Tuesday February 19, 2013
11:30 am – 1:15 pm
Fairmont Palliser Hotel
133 9th Avenue SW

The Government of Canada recently approved the CNOOC-Nexen and Petronas-Progress deals with the caveat that this would be the last time that state-owned enterprises would be allowed to purchase a company in Canada’s oil patch.

Despite a positive first step, there is still need for greater clarity on this issue – since it is unclear what circumstances allow for a foreign takeover of a Canadian company to be passed and what criteria will be used to determine the approval of future transactions. 

Join us a NDP leader Thomas Mulcair explains what he would like to see the government do to create an environment that encourages foreign investment and strengthen our economy. 

Hear the latest developments informing the discussion on foreign investment in the oil patch.

Last week, Andrew Bleeker, the man behind the online marketing strategy for Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 election campaigns, spoke to a sold out Calgary Chamber crowd of a 350 people. 

Bleeker’s talk generated a considerable amount of buzz in Calgary’s marketing world, with oodles of people raving about the event.

“It was so refreshing to get a high-level talk rather than the usual marketing 101. He was really engaging and I enjoyed that he used the campaign as I could easily relate back to it as an example.” – Hannah  DiNardo, Alberta CRM analyst, PwC

Read a recap of Bleeker’s talk.

Wednesday February 27, 2013
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
The Westin Hotel
320 4th Avenue SW

The secret’s out: North America has vast domestic supplies of natural gas. Enough to power domestic needs for a century or more. Enough to change the energy game on a global scale. 

What does this mean for the future of the U.S. and Canadian economies?  How can we ensure natural gas continues to play a growing role in North American transportation, power generation and industrial uses?  What can and is being done to address public questions relating to safe and responsible development? 

Get the answers to all your questions relating to North American natural gas development and demand from Regina Hopper, president and CEO of America’s Natural Gas Alliance, which represents 29 of North America’s largest independent natural gas exploration and production companies.

Learn more about North America's natural gas revolution. 

Last week, the Calgary Chamber released the findings of its annual member priority survey – and there were some very telling results.

The information from this survey, which ran between December 10, 2012 and January 17, 2013, will be used to inform the Chamber’s policy and advocacy activities, as well as its various event and programing initiatives throughout 2013.

Discover what issues members want the Chamber to take action on.

Friday March 8, 2013
11:30 am – 1:15 pm
Hyatt Regency Calgary
700 Centre Street SE

Fresh from delivering the 2013 provincial budget, Alberta’s Finance Minister Doug Horner will be offering extended views on the government’s budget position and the looming deficit in a speech to the Calgary business community.

Join the Calgary Chamber to learn more about the fiscal direction of the province and get the inside story on how the government's belt-tightening measurements will impact your business.

Find out how the government plans to tackle the deficit.

Allied Properties REIT is a leading owner, manager and developer of urban office environments that enrich and enhance profitability for business tenants operating in Canada’s major cities. Our objectives are to provide stable and growing cash distributions to unitholders and to maximize unitholder value through effective management and accretive growth of our portfolio.

Learn more at AlliedREIT.com.

The Calgary Chamber is proud to announce a new partnership with The Business Link which gives Chamber members a 20 per cent discount on dozens of learning workshops that can be used to grow and build their business.

These sessions are ideal for start-ups and small businesses looking for insights on every stage of developing a business.

Learning Sessions Schedule – February

• Accounting and Tax for Small Business - February 12
• Devenir entrepreneur social, pourquoi pas? - February 13
• How to Find Financing for Your Business - February 13
• How to Prepare for the Bank - February 14
• Start Your Business! - February 20
• Preparing a Business Plan - February 21
• Selling to the Government of Alberta - February 21
• Market Research 101 - February 26
• Dealing with Negative Reviews - February 27
• Small Business Social Media FAQ - February 28

Download the registration guide with necessary promo code and see the rest of the spring sessions.

Thursday February 21, 2013
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dance Hall
9615 Macleod Trail SW

Business After Hours is one of the best networking opportunities in the city.

These events are small and intimate, creating the perfect opportunity for you to discover new businesses and potential clients while networking with other people in Calgary’s business community.

Enjoy free appetizers and a complimentary drink with the purchase of your ticket.

Last week, Chamber CEO Adam Legge spoke at the Chamber’s annual WRAP Event.

This event looks back at what the Chamber achieved in 2012, and thanks all of the volunteers, committee members and outgoing board members who helped make the Chamber an organization better able to respond to the needs of this city’s business community. 

Find out which Chamber members were given volunteer awards for their outstanding work in 2012.

Wednesday February 13, 2013
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Self Connection Books
125, 4611 Bowness Road NW

Corporate social responsibility isn’t a bunch of buzz words. It’s a cost-effective way to bolster your company’s bottom line.

When a business creates and implements a finely tuned CSR strategy it engages employees in a way that changes how they work. They become more passionate about they do. When that happens, they become more productive, more focused on customer service and more likely to contribute to the creation of an energized work environment that helps in the success of your business.

Learn how you can reap the rewards of a CSR strategy.

Local luxury resort a true hidden gem
Azuridge is a year-round international destination and escape located in the foothills south of Calgary in Priddis

Icelandic musicians plays in Calgary
The Calgary Folk Music Festival plays host to the band SonicWaves

Power engineer training put on fast track
The Calgary Catholic Immigration Society launches a 37-week training program for power engineers

Monday February 12, 2013
8:00 am – 9:00 am
University of Alberta – Calgary Centre
120, 333 – 5th Avenue SW

While Alberta is poised to have strong economic performance throughout 2013, global economic struggles will likely create a “downdraft” that will cool the province’s economy in the months ahead, leading to a decrease in oil demand as well as prices and slower economic growth.

Find out what these developments mean for your business and how they will impact other sectors in the economy from the Calgary Chamber’s Chief Economist Ben Brunnen.

Get your tickets today. (This event is for Chamber members only and will include a small breakfast.)

Tuesday February 12, 2013
11:30 am – 1:15 pm
The Westin Calgary – Bow Valley Room
320 4th Avenue SW  

A new government will take charge of China in March 2013, which has been tasked with running the country for the next decade. Chief among this government’s priorities will be moving China to a more sustainable model of growth and managing the country’s rise as a global political and economic power. Both of these developments will have a huge impact on businesses throughout the world, particularly those looking to access the growing Chinese market.

Find out what these developments mean for Calgary companies from the Canadian Ambassador to China Guy Saint-Jacques.

Get your tickets today.