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Last month I hinted at proposed developments on the Chamber front and I can now tell you more about this exciting concept. Currently in NZ there are three key business groups, Business NZ, Employers Manufacturer’s Association, and of course Chamber of Commerce which is also part of a large international organisation. All these organisations currently have a different focus, to represent and do their best for their members and NZ business. By combining the strengths and shared values of EMA and Chamber of Commerce to one rebranded organisation called ‘Employers Chamber of Commerce’ shows true leadership in being part of this evolution of joining forces in a manner that preserves the best of the past while capturing opportunities in the future. This will result in a stronger, more efficient organisation, with an improved and wider range of value added services for members and a united national policy voice. At this month’s Wanganui Chamber Board meeting our governing members unanimously voted to be part of this change and I am proud of their willingness and vision that will cement a sustainable future with improved services for our members.
Our regional hub is hosting the 2010 NZ Chamber of Commerce Conference in November, to be held at the Coachman in Palmerston North. The location will allow more of our members to attend this year and depending on interest Wanganui Chamber may hire a mini bus to transport delegates to and from the conference. I will provide more information about conference over the next few months.
On the Chamber front it has been another busy month with a BA5 hosted by Otago Polytechnic presenting their business degree programmes, Chamber Business Breakfast hosted by Whanganui Community Foundation, another successful Chamber Golf Tournament where I absolutely have to acknowledge the tremendous principal sponsorship provided by Wanganui Toyota and Harvey Norman – a big thank you. I attended the Community Consultation Meeting for the NZ Cycleway, the Whanganui River Institute Annual Conference was held late February and I spoke about ‘Prospects for Wanganui’. I have to congratulate Rod Trott and Dave Feickert for bringing together a group of people and speakers all positive about Wanganui. I attended the Regional Chamber of Commerce HUB meeting in Palmerston North, followed by a luncheon where Prime Minister, John Key was guest speaker, his informative, no-nonsense approach to politics was appreciated by those present and earlier this month I chaired the a brainstorming meeting for the 2010 Business Awards.
The launch for the 2010 Massey University Wanganui Business Awards will be hosted by the 2009 Supreme Winner, GDM Group on May 26th at their premises where you will hear how entering the awards has benefited GDM . Chamber will be accepting nominations for businesses and CEO’s before this date but entries officially open on the night of the launch. This year we aim to encourage participation from more of the companies than play a major role in Wanganui’s business economy, show more clarity around the entry process, making the entry a learning tool for smaller businesses, provide explanation around some of the questions and what questions are relevant to different size businesses and the $ value in terms of consultancy to businesses who enter. So, if you know a business or CEO (and headmasters are included in this category) in our community who work to best practice principals, have developed their business skills or deserve recognition, we’d like to hear from you.
"The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well." --John D. Rockefeller
Enjoy a great month!
Bronwyn Paul
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