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St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday February 9, 2016
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
 
  • Scams & Stings - Know Who You're Dealing With!
  • StThomasProud - A New Local First!
  • Business After 5 Tomorrow - Wednesday February 10
  • State of the Municipalities Luncheon February 17
  • Chamber speaks on TPP, Local Plans Announced
  • Free Enterprise Award Nominations Open Now
  • Lowdown - Scroll low... down to the end of the issue

 

 

Chamber & Community Events
 
The Chamber's 4th Adventure to China
- October 5 - 15, 2016
 
Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai - Suzhou
The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce plans a return to China this fall. Our 2016 tour will be our fourth excursion to this fascinating land, and the best yet with an 11-day adventure that includes, for our first time, a visit to Xi'an to see the Terra-Cotta Warriors.
We depart Toronto's Pearson International Airport on an afternoon flight non-stop to Beijing on Wednesday October 5 and return on the morning of Saturday October 15. $2499 CANADIAN is our Member price. Add $200 per person for anyone not connected through a Chamber of Commerce membership. Our complete tour itinerary and full details on everything included can be viewed and/or downloaded via the
Chamber website.
Elgin Travel & Cruises is our licensed travel agency for this tour and group specialist Ineke Palmer will be on-hand to answer questions on bookings, payments and all related matters. A $400 deposit guarantees your seat.


THANKS TO ALL ATTENDING OUR INFO NIGHT
We had a full house last Tuesday and had to bring in more chairs to seat everyone. If you couldn't make it, we expect to host a second info session next month. Date, time and location will be published here in Green Mail and in the Events column on the Chamber website.
 
An Invitation from the St. Thomas Soccer Club
 
Soccer season is once again upon us and we are looking forward to another very successful year. In the past, a tremendous burden has been lifted from our Club thanks to the support of businesses, community organizations and individuals.
Please consider our 2016 Sponsorship Opportunities described below. Interest in soccer is stronger than ever, and so is the need to turn to our community for support.

Sincerely,

Terri Sinclair
Club Administrator
519-631-3450 or
email




Business After 5 is tomorrow - Wednesday February 10

This month's edition of Business After 5 will be a "heartful" event. It's this Wednesday February 10, just four days prior to Valentine's Day.
Boston Pizza and the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott will team together as co-sponsors with tasty hors d'oeuvres and nibbles straight from the Boston Pizza kitchen and some fine door prizes from TownePlace Suites and Boston Pizza.
As always, admission is free and open to anyone from any business or organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber. Please plan to join us!

Date:  Wednesday February 10, 2016
Time:  Doors open at 5, sponsor remarks & door prize draws start at 6:15
Site:  Boston Pizza, 860 Talbot Street, St. Thomas

  
 


2016 State of the Municipalities Luncheon
Wednesday February 17


Lunch With Our Mayors - Wednesday February 17
 
Our 6th annual "State of the Municipalities" luncheon is Wednesday February 17  at St. Anne's Centre in St. Thomas with presentations by all 3 local Mayors.
 
Our speakers will be Mayor Heather Jackson for the City of St. Thomas; Mayor David Marr for the Municipality of Central Elgin; and Mayor Grant Jones for the Township of Southwold.
 
Tickets can be ordered now from the Chamber office by calling us at 519-631-1981.  $32 per person + HST.  Information is also posted in the events section of the
Chamber’s website. Tickets for this event are offered by advance sale only and reserved seating is assigned with single orders or 4 tickets or more.
 
Doors will open at 11:15 with lunch buffet service starting at 11:45 and closing at 12:15 p.m.  Once the buffet shuts down, the Mayors each get up to 10 minutes for individual remarks, followed questions from the floor and the Chamber. 
 
If you have a question for any or all of the Mayors, you can send it in advance to the Chamber office, submit it at the event in writing, or take a mic and ask it directly. Questions can be submitted in advance to our general email by
clicking here.
 
Members of our Public Sector Liaison Committee will review all questions submitted. We can’t guarantee all questions received will be used due to time limits, but we’ll do our best to be your voice on key and priority issues.  

 
Business News & Updates

Scams and Frauds - 
Ontario Chiefs of Police Launch Province-wide Crime Prevention Campaign

 
The St. Thomas Police have asked the Chamber's help in warning citizens and businesses about new and often sophisticated scams that prey on vulnerable taxpayers, utility users, and consumers.
 
If you feel uneasy about someone calling you or showing up at your door about your taxes or your utility bills, if you notice suspicious banking or on-line activities related to your financial assets, don’t be fooled.  Call the police. They can help, but only when they know there's a problem.
 
