Please accept our apologies for the error in our previous version of eConnecting today. The proper headline should have read "Federal NDP leader tries to woo Calgary business crowd."

The only woe is how we are feeling about it...

- Calgary Chamber team 

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

Alberta is in a tough financial spot. Our oil is selling at a deep discount compared to the world price. A lack of pipeline capacity and access to a wider range of customers, along with a glut of supply in the North American marketplace, has resulted in a price differential for Western Canadian oil that is sitting around $30 per barrel less than what it would fetch on the world market.

This price differential is contributing to a provincial revenue shortfall, leading to speculation as to what measures government will take to deal with this situation, including adding healthcare premiums, taking on more debt and maybe even introducing a provincial sales tax.

Fresh from delivering the 2013 provincial budget, Alberta’s Finance Minister Doug Horner will separate fact from fiction by offering extended views on the government’s budget position in a speech to the Calgary business community.

Learn how the government’s belt-tightening measures will impact your business.

Recent headlines in the news have left me shaking my head on what gets attention and what doesn’t.

In particular is the argument presented by climate change activities, which suggests preventing the construction of pipelines that transport Alberta bitumen is a good way to tackle climate change. This argument is not only wrong – it focuses on the wrong end of the stick.

Learn more on the measures that need to be taken to address greenhouse has levels.

Wednesday March 20, 2013
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Jones New York, Willow Park Village
10816 McLeod Trail South East, Suite 488

Business After Hours is one of the best networking opportunities in the city. These events create the perfect opportunity for you to discover new businesses and potential clients while networking with other people in Calgary’s business community.

Join us at clothing boutique Jones New York in Willow Park Village for a fashion presentation for men and women by retail style expert Farrah Fager. This presentation is not just for the ladies, but will also include tips about business attire for men. Plus, enjoy an exclusive shopping night with special offers – just for you!

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

The name NDP has long been anathema in Calgary. In fact, just say the words “NDP” and it’s enough to make many people in this city’s business community shudder. But it appears as if the political party associated with the socialist left is trying to make inroads into the Tory stronghold. 

Federal NDP Thomas Mulcair came to the Calgary Chamber on February 19 to share his views on clarifying this country’s rules on foreign investment and try to win over some Calgary supporters.

Learn more about what he said to Calgary’s business community.

Tuesday April 23, 2013
8:00 am – 3:30 pm
TransAlta
110 12th Avenue SW

Understanding the Aboriginal community is critical to your organization’s success. To provide businesses with this knowledge the Calgary Chamber and Cross Cultural Consulting are joining forces to present a one-day Aboriginal cultural sensitivity course with Neil McDonald, Canada’s most experienced diversity trainer. During this one-day session, you’ll learn about:

• Aboriginal rights, treaties, land claims, self-government and the business implications
• Aboriginal culture, values and attitudes and their impact on business and workplace behaviours
• How to conduct business with Aboriginal people   

Only 25 spots are available. Book today.

There’s more than just networking to be done at Calgary’s premier networking event Business After Hours. You can win great prizes, too.

Last week while attending Business After Hours, Sara Webb, a manager of SME commercial deposits with National Bank, won two $75 chute passes to be used during the Calgary Stampede and a $100 gift card for Ranchman’s.

Don’t miss out on the next opportunity to connect and grow your business.

Wednesday March 13, 2013
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
DeVry Institute of Technology – Room 201
2700 3rd Avenue SE

For networking to be effective, you need to meet the right type of people who will grow and connect your business.

That’s where Connect for Lunch comes in. The format for this event is simple and efficient. During the first 30 minutes you get to meet new people in a speed networking format. In the second 30 minutes you get to sit down for lunch with those people you are interested in getting to know better.

This – quite simply – is focused business networking at its best!

Only 30 spots are available. Hurry and book today.

At Alliance Pipeline, we strive to be good neighbors who support the communities where we live and work, while we seek new business opportunities to transport natural gas, the cleanest burning fossil fuel available today. 

Alliance Pipeline is dedicated to being the most reliable, safest, competitive and environmentally responsible transporter of natural gas in North America.

Learn more at AlliancePipeline.com

Alberta Ballet director honoured with award
Jean Grand-Maitre, artistic director of the Alberta Ballet, receives the Doug and Lois Mitchell Outstanding Calgary Artist Award

Pipelines safest transportation option
The CEO of the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association Brenda Kenny says the industry boasts a word-class safety record, with 99.9998 per cent of product being transported safely

ATB Financial reports profit jump in Q3
ATB Financial notices a 25 per cent jump in profit for its 2012 third-quarter, compared to the same period a year earlier

Professional recruitment firm welcomes new COO
AngusOne Professional Recruitment Ltd. announces Justin Maxwell as it new Chief Operating Officer