Dug Stevenson, Executive Director of the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board (BoQ RMB), will talk about the business of tourism, resident attraction and what products & services could be in demand.  His presentation will help answer questions you have about our region!

Click below to view the 2019 team list. Please make sure to check out your team and if there are any changes or updates, please email Morgan.

E-commerce presents a huge opportunity for small business.  Most business that attempt an e-commerce strategy fail to achieve a meaningful amount of sales.  In this workshop, we aim to fix that. We will take an in-depth look at how to build a successful e-commerce strategy, from the ground up.

Thanks to all who came out to Wild Card Brewing Co to mix and mingle with your business community. We enjoyed hearing about Wild Card and also enjoyed what was on tap!

Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in response to the Province's recent broadband announcement.

“We are pleased by the government’s $71 million investment in critical broadband and cellular infrastructure in Eastern Ontario. Access to high-speed internet is a basic requirement of the 21st century economy, much like roads, bridges, and electricity. As Ontario’s business advocate, we have long called for the government to address the province’s infrastructure deficit.

“Smart and strategic spending when it comes to expanding broadband access will have an immediate benefit to our economy and our communities and help Ontario businesses to compete on a global scale. We will continue to press the government to address the province’s infrastructure deficit and look forward to working together as they roll out their broadband plan across the province.”

Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer, Honourable Perrin Beatty, P.C., O.C., issued the following statement in response to an announcement that a deal has been reached between Canada and the U.S. on steel and aluminum tariffs.

“Today’s announcement of a deal to lift steel and aluminum tariffs is very positive news for Canadian businesses. These tariffs have never had a national security justification, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomes this long overdue resolution.

Read More

CAPITALIZING ON CANADA'S CANNABIS POTENTIAL
Industry Panel Discussion and Networking Event

Thursday, May 30, 2019 | 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm

WeWork, Scotia Plaza, 40 King Street West, 41st Floor
Toronto, ON M5H 4A9 (map)

Fresh after the release of the OCC’s latest report, Supporting Ontario's Budding Cannabis Industry, and with the opening of the first-ever private retail stores for recreational cannabis in Ontario, it’s time to talk pot.

What is the best path forward for the next phase of this multi-billion-dollar industry? How can Ontario seize this economic opportunity, eliminate the illegal market, and safeguard public health? How can the government tackle the supply shortage and prepare for the introduction of edibles?

The OCC has assembled a diverse panel of thought leaders and industry representatives who will discuss the key policy and regulatory issues at play.

The QW Chamber has one free ticket if anyone would like to attend on our behalf, call Suzanne at 613-392-7635

Pavla Hoca used to be a fashion and textile designer but after moving to Canada, her love of baking led her to open the Old Bank Cafe Frankford . “I have baked hand-painted honey cookies and other European pastries for many years,” said Hoca. She was looking around the city with her husband and the old Molsons Bank building caught her eye.

The building used to be a colonial store and later became Molson’s Bank. “When I called the City to ask about zoning, I also asked what kind of business suits the building,” said Hoca, “when they told me it could be made into a small bakery or a coffee shop, I knew that was the place.”  read more

The Bay of Quinte Boat Cruise is an event the Quinte West Chamber puts on every year for the community. This event runs during Downtown Trenton's Festival on the Bay.

We will be doing four cruises this year. We will be doing a Lunch Cruise on Thursday July 18th, that will depart at 12:30pm. A Dinner Cruise Thursday, July 18th, that will depart at 6pm, and on July 19th a scenic Afternoon Cruise at 1pm and an Evening Cruise at 6:30pm. Each are three hours in length.

Large companies aren’t the only ones that can provide their staff with a Wellness program. According to a recent (2017) Sanofi Health Survey, wellness and illness prevention are top priorities for employers. Let the Chambers Plan provide you with the resources to provide your staff with wellness options regardless of the size of your organization.  READ MORE.        

• New and young workers health and safety initiative – May 1 to August 30

Did you know that new and young workers are three times more likely to be injured during their first month of employment? The Ministry of Labour is conducting an initiative to keep new and young workers safe on the job. The ministry will raise awareness of hazards and check on compliance in the industrial sector.

