NETWORKING

Networking is a tool often under-utilized by small business. It isn’t just about having lunch or chatting over niblies and a drink. It’s about sharing information, learning about each other’s business and helping grow each other’s business. It happens at Chamber events designed specifically for networking like the monthly Business After Hours. Networking also happens on our committees and at our seminars. It also happens at the Chamber Golf Day, at the AGM, at the annual Business Achievement Awards and it happens when Chamber members meet each other in a restaurant and on the street. Networking is a very powerful way to grow your business and the Chamber makes developing relationships through networking easier. We work hard to provide networking opportunities for all our members. Our networking events are hosted and designed so that you can meet suppliers, customers, new business people and peers.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

The Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce is a member of the largest business association in Canada, and the country’s most influential. As a member Chamber, we participate in the advocacy of public policies that will foster a strong, competitive economic environment that benefits businesses, communities and families across Canada.

Benefits that are passed onto our Bracebridge Chamber Members through the Canadian Chamber include:

• A fuel discount ($0.035 per litre)-offered to the company and its employees-at all Canadian ESSO-branded service stations
• Home, auto, travel and pet insurance through Johnson Inc.
• Mystery shopper program through Competitactics
• SME-oriented online training courses through the Chamber eLearning Centre
• Human resource services through First Call…your hotline to HR
• Through a partnership with The Alba Group – a buying group receive discounted products and services through Lyreco Canada.
• 10% discount on the cost of ICC publications.
• Audio conferencing, web collaboration and webinar services from Evolve Collaboration.

MEMBER BENEFIT PROGRAMS

The Canadian Chamber can assist you and your members in improving your bottom line through its various benefit programs. Member chambers of commerce are welcome to share the Canadian Chamber’s value-added programs with your respective memberships. Please click on the logos below for details.

BUSINESS REFERRALS

One major challenge for most small businesses is to continually grow and expand the business. Some growth comes from additional sales from existing accounts, but this is often limited. When building your business new contacts often can materialize into new clients or customers. Two important factors considered by new clients are commonality and trust. By being a member of the Bracebridge Chamber these two factors are already in place. The Chamber creates opportunities for referrals, and fosters linkages between businesses to help build synergies that will propel the business forward. Additionally, the Chamber office is always receiving phone calls and other inquiries looking for specific services and/or information about businesses in Bracebridge. The Chamber always refers Chamber members.

MEMBER TO MEMBER BENEFITS

Snap Fitness has special rates for Bracebridge Chamber Members.

K.W. Rogers Insurance Brokers Inc. Chamber Members AND employees could save on personal home and auto insurance. For details call (705) 645-4731.

Bell Mobility Affinity Program Click Here for details.

Clean Slate Pardons offers Chamber members 10% on premium criminal record checks.

Back of Beyond Equine Centre offers Chamber members 10% off Monday – Friday.  Contact them for more details.

Algonquin Outfitters – Bracebridge offers Chamber members 10% off.  Contact the store for more details.

BUSINESS EDUCATION

The Bracebridge Chamber is here to help you grow your business. Through our website and our business education seminars you can learn new skills, stay informed and get motivated. Seminars are organized through various means; partnership with Georgian College & Muskoka Campus, in association with locally based ngo’s with training mandates, expert members businesses, Chamber Committees, etc. Seminars are always affordable, topical, interesting and informative. Keep an eye out for Chamber e-blasts. It will be a good source for seminar announcements.

ADVOCACY

A major objective of the Bracebridge Chamber is to be a strong and effective advocate for Bracebridge Business. The Chamber works on your behalf to ensure policies and issues that affect your business are challenged and/or advocated. Our alliances and partnerships with other local Chambers and through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce provide us with information and access to all levels of government. The Chamber has an Advocacy/Communications Committee who lead this initiative.