Recently, the Canada Revenue Scam has become increasingly popular in our area. Just remember that the Police will not arrest you on behalf of Canada Revenue nor will they make phone calls for them. Individuals and businesses can call the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to confirm the authenticity of a CRA telephone number or report incidents of suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

 
The St. Thomas Police Service is partnering with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) to promote the OACP’s 2016 Crime Prevention Campaign. The campaign theme is “Know Who You’re Dealing With…”.  A new crime prevention booklet detailing the types of crimes Ontarians should be aware of and what they can do to protect themselves, their families, and their businesses, is now available at this website link
 
It’s estimated that all types of financial crimes and fraud cost Canadians more than $10 billion each year.  When it comes to mass marketing fraud, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported a total of 51,385 complaints between January and November of 2015, involving 13,717 victims. The total dollar value loss suffered by these victims was $61.3 million dollars. In 2014, the total dollar lost to these types of crimes was $75 million.

As spring approaches, the past experience of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce has been that the numbers and types of scams, stings and rip-offs will rise. It was just last week that incidents of misrepresentation were found in door-to-door activities in the City of London. Dressed to look like utility workers, individuals went door-to-door seeking entry to homes to test tap water samples. London municipal staff don't do that, and neither do St. Thomas employees. We had a similar problem here last year. Other tactics to gain entry to homes involve testing of water heaters, furnaces, and even investigations of 'reported' gas leaks.

The Chamber strongly supports and endorses the "Know Who You're Dealing With" theme of the OACP campaign. We also recommend and suggest using a couple of questions if you're approached at your door. First, "Is the business you represent registered as a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce?" As well, "Does the business you represent pay property taxes in St. Thomas or Elgin County?"  Dealing with businesses that demonstrate credibility and local presence is an excellent way to help ensure the right outcome.

 
"Inconceivable" Not To Be Part of the TPP
Canadian Chamber of Commerce President Perrin Beatty says it would be "inconceivable" for Canada not to be part of the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) if our NAFTA partners are in it. Perrin's comments were made in an interview last weekend.
Click here to see the full feature.
Locally, the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce plans to launch a research project to fully explore what the TPP would mean for local businesses in all sectors, especially manufacturing and agri-business.
 
Free Enterprise Nominations Open Now to March 31
The Free Enterprise Awards are the Chamber’s annual recognition of excellence in commerce and community service. Since the 1970’s, we have welcomed nominations of businesses, organizations and individuals who deserved to be recognized for their excellence in business and community service. There are three award categories, and nominations are open now through March 31.  The 2015 Free Enterprise Awards will be presented during the Free Enterprise Awards Reception at St. Anne’s Centre in St. Thomas in early May.  Once a date is finalized, we will post details on the Events section of the Chamber website.
 
Chair’s Awards
This presentation reflects service and contributions, including volunteer activities, that have assisted the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce. Presented at the discretion of the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors when events or circumstances reflect service or contributions of an extraordinary nature.
 
Free Enterprise Award of Merit
Recognition of those businesses and/or individuals whose recent or specific accomplishments are significant. There is no limit to the number of times that an individual or business might receive a Merit Award. Entrepreneurial success is the primary focus of the Merit Awards with consideration of other desirables reflecting on community, civic and/or social betterment. No more than 3 winners may be named in any year.
 
Free Enterprise Master Awards
Our major award. This honour recognizes businesses and individuals making significant, all-encompassing contributions within St. Thomas, Central Elgin and/or Southwold. The recipients are proven leaders, as evidenced by repeated success in endeavours that relate to entrepreneurship along with community spirit and social well-being.  No more than 3 winners may be named in any year.
 
Submit a Nomination?
Success, innovation, leadership, community betterment and concern for social issues are all attributes of our award winners in every category. Choose from the 3 categories described above and tell us why your nominee should be selected. Our Awards & Recognition Committee, under the leadership of the Immediate Past Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, will review all submissions. Chamber staff may conduct additional research. Self-nominations are welcome.  Individuals and businesses nominated must be active in serving the communities of the City of
St. Thomas, Municipality of Central Elgin, and/or the Township of Southwold
 
The Chamber prefers not to use a ‘cookie cutter’ form for nominations but encourages nominations in any form and format convenient to the writer. 
 
