BACC BUZZ For October 5th, 2007
1. A Word From the President
2. Upcoming Chamber Events
3. Member News and Views
4. Office Hours
5. Training and Seminars Available
6. Contact Information
1. From the President, Vernon Cornish. If I thought my first month as president was a busy one I quickly learned that it was slow compared to the second month. Bernice Theriault, Ann O'Connell and I attended a Board Meeting of Blue Nose Coast on September 18th. This tourist based organization is looking for another board representative from the membership of the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce. If any of our members are interested they should contact our office for more information bacc@eastlink.ca.
I have had the opportunity to attend meetings of the Membership and Benefits Committee, The Events Committee and the Advisory Committee. It is a pleasure to work with these hard working volunteers. Exciting things are happening with our events committee, we will be undertaking a fund raising event in the near future and your support will be requested. Details will be posted on the website as they become available. New members will be profiled in upcoming editions of the BACC BUZZ.
We distributed a survey to our membership in September asking for input on the Visitor Information Centre. We received 17 responses from our membership and that information will be shared with Town councillors and will be considered when any decisions are made about providing information to the visitors to our area.
I want to offer my congratulations to Dave and Betty Hadley who opened the doors on their expanded store on September 26th with an open house. Seventy plus people gathered to wish Dave and Betty all the best in their newly renovated location and to congratuate them on the growth and development of their business. They have worked long and hard. Congratulations. For anyone who didn't make it to the opening, you missed a wonderful evening of good company, good food and great networking.
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2. Upcoming Chamber Events. For October, the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with other associations and organizations to support Small Business Week. This year there are several training opportunities and seminars offered. The highlight of the week will be the Lunenburg County Business Excellence Awards on Thursday October 18th at the Wandlyn Inn. If you have not already booked your tickets now is the time to do so. This event is always sold out so don't wait, book your tickets now.
With all of the events listed below our events committee decided to encourage our members to take advantage of these opportunities. Consequently there will not be any Chamber events offered during October. But just wait until you see what is in store for November. Details of our November events will be available in our next newsletter and will be updated on our website as the details are confirmed.
SMALL BUSINESS WEEK 2007
“A World Without Boundaries: Open to New Markets”
~ MONDAY OCTOBER 15, 2007 ~
“Customer Service Logic”. Come learn hundreds of simple, easy to apply and yet practically unused secrets of customer service. 6:00 – 8:00 pm Wandlyn Inn, Bridgewater (no cost)
~ TUESDAY OCTOBER 16, 2007 ~
“Waste-Less Business Breakfast”. Come learn a series of tips to help businesses save time and money with their waste management programs. 8:00 – 9:30 am Fairview Inn, Bridgewater Room (no cost)
“Annual Divas’ Luncheon”. Lunch with colleagues while learning how to be a better public speaker; presentation by dynamic communications expert, Helina St. James. 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Wandlyn Inn, Bridgewater ($15)
“The Steps to Start a Business in Queens”. Independence. Making a difference. There are many reasons to start your own business – choose this evening to begin to pursue your dream.
6:30 – 8:30 pm South Shore Opportunities’ offices, Liverpool (no cost)
“CASH: What Every Business Needs”. Got cash? Need cash? Come learn practical cash management practices to help you put your business in a better financial position.
6:00 – 8:00 pm Economic Centre Boardroom, 220 North St. Bridgewater (no cost)
~ WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17, 2007 ~
“Business Plan Basics”. A two-hour instructional workshop that examines components of a business plan, common business plan pitfalls, and how to research your market. 6:00 - 8:00 pm ASCBE Bridgewater Plaza (no cost)
~ THUSDAY OCTOBER 18, 2007 ~
“Let’s Talk Business”. Share your views, look for ideas, ask about business in Queens.
10 am – 4:00 pm CBDC booth at Atlantic Superstore, Liverpool (no cost)
*** Participants must pre-register by Friday October 12 ***
Call 543-0491 or toll free 1-800-303-1541. For additional information please visit www.lqrda.ns.ca.
Small Business Week is brought to you by:
~ Supporting Partners ~
Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship Ÿ Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency
Area Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade Ÿ South Shore Opportunities CBDC Ÿ Nova Scotia Business Inc.
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3. Members News and Views
Congratulations to Bernice Theriault and her team at The Bridgewater Comfort Inn. They have received the 2007 Gold Hospitalty Award from Choice Hotels Canada. The following comments accompanied the award.
The commitment to service excellence demonstrated by you and your team, has earned your property Choice Hotels Canada's highest level of recognition. Congratulations on being selected as a recipient of the 2007 Gold Hospitality Award. Your property was judged upon results of your last two Quality Assurance Reviews where we measured high-impact areas such as cleanliness, maintenance, capital improvements and compliance with brand identity. Your operational strength, combined with your passion for hospitality excellence prompted your guests to respond when surveyed, that they were "likely to recommend" your property to others. This is a true indication of success in our very competitive business. Receiving this award is a reflection of your dedication to delivering an exceptional guest experience - the hard work and commitment from your team is evident. Guests expect the best and we are confident they will enjoy it when staying at your hotel!
Congratulations. Well done.
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Welcome to the following new members of the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce.
Babylon Draperies and Design, 483 King Street, Bridgewater (Interior Design)
Mosaic Business Consulting, RR3 Bridgewater (Business consulting)
Ellis O. Wile & son (1987) Ltd. Pleasantville, NS (Plumbing and Heating Services)
Boston Pizza, 485 # 10 Highway, Bridgewater, NS (Restaurant)
Moxie - the gallery, 430 King Street, Bridgewater (Fine Art Gallery)
JourneyMakers Inc. (Operating as Hoopoe Canada) Blockhouse, NS (Specialized Travel Agent)
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4. The following schedule is always subject to change. Please call the office for exact schedule. Thank you for your
co-operation.
Office Hours for October 8 to 12
Monday, October 8 Office Closed
Tuesday, October 9 9:00 to 3:00
Wednesday, Oct 10 Office Closed (Annual Meeting of NS C of C in Truro)
Thursday, Oct 11, 9:00 to 4:00 (Meeting 4:00 to 5:00)
Friday, Oct 12 9:00 to 1:00
Office Hours for October 15 to Oct 19
Monday, Oct 15 Office Closed
Tuesday, October 16 9:00 to 3:00
Wednesday, Oct 17 Office Closed
Thursday, Oct 18 9:00 to 4:00 ( Meeting out of office 9:30 to 10:30, and Awards Banquet 6:00 to 9:30 p.m.)
Friday, Oct 19 9:00 to 2:00
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5.Training and Seminars from other organizations
Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture & Heritage
Presents
Cultural Programs Information Session
Join Peter Kirby of N.S. Tourism, Culture and Heritage to learn about
the Province’s cultural funding programs available to artisans to help them create and display their works.
There are grants available to individuals for professional development, and for creation and presentation.
The deadline for applications for this next round of funding is December 15 and there maybe some local folks who can take advantage of this funding!
WHAT: Information Session
WHEN: October 25, 6 pm.
WHERE: Bridgewater Bogan Villa Inn, High Street
To register or for additional information, please contact the LQRDA at
the Economic Centre, 220 North Street Bridgewater,
543-0491 or toll free 1-800-303-1541
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6. Office Contact Information
BACC@eastlink.ca
543-4263
543-1156 fax
Ann O'Connell, Executive Director
220 North Street, Bridgewater NS B4V 2V6