Volume 7 • Number 4 MISSION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE August 2011 BC HYDRO When the Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse was originally built in the 1930s, the first Mickey Mouse comic strip was published in the New York Mirror, Charlie Chaplin was a movie box office favou- rite and the planet Pluto was first discovered. A light bulb in the pow- erhouse at Ruskin Dam has burned for more than 80 years – helping employees monitor the DC power system used to operate plant controls at one of B.C.’s oldest dams. It’s also a fitting symbol for the legacy of clean electri- cal power left to us by pre- vious generations of British Columbians. Now, after more than 80 years of service, the facility is aging and in need of a major upgrade to improve seismic performance and upgrade the powerhouse. The Ruskin Dam & Powerhouse Upgrade Project is a comprehensive, $800 million dollar regeneration. Subject to BCUC regulatory approval, the project is sched- uled to begin in 2012 and take approximately six years to complete. Technically com- plex, the project is one of the largest that BC Hydro has undertaken in recent years. Construction on the upgrades to Ruskin is expected to begin in early 2012. The project will involve seismically reinforcing the right bank of the dam and the powerhouse, replacing the spillway gates and piers on the top of the dam, as well as the turbines and generators that have been producing electric- ity for British Columbia for generations. Back in 1930, a seepage cutoff wall built upstream of the dam on the right abutment worked “much like the liner in your swimming pool by keep- ing the water in,” says Hydro engineer Nick Vanderkwaak. The existing cutoff wall, being seismically deficient, will be replaced by a specially designed in-ground barrier wall will reinforce the right bank to control water seepage. “There are specialized techniques in creating such a wall,” he adds. “It will extend from the surface of the right bank right down into bedrock so when it hardens it will be impervious.” The final phase will see the relocation of the switchyard to the left bank hill. But what excites RUSKIN DAM & POWERHOUSE UPGRADE Continued on page 3 An 80-year-old lightbulb still burning brightly at Ruskin Dam. Below left, an aerial view of the dam; below right, the control room.
Transcript
Volume 7 • Number 4 MISSION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE August 2011
BC HydroWhen the Ruskin Dam and
Powerhouse was originally built in the 1930s, the first Mickey Mouse comic strip was published in the New York Mirror, Charlie Chaplin was a movie box office favou-rite and the planet Pluto was first discovered.
A light bulb in the pow-erhouse at Ruskin Dam has burned for more than 80 years – helping employees monitor the DC power system used to operate plant controls at one of B.C.’s oldest dams.
It’s also a fitting symbol for the legacy of clean electri-cal power left to us by pre-vious generations of British Columbians. Now, after more than 80 years of service, the facility is aging and in need of a major upgrade to improve seismic performance and upgrade the powerhouse.
The Ruskin Dam & Powerhouse Upgrade Project
is a comprehensive, $800 million dollar regeneration. Subject to BCUC regulatory approval, the project is sched-uled to begin in 2012 and take approximately six years to complete. Technically com-plex, the project is one of the largest that BC Hydro has undertaken in recent years.
Construction on the upgrades to Ruskin is expected to begin in early 2012.
The project will involve seismically reinforcing the right bank of the dam and the powerhouse, replacing the spillway gates and piers on the top of the dam, as well as the turbines and generators that
have been producing electric-ity for British Columbia for generations.
Back in 1930, a seepage cutoff wall built upstream of the dam on the right abutment worked “much like the liner in your swimming pool by keep-ing the water in,” says Hydro engineer Nick Vanderkwaak.
The existing cutoff wall, being seismically deficient, will be replaced by a specially designed in-ground barrier wall will reinforce the right bank to control water seepage.
“There are specialized techniques in creating such a wall,” he adds. “It will extend from the surface of the right bank right down into bedrock so when it hardens it will be impervious.”
The final phase will see the relocation of the switchyard to the left bank hill.
But what excites
Ruskin Dam & PoweRhouse uPgRaDe
Continued on page 3
An 80-year-old lightbulb still burning brightly at Ruskin Dam. Below left, an aerial view of the dam; below right, the control room.
