BBOT Hosts Information Session
Make your mark as one of Canada's best managed companies

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices.

• Winners’ benefits include:
  Exclusive use of the highly recognized Best Managed designation and logo
• Nation-wide recognition with a National Post profile and invaluable local, regional and national media exposure
• Opportunities to connect with an exception group of business leaders
• Improved ability to attract and retain top talent
• Opportunities to celebrate the efforts of your entire work force
• Recognition from over 1,200 business influencers at an exclusive gala celebration
• Professional development at a symposium presenting cutting-edge thinking

Attend an Information Session at The Brampton Board of Trade. Facilitated by Deloitte, you will learn about the process, benefits and eligibility requirements to compete for the designation Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. An information session will be held Wednesday, September 3rd at 9:00 a.m. at The Brampton Board of Trade. For details or to register, contact the Brampton Board of Trade at 905-451-1122 or Susi Graf, Deloitte, 416-874-3679.

Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post, and Queen's School of Business. For further information or to apply today visit www.canadas50best.com or contact Susi Graf at
416-874-3679.

Carman McClelland President’s Column August 2008
Advocacy remains strong focus
for BBOT over the next year

I am pleased to have this opportunity to introduce myself as the 2008-2009 President of The Brampton Board of Trade. As a long-standing resident and businessman in Brampton, I am both honoured and excited about the opportunity to serve as President of Brampton’s premier business organization.

I have been an active member of The Brampton Board of Trade since 2000, a member of Governing Council since 2004 with a particular interest in the advocacy work of the Board, serving on the Policy & Government Relations Committee for eight years, the last two as VP of Policy.

One of the fundamental strengths of the Board is the advocacy work it undertakes on behalf of its members. We are the voice of business for business and I am proud that we can make a positive difference upon the policy and regulatory framework within which business operates.

In my first column in Trade Talks, I want to take the opportunity, on behalf of all members of The Brampton Board of Trade, to thank my colleague and predecessor, Linda Ford of Access Career Solutions for the exceptional leadership and commitment that she provided as President during the past year.

Key issues
Among our goals in 2008-2009 is to build on last year’s success by keeping key issues in the community at the forefront of our agenda. The campaign to re-open Peel Memorial Hospital made headlines last year and I believe this is still a critical issue for our city. Our community has a great opportunity to have the PHM site developed into a leading edge health care campus and within that context we will continue to push for nothing less than two hospitals in and for Brampton.

Our members have told us that transportation continues to be vital to their success and I believe it is essential to keep this important issue on a front burner to ensure we build a city that is traffic and environmentally friendly. We support the addition of city’s AcceleRide program along Queen and Main Streets with the linkages to Mississauga, York Region and Toronto as a first step and we are pleased to be actively involved in the Province’s ‘Mertolinx’ initiative.

The redevelopment of the Queen Street corridor as Brampton’s ‘Grand Allée’ or, main thoroughfare, has long been supported by The Brampton Board of Trade. Our city needs this central corridor and we will continue to advocate for Brownfield development along its route and elsewhere in the downtown core to create a unique and stately boulevard that is a feature of great cities around the world. The Historic Downtown is an integral part of this vision, both as a reminder of our heritage and a great people place.

Equally important is the need to preserve dedicated employment lands in Brampton. Our identity as a city, the 11th largest in Canada, depends not only on providing a great quality of life for our citizens, but also on being able to provide jobs. We will vigorously oppose any further erosion of employment lands and continue to encourage business development in our city

Talk with us
I want to encourage all members to communicate their concerns and issues to myself or any member of Governing Council. Better yet, if you have a passion for advocacy work, join our Policy & Government Relations Committee.

At The Brampton Board of Trade, we understand a great city has balance – good infrastructure and amenities, a strong social fabric and volunteer network – in other words a great place to live, work and play. Business is only one aspect of our community. We need all of the other things to create the right environment for a vibrant economy, which in turns produces jobs for our residents.

The Brampton Board of Trade offers a broad range of programming for our members, including business development seminars and many networking opportunities to meet colleagues and explore new business. There are numerous other events that provide the same opportunities. To understand the potential The Brampton Board of Trade can provide, you need to be engaged and involved.

