Chamber News

2017 Record Year for Tourism in NS

Dear tourism industry stakeholder:

It is my pleasure to announce that 2017 was Nova Scotia’s best tourism year in history and fourth consecutive year of growth. Together we welcomed 2.4 million visitors to the province, an increase of nine per cent over 2016, and generated $2.7 billion in annual tourism revenue, an increase of seven per cent. This is exciting progress as our industry works to reach the Ivany Report goal of $4 billion in tourism revenues by 2024.

I hope you will take a moment to review the 2017 tourism performance highlights and share the fantastic news with your colleagues, stakeholders, and investors. Full year results are available on tourismns.ca.

Together we are building a dynamic and innovative tourism industry that plays a key role in growing Nova Scotia’s economy and vibrant communities. I am so proud to call this province home and to work alongside you in this exciting and fast-growing industry.

Congratulations on another record-setting year!

Sincerely,

Michele Saran
CEO
Tourism Nova Scotia

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Events Truro Colchester & Rath Eastlink Community Centre Secure Grand Slam of Curling Masters for this October

Events Truro Colchester & Rath Eastlink Community Centre Secure Grand Slam of Curling Masters for this October

The Rath Eastlink Community Centre is set to host the Grand Slam of Curling Masters, running Oct. 23 to Oct. 28, 2018. Owned and operated by Sportsnet, a Rogers Media company, the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling is an annual series of seven curling tournaments that attract the world’s best curlers.
The Masters will be the second stop on the 2018-2019 Grand Slam schedule. Featuring 15 of the top men’s teams and 15 of the top women’s teams in the world, the Masters is an elite-level competition with $250,000 and valuable tour points on the line.
In 2015, the event enjoyed huge success in Truro, as over 130 volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure fans and athletes had a great experience. Following the tournament, local Curling Clubs saw a noticeable jump in the level of interest in the sport.

“The Truro Colchester Community is proud once again to play host to the best male and female curlers in the world,” said Craig Burgess, Community Chair of the Organizing Committee. “Come join us again and make this the best curling venue in the grand slam series!”
In 2015, the event generated $1.94 million in economic activity from above average ticket sales compared to other tournament locations. Organizers anticipate even greater success at this year’s Truro-Colchester venue.

“We are thrilled to have this pinnacle event return to the Community Credit Union Arena,” Said Matt Moore, GM of RECC. “In 2015 this event was a very special milestone for our facility as our first on the international stage, so I know there will be no shortage of enthusiasm and excitement when the brooms and rocks start flying.”
Events Truro Colchester (ETC), a partnership between the Town of Truro and County of Colchester supported by other community organizations, was established following the 2015 success of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Masters. Since that time, ETC has promoted our region as a marque events destination and served as host to major sporting and cultural events. The group has developed a Strategic Plan, brand mark, and website (eventstc.ca) to assert Truro-Colchester into the competitive world of event attraction.

“It’s so exciting to be in the game so-to-speak when it comes to having major sports and music events staged right here in our community. Not only does it fill our hotels and restaurants with visitors, it makes this an even more enjoyable place to live,” said Colchester Mayor Christine Blair.

“The Events Truro Colchester group continue to do a great job! They continue to come to us (Town Council) with event recommendations that fit well within our scope and mandate. We look forward to the Grand Slam and many more events in the future,” stated Mayor of Truro, Bill Mills.

More information on volunteer opportunities, tickets, and sponsorship will become available in the coming weeks at here.

Media Contact:

Matt Moore
Rath Eastlink Community Centre
[email protected]

Nick Sharpe
Rath Eastlink Community Centre / Events Truro Colchester
[email protected]

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Annual General Meeting News Release

March 14, 2018

News release

Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce sets priorities for 2018, elects new officers

TRURO – The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated 128 years serving the business community at its Annual General Meeting held in Truro. A new slate of officers and directors was elected by the membership which will see Joanne McRae, a manager with MNP LLP Truro, step into the president’s seat.

McRae said building stronger partnerships with business stakeholders and all levels of government was a focus of the chamber during the past year.

“The efforts that have been put into these initiatives have shown the positive results that can be achieved when government, businesses and local organizations, like the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce, can work together for the business community in our region,” said McRae.  “The partnerships that have been developed over the last few years bring our region a new strength and are key to continuing to move forward.”

McRae was elected to serve a one-year term.

She said during the next year the Chamber will continue to collaborate with organizations, government and business to help grow and support the businesses within our region.

“Small and medium sized businesses are the heart of the Canadian economy and it is important that organizations like this one exist to advocate on your behalf to ensure your interests are protected,” said the president. “I look forward to continuing to meet with our members and hearing your concerns as well as working with our Board of Directors to find new and innovative ways to provide support to you.”

