Next week, Feb. 18-22, marks Chamber Week, an opportunity for the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, and other chambers across the province, to demonstrate the value they provide to their communities.
As a member-based organization, diligently going about educating, serving, and supporting local business, Chamber Week is a time when we look outward and tell people what it is that we do. For the Coles Notes version, in three words, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce will help businesses connect, engage and enhance. If you're looking for the extended edition, I encourage you to come to our annual general meeting next Thursday, Feb. 21 at the Coast Inn of the North at 5 p.m. Not only will you catch the heart-stopping action of the real election of the new Chamber board of directors but you'll be briefed on all the work that our board, staff and committee members have undertaken over the past year.
While our AGM is one of best places for us to publicly demonstrate our value, we have two other Chamber Week events that may be of interest. Tuesday, Feb. 19, I will host 'Coffee Hour with the CEO' at the Chamber from 8 to 9 a.m. for members. I really look forward to connecting with our members at these events in order to better understand the issues that affect them in business and to hear how business is going. Coffee Hour is also a good place to network with other member businesses and make some connections before heading off to a productive day of work.
Finally, we'll end Chamber Week on Friday at 5 p.m. with a Leadership Series dinner as Minister Pat Bell offers the keynote address. Minister Bell will reflect on the provincial budget, which will be delivered on Tuesday, and explain how budget details may affect our region. He will also speak to the global economic forces that are pushing wealth and power towards Asia, the many opportunities this shift represents for B.C. and what the government is doing to take advantage of them.
In the spirit of all things Chamber, I sincerely hope you choose to connect with us during Chamber Week by engaging in one of the activities above so that you can help enhance your local business community. Registration for all these events is available online at www.pgchamber.bc.ca.
Until I see you next week, stay in the black and keep coming back.
Jennifer Brandle-McCall is the CEO of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce.
