Guelph Chamber of Commerce Connection

Guelph Chamber Inside

We are almost settled in.  Some artwork for the walls, a few more board room tables, and we are "good to go".  We have a public open house May 8th from 4pm to 6pm.  Come on by!

 

Meeting rooms are available for complimentary use by Guelph Chamber members. 

 

How Does North America See Us?

Guelph is the first Canadian community to be profiled on the USA program "Profiles", hosted by Terry Bradshaw.  Please check out the 5 minute video highlighting some of Guelph's strengths, and a bit of our personality.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da11A8_6Bv4 

Please "Like" this and send it around though your channels.  It would be great to see the You Tube hits climb!

Come by our Open House May 8 between 4pm and 8pm on the 2nd and 3rd Floor of 111 Farquahr, across the tracks from Co-operators.  7 Catering companies are setting up in the large multi-purpose room at Innovation Guelph on the 3rd Floor, and you have to see the Chamber offices on the second floor that includes 3 Board  rooms for our members' complimentrary use!  The setting and views are stunning.  Parking after 5 in the Neeve Street parking lot, as well as 80 spots around our building. 

8 of 10 offices for small business have been rented out.  The UofG and National Research Council are moving in. We have had over 500 people attending on site business support sessions and other community events in the first two months of Innovation Guelph's multi-purpose room being available for rent.  The place is humming with activity!  Innovation Guelph has 2 more Board rooms for use by local businesses and associations - you have to check it out!

Innovation: What is it Good For?

In the coming years we will be hearing the word “innovation” in a lot of contexts. Some will be old
ideas made new, and some will be new ideas that will surprise many. The Guelph Chamber is touching on innovation in many ways.

The Guelph Chamber is in an innovative space, sharing the rent with Innovation Guelph, the National Research Council, the University of Guelph, and so far 8 divers companies with room for two more. It is no accident the Chamber has developed partnerships to provide direct support for innovation for Guelph’s businesses, regardless of their size. Innovation truly comes in many shapes and sizes. The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program has a major focus on helping small business embrace technology. And Guelph has many small businesses that can help other small businesses along the way. The University of Guelph, Conestoga College, and our school boards have a ready supply of
students that can add their expertise to helping to strengthen our business community. Summer is coming, and that means students will be more available to pitch in. The Chamber’s website has links to co-op opportunities. www.Innovationguelph.ca will show an amazing array of events and programs for those wanting to get ahead in the knowledge economy. Innovation is Guelph’s middle name.

A traditional idea is becoming new again: face to face conversations. Imagine: sitting around a
table with like minded people looking for good ideas to share. The Guelph Chamber and Innovation Guelph have shared space to have round table discussions on questions posed by the table, facilitated by local mentors. The “Guelph Winners Circles” are geared for small businesses to connect to support
in the community. The cost of these monthly sessions is included in the price of a Guelph Chamber membership, which starts at $300 per year or less than $30 per month. Sessions run on the second Wednesday evening of the month from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Details are on the home page of www.guelphchamber.com.

Innovation is all through the new Guelph Chamber location. Drop by 111 Farquahr second floor anytime, but make sure to come by our joint open house with Innovation Guelph on May 8^th from 4pm to 8pm! The building might be 1858 but what is going on inside is heading us into an innovative future.