After an extensive election process I am pleased to announce Desirée Bombenon, President & CEO, SureCall Contact Centres Ltd will be joining the Calgary Chamber Board of Directors, and Bill Brunton, Communications Executive and Counsel, will be returning for another term.

It's no secret that 2016 is going to present a unique set of challenges. But with such a strong, diverse board behind us, I can honestly say I am eager to take on what the coming year brings.

On behalf of the entire Chamber, I would like to sincerely thank outgoing board member Leah Lawrence for her hard work and commitment to the organization over the years.

See the rest of our great board members here.

Wednesday, December 9, 2016
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Derrick Gin Mill & Kitchen
620 8th Avenue SW

The Alberta government's climate change plan will create new opportunities, however many are nervous that these new policies will mean a cost increase at a time when our largest industry is getting hit the hardest. What does it really mean for Calgary businesses? You can ask Dr. Andrew Leach, author of the recently released Climate Change Advisory Report, directly at The Derrick.

Over a nice cocktail at Calgary's hottest new gin joint, the Chamber will engage Dr. Leach and an expert panel in a discussion about what the report means for business, how it will spark technology and innovation, while combating climate change, and bolstering Alberta’s environmental reputation.

Join us for a timely conversation on the strategic climate policy framework shaping our province's future.

We can't wait to help you grow your business.

Thursday, January 7, 2016
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Michelangelo Gallery
112, 908 17th Avenue SW

Please note that Business After Hours are members-only events. If your company isn't a Calgary Chamber member yet, it should be. Contact us at membership@calgarychamber.com.

It's been said over and over again that creativity and innovation are what's going to get us through these challenging times. But where do you find the inspiration needed to light the spark? Our next Business After Hours at Michelangelo Gallery is sure to do just that.

At this first Business After Hours of 2016, build connections with some of the city's finest business professionals on a foundation of mutual inspiration as you wander through the modern paintings and sculptures of one of Calgary's most unique art spaces.

Join us for an inspired edition of Business After Hours.

• Smith and Bietz: For investors, fear over change can be worse than change itself
• Study: Diversification as a growth strategy for small and mid-sized businesses
• Embracing the cloud: Cloud services create small business edge
• Change the status quo: 5 non-disruptive things to easily test in your business
• How to support employee health instead of sapping it

Wednesday, December 9, 2016
1:15 pm – 3:15 pm
Keeler School
4807 Forego Avenue SE

We are looking for small businesses to register teams of 3 or 4 people to spend 2 hours reading to kids.

As part of our ongoing work with Give to Grow to create a more literate workforce, the Calgary Chamber in partnership with Calgary Reads, Calgary Economic Development, Place2Give and the Calgary Public Library Foundation would like to invite you to help support early childhood literacy by taking part in the Give to Grow Reading Rally this holiday season.

Held in the gym of Keeler School, the reading rally brings up to 100 Grade 1 and 2 students together with special guests, volunteers, local businesses and educators to celebrate the joy and power of reading. Each volunteer reads stories aloud to two or three children, and every child who attends receives a bag filled with books to take home.

Register your team today!

YouTube videos have quickly become one of the most useful tools for sharing your company's brand story online, and many businesses have jumped on the bandwagon. However, most of those videos are boring, horrible quality and painful to watch.

If you want to stand out from the crowd and create high-quality videos that not only tells your story but that people actually want to watch, there are four simple tips to keep in mind. By following them you better the odds of getting more views, more sales and more recognition.

Check out these 4 tips to start making high-quality online videos. 

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What started as a humble, little aerial crop-dusting operation called Huff Daland Dusters in 1924 has now grown into one of the world’s largest global airlines, helping more than 160 million travelers get to the places they want to go to each year.

Today, Delta has 70,000 employees, is headquartered in Atlanta and flies to more than 350 destinations on 6 continents. Through their Force for Global Good initiative, Delta is dedicated to helping make the communities where they work and live a better place.

Learn more at Delta.com

Google Apps for Work gives your business an all-in-one suite to communicate, store and colaborate. Whether you need to work on the go, have more productive meetings or sync projects in realtime, the Google Apps help ensure that no matter where your team is, everyone is on the same page.

As a Calgary Chamber member, you can get 20% off your first year of Google Apps for Work.

Sign up for this online suite of tools to get more done today!

These Prestige members have shown a substantial and unwavering commitment to supporting the work of the Calgary Chamber. We thank our Prestige members: Suncor, TELUS and Nexen for helping to make Calgary a better place to live and work for all.