curling teams and approximately 40 media personal from Sportsnet in Truro for the event. Local spending by spectators, participants and media, along with the expenditures of the event organizers, resulted in the total economic impact for Truro and Colchester.
"The results of the economic impact of Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling is an incredible accomplishment for the RECC,” said Town of Truro Mayor, Bill Mills, “That was the goal all along! All of us had visions of the facility being an economic engine for the region from the start. This event, among the many held at the RECC, is very very positive and I believe there are many more successes to come! The volunteers and staff are keys to our success!”
Along with the economic impact assessment, a number of businesses were surveyed to determine the impact the event had on local businesses. Overwhelmingly, businesses reported they’d like to see more events of this magnitude hosted in Truro and felt that overall the event was a huge success for the community, as well as for the Rath Eastlink Community Centre.
“Being the Rock Sponsor for the Grand Slam of Curling was a wonderful opportunity for our business,” said Karen Ballie, owner of Elegant Steps on Inglis Place. “The event brought huge awareness to our community and our business. We would like to thank everyone who was involved for bringing this opportunity to Truro.”
The event was planned and hosted in partnership with the Town of Truro, Municipality of the County of Colchester, and the Rath Eastlink Community Centre. A host community spent about a year planning the event, and it was executed through the commitment of approximately 150 volunteers.
“This was a terrific event and the results of the economic impact report are tremendous. It goes to show what a great economic benefit events of this magnitude have on the entire community,” stated Municipality of the County of Colchester Mayor, Bob Taylor.
The visibility that the event brought to the Truro area, and to the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, was magnified through the televised coverage on Sportsnet and CBC. Along with coverage of the event, a local tourism commercial was aired and beauty shots from the community were shown.
“With the success of this event to add to our resume, the Rath Eastlink Community Centre is well positioned to host many other national sporting events,” said Matt Moore, General Manager of the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, “We hope to be part of a formalized approach and an event attraction strategy which will help Truro and Colchester attract more events of this magnitude to the local area. Events of this magnitude are something we take great deal of pride in being able to present to the community.”
Employer readiness key to integrate refugees into workforce
Employer readiness key to integrate refugees into workforce
Chamber hosting lunch and learn to connect businesses with immigration officials
TRURO - The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event this month aiming to connect businesses with immigration officials co-ordinating resettlement efforts.
A lunch and learn, sponsored by the Municipality of Colchester County, will be held at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre at noon on Dec. 16 to share information with businesses about immigration programs and federal refugee resettlement plans.
Chamber president Andrew Lake said providing businesses with an opportunity to interact directly with the people working hands-on to co-ordinate the resettlement efforts will benefit both parties.
“Employers in the region have long expressed a need and desire to increase immigration to support the economy of the region,” said Lake. “To ensure a successful settlement of the refugees, it’s important for communities to be welcoming. Employment is a critical component to immigrants and refugees establishing roots and successfully integrating into the community.”
The Government of Nova Scotia, along with Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), the YMCA, the Red Cross and many other volunteer organizations and provincial departments, are jointly planning for the arrival of refugees into Nova Scotia. The objective is to ensure the successful settlement of refugees in the province. One of the committees of this larger working group is working with employers to ensure employer readiness to integrate refugees into the workforce.
As part of the process, businesses are being asked to provide information on employment opportunities which may be available to these refugees. Refugees arriving in Canada will comprise both skilled and unskilled labour, so information is being sought on all available positions.
Guest speakers at the event will be Cliff MacDonald, a member of ISANS Business Workforce Integration Team, and Robyn Webb, Director of Labour Market Development with the Greater Halifax Partnership. Officials with the Office of Immigration will also be participating in the event.
MacDonald will discuss ISANS’ role in welcoming immigrants, working in partnership with other organizations to offer services and create opportunities that enable them to participate fully in Canadian life. The organization provides a full range of programs and services along the settlement and integration continuum to more than 3,500 clients annually in 34 communities across Nova Scotia.
Webb leads the Partnership's talent attraction and retention initiatives, including the National Connector Program. She partners with and supports Canadian communities and industry associations interested in launching the Connector Program and has an extensive background in promoting Nova Scotia as the best possible choice for North American and European companies looking to expand into Canada.
The cost to attend is $10 for members, $15 for future chamber members. To reserve a seat contact the chamber office at 902-895-6328 or email [email protected].