Page 2 • July 2011 MISSION CHAMBER CONNECtION
2011Board of Directors
President - Cal Crawford
Past President - Helen Secco
Vice-President - Elyssa Lockhart
Treasurer - Tony LaPointe
Directors 2011
Todd Bugge Sean Melia Phil Hope Kelly Vaille
Attila Davalovsky Charles Vander Byl
Satti Grewal Ann Harper
District of Mission Mayor James Atebe
Community Futures Oleene Herman
Staff
Michelle Favero Manager
Angel Elias Member Services
Allison Jack Tourism Coordinator
Mission RegionalChamber
of Commerce34033 Lougheed Hwy Mission, BC V2V 5X8
Phone: 604-826-6914 Fax: 604-826-5916
www.missionchamber.bc.ca
President’s Message
Cal Crawford
How much do you know about Mission?Every year, over 10 000 visitors from all over the world stop by the Visitor Information Centre, and it is our privilege to respond to all of their travel information needs.
The Mission Visitor Centre Needs You!Come Volunteer!
Call 604.826.6914 to learn more
The Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to be able to offer all registered businesses in Mission the ability to get out in front of the major con-struction projects occurring in Mission over the next 5 years. With up to $1 billion in infra-structure projects scheduled, there are great opportunities for Mission businesses.
Developed in partnership with the District of Mission Economic Development Office, the Handbook offers an on-line tool for those ten-dering or bidding on major projects, such as the Ruskin Dam Upgrade.
It provides a business listing based on Trades and Supplies, Transportation, Goods and Services, and Property offered by Mission business.
It also includes a map of Mission and comprehen-sive community information regarding municipal contacts, emergency services and orga-nizations that offer support services.
This is another great example of how the Mission Chamber is promoting the Mission business community to those coming to set up
shop. It gives them a compre-hensive snapshot of what the community may have to offer for their project.
Buying local can save an outside contractor with trans-portation and pricing, and keeps the economic benefit of these major projects in town.
It lets them know that Mission is not only open for business, but that we are front and center with the goods and services that they or their workers require.
While the first edition was put together in May, Chamber staff are busy updating the information that has changed. The Chamber will continue to maintain the Handbook semi-annually over the next five years as many of the major projects roll out.
I am excited that we now have this tool for our busi-ness community. Already BC Hydro has included the infor-mation in the tender docu-ments for Ruskin Dam, and it has been distributed to Smart! Centres for their commer-cial development project on Lougheed.
If you are a Chamber mem-ber, login to your member account and you can view the handbook.
If you wish to update your listing you will find a link there as well. As a member your email and web links will be included in your listing, as well as a brief summary of your business.
Non-members will only have their name and address listed. If you are not a mem-ber of the Chamber, here is a cost-effective marketing opportunity that comes with the many other benefits of membership. I encourage you to take advantage of it.
I look forward to seeing your listings and learning of the value you found in being in the book. Hope you had a wonderful summer!
Mission Handbook for Major Projects Another Value for Business in Mission
MISSION CHAMBER CONNECtION July 2011 • Page 3
Vanderkwaak most are the Ruskin Dam’s three 35-megawatt turbine engines – two built in 1930, one added in 1950.
Like the powerhouse’s 80-year old light bulb, the turbines “have proven themselves to be of good design and long serviceability,” he says. Now, they’re tired and running inefficiently.
The solution, says Vanderkwaak: retain those parts of the turbines and generators that continue to be service-able, like the rotors and bearings (“These are really remarkable components, a tribute to their original design.”) and replace those that don’t work so well – like the stator core and windings. After the upgrade project is complete, Ruskin will provide enough electricity for over
33,000 homes.”Replacement of the three generating
units will be phased in, one at a time, Vanderkwaak adds, to allow the facil-ity to continue to generate electricity throughout the project. The improved powerhouse will be Power Smart, mak-ing use of energy-efficient lighting and windows, and the heritage face of the building will be restored. Because of the history of the Ruskin facility, old equipment will be relocated for display at local museums such as the Stave Falls Visitor Centre.
