Vision 2009 -Vision 2008 – Winter / Spring Highlights

• February– The New Look Chamber
  Coinciding with the launch of the new look Chamber logo and website, the Chamber launched the regional “Open for Business” media campaign during Chamber Week. Traffic to the website increased from 4000 monthly visitors to over 16,000 in six months.
  
  The new logo reflected the changes in the region (bridges) and the importance of the mountains while the site introduced a new business directory, event listings, news and features, and special monthly promotions from chamber members to the community. The web site reflected the relationship with the Chamber’s strategic partners including Chamber Group Insurance, Payworks and Orange Frog Creative.
  
  The Chamber began to advertise regularly in the News, Times and the Bugel and the Chamber was actively and consistently interviewed on numerous local business issues.
  
  
• Partnerships 2008 - Spirit of BC / Small Business BC / Volunteer Centre / GEWC
  The Chamber announced two valuable strategic partnerships that gave us a dedicated Spirit of BC storefront and a Small Business BC / One Stop satellite office.
  
  The Ridge Meadows Volunteer liaison spent six (6) months working out of the Chamber office, developing relationships and establishing strong community contacts.
  
  Also in 2008, the Chamber became a partner with the Golden Ears Winter Club (GEWC) and will be a major sponsor and marketing provider for the Senior Men’s Curling Championship in February 2009.
  
  
• Business Resource Centre
  The Chamber began business consulting services and business seminars / workshops
  Each month, we offered a free “Exploring Self Employment” workshop where participants learned the myths of business, the keys to market research, important resource tools, and asked questions about the viability of their business idea.
  
  The “Starting a Business in Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows” enticed new entrepreneurs to participate in a detailed business analysis workshop where we discussed the keys to market research, sales and marketing, startup advice and important financials information including business funding resources, sales forecasting and breakeven analysis.
  
  
• B2B Networking Events
  Connecting members was an important mandate for the Chamber in 2008. Though we hosted less events than in previous years, the participation was greatly increased under the new format. In 2008, we changed the “Business AM” from a networking event to a topics based roundtable where we discussed important business issues. The results were tremendous!
  
  Our discussion on “Crime” had a huge impact as we brought more attention of crime in the business community after an article claimed the stats on crime were down. We rebutted the article and started a “Report Your Crime” mandate which led to the media reporting more crimes on business.
  
  The Chamber added more marketing and personnel support to the Women’s AM. This included providing stronger web presence and online promotions.
  
  
• Business Distinction Awards 2008 – Recognizing Business Achievement  
  Meadow Gardens was the venue for the Chamber’s first major event of 2008. The Business Distinction Awards, in partnership with the District of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows, honoured the history of business in the region including special awards going to Fuller Watson (over 80 years) and Harris Leib Insurance (50 Years). The 150 attendees were entertained by Vancouver Whitecaps legend Bobby Lenarduzzi and the night was memorable and well received for the first time event.
  
  
• Home Show
  For the first time in a decade, the Chamber exhibited at the Home Show and surveyed hundreds of residents about the shopping environment, their needs and wants, and their concerns. The outcome showed that the newer the resident, the less they knew about the shopping opportunities, the types of stores and their locations. The was a distinct split in support of big box and most people felt we did not have enough clothes and shoe shopping options.