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The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide this week’s Green Mail, our update on events and issues impacting our Members and our community…
In This Issue
- National Small Business Week is here!
- Chamber Hosts All Candidates tonight
- Business Sample Show tomorrow
- Spirit Awards Presentations October 24
- Safe Communities + Chamber offering "Mental Health First Aid"
- New provincial survey open now - Emerging Stronger 2015
- A note from the Optimists on the Santa Claus Parade
- Planning ahead: St. Thomas Uncorked January 24, 2015
- Lowdown - scroll low... down to the end and see Caribbean confusion
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Chamber Events
"Celebrating National Small Business Week - October 19 to 25"
Friday October 24
3rd Annual Spirit of St. Thomas Awards
 The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to join with myFM 94.1 and a number of community sponsors to present the 3rd annual Spirit of St. Thomas Awards this Friday.
The Spirit Awards are presented annually in a fun and FAST format. 50 awards in 50 minutes!
The hardware will be handed-out this Friday October 24 in an event that runs 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the new Masonic Centre of Elgin at the intersection of Sunset & Fruit Ridge Line, south of St. Thomas. Free admission!
One winner will be named from each of 50 award categories. Once the winners hustle to the stage to accept, they have 60 seconds before the air horn blows and they are ushered away as the program continues. Complete event details are posted online at myFM's St. Thomas Today website.
November 12 - Business After 5
Win a fully-decorated designer Christmas Tree valued at $1,000!!
The Chamber's November edition of Business After 5 will be hosted and sponsored by Jennings Furniture in their downtown St. Thomas shop at 432 Talbot Street. Plenty of parking in the big municipal lot at the rear.
Come for the fun... stay for the furniture!
Jennings' staff will proudly show 3 floors of fine furnishings and the store will be decorated for the Holidays. As always, admission is open and free of charge to any person from any business or organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber.
Please note: This will be a "furniture-friendly" event. Sorry, no colas or dark wines and beers in our mix but still plenty of refreshments and complimentary hors d'oeuvres.
November 25 & 26 + December 2 & 3
Mental Health First Aid
The Chamber's Health & Safety affiliate, the St. Thomas Elgin Safe Communities Coalition, will bring a new training initiative to our area starting November 25.
Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour certificate course to be offered over two weeks on consecutive Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12 Noon. Registration is $130 per person, including texts and materials plus the services of certified trainers from the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Mental Health First Aid has all the value and importance that we all attach to traditional first aid that treats wounds, accidents and physical injuries. Thanks to our SafeComm connection, we will be one of the first communities in Canada to make this program fully available to small and mid-size businesses and individuals.
Registration is open now. Pam Buys from VON, and a SafeComm volunteer, is co-ordinating registration for us. Pam has taken the course and can answer questions. Reach her by calling 519-637-6408, Extension 223 or check the Events section on the Chamber's website for additional program info and Pam's phone/email connection links.
Attendance is open to a maximum of 25 people. As demand warrants, SafeComm is expected to offer additional courses in the coming months.
December 3 - Business After 5
THANKS for your response to the sponsorship opportunity we posted last week! Of the six sponsor spaces available, only 3 remain open.
Looking to spend some quality time with friends and neighbours before the real rush of the Holiday Season? The Chamber's annual pre-Christmas Business After 5 puts the emphasis on good cheer, good food and good company. Our location will be St. Anne's Centre on Morrison Drive and we're offering up to 6 co-sponsors a chance to be front-and-centre. Wayside Dining & Catering, HollisWealth and Elgin - St. Thomas United Way have booked in with us so if you or your business/organization can consider co-sponsoring this popular event, call us soon. Contact Bob Hammersley at the Chamber office by calling 519-631-1981 Extension 524 or connect directly via Bob's email.
January 24 - St. Thomas Uncorked
Our popular wine & art event - St. Thomas Uncorked - returns to the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre on Saturday January 24. It's been a sell-out every year since we launched this wine tasting and art appreciation event in 2012 so mark the date now.
Ticket sales are now open. To order, just call the Chamber office at 519-631-1981 and speak with Warren, Bob or Susan. Order by email if you prefer by clicking here and telling us how many tickets you'd like, along with contact info for payment and ticket distribution.
The price is $40 (plus HST) per person including admission, wine samples and food samples. Our friends at St. Thomas' Real Canadian Superstore have joined us as our food supply source for Uncorked, and will be providing gourmet cheeses, fruits, meats and more matched to our selection of 20 wines available for sampling.