Generating approximately 1,050 per-son years of employment during con-struction and significant economic ben-efit for the community, no one is more
excited about the project than Mission Mayor James Atebe.
“I’m excited by the economic activ-ity that will emanate from the invest-ment in our community,” says Atebe. “It complements our community forest and the recreational opportunities that we’re trying to create here. But I’m even more excited by the opportunities for small business both locally and regionally.”
To learn more about the Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse Upgrade from BC Hydro Project Manager Boyd Mason attend the September 15th, Chamber Luncheon.
Source: BCHydro.com
Randy Hawes, MLA(Abbotsford-Mission)T: 604.820.6203 • F: [email protected]
Shared Constituency Office33058 First Ave. Mission V2V 1G3
Did you know?Your MLA’s office can help you with:• Provincial government related issues• Certification of copies of important documents• Arranging congratulatory messages• Providing information on government programs
mission Business Voice heard!Government News
August 4 – Hosted by MLA Marc Dalton, the Chamber attended the pro-vincial government’s Rural Caucus tour at the Cedarbrooke Chateau.
The luncheon was held to allow mem-bers of the BC Liberal Caucus to directly hear from community leaders on vari-ous issues. Caucus members included Eric Foster, Douglas Horne, John Yap, Marc Dalton and Randy Hawes, and was chaired by the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Donna
Barnett.Chamber Manager Michelle Favero
presented on behalf of the organiza-tion on issues that affect the economic growth of Mission, and that would take provincial initiative to act upon.
They included: the maintenance of the Fraser River as a viable transporta-tion route; the opportunity cost loss on development from the length of process by the Ministry of Environment; the completion of the four laning of Hwy 7
and value of maintaining the Westcoast Express; and the economic importance of Ruskin Dam and other major infra-structure projects on small communities.
“The Chamber believes that the eco-nomic health of small communities in BC is vital.” stated Chamber President Cal Crawford. “We appreciate the opportunity to convey that message to the Caucus tour.”
rural CauCus Tour
learn more about dam upgrade at luncheonContinued from page 1
Page 4 • July 2011 MISSION CHAMBER CONNECtION
Chamber of Commerce Committee News
Todd Bugge
Look for the Chamber meeting schedule on the Mission Chamber webpage. Contact Chamber staff if you are interested in participating.
Go to www.missionchamber.bc.ca to get all your news and information on business in Mission
Elyssa Lockhart
(604) 217-1161www.fvos.ca
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Events Committee, Todd Bugge, ChairThank you to those who took time to nominate the many businesses and organizations for the 2011
Business Excellence Awards. Remember to purchase your tickets soon as the October Business Excellence Gala is always a sell-out. The Committee is busy developing a new marketing program for businesses along the Candlelight Parade route and reviewing the safety, traffic and parking for the largest nighttime parade in BC. Interested in volunteering for the parade or in joining the Committee contact Angel Elias, [email protected]
Government Affairs, Elyssa Lockhart, Chair
If you’re interested in government issues, breaking down the barriers of red tape for business locally, provincially or federally, or love discussing how unfolding events are affecting the business community than join the Government Affairs committee. If you have a business concern, or issue that affects business in Mission that you feel the Chamber should speak on, please contact the Government Affairs Committee through Michelle Favero, [email protected]
Membership Committee, Ann Harper, ChairThanks to our members for attending the Membership Appreciation Day, July 28th. Your membership
committee has been busy planning numerous activities for Small Business month in October. Don’t forget to nominate a business for the Business Excellence Awards! Talk about added value to our members - The Mission Handbook, which is free for members, is being updated; the deadline is August 25th. Because you are a chamber member your business will be highlighted and enhanced with a 50 word description of the goods and services that you offer! It is the on-line tool that is provided to companies who are tendering and bidding on major projects such as the Ruskin Dam Upgrade. Looking forward to seeing you at our next luncheon, on September 15th where Boyd Mason, Senior Project Manager, BC Hydro Ruskin Dam Upgrade will be the guest speaker. If you are interested in participating in the Membership Committee contact Angel Elias, [email protected]
Tourism Committee, Cal Crawford, ChairSummer 2011 has been interesting to say the least the weather hasn’t cooperated and the mosquitoes have
been unbelievable. Despite all of this, Mission has hosted many fabulous events over the summer including the Envision Twilight Concert Series, Mission Folk Festival and the new Mission Fest held in the downtown core. The Mission Visitor Centre has seen many European visitors looking to explore our fabulous city and region. Need ideas on how to enjoy what is left of summer break stop by the Mission Visitor Centre and pick up your copy of the Mission Parks and Trails guide and explore what is available in your backyard Even though the Tourism Committee has not met over the summer the fall looks to be busy with new marketing opportunities. These include a new Mission Tear map and a new Outside Visitor Map. Look for more infor-mation on these marketing opportunities next month. For more information on the Tourism Committee please contact Allison Jack, Tourism Coordinator at [email protected]
Ann Harper
Cal Crawford
MISSION CHAMBER CONNECtION July 2011 • Page 5
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Mission Fest a Success!
