🆕 [Thursday] Don't miss your opportunity to engage with Minister Catherine McKenna

📅 March 9, 2017    🕒 11:30 am – 1:30 pm    📍 TELUS Convention Centre

Responsible for two of the most relevant portfolios of our time, and in her first ever address to Calgary’s business community, Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna will outline her environment strategy as it relates to the future of Alberta’s industries, environmental stewardship, market access, and her government’s plans for economic growth.

Join us for a very timely discussion on Canada’s climate leadership plan. 

[Next week] 2017 Southern Alberta commercial tenant real estate forum

📅 March 14, 2017    🕒 7:30 am – 11:30 am    📍 St. Louis Hotel

The Calgary Chamber, Orange Group Commercial Real Estate, and McLeod Law have partnered to present this first-of-its-kind event aimed at helping businesses navigate the commercial real estate market in the current economic environment.

This jam-packed morning of expert advice takes a deep-dive approach into topics such as:

• Ways to profit from a weak economy
• Negotiating your lease renewal or finding new space
• Top landmines in almost every commercial lease
• Getting landlords to compete for your commercial business

🆕 Innovation lunch 'n' learn

📅 March 24, 2017    🕒 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm    📍 Calgary Chamber

Ignite is all about helping you think about innovation differently, and action growth ideas quickly and efficiently. Sounds good, right? But maybe you want a little more information before you jump in. Like an opportunity to ask questions, and hear first-hand from people who are actually in the program right now.

Join Ray DePaul, our Innovator-in-Residence, along with members of the Innovation Accelerator pilot, to find out how Ignite can support your growth initiatives, and which program stream is right for your business.

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

Business After Hours at Nexus Exhibits

📅 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 expo-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.

Energy Future: Alberta's carbon tax—It’s impact on the economy and the need for policy certainty

📅 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

Expanding your influence

Why Premier Notley's recent visit to Washington matters to your business

With trade protections becoming increasingly popular in the United States, now more than ever, Canadian policymakers must continue to remind our southern neighbour just how beneficial our trading partnership has been.

In this blog our Economic Policy Analyst, Franco Terrazzano, outlines the importance of North American trade for our businesses, along with the strategy that our policy leaders should continue to use to advance our trade interests. 

Unpacking the 2017 Speech from the Throne

Last week marked the beginning of the Spring Sitting of the Alberta Legislative Assembly. Following tradition, it was kicked off by the Speech from the Throne, which outlines the government’s priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

To help you understand what it all means for your business, our Policy team has unpacked the Speech and highlighted the key takeaways. Read more to find out what the government’s policy priorities are, and how they may impact your business in the coming year. 

From our blog

🚀 Ignite profile: Blitzprint Inc.

The Ignite Innovation Accelerator program helps businesses accelerate their growth through rapid innovation. Throughout the 90 day program we are following each of the first four participant companies on their journey so you can get some ideas for your own business.

This week we caught up with the president of Blitzprint, Kevin Lanuke to see what he has learned in his first three weeks, and some of the challenges he has faced.

Tips to grow your business

Digital tip: Use these 5 Google Analytics tips to get actionable insights for your business

If your website has Google Analytics, you have access to critical insights that can help drive your marketing and business investment goals right at your fingertips. But are you making the most out of all the data you have access to?

Here are five tips you can use to gain valuable and actionable insight from Google Analytics to make your website work harder for you.

What we're reading...

• Chamber member YYC Storage gives customers their space
• How one hotel used data to make their laundry service glamorous
• The night they locked up all the smartphones [Subscription to WSJ required]
• 5 themes that will dominate SXSW this year
• Mom raising funds to bring Chamber member JB Music Therapy's programs public high school

Member insights

Chamber member: 101.5 KooL FM and Wild 95.3

Not only do 101.5 KooL FM and Wild 95.3 broadcast today’s pop stars, yesterday’s legends and today’s new country, the stations are also growing platforms that are dedicated to helping local businesses form meaningful connections within the Calgary community.

With a focus on creatively getting your message to the masses, they offer unique business solutions that are tailor-made to help your company grow its presence. 
 

Let First Data meet or beat your current payment processing fees

If they can't meet or beat your current payment processing fees, you will earn a $1,000 MasterCard gift card!

First Data’s trademark is providing fast, safe and cost-efficient transactions. Regardless of your banking relationship, they can provide Chamber Members with an unbiased opinion on their merchant services and offer great rates and customer service.

From our partners

Last call to submit for the 2017 Cityscapes and People category

What are your most loved spots around the city? Who are your favourite Calgarians?

Best of Calgary, in partnership with your Calgary Chamber, is proud to announce that the Cityscapes and People category is now open! Have your say and share your top picks now—the survey is only open for this category until today, March 7th. 

Nominations are now open for the 2017 EY Entrepreneur of the Year!

Everyone’s life is touched in some way by an entrepreneur, and our friends at EY want to celebrate Canada’s most successful dream-chasers and risk-takers. But they need your help to find the Prairie Region's best and brightest. 

So go ahead, recommend or nominate an entrepreneur today, and they could become the 2017 EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Community leaders