🚨 [Next week] Federal Minister of Finance Bill Morneau: Canada's 2017 budget

📅 March 27, 2017    🕒 11:30 am – 1:30 pm    📍 Hyatt Regency Calgary

In a time of low Canadian economic growth, and an unpredictable economic agenda from the United States, Canada’s largest trading partner, the 2017 budget is critical for your business.

Immediately following the release of the Federal Budget, join us to hear from Minister Morneau himself on how the budget will impact your business, and plans to create conditions for long-term economic growth, while supporting Alberta on its road to recovery.

Only a few tickets left for Fast-Growth Champions: Global entrepreneurs, unsung heroes

📅 March 28, 2017    🕒 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm    📍 ATB Entrepreneur Centre

Calgary's entrepreneurial spirit is legendary, driven by entrepreneurs who are making a name for themselves around the world as disruptive innovators.

At Fast-Growth Champions, you'll hear first-hand the inspiring untold stories of grit, determination, success and failure, from some of our city’s rising global leaders.

• DJ Sures, Founder & CEO, EZ-Robot Inc.
• Jeremy Bridge, President & CEO, PK Sound
• Melissa Gunning, CEO & Founder, Wean Green

🆕 Speed networking with It's Date Night

📅 April 4, 2017   🕒 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm   📍 Last Best Brewing & Distilling

Join It's Date Night and the Calgary Chamber for a dynamic evening of speed networking. Manage who you connect with based on It's Date Night's pro matching system to minimize the awkwardness of juggling business cards at your typical networking event.

Grab a beverage, and get ready to mingle with new people and expand your network.

🚨 Is your business trade show-ready?

📅 April 5, 2017    🕒 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm    📍 Nexus Exhibits

Trade show season is coming up fast and while each one is a unique opportunity for your business to shine, maximizing your impact can be a challenge. To help your business get trade show-ready (both online and in real life), our next Business After Hours is happening at the hub of great display solutions: Nexus Exhibits.

Don't miss this unique opportunity on how to combine digital and display to make your booth the star of your next trade show.

[Sold out] Energy Future: Alberta's carbon tax

📅 April 19, 2017    🕒 11:30 am – 1:30 pm    📍 Hyatt Regency Calgary

The carbon tax has been one of the most hotly debated policy changes in Alberta politics. But despite all the coverage and experts weighing in on the issue, one thing remains clear: there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

That's why in this edition of the Energy Future series, we're bringing some of Alberta’s high-level CEOs and biggest names in business to provide their perspectives on one of the most important policy changes in recent history. You'll hear from:

• Brian Ferguson, CEO, Cenovus
• Scott Thon, CEO, BHE Canada
• Chris Ragan, Chair, Ecofiscal Commission
• Suzanne West, CEO, Imaginea Energy

Rev: Only one week in, and tickets are 60% sold-out!

📅 May 11, 2017    🕒 8:30 am – 4:00 pm    📍 Calgary Zoo

Join 300 of Calgary’s fastest-growing companies for a full-day entrepreneurial growth conference, packed with real learning opportunities laser-focused on driving sales, market research, tech trends and innovating to drive productivity.

You'll hear from speakers like:

• Jill Belland, award-winning journalist and founder of Barre Belle, on being your strongest self while running a growing business.
• Jim Dewald, Dean of the Haskayne School of Business, on innovation and the power of the entrepreneurial mindset.
• NATIONAL on the evolution of market research and how your business can capitalize on it.

PS: Members get sweet Early Bird ticket pricing until April 14th.

Expanding your influence

Alberta budget 2017: Hope is not a strategy

On March 16, the Alberta Government tabled the 2017 provincial budget, revealing yet another large deficit—$10.3 billion.

Watch the video below to find out in 90 seconds what it means for your business.

Tips to grow your business

Introducing the Emerging Entrepreneurs Scholarship Program

Are you ready to innovate and take your business to the next level, but could use a scholarship boost to get there?

Price should not stand between you and innovation. That's why your Calgary Chamber, in partnership with the Distinguished Business Leaders Award and Coril Holdings, want to help support your growth with the Emerging Entrepreneurs Scholarship Program.

Digital tip: How to make your LinkedIn invitations stand out

LinkedIn offers a treasure trove of information and opportunity when it comes to locating and engaging with ideal clients and customers. But when you're building your invitation to connect, there are some tricks you can use to ensure it doesn't get ignored.

One of the sneaky features of LinkedIn's massive new redesign and update is the ability to include a URL in the invitations you send to prospects on the platform. Combine that with a truly personalized invite, and your odds of actually making a connection go up.

What we're reading...

• Varcoe: Ceci faces business backlash as budget reaction builds
• How to navigate a networking meeting when you don’t know what you’re going to talk about
• 6 companies reveal how their unique cultures make them a success
• Hiring an entrepreneurial leader
• Six things to watch for in Canada’s 2017 federal budget

Member insights

Chamber member: GE Canada

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. For over 100 years they have operated in Canada, beginning with the manufacturing facility in Peterborough, Ontario founded by Thomas Edison in 1892.

Today, GE Canada has major manufacturing facilities, and sales and service locations across the country. Calgary is home to the GE Customer Innovation Centre (CIC), and brings together global experts and advanced analytical tools to explore, analyze and solve business challenges.

Save on your fuel bill with the Esso Fleet program

Finding ways to save is more important than ever to your business' bottom line, and saving 3.5 cents per litre can make quite a difference on your monthly bill. As a Calgary Chamber member you have access to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's business savings with Esso.

Whether you have a small sales force or a large fleet of service vehicles, the Esso Business Card Program gives you exceptional fuel savings, powerful and easy-to-use fuel management tools and broad acceptance at nearly 1,800 Esso stations in Canada.

From our partners

Alberta – U.S. Trade Summit

📅 May 2 – 3, 2017   📍 Calgary TELUS Convention Centre

The trade relationship between Alberta and the U.S. has never been more important – or more unpredictable. Now is the time for companies with existing or planned cross-border business to take a hard look at challenges and opportunities. 

At the Alberta – U.S. Trade Summit, you will hear expert panelists discuss the current political and economic environment, and gain insights to help your business look ahead with greater certainty. This is also a unique opportunity to build partnerships with other export-focused business leaders from Alberta and the U.S. 

2017 Best of Calgary surveys: Shopping & Services

What's your favourite place in Calgary to define your style, break a sweat or shop 'til you drop?

Best of Calgary, in partnership with your Calgary Chamber, is proud to announce that the Shopping & Services category is now open! Have your say and share your top picks now. 

Community leaders