This year, Mission’s Downtown Business Association closed off Main Street on August 13th, and organized the first Mission Fest Block Party.
Drawing thousands of community members and visitors to the city’s downtown core, this festival showcased all that our growing community has to offer.
The festivities kicked off with a pancake breakfast, and Rhett Nicholson, chief organizer, confirmed that crowds rang-ing from 3,000 to 5,000 people stopped by throughout the day to enjoy the many attractions.
There was a Show N’ Shine, bouncy castles, kid’s entertain-ment, vendor booths, food stalls and, most notably, the Rockin’ on the River Karaoke Contest, whose winner had the opportu-nity to perform at the Music Festival later that evening.
Mission Fest was one of the many successful events that took place this summer and we at the Chamber are expecting Mission Fest will become another hallmark annual festival!
Page 6 • July 2011 MISSION CHAMBER CONNECtION
604.826.9191 • #3 - 33111 LONDON AVE.
NOW WITH DEBIT AT YOUR DOOR!
Sun - Tues 11am – 10pmWed & Thurs 11am – 11pmFri & Sat 11am – Midnight
We want to ensure your business thrives in the current economic environment.
Whether you’re just starting up or expanding and need free advice, or if you need capital to stabilize your business, contact our Business Consultant or our Business Analyst.
Business of the Year with more than 15 Employees
This prestigious award is given to the organization that best exhibits excel-lence in business. The business will have a strong history in the community, continued growth and innovative strate-gies, as well as market leadership in its sector. Criteria will include strategy, future growth plans, employee relations and local community involvement and contributions.
Fraser Valley Building SuppliesCanadian TireRoyal BankCedarbrooke ChateauProspera Credit UnionMission Springs Brewing CompanyJBS Ltd.
Business of the Year with less than 15 Employees
This prestigious award is given to the organization that best exhibits excellence in small business. The business will have contributed to the growth of the commu-nity through their products, services, and customer service. Nominations will be judged on the total benefit brought to the community through this business.
Kesteven Dental Care StudioLloyds Dry CleanerWoodlawn Funeral HomeFountain Tire
Business Leader of the YearThis award recognizes and honours
the individual business person that has been a leader in moving the District of Mission forward and has been responsi-ble for improvements to the community. Selection criteria include demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit, quality workman-ship, professional mannerism and exem-plary customer service to the business and community.
Vicki Gould, Canadian TireMindy McPherson, Top ProducersCal Crawford, Landmark realtySean Melia, Prospera Credit UnionRhett Nicholson, Sue’s Copy Place Carol & Lloyd Davies, Davies Sand & Gravel
Non Profit of the YearThis award recognizes the organiza-
tion making a significant difference in our local community in terms of fund-raising and the number of local people affected. Criteria include collaboration with other community organizations and strategies to implement creative solu-tions to community challenges. Annual reports will be requested.
