Many organizations are keen to become the go-to expert in their field, which can be achieved by delivering good media interviews and expressing their views on their industry in the public domain. But is that something reserved only for big business?

Small businesses have a lot to offer journalists, and often it is the small business angle the media is looking to put forward, but if your business doesn’t claim the space quickly, someone else will.

To help your small business gain that much desired media exposure and raise its profile we have three simple tips and some spotlight opportunities.

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Wednesday May 23, 2012
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Calgary Chamber – ENMAX Ballroom
100 6th Avenue SW

Business After Hours is one of the best networking opportunities in the city. These mini-trade shows give Calgary Chamber members the opportunity to display their products or services, discover new businesses and network with other people in Calgary’s business community.

This week will be launching a great new corporate video parnership with Creative Bube Tube that will give members the opportunity to have a promotional video made at a discounted price.

Stop by to meet a bunch of new members and hear details about this great deal. 

Friday May 25, 2012
7:15 am – 9:00 am
Calgary Chamber – ENMAX Ballroom
100 6th Avenue SW

Since the global financial crisis banks have been subject to intensifying regulation. These efforts have raised questions as to whether these moves strike the right balance between stability and competition or have they gone too far – perhaps even inadvertently adding more risk into the financial system.

Join us for a conversation with Terry Campbell, president of the Canadian Bankers Association, for an in depth look on how banks will continue to serve communities across Alberta while working to ensure that the growing list of domestic and international regulations doesn’t limit how they meet the needs of customers in the future.

According to the latest economic growth numbers from Statistics Canada and Leger Marketing, Alberta looks poised for another boom. But this news doesn’t come without its challenges, as businesses are expected to face tighter labour markets and increasing constraints placed on their capacity to do business.

Find out how your business can navigate these developments with insights from the Calgary Chamber’s Chief Economist, Ben Brunnen.

Thursday May 31, 2012
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Calgary Chamber – ENMAX Ballroom
100 6th Avenue SW

The government relations landscape has changed. No longer is it a place where business can voice their concerns on issues affecting their business directly to government. Instead they need to form coalitions with other like-minded businesses to make their voice heard. 

Join us for a breakfast with Jason Hatcher, partner with Spotlight Strategies, one of Alberta’s premier boutique government relations and communications consulting firms. Over the past four years, Hatcher has been part of the team responsible for managing the last two winning provincial election campaigns. He also has extensive experience helping organizations develop government advocacy strategies.

Canada’s economic engine is the West and the rest of the country knows it. That’s why the Quebec-based Desjardins Group, Canada’s largest financial cooperative, acquired Alberta-based Western Canada Bank more than a year ago.

Speaking to the Calgary Chamber last week, Monique Leroux, president and CEO of Desjardins, outlined why her group decided to put down roots in Western Canada. Find out what this acquisition means for businesses throughout Alberta.

Wednesday  June 13, 2012
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
DeVry Institute of Technology
Room 201
2700 3rd Avenue SE

The format for this groundbreaking event differs dramatically from other networking events. Before each event, attendees are encouraged to contact us to tell us about their business, their challenges, and the type of people they’d like to connect with to overcome these problems and grow their business. With this information, we get to work placing people at each attendees table who will meet their networking needs. 

Ranil Herath, president of the DeVry Institute of Technology, will also share insights on everything from how to properly pitch yourself at a networking event to how to use social media networking tools and how to build business relationships that last for life.

Register for focused business networking at its best!

Friday June 1, 2012
11:30 am – 1:15 pm
Fairmont Palliser – Crystal Ballroom
133 9th Avenue SW

Sandra Peterson is one of the top female executives in the world.

Over the past 20 years, Peterson has worked across six diverse industries in high-profile positions that saw her running entire divisions for global brands such as Whirlpool, Nabisco and Merck-Medco. Throughout this time, she launched several new product lines and took on the challenge of launching new business units and building profits.

In 2010, Peterson became CEO of Bayer CropScience, one of the world leaders in crop production and seed technologies.

Join us for an informative conversation with this high-level CEO.

Wednesday June 6, 2012
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Calgary Chamber – Room 205
100 6th Avenue SW

The economy has been a hot topic of conversation since 2008, with events such as the subprime mortgage crisis and now the European debt crisis sending many economies throughout the world into uncertainty.

Given the far reaching impact of these events, it should come as no surprise that many businesses in Calgary remain unsure of how Alberta’s economy will hold up throughout 2012 and what they can do – if anything – to navigate the treacherous economic waters that may lie ahead.

Join us for a conversation with Ben Brunnen, chief economist with the Calgary Chamber, as he looks at the leading economic indicators from the beginning of this year, and provides insights into what these numbers mean for the rest of 2012.

Thursday June 7, 2012
11:30 am – 1:15 pm
Westin Hotel – Britannia Ballroom
320 4th Avenue SW

Premier Alison Redford has signaled that one of her government’s first priorities will be to finish review of the First Nations Consultation Policy, which establishes the consultation expectations and requirements for industry when working with Aboriginal communities to develop natural resource projects.

This policy has been under review for some time and both industry and Aboriginal communities have voiced concerns over the existing guidelines. But very rarely have these two groups come together to provide their comparative perspectives, and share insights for engaging with one another throughout this process.

Join us for an informative panel discussion with representatives from these two sectors which will be led by Chuck Strahl, former federal minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Looking for the best seats in the stadium for Stampeders games? Calgary Chamber members have exclusive access to a limited number of platinum seats for the 2012 Stampeders season as well as individual games. For more information or to book these seats, please contact the Calgary Stampeders Corporate Sales Office directly at SeasonTickets@Stampeders.com.