Over the next year I want to build stronger strategic alliances with other organizations in our city, broadening our horizon. I believe these alliances could be beneficial to the Board and our potential partners and most important, help make Brampton a better place to live, work and play. .

New CEO
My first priority, however, is to find a new chief executive officer. Sheldon Leiba has left the BBOT for a new opportunity at the Mississauga Board of Trade. He has provided sound leadership to this organization and we wish him well. Governing Council has established a selection committee to commence a recruitment process to identify the best person available as his replacement.

We strongly believe in strengthening and supporting the community in which we do business. We are equally mindful of the value we can bring to our membership through programs and services and, we are keenly aware that the strength of our voice depends directly upon the strength of our membership. I invite your input because we must hear the opinions of our members. The Brampton Board of Trade is your organization. I look forward to serving as your President over the next year and to working with all of you.

Carman McClelland is President of The Brampton Board of Trade. He is the principal at McClelland Law, 202 Main Street North, Brampton, ON L6V 1P1. Phone: 905-793-3026 x204, Fax: 905-793-2446. Email: carman@mcclellandlaw.com Website: www.mcclellandlaw.com The Brampton Board of Trade represents more than 1,100 businesses and has been “The Voice of Business” in Brampton since 1887.

Santa deadline is Aug. 11

The Brampton Board of Trade Santa Parade Committee is gearing up for Santa’s arrival. The last chance to get an application to participation is at the final Parade Participation Seminar – final one of two offered – on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Attendance at this seminar is mandatory as it is the only place to pick up an application form to be in the parade.

This meeting takes place in the Council Chambers at City Hall and includes all the information required to be part of the 2008 Brampton Board of Trade Santa Claus Parade. The information will include new standards, parade behaviour – do’s and don’ts – and how to be considered for entry in the event.

The Brampton Board of Trade Santa Claus Parade sees over 150,000 people lining the streets of Downtown Brampton in anticipation of Santa coming down the parade route. It is the biggest event in the Peel Region and the largest nighttime parade in Ontario. We believe that our parade is second only the “Toronto Santa Claus Parade” for attendance.

Those businesses, community groups or others wishing to participate in the parade must attend one of the seminars.

Ladies on the Links Sept. 24

Ladies on the Link is back and based on last year, this ladies only golf tournament will be another huge success. The nine-hole best ball tournament will be played Wednesday Sept. 24 at Caledon Country Club. Cost is $145 (includes GST), which includes cart, golf, dinner, prizes, silent and live auctions. Or come for dinner at $60. Lunch & registration at 11:30, tee-off 1:00.

Title sponsor is Jacox Harley Davidson Contact Deborah Butterwick at 905-456-5490 or by email at deborah.butterwick@td.com

BBOT accredited as
Chamber with distinction

The Brampton Board of Trade has received formal notice from the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada (comprised of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and each provincial Chamber) that its application for Accredited Chamber with Distinction has been approved.

To earn this designation The Brampton Board of Trade had to satisfy the highest level of standards and practices in the areas of: Policy & Advocacy; Membership Programs/Services; Organization/Administration; Governance and Strategic Planning.
It took The Brampton Board of Trade more than six months to complete its submission that is akin to ISO quality standards, but for boards of trade and chambers of commerce. The accreditation will be formally presented at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM in October.

Beautification of Business Areas Awards
As part of the international Communities in Bloom program, The Brampton Board of Trade, Chinguacousy Garden Club and City of Brampton are pleased to be co-sponsoring the Brampton Beautification of Business Areas Awards.

The awards will recognize businesses that demonstrate a commitment to beautification through tidiness of business property, floral displays, environmental efforts and landscaping. Nominate your own business or another by submitting the Nomination Form available in June’s Trade Talks or by contacting MaryAnn Eddy at 905-451-1122 ext. 205 or email meddy@bramptonbot.com.

Membership Directory advertising sales
The Brampton Board of Trade has commenced advertising sales for its 2009 Membership & Business Directory.
This award-winning directory is a valuable business resource guide listing the over 1,100 Board members representing the wide range of businesses sizes and sectors. Take advantage of this great opportunity to promote your business, goods and services, and to be on the desk of every member business. For more information about The Brampton Board of Trade 2009 Membership & Business Directory, please call (905)451-1122.