Fraser Valley Humane SocietyMission Hospice SocietyCommunity FuturesBig Brother Big Sister MissionSt. Joseph’s Food BankWomen’s Resource SocietyRotary Club of Mission Mid-Day
Customer Experience AwardCelebrating the best in customer ser-
vice, customer retention, and customer relationship management. The award will go to the company that can demon-strate that it is truly “customer-focused”.
Mission SafewaySue’s Copy PlaceEmbers BBQ HouseMr. Mikes SteakhouseKesteven Dental Care StudioSwing OpticalMission Springs Brewing CompanyThe Mission BarbersMagnolias on MainFraser Valley Building SuppliesDBC Construction Ltd.Connect HearingMurdoch’s Book Shoppe
Home Based Business of the YearRecognizing a home based business
that has contributed to Mission commu-nity and shows achievement in new or innovated products or services.
Congratulations to all the 2011 Business Excellence Nominees:
MISSION CHAMBER CONNECtION July 2011 • Page 7
Carpet, Vinyl, Ceramics & HardwoodPh: 604-820-2201 • Fax: 604-820-2281 • Cel: 604-302-1067Offices and Showrooms 33149 London Ave., Mission
www.waycoflooring.com
K.R. Zehner Auger ServicesA-Plus - Paul HockridgeCoast Eagle ConsultingAnn Harper Inc.Clever Canadian CouponingMady Graphic DesignA. H. Senae Inc.Sheila Barry, Vision 2000
Entrepreneurial Excellence AwardRecognizing a business that shows
achievement in some or all of the fol-lowing: new or innovative product or service, or manufacturing technique, job creation, growth potential and market served.
The Mission BarbersBlackberry KitchenCoast Eagle ConsultingKesteven Dental Care Studio
Young Entrepreneur of the YearCelebrating an entrepreneur under the
age of 35. The nominees will be judged in their company’s success and growth potential, innovation, participation in new economic activities and community involvement.
Over the next month nominees will be judged by a panel that will individually rate each nominee based on the criteria of the award. Scores are tallied and the winners will be awarded at the Business
Excellence Gala on Friday October 21st. Tickets for the Gala are available now at www.MissionChamber.bc.ca.
Contact Angel for more information, or about sponsorship opportunities.
604.826.82652.7340 horne st. mission, bcwww.naturalreflextions.com
Small Business Month Events
October 5 12pm to 1pmLunch & Learn - Social Media 101 with Caroline Le Page
For those who haven’t yet joined or for those just starting to utilize Social Media to promote their business, this workshop removes the fear and confusion surrounding this marketing method. Discover ways to ensure efficiently use the time you spend on social media marketing while enjoying a catered lunch.
October 7 8am – 9:30amFinance Breakfast - Working the Maze of Small Business Finance with Community Futures & BDC
Start your day off learning about how to navigate the maze of small business funding. Whether a start-up or looking to take your business to the next level, have coffee with those who understand the ropes and what you need to do in this changing financial market.
October 12 12pm – 1pmLunch & Learn - How to Network with Caroline Le Page
Networking occurs constantly throughout our day, in both our personal time and our work time. Are we recognizing these moments and making the most of them? What is net-working? Why do we do it? Caroline offers tips to make the most of your networking moments and provides you with some new ideas for increasing the number of opportunities you have in the future. Lunch with a bunch and you get more than a sandwich.
October 14 12pm – 1pmLunch & Learn - Collections 411: Claiming your Receivables
Does it make you sick to phone up your outstanding receiv-ables? Writing off too much because customers are not taking you seriously? Keep your lunch and learn how to claim your payment with dynamic speaker Darry Taylor, President of International Collections. By the end, he’ll have you wanting to work for him!
October 18 8:30am – 11:30amEngage. Be Remarkable. Grow Your Organization Facebook Demystified with Kathleen Rake
A hands-on Facebook seminar that will guide you through its relevance, pages and the “need to knows” for effective marketing of your business. Cull the spam and learn the basic language and practice that will make you Facebook savvy. Make sure to bring your laptop! Free Wi-Fi will be available.