Tickets always make great Christmas gifts so we expect another sell-out by early December at the latest. Due to space restrictions, a maximum of 120 tickets may be sold on a strictly first-come/first-served basis.
Quai du Vin's resident sommelier, Jamie Quai, returns as a member of our Member Services Committee's organizing group, along with an enthusiastic group of 10 volunteers supported by the Chamber staff.
Business & Chamber News
HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU IN ONTARIO'S ECONOMY?
Take the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's latest survey to add your voice to Canada's most credible survey of business opinion.
By taking a moment to complete this short survey, you will be entered into a draw to win two roundtrip tickets to anywhere Porter Airlines flies.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY: https://ci.legerweb.com//wix/p2079720.aspx
Please note that only the prize winner will be contacted. Promotional consideration for this survey has been provided by Porter Airlines. Our Emerging Stronger 2015 survey is open now and closes at 5:00 p.m. this Friday, October 24
Impressions Printing VIP Open House Part II - Friday November 7
Impressions Printing is excited about their VIP Open House Part II that is happening on Friday November 7 , 2014 at 6 p.m.
Not only will you get a chance to see their new Nexpress S3000 Digital Production Color Press but you will have a chance to win some amazing prizes including the Grand Prize trip for 2 to Las Vegas. Come tour their NEW facility and meet the people while enjoying refreshments and hors d’oeuvres and listening to a live band. This is a VIP event and you do need a “boarding pass” to attend so contact Brooke Turley or Michelle Mills at 519-633-1580 ext 24 or e-mail brooke.turley@impressions-printing.com or michelle.mills@impressions-printing.com for information on how to get your boarding pass.
You must RSVP by October 24 to book your seat.
NEW LOCATION...
After 40 years in the same location, Impressions Printing has moved to a bigger and better facility that will allow their growth to continue for many years to come. Impressions move to 233 Edward Street (old GCW Kitchens) in August has them excited to maintain their growth that has landed them at 404 in the Canadian Business Profit 500 Fastest Growing Companies. The new facility boasts 20,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and 3000 sq. ft. of office space that is nestled on 4 acres of prime industrial land. The new facility allows Impressions to truly be a one stop shop for all your printing requirements.
Don’t forget to contact Brooke Turley or Michelle Mills at 519-633-1580 ext 24 or e-mail for more information on a boarding pass and booking your seat for this amazing event!
A Note from the Optimists - organizers of St. Thomas' Santa Claus Parade
Hello All,
The Optimist Club of St. Thomas is pleased to present its Optimist Santa Claus Parade in downtown St. Thomas!
The parade is on Saturday, November 22, 2014, and begins at 6:00 pm.
This year's theme is “A Cartoon Christmas”.
For more information, please check our web-site at:
http://www.optimistsantaclausparade.com/
Registration is available on-line at our web-site. Just click on the links.
For more information, please contact us at stthomasoptimist@hotmail.com
Thank you.
Yours in Optimism,
John Ewanick
Co-Chair, Santa Claus Parade Committee
Optimist Club of St. Thomas
519 - 631 - 9635
"I am an Optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else."
~ Winston Churchill.
"By Providing Hope & Positive Vision, Optimists Bring Out the Best in Kids."
Mayoral Candidates On RogersTV
Election day is coming fast so this is the last week to look. St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bob Hammersley moderated a Rogers TV question-and-answer session with all 3 Mayoral candidates running in St. Thomas. The program is now being shown via the local cable channel on multiple occasions prior to the October 27 election. All 3 city candidates - incumbent Mayor Heather Jackson, Alderman Cliff Barwick and Alderman Mark Cosens - accepted invitations to participate. Our Chamber CEO volunteered as moderator and host of the program. It's a 90-minute show with questions delivered to all candidates by a panel of 3 local news media personnel; myFM radio News Director Andrew Buttigieg; Jesse Cnockaert of The Weekly News; and Ian McCallum of the St. Thomas Times-Journal.
Broadcast times this week are:
Tuesday (today) October 21 - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday October 22 - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 23 - 1:00 p.m.
Friday October 24 - 2:00 p.m.
Saturday October 25 - 12 Noon + 9:30 p.m.
Dates and times can also be found online at rogerstv.com
Our Esso Fleet Fuel program reduces your gasoline price by 3.5 cents per litre at more than 1,000 Esso stations in Canada and over 18,000 Exxon or Mobil stations across the US. You can now register as a business or organization, or as an individual. For details just click here.
