Tuesday E-mail - July 6, 2010

What Is The Chamber Doing For You?


Business After Hours

Upcoming BAH Networking Events:
• Delta Rocky Crest Resort, July 14, 5 pm to 6 pm
• Rosseau Road Power Sports and Marine, August 25, 5 pm to 6 pm
• Georgian Bay Airways, September 29, 5 pm to 6 pm

Please RSVP to info@parrysoundchamber.ca or call 746-4213 to confirm your attendance for any Business After Hours. We look forward to seeing you there!


Canada Day a Resounding Success

July 1st saw the Chamber of Commerce leading celebrations at the waterfront in partnership with the Town of Parry Sound. Activities included a petting zoo, snake and reptile interactive exhibit, bouncy castles, eighteen hole mini-putt, kids activity zone, free test paddling with White Squall, vendors, musical entertainment and much more. The day was capped off with a truly spectacular boat parade and fireworks display in the harbour.

Our thanks go out to everyone who visited, helped or was involved in this very successful event. Special thanks and recognition go out to those involved in the official proceedings of the day including flag-bearers from the 295 MacPherson Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Members from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 117 and the Ladies Auxillary, The Honorable Tony Clement, MP Parry Sound-Muskoka, Norm Miller, MPP Parry Sound-Muskoka, Richard Adams, Mayor of Parry Sound, Andrew Ryeland, President of the Chamber, and the Seguin Sarahs.

The Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Parry Sound proudly organized the 2010 Canada Day celebrations with the generous support of Canadian Heritage and the Parry Sound Area Community Business and Development Centre.


What’s Happening In Our Community?

The Parry Sound Area – The New Hollywood North?

Last summer saw several months of local production on the film “The Dogfather”, starring Chris Parnell of Saturday Night Live fame. In late summer, the French River area provided the backdrop for several days of filming on “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam”, a film highlighting teen idols the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato. (If you don’t know who those people are, just ask your kids!) This summer has started with another film project starring veteran actor Ray Liotta, with a production schedule of approximately one month in the area.

These productions bring multiple benefits to the businesses and communities in the region. Beyond the obvious role the locations play in highlighting the best our region has to offer, film and production crews make a direct impact on local revenues, needing everything from food and lodging to administrative services to local contract employees. Let’s welcome members of the production teams to our area and let them know that we are always “Open for Business”.


Conference Board of Canada Survey on Innovation and College Research

Colleges Ontario has asked The Conference Board of Canada to investigate the contribution that Ontario colleges make to innovation and economic performance when they work with Ontario businesses. As part of the project, the Conference Board is asking businesses for their views on innovation and their awareness of and participation in Ontario colleges’ applied research activities.

The Conference Board has identified the members of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce as an important source of insights about innovation and research in Ontario and therefore members of the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce are invited to complete the brief survey.

The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. To ensure your anonymity, your responses to this survey will be combined with those of other respondents, and results will be reported in the aggregate only – responses will not be attributable to a specific organization or individual. The results of the survey will be presented in a report scheduled for release in Fall 2010. The report will include recommendations to governments and colleges about how to build on and improve colleges’ applied R&D capacity and their contribution to innovation performance in Ontario. To access the online survey, please visit
http://conferenceboard.checkboxonline.com/collegeinnovation.aspx

The survey will be available until July 31, 2010. The Conference Board of Canada and Colleges Ontario appreciate your participation.


M&M Meat Shops Franchise Opportunity Seminar

M&M Meat Shops are currently seeking Franchisees for an exciting re-franchise opportunity in Parry Sound. On July 17th, M&M Meat Shops is holding a Franchise Opportunity Seminar in Parry Sound for those interested in leading and working in a community-minded, customer serviceoriented environment. At the seminar, M&M Meat Shops will demonstrate its commitment to Franchisee success and show you what they will bring to the table!

M&M Meat Shops takes pride in the fact that when you become part of the team you are in business for yourself but not by yourself. Extensive training and support are just the beginning of this business opportunity. For more information or to register for the seminar, please contact:
Stacey Burgess, Franchisee Qualification Specialist
1-800-461-0171 Ext. 313
www.franchise.mmmeatshops.com