October 26 8:30am – 11:30amThe Power of Email Marketing: Leveraging your Social Media Network with Guy Steeves
Build the relationships that are critical to your business success with easy, inexpensive, and highly effective Email and Social Media Marketing! Proactive, outbound Email and Social Media marketing should be an important, key compo-nent of your overall marketing and customer / member com-munications strategy. Email & Social Media Marketing work together to build relationships, brand and grow your business. Join Guy and learn why “content is king” and have your mes-sage heard.
Following up on member input, the Mission Chamber will be hosting seminars for the Mission business community in support of Small Business Month. In order to meet your busy schedule, the Chamber is offering everything from dynamic lunch & learns to fully interactive two-hour seminars. All seminars have been priced affordably, and will be held in settings to maximize participant learn-ing. There is limited seating - so book early at www.MissionChamber.bc.ca/events.
Do you have a job vacancy that must be filled?Looking for new employees? Do you want to reach an employee pool from outside our area?
Do you want to move slow-moving mer-chandise? Do you have a special to advertise? Do you want to grab the eye of visitors on the Chamber web site?
It’s quick! It’s easy! It’s effective! Best of all it’s Free! 1. Post your job openings or specials on
www.missionchamber.bc.ca!2. Log into your chamber member portal
to list your employment opportunities or advertise your own store special!
3. Access www.chamberlogin.com4. Enter your login name and password.
5. Click Job Postings or Hot Deals in the left-hand menu.
6. Click Add a Job Posting or Add a Hot Deal.
7. Complete the fields in the Add a New Job Posting or Add a New Hot Deal screen.
8. If applicable click Continue and com-plete the Job Postings Checkout win-dow or the Hot Deal Checkout win-dow and then click Purchase Now. If not, click Submit for Approval.
Upon approval, your job posting will
appear on www.missionchamber.bc.ca within your Member Information Page and by category in a special location for job postings.
Your Hot Deal will appear by your member name in the Business Directory, on your Member Information Page and by category in a special listing of Hot Deals.
Serious job seekers take note of jobs posted on the Chamber’s website by active chamber members like you. And visitors will be drawn to your deal by its prominence. All postings are tweeted and posted on Facebook within 24 hours!
consultations:• Inside-out • Guidance, advice, where to start, solutions• ‘Staging’ to sell, or just to impress your friends• Using what you’ve got …let’s rearrange it• Colour selections • Mini-projects or total renovation• Modern? or Traditional? Your choice!
award winner
ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING FORBUSINESS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Corporate Tax • Personal TaxFinancial Statement Preparation • Bookkeeping
• Mission Community Profile• Commercial and Industrial Property Inventory
• Business Opportunities• Resource Library• Tourism & Film Production Liaison
On August 3rd, Chamber President Cal Crawford and Government Affairs Chair Elyssa Lockhart met with Mission’s two MLAs, Marc Dalton and Randy Hawes.
During this annual meeting, the Chamber brought forward provincial issues and concerns of the local business community.
“It was a fruitful meeting with an open exchange of ideas and an improved understanding of member concerns by our provincial representatives,” com-mented Cal Crawford. “Another instance of how the Chamber continues to advo-cate for its members.”
Business issues discussed included the maintenance of the Fraser River as a viable transportation route, the Ruskin Dam Upgrade project, and the Municipal Auditor General initiative.
In addition, community projects
such as the Campus of Care and the Experience the Fraser trail system were also discussed.
Premier Christy Clark’s “Families First” vision was also discussed. While Marc Dalton described it (the vision) as a “lens for decision making,” Hawes was clear that their focus remains on the health of the economy, as it has a direct impact on families.
Both agreed that it is clear jobs remain a high priority of the provincial govern-ment – a sentiment which has since been
re-stated by Premier Clark.“Health of business is very impor-
tant, livelihood is of primary concern. Taxation reduction is only on tempo-rary hold in order to continue the defi-cit reduction and maintain the AAA rating for the province,” Marc Dalton explained. “This continues to show good management and the health of free enter-prise, which is important in order to continue to support our social services.”