The following points & questions may be helpful in writing a nomination: 
  • Describe the nominee’s relationships with staff, clients, suppliers, etc.
  • Growth, changes or improvements that have enhanced performance?
  • Are there any innovation, trailblazing or risk-taking initiatives and strategies that have been developed or undertaken?
  • Describe any situation where the nominee has created new jobs or successfully fought to sustain jobs in our market.
  • Describe successes and achievements in community service, work with civic or charitable/non-profit agencies, or volunteer activities
  • Has the nominee utilized conservation and stewardship techniques, advanced technologies, or developed programs to save, protect or enhance or environment?
  • Name something that makes this nominee stand out above all others.
  • Describe the time, energy, resources dedicated to professional growth and continuous learning.
  • Details on measurement, practices and internal processes for customer service.
  • Coaching, mentoring, assistance to other businesses, individuals or organizations?
  • How has new technology helped?
  • Marketing successes and strategy?
  • Growth beyond local service to regional, national and/or international levels?
 
2016 Nominations Close Thursday March 31, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. 
For additional information, contact Bob Hammersley at the Chamber office at 519-631-1981 Ext. 524, or send your nomination to us:
St. Thomas & District
Chamber of Commerce
115 – 300 South Edgeware Road
St. Thomas, ON   N5P 4L1
CALL:  519-631-1981   FAX: 519-631-0466
E-mail:  click here 
 
Sponsorship Opportunities?
The Chamber’s Free Enterprise Awards program provides unique promotion and community support opportunities through sponsorship at several events and functions, and the annual Free Enterprise Awards are one of our biggest.
If your business or organization wishes to explore the values and rewards on being involved, contact Bob Hammersley or Warren Allen at the Chamber office. Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsor opportunities are open now and include several options to build and position your community image and awareness. By being a sponsor you enable us to deliver and produce a function that has strong community value and casts a good reflection on all who contribute to making it possible.
St. Thomas is Best in Show at Provincial Marketing Awards
 
#stthomasproud wins again - this time at the Provincial level
 

Every year, the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) recognizes achievements in economic development marketing by presenting awards in the categories of business development, tourism and product development. In 2006, the annual Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Marketing Excellence in Ontario was introduced to honour the single most outstanding achievement made by an award recipient in these categories.  A decade later, the winner of this prestigious award is the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation (EDC), recognized for their community-driven #stthomasproud campaign.
This award, coupled with another for the use of Technology and New Media in Economic Development Marketing, made St. Thomas the big winners for 2015 and gave even more exposure to this popular grass roots campaign.
After happily congratulating staff on the win, EDC President Dennis Broome pointed out the shift in direction that the EDC as a Board has taken and noted that "We will always be working hard to market the City externally, but great strides have been made over the last several years to focus on both understanding, growing and sharing what we are so fortunate to have in St. Thomas. The success of this campaign is proof that we're on the right path."
Born out of negativity following the global economic downturn and since fueled by a resilient positivity, #stthomasproud has become commonplace on social media, sign boards and other marketing channels in the City and around the world.  
Representing the EDC Board at the event was EDC Vice President and St. Thomas City Councillor Linda Stevenson, who noted that "The event was very professional, with an electric atmosphere and the applause alone showed that our peers in economic development appreciated the significance of this campaign."
While the Technology and New Media Awards are grouped by population ranges, the Lieutenant Governor's Award looks at all of the marketing programs in the province and recognizes that which is deemed the best overall.  This is the first time St. Thomas has been awarded this honour.

Upon receiving the call that night, Mayor Heather Jackson was ecstatic and noted "To receive recognition at this level shows that the hard work and commitment of the great team at the St. Thomas EDC, along with the entire community, is working.  We are showing the world what a great place St. Thomas is to live, work and raise a family."
EDC General Manager Sean Dyke summarized it in saying "Given the incredible quality, reach and big budgets of some of the marketing campaigns developed in the province over the last year, our team was almost speechless when the announcement was made.  The Lieutenant Governor's award is the pinnacle of recognition for economic development marketing in Ontario. We all wear a passion for our community on our sleeves and emotions ran high when we heard them say that St. Thomas was the winner. We are extremely happy and honoured to be recognized with this award, largely because we know it's not just us who make this work.  We share this honour with our entire community and could not be more St. Thomas Proud."
 

June 18 - 19    St. Thomas Municipal Airport
Visit the Great Lakes International Air Show website
 

The Benefits of Chamber Membership
 
Two great group insurance plans... One for people, one for property and vehicles:

It's the #1 Group Insurance Plan in Canada for small & medium-sized businesses. Since 1974, our national Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Program has been bringing 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. Last year, at April 1, we included 30,506 businesses and 132,543 employees across Canada as Chamber Plan customers. ARC Financial Group, 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.  For more information on our Novex group plan and the new my Driving Discount call 519-631-3862 or CLICK HERE.
 