Two great group insurance plans... One for people, one for property and vehicles:
Our national Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Program brings huge savings on personal insurance such as life insurance and drug/dental plans. Get in the pool! Last year, we welcomed 3,200 new businesses choosing the Chambers Plan for their employees. At April 1, we included 30,506 businesses and 132,543 employees across Canada as Chamber Plan customers. ARC Benefits, with offices in St. Thomas and London, is licensed to handle all local sales and service work on the Plan on our behalf. See their website for more.
Our NOVEX Group plan brings big savings on property and vehicle insurance. It's offered locally through Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services. Call 519-631-3862 for a no-obligation quote.
Merchant Services... The Chamber network across Canada offers an exclusive merchant services package with low payment processing options for all Members who accept Interac debit, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express cards. Across Canada, and everywhere in St. Thomas & District, businesses and organizations that are Members of the Chamber get the best rates and payment processing service from FirstData. It's all made possible thanks to the huge value and size of the Chamber network. Already a FirstData client? You're still eligible to switch to the Chamber's rates. Call them at 1-888-265-4117.
Data Recovery & Cloud Backup. No business should be without it, and our exclusive pricing from St. Thomas-based Quantum RBS saves all of our Members 15% every month. We're very proud that a local business is now serving Chamber Members across Canada as part of the nation-wide Chamber Affinity Benefits program. For the same reliable data recovery and back-up services we're using at the Chamber office, contact Quantum and explore the savings your business or organization could enjoy. Details? Just click here. And tell 'em the St. Thomas & District Chamber sent you!
Ship & Save With UPS
Chamber Members can now take advantage of the UPS Members Benefit Program and save on a variety of UPS services! You’ll receive 30% off small package shipments within Canada, to the U.S. and to worldwide destinations, 25% off imports into Canada, discounts starting at 75% off freight shipments and more. Plus, UPS is committed to providing value that goes beyond cost and on-time delivery. Customized solutions and reliable services drive greater efficiency and streamline internal processes. New and existing customers can enroll for free!
To get started today, click here to get info on our website or call 1-800-MEMBERS (1-800-636-2377), M-F, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST. In addition, you can get 10% off printing, packaging, and mailbox rentals at The UPS Store®. Click here to obtain The UPS Store ‘Get More’ card. _______________________
Do you like "free" and "easy"?
Did you know anyone in your office can get Green Mail?
It's easy to get and won't cost you a dime.
Subscribe and get your own copy of Green Mail by visiting the Chamber website. Just add your email address to the box on the left and you will receive Green Mail every Tuesday morning.
 Having trouble getting your message or event heard in St. Thomas and area? Turn up the volume with Green Mail’s advertising available to Members only. Your event or service can be sent to more than 1000 people within the businesses and organizations that are Members of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce. And our analytics tell us Green Mail is regularly shared and forwarded each week, boosting readership and circulation to over 2,200 people!
Book in advance, and don’t miss out on this promotional opportunity. Each week there are only three slots available for advertising. Your business or organization can book an ad for just $50 per insertion. Ready-to-go and ready-to-run files such as JPEG or PNG are best and easiest to work. If you need help assembling, we can also direct you to Members who are experts at design and layout.
As is our habit each week, we offer up a nugget or two of information that you might find useful in business or social circles. Sometimes it's even funny or a piece about the oddities of life, and this week is no exception with a local story that we still find hard to believe.
What's in a name? Being the St. Thomas & District Chamber we are often confused with that other St. Thomas - the island in the Caribbean. Not a week goes by that we don't get a phone call or email from some slightly misguided folks who think they are reaching out to a place in the sun. The questions about cruise ships, beaches and duty-free jewellery can be quite entertaining until they discover there's a city in Ontario they just paid to call.
Last week, we scored another first in the world of Caribbean confusion. Our website took an on-line membership application from an organization in St. Croix, an island adjacent to St. Thomas.
We're still wondering how many Business After Five's and special events they could attend... and what about having someone join a committee???
We pointed-out the error of their ways by email. Sadly, we didn't get the membership!
The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce distributes this update on events to coincide with news, plans and events throughout the year.You have received this information as a primary contact designated by your business or organization, or because you have requested a copy. Please feel welcome to share the information with your colleagues.
Our goal is to inform, not annoy.
If you do not wish to receive this update please let the Chamber know.
Contact us by email or call 519-631-1981
This week’s edition of the Chamber’s Green Mail is sponsored by myFM 94.1
St. Thomas
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