One outcome of the meeting will be a breakfast with the MLAs, hosted by the Chamber this fall.
“The Chamber will continue to main-tain an open dialogue with all levels of government to ensure the voice of busi-ness in Mission is heard,” stated Elyssa Lockhart. “We look forward to providing our members with strong local advocacy as our community continues to grow.”
Government News
“Taxation reduction is only on temporary hold in order
to continue the deficit reduc-tion and maintain the AAA rating for the province.”
MISSION CHAMBER CONNECtION July 2011 • Page 11
New Chamber MembersMembership has its benefits!
If you are interested in connecting with the Mission Business Community, wanting to add your business voice to lobby government, or needing to find ways of improving what you do, join the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce. Over 450 members with which to network, advocate and learn. Contact Angel Elias, Membership Coordinator, 604.826.6914
The Mission Mid-day Rotary Club has provided funds for?
Call President Dirk Weymann today @ 604-302-1024,to see how YOU can get involved
in one of the largest service groups in the world!
Or Google “Mission Midday Rotary”
A) Wetland Trails for SilverdaleB) Local ScholarshipsC) Habitat for HumanityD) Shelterbox Program - sending survival packs to HaitiE) ALL OF THE ABOVE...AND MORE!!
911 Small BizSue Cockburn12439 Ainsworth StreetMission [email protected]
Business & Professional Women’s Club of MissionMission [email protected]
As a Chamber member, you have access to many benefits that can reduce your expenses and present opportunities for growth. Chamber benefit programs include insurance plans, gas discounts, hotel savings, travel options, payment system deals, and more.
The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan offers many benefit options including life, health, dental and travel care insurance, vision care, as well as short and long-term disability.
Esso Imperial Oil, Husky & Mohawk Stations, Petro-Canada, and Shell Gas Station all offer gas discount programs
with fleet cards. Some services also provide you with receipt and mileage tracking.
Are you hoping to expand your busi-ness on an international level? Indus Travel offers guided trips to India spe-cifically planned to initiate contact for business opportunities.
To enhance your communication with customers, take advantage of the Constant Contact savings available to Chamber members. Enhance your mar-keting using their surveys, newsletters and event planners to better connect with your target markets in the virtual realm.
New benefits being added this fall include Exclusive Worldwide Hotel Discounts and Staples Advantage. Offering office supply discounts to all Chamber members, Staples Advantage is based on group purchase.
Taking advantage of any, or all of these benefits is easy, and it’s a great way to start saving your business money!
For more information on any of the Chamber’s benefits check out our web-site www.missionchamber.bc.ca or contact Angel Elias at 604-826-6914 or by email at [email protected]
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For more information about any of these events, or to RSVP, please visit:
www.missionchamber.bc.ca
MARK YOUR CALENDARUpcoming Chamber events can be found on our Mission Chamber Events Google Calendar.
Dan RobergeDan Roberge IGL Financial Corp.
Suite 201 – 3240 Mt. Lehman Rd. Abbotsford, BC V4X 2M9Ph: (604) 855-1990 / Fax: (604) 855-1090 www.bcbenefitplans.com
Thursday September 15Chamber Luncheon
11:30am – 1pmRockwell’s Chapel Room
Speaker: Boyd Mason, BC Hydro on the BC Hydrol Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse Upgrade
Thursday, September 29Business after Hours
5pm – 7pm208A 33123 First Ave
MissionCome out and meet Lee Phillips, Chiropractor
and Lacy Rolleman, Massage Therapist, at the new Evoke Wellness Clinic.
Friday October 21, 2011Business Excellence Awards Gala
Best Western Come out and help us celebrate the trail blazers
and innovators of the Mission business community.Buy your tickets today!!
Thursday, November 17, 2011Chamber Luncheon
11:30 am to 1 pmRockwell’s Chapel Room
Guest Speaker: TBA
Friday, December 2, 201128th Candlelight Parade
Register Your Floatwww.missionchamber.bc.ca/events
Please see page 8 of this newsletter for the October Small Business Month Events