• New employment standards online tool

The ministry has launched the Employment Standards Self-Service Tool. The tool is helping Ontario employers and employees understand and comply with the Employment Standards Act. It also calculates whether money paid to an employee meets the minimum standards.

Use the tool

• Victoria Day public holiday – May 20

Many employees got the day off with pay on Victoria Day. Some employees were required to work that day. If you worked, you may be entitled to one-and-a-half times your regular pay rate. Learn about your entitlements and if special rules apply to you.

Read about Public Holidays

• Students to visit small businesses

Students will visit more than 10,000 small businesses this summer, distributing free printed resources to raise awareness of workplace laws. They will also be conducting surveys to get feedback from small business owners on the ministry’s tools, services and activities for small businesses. This will be the seventh year in a row the Ministry of Labour has hired students to conduct outreach at communities across Ontario. Small businesses can also obtain information, free resources and tools by going to Ontario.ca/ResponsibleEmployers.

• Working outdoors

Summer is just around the corner. This could put outdoor workers at risk of certain hazards. Employers have a duty to protect workers from these hazards. Learn about the hazards and how to comply with workplace health and safety laws.

• Free: Workplace Mental Health Symposium – May 27

Learn, reflect and talk about workplace mental health, stress and injury prevention at Mayday, Mayday, a free symposium hosted by the Ontario Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) at the downtown Toronto YWCA. Space is limited.

• 2019 Health and Safety Index

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recently released its 2019 Health and Safety Index, which measures the overall health and safety of Ontario’s workplaces. The index looks at prevention, empowerment, workplace culture, enforcement and injuries. This data is combined into a single, evidence-based measurement.

The Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), delivered by regional development agencies across the country, is a two-year $58.5-million national program to help Canada’s tourism sector innovate and grow.
As part of the $58.5 million Canadian Experiences Fund national initiative, FedDev Ontario will be administering $11 million to support Southern Ontario’s tourism sector.

The program has five priority areas:
• Tourism in rural and remote communities
• Indigenous tourism
• Winter and shoulder season tourism
• Inclusiveness
• Farm-to-table/culinary

It has a very broad range of eligible costs including infrastructure, product development, marketing and training and applicants can include municipalities, not for profit, incorporated businesses and indigenous organizations.

Priority will be given for projects submitted by May 31. 2019.

Thursday, May 30, 2019 at 10 AM – 12 PM

Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre
265 Cannifton Road, Belleville, Ontario K8N 4V8

If you are an employer or owner (proprietor) of an enclosed workplace, an enclosed public place or other smoke-free and vape-free places as described in the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 or Ontario Regulation 268/18, you must post enough of the individual (tobacco/e-cigarette) signs OR combined (tobacco and e-cigarette) signs at each entrance, exit and washroom to ensure that employees and the public know that they cannot smoke tobacco or cannabis (medical or recreational) or vape anything there.

If you would like window clings or signs for your business you can contact the Quinte West Chamber 613-392-7635 or stop by our office.

You cannot read or watch the news without breaking news about breaches, hacking or other great computer based event.  While the news talks about the computer and how an organization may have been hacked the Human linkage is not always front and center.  Join Louise Dandonneau as she provides her insights in to the Human Side of Cyber Security and how an organization’s human resources team play a more in-depth role in Cyber Security than many think.

The Quinte and & District Chapter of the HRPA is presenting the “The Human Side of Cyber Security.” 

June 6 -  4:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Meeting - Dinner  (Sans – Souci )

Quinte Ballet School of Canada (QBSC) presents ‘Dance of Spring Showcase’ at 7:00pm on Saturday, June 8th at Centennial Secondary School’s theatre auditorium, 160 Palmer Road in Belleville.  Professional dance program students will perform highlights from The Sleeping Beauty and Bournonville ballet classics in addition to original works in Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop and Flamenco.  Reserved seating tickets are adults $22 with discounts for seniors, students and children, and can be purchased at QBSC, 196 Palmer Road, Belleville, by calling 613-962-9274 (Helen/Teresa) or at the door.