CENTRE WELLINGTON – Sally Litchfield, general manager of the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is taking small business week as an opportunity to relaunch and share some of the upcoming programs they have going on.
For 2022, the chamber is relaunching it’s 26 coffees program, a year-round networking program, designed to help participants meet new people, exchange ideas and grow their network.
“So the idea being that if you’re setting a goal to want to connect with new people, this is going to hold you accountable,” Litchfield explained, adding the chamber has had some really great feedback already this year.
The program, now in its second year, challenges participants to have coffee (virtually) with a new person each time. The chamber provides the schedule and contact information.
Registration for the program is open now through the end of November. To register, visit www.cwchamber.ca/events.
Planning is also already underway at the chamber for the 2022 Awards of Excellence and nominations are now open on a year-round basis.
“We’re actually switching it to year-round nominations for all categories, which we’re hoping results in additional nominations, because you can nominate as you experience excellent customer service, or as you think, “oh, wow, this business really cares about the environment,’” as opposed to the usual short period where people are hurried to send in nominations, Litchfield explained
She said the chamber is also reintroducing its networking breakfast, “the Biz Breakfast,” starting Oct. 27.
The breakfasts will take place on the last Wednesday of October, November, February, March and April with an adjusted format, including the option to participate virtually, with more networking time, keynote presentations and the opportunity for members to provide “quick biz” updates.
The October event features a presentation from Peter Mohr, speaking about taking people from frustrations to freedom with their business. For more details, and to register, visit www.cwchamber.ca/events.
“We are also going to do a social media campaign, around businesses supporting businesses,” Litchfield added, which will be coming out on the chamber’s social media in the coming week in preparation for Small Business Week.
“So we’re just encouraging people to snap a pic when they are out supporting local businesses,” she explained, noting the chamber will have hashtags people can include.
Each of these events are also in addition to the “shop local” marketing initiative the Centre Wellington chamber launched in partnership with the Minto, Arthur, Mapleton and Mount Forest chambers.
To learn more about the initiative, visit https://shopwellingtoncounty.ca/.
