The Bulletin... by mail: Information from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

September, 2014

The Bulletin... by mail: Information from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

Grow your profile with us! In today’s competitive business

environment, you have to be visible if you want to grow your business. The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade offers plenty of ways to increase your profile.

Networking OpportunitiesNetworking is a vital part of building your business and raising your profile in the local business community. Connect with Ajax-Pickering’s foremost business network, meet business-owners and decision makers and build relationships.

CommitteesWe are a member driven and member focused organization. By volunteering to share their time, experience and expertise with one of our committees, members help shape the future of the organization while increasing their professional profile.

Business DirectoriesOur members are listed in both our online and print business directories by name and by category. We help ensure that people looking for your product or service will find you!

PromotionMembership offers you cost-effective

ways to promote your brand. We have event sponsorships available to suit budgets big and small and these sponsorships offer plenty of exposure before, at, and after the event. Another great way to increase your visibility is to advertise on our website, in our e-Bulletin, or in one of our print publications.

ReferralsWe don’t know everything, but we know people who do. That’s why local shoppers and businesses contact us when they’re looking for a product or service. We connect potential customers to those members who can meet their needs.

Social NetworksOur members like to connect with each other online and they do so by making use of our members’ only spaces on popular social networks.

Writing OpportunitiesWe have a variety of vehicles through which you can share your expertise with your fellow members and build your credibility including print publications and our business blog.

”I have never attended an event without making at

least one new contact that has led to new business.”

- John McLellan, John McLellan Contracting Inc.

Save money. Grow your business.

VISA/MASTERCARD Merchant Services Discount ProgramsIf your business accepts credit cards as a form of payment, now more than ever, you need to look at these offerings. Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade members are elibible to take advantage of special preferred rates on merchant services. Contact the Board of Trade office to discuss your merchant services needs!

Group Benefits ProgramWorried about escalating group premiums? Chambers of Commerce Group Plan, Canada’s # 1 Not For Profit program, is a membership benefit provided by Hardiman Mount & Associates, the Benefits Specialists. “While you are taking care of business, we are taking care of you.” See why 25,000 other businesses have joined the pool. For an equote contact Wendy Matton at wendy@hmainsurance.com

Chamber E-Learning CentreGrowth Advisors has partnered with the OCC to offer an eLearning program for small and medium sized businesses. More than 1,600 business and technical courses are available via Internet, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Visit chamberelearning.ca for more.

Office SuppliesOfficeMax/Grand&Toy helps small business work better. Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade members benefit from exclusive savings of up to 55% on a wide range of products. From your daily office supplies, furniture and technology to more customized solutions, our Business Solutions Advisors and industry specialists will support the unique needs of your business while also providing you with environmentally responsible solutions.

Gas discountsBoard members are entitled to a discount on the cost of gas when purchased at ESSO or Petro Canada stations in Canada. Applications are available from the Board office. Call or e-mail for more information or visit www.apboardoftrade.com and follow the Benefits link in the Members section.

Home & Auto InsurancePass down amazing savings to your employees for their home and auto insurance as an employee benefit just for joining. With its focus on customer service, Johnson Inc. is pleased to offer enhancements that give members and their employee’s more coverage, more assistance, and more peace of mind. Have online access to your policy through a safe and secure ‘Members Only’ website, www.johnson.ca/apbt.

E-mail marketing and more...As an Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade member, you can enjoy exclusive savings on Constant Contact’s entire suite of online tools including: Email Marketing, Social Campaigns, Event Marketing and Online Survey. Sign up through the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade and save up to 25%, even if you’re already a Constant Contact customer.

The Bulletin... by mail: Information from the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

Build Your Bottom Line!There are two ways to grow

your bottom line. Building your profile helps you increase your revenues but we have plenty of ways to save you money. Reducing the cost of doing business is another benefit of belonging to the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade.

Member-To-Member Offers

It works better when we work together. That’s why so many APBOT members offer each other exclusive savings and special offers on their products and services. Our membership card provides a convenient way for those offering special offers to identify their fellow Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade members. Know the card. Show the card.

Group Insurance Program

A competitive benefits plan is a great way to attract and retain good employees. Leverage the buying power of over 60,000 businesses in Canada by taking advantage of the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan. APBOT members have access to highly rated health, dental and drug plans that are affordable and locally serviced.

Cost Savings Programs

Membership with the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade gives your company access to a variety of cost saving programs designed to save you money. Whether you’re processing credit card transactions, shipping goods, buying auto fuel, purchasing office supplies, email-marketing or simply insuring your home or car, we leverage the buying power of the Chamber Network* to save you money. Check out the back page of this bulletin to read about more ways that APBOT membership pays.

“The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

welcomes new members with passion with no

differentiation, regardless of business size.”

- Phil Bingham, The Green Window Company

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade offers many ways for you

and your employees to enhance your skills.

Professional Development Series

Half-day sessions in a variety of modules designed to improve business skills.

Monthly Lunch + Learns

Offered by members, for members, our free monthly Lunch + Learns are a great way to learn and network.

Chamber e-Learning

More than 600 business and 1,000 technical courses are available to members over the internet. Enhance your skills on your own schedule.

Special Seminars

In addition to our regular education opportunities, we hold special seminars and info-sessions on upcoming legislation or other issues of importance to our members.

Enhance Your Skills!

Advocacy

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade is the voice of the business community in Ajax and Pickering. We represent your interests at all levels of government from municipal to federal. We also take an active role in the policy development process at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. This is one more way we are working for you and your business. Add your voice to our growing network and get results.

Political Engagement

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade provides you with opportunities to access politicians and decision makers. Each year we host our Mayors’ Breakfast Address and a Regional Chair’s Luncheon. No matter the level of government, in election years, we host candidates’ forums to keep you abreast of the issues. Local MPs and MPPs attend many of our signature events and high-profile national and provincial representatives often come to speak to our members.

Input

We survey our members on a variety of policy issues to ensure that we are speaking on behalf of our members and our community. Let us know where you stand on the issues that matter to your business.

Meeting space

We offer boardroom and meeting room rentals at outstanding rates and the first hour is free for members.

E-Bulletin

Share news, success, events and more with your fellow members through our e-bulletin. Stay in the loop about APBOT activities.

Eco-Business Program

Keen to be green? We’ll help you get there and you may save money in the process.

Leverage Our Success!

Strengthen Your Voice!

“Being a member of the Board of

Trade has helped me significantly in terms of knowledge, support and

promotion...”- Nia Gibson, ECOExecutives

at the Toronto Zoo

*The Chamber Network refers to the network of boards of trade and chambers of commerce across Canada. We are a proud member of both the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.