We are now taking applications for our committees for the coming year, which for the GCC starts July 1st. Details of our committee mandates can be found under the "About Us" tab on www.guelphchamber.com by clicking on Committees. A brief description of our committees and their accomplishments this year is below. Committees meet monthly for one to 1.5 hours. Questions? Email lloyd@guelphchamber.com
Industrial Committee: Must be a manufacturer to join. Peer to peer presentations of best practices and discussions of challenges. This year focus was on lean systems, process improvements, and energy conservation. Coming year: Developing connections to Innovation Guelph clusters: Water, Solar, IT, Advanced Manufacturing, and Wellness. More "Best Practices" discussions at various manufacturing facilities in Guelph.
Workplace Development: Looking for employers, particularly HR representatives, to join college, university and secondary school boards with discussion on how to educate and improve workforce. This year work was done on launching an essential skills program for Guelph's workforce. Coming year: employing internationally trained individuals, launching work co-op landing page, further implement essential skills strategy.
Technology Committee: Making connections between technology companies and other businesses, including mapping of Guelph's technology talent. Ran our second annual Guelph Technology Economy conference, and is at work connecting to the various technology groups in Guelph. Coming year: Forming communication links between tech companies and organizations and other businesses, particularly IT departments.
Program Committee: Set the course for educational events at the GCC - determine topics of interest and presenters. Promote events to membership and other businesses in Guelph. Past year increased attendance at events, set new metrics for success, introduced video recording of events. Coming year: focused promotion of events by topic to related businesses. Set framework for seminars and peer to peer networking.
Membership & Marketing: Develop programs to assist in supporting businesses in Guelph, build marketing and brand of Guelph Chamber. Past year developed GCC overview flyer, introduced "Made in Guelph" employee group benefits plan for small business, reviewed member contact processes, began work on membership retention strategy. Coming year: refine marketing efforts with new city business directory, further work on providing value to businesses in GCC.
Advocacy: Develop policy to present to municipal, provincial, and federal government, acting as the "voice of business" for Guleph. Past year worked on municipal and federal elections to increase awareness of issues facing business, provided input to Guelph Transit Growth Strategy, presented provincial policy on improving competitiveness of businesses through R&D, worked with Downtown Guelph Business Association on downtown business development issues. Coming year: review of 10 year economic development plan for Guelph, provide business voice in provincial election topics, develop more positions on downtown Guelph development, work with Developers Association and Homebuilders Asssociation to improve development climate in Guelph.
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