Chamber of Commerce Members Save 30% on UPS Courier Fees!
If you haven’t already signed up for the UPS® Members Benefit Program for St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce Members, now is the time. Here are the top five reasons:
  1. Improve your bottom line. Enroll in the UPS Members Benefit Program and save 30% on outgoing small package shipments, 25% on imports into Canada, and savings start at 75% on heavyweight, LTL (Less-than-Truckload) shipments over 150 lb.
  2. FREE Pickup. Shipping with UPS is simple. Automatic Daily Pickup and UPS On-Call Pickup® are free, so you can ship from the comfort of your office or home by calling 1-800-PICK-UPS.
  3. Open a world of possibilities. With a variety of export and import services, UPS’s expertise, resources, and technologies can help support your international trade needs.
  4. Technology Tools. Register for My UPS or Worldship® and take advantage of these time-saving features: ship, track and void shipments; create and print UPS shipping labels; save recipient addresses and preferences; pay for shipments; and more.
  5. The Speed You Need. Whether you need guaranteed overnight delivery or reliable service for less urgent shipments, UPS offers a wide range of air, ground and freight shipping options.
It’s free to sign up, there are no minimum shipping requirements, and the discounts can be applied to a new or existing UPS account. Visit www.membersbenefitprogram.com/STDCC or call 1-800-MEMBERS (1-800-636-2377), M-F, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST to start saving today.

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.

Credit Card & Debit Card Processing?
Chamber Members get the BEST rates in St. Thomas & District     and now we have a local FirstData representative dedicated to serving our Members!



You can go to it,  or it can come to you!
Did you know anyone in your office can get Green Mail?
It's easy to get and won't cost you a dime.

 
Our weekly Green Mail newsletter is posted for viewing and download on the Chamber's website, and in our social media via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 
If you prefer a direct subscription link, get your own copy of Green Mail via email every Tuesday. Visit the Chamber website and just add your email address to the box on the left and you will receive Green Mail every week.  It's free, and easy.
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. 
Advertising & Promotion in Green Mail
The Chamber welcomes all Members to consider using our weekly Green Mail newsletter, or a separate stand-alone version we call Green Mail Exclusive, as a promotion or communications tool for announcements, business activities and community events.
Green Mail may include up to 3 paid ads or announcements in any issue. Weekly distribution sees each issue reach 2,200 to 2,500 individuals via direct email subscriptions and through posts of each issue on the Chamber website, in our Facebook Group and on our Facebook Page, via Twitter and through the Chamber’s Group on LinkedIn.
An ad in Green Mail can be any size, up to the equivalent of a standard 8 ½” by 11” stationery page. Green Mail Exclusive can also carry anything up to the equivalent of a full 8 ½” by 11” stationery page.
Submission deadline for any Green Mail issue is 12 p.m. Friday for release the following Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.  All submissions should be provided in a ready-to-publish form, preferably as a PDF, JPEG or PNG file.  All content will be formatted to width not to exceed 620 pixels.
Price per insertion in Green Mail is $75. Price per insertion as a Green Mail Exclusive transmission is $125.  All submissions are subject to HST. For bulk or long-term ad placements, contact the Chamber's CEO.
Community Service / Public Service?
The Chamber routinely receives dozens of requests each month for ad space to be donated in support of special events and activities. In weeks where our limit of 3 paid ads has not been reached, the Chamber can consider placements for eligible not-for-profit and community services or activities at a reduced rate of $35.  It is not possible to donate space.

Your Chamber... Right Now & 24/7

Give us a look, and give us a LIKE,  and we will give you news you can use 24/7.  
The St. Thomas & District Chamber's public Facebook page is a place to go for regular updates on local business news and community issues as they happen. Click here for a quick connection. Every week you'll find a path to share and connect to an on-line version of this weekly Green Mail newsletter and, whenever there's news that can impact your business or organization and/or your employees, we post it there.  
LIKE our page and stay connected!

Here's the lowdown...  
Low, down here at the end of our weekly Green Mail, we try to offer up a nugget or two of information that you might find useful in business or social circles.

He is a robot. His name is LDRIC, a play on the name of Tiger Woods son Eldrick. And LDRIC shot a hole-in-one on the PGA tour last week in Arizona. Click here for the whole story!
 


In observance of Family Day, next Monday, February 15, the Chamber of Commerce office will be closed. We're looking forward to an enjoyable day and hope you are, too!

 
The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce distributes this email newsletter 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. Copies are also posted for viewing or download on the Chamber's website, through links on social media in our Twitter and Facebook groups and pages, and in the Chamber's LinkedIn Group
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
Copyright © 2016 St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce, All rights reserved.