Outgoing president Alex Stevenson reviewed many of the key initiatives of the Chamber during the past year such as achieving accreditation with distinction, hosting a Project Management Professional Certification Exam Preparation Course, the fundraising campaign to establish a regional enterprise network, working with a tourism stakeholder group, networking opportunities and organizing initiatives to support youth, among many others.

“I believe we’ve been successful building on momentum, delivering on key initiatives, focusing on our Mission and Vision, and working collaboratively to support a prosperous business environment,” said Stevenson. “Going forward, I’m confident our incoming president, Joanne McRae will do an outstanding job and I wish the board, staff and the executive continued success in 2018 as they continue their important advocacy work on behalf of the members.”

At the end of 2017 there were 430 members in the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce making it the largest Chamber in Nova Scotia outside metro.

Other newly elected executives and directors are: Vice-President Ron Smith, Business Development, Old Fletcher Farm Property Limited, a division of Masstown Market Limited; Treasurer Amanda Pothier, owner Atkinson’s Accounting; Solicitor George White, Patterson Law; and directors Dr. David Gray, Dean of Dalhousie Agricultural Campus; Karen Baillie,  Elegant Steps; Karen Gillespie, Nova Scotia Community College; Bob Brown E. Lynds Enterprises;  Nancy Johnstone, Lock and Stone Property Management; Peter Thiesen Pulse Property Care; Connie Baird, Party Time Rentals and Sam Abushenaf, PuroClean Restorations; David Ritcey, Hampton Inn Truro; Julie Taylor, Skin Decision; Trina Langille, Warmth By Design; and Matthew Mossman, Bell Media. Alex Stevenson, manager of commercial banking CIBC, will remain on the board as past-president.

The Chamber’s Annual Dinner Gala and Awards will be held on April 12 at the Best Western Glengarry.

The Chamber has issued a call for nominations for BDC Business Person of the Year and the Community Credit Union Business Excellence awards.

To reserve a seat at the gala or for more information about award nominations, call 902-895-6328 or email [email protected]. Deadline for nominations is March 16, 2018.

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Media Contact:

Sherry Martell

Executive Director, Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce

902-895-6328

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WLWP is on the move!

White LeBlanc Wealth Planners is on the move!

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Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)

Join us for an information session on the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Project (AIPP) with presenter Lena Metledge Diab, Minister of the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. Learn more about how the Pilot can help your business address current labour gaps!

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Chamber continues to monitor small business tax policy changes

TRURO - Ensuring changes in small business tax rules do not harm business growth remains a priority for the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce.

As the “Voice of Business” in Truro and Colchester, advocating on behalf of more than 400 members, the Chamber has been actively lobbying the federal government to pause its proposed tax changes impacting our member businesses and take a more comprehensive look at the entire Canadian Tax system.

“We were happy to learn the government has lowered the small business tax to 10 per cent this year, with future reductions planned that will allow business to invest, prosper and grow,” said Chamber President Alex Stevenson. “However, as the voice of business we continue to follow the developments around the tax policy issue to ensure it is fair for small business to protect growth.”

In a letter sent to Finance Minister Bill Morneau in December, the Chamber recommended a broad consultation of pending changes with tax professionals and businesses, encompassing jurisdictional, profession and sector variations. It was further recommended any proposed tax change be supported by data that quantifies economic impact.

The Chamber recently received a response from the Minister’s office.

“The Government is committed to addressing any unintended consequences of these measures and is focused on supporting Canada’s hard-working, middle-class small business owners, while targeting unfair advantages that largely benefit the wealthiest Canadians,” Elliot Hughes, Deputy Director – Tax Policy, from the Minister of Finance’s office, wrote in the letter.

Hughes outlined actions the government has taken to support small business, such as lowering the small business tax rate. The Deputy Director also shared details of the government’s position regarding changes to its income sprinkling policy, passive investment, conversion of income into Capital Gains and support for small business and entrepreneurs.

The Chamber invites the business community to read the Minister’s letter on its website (www.trurocolchesterchamber.com  ) and to provide input on the impacts of the developing tax policy changes.

Click here to read letter

The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and all levels of government. It helps shape public policy and decision-making to the benefit of businesses, communities and families. Representing more than 400 members it is the local voice for business connected to both the national and Atlantic chambers of commerce.

by Sherry Martell

Call for nominations!

Call for nominations for our 128th Annual Awards and Dinner Gala

Printable nomination forms:

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128th Annual Awards & Dinner Gala

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