Structured: 2016 Southern Alberta commercial tenant real estate forum

📅 December 14th      🕒 7:30 am – 11:00 am      📍 Hyatt Regency Calgary

Dedicated to educating business owners on their commercial real estate options in the current economic environment, this forum is the first of its kind. In a single morning, you'll get three sessions, each taking a deep-dive approach to topics like: 

• Renegotiating your renewal or finding new space
• Avoiding the landmines in almost every commercial lease
• How to get landlords to compete for your commercial business

Whether you have a single storefront or are responsible for a large commercial portfolio, you’ll learn something new that will make your business more successful. Plus, you'll walk away knowing the two most important things that could save your company thousands of dollars annually in overhead costs.

[Thursday] Business After Hours at Cococo Chocolatiers

📅 November 3rd      🕒 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm      📍 Cococo Chocolatiers

Please note that Business After Hours are members-only events.

At this uniquely interactive event hosted at the little castle-esque chocolaterie on Macleod Trail, Cococo's expert chocolatiers will handcraft a selection of their award-winning creations before your very eyes for you to sample. You will even have the opportunity to design your own chocolate creation by selecting from a variety of popular fillings and decorations.

Aftermath: What the outcome of the American election means for Canada

📅 November 17th      🕒 11:30 am – 1:30 pm      📍 The Westin Calgary

Within ten days of the American election—and with one of the best perspectives on the planet regarding the realities of Canadian-US relations—the most recent Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Gary Doer, will unpack the aftermath. He'll cover what the outcome will mean for the thousands of Canadian companies already operating in, and those looking to enter, the US market.

Join us for a deep-dive into what the outcome of this election will mean for Canadian-US relations, and the business implications that could follow.

Tips to grow your business

Digital tip: Facebook for Business Influencers

Yesterday Facebook released a bundle of resources for business influencers, called the Business Influencer Guide.

Whether you're new to Facebook or have years of experience, this guide is a comprehensive resource to help your business be as successful as possible on the platform. It includes information on everything from using Facebook as a leadership platform within your business to building a presence, developing an audience, and understanding the Facebook Mentions app.

What we are reading...

• YYC's new international terminal is open for business
• Adam Legge announced as a nominee for the World Chambers Federation General Council 
• 10 tips for cracking the Chinese market
• Calgary Chamber member Veterinary Simulator Industries named regional winner in Globe and Mail Small Business Challenge
• Avenue Magazine's Top 40 under 40, class of 2016
• How to nudge your customers without pushing them away

Member insights

Chamber Member: Ames Construction

For more than half a century, Ames Construction has been delivering quality construction services to its customers. Founded in 1962, the company started as a small, family-run earthwork contractor that served a community. Today, Ames has grown into a full-service, heavy civil and industrial general contractor that serves customers throughout North America.

While maintaining corporate offices in Minnesota, their regional offices are strategically located in multiple geographic areas in the US and Canada to support and serve their customers' ever-evolving project demands.

Members get online access to comprehensive liability insurance coverage

If you work in a profession where you routinely offer professional services or advice, you could be sued if a client believes you’ve made a mistake or left out important information.

As a Calgary Chamber member, you can request a free quote online for Professional Liability, Commercial General Liability or Directors and Officers Insurance, and purchase your coverage in minutes, at competitive rates, from the comfort of your home or office, without speaking to a broker.

Community leaders