« Networking, Learning and Sharing » to remain key words for Acadian Chamber in 2016

calendrier d'activites devoileSUMMERSIDE – Jan. 26, 2016 – The 23 activities being planned by the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI for 2016 will all and always reflect the Chamber’s basic concepts of « Networking, Learning and Sharing ». Some will be more formal while others will be more recreational, but all will strive towards the development of the Island’s business community.

Chamber spokesperson Martin Marcoux officially launched the calendar of events during the annual Members’ Luncheon held in Summerside Jan. 25 and in Charlottetown Jan. 26. Forty-two people attended the luncheons to hear about the Chamber’s plans for the New Year.

Marcoux noted that several of the members’ favorite activities will be back; he noted, for example, the Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala in March, business mixers with the Summerside and Charlottetown Chambers in the spring, a summer recreational activity (such as a deep-sea fishing trip) in August, the Acadian Golf Tournament in September, a mini-conference and game night during Co-op and Small Business Weeks in October and a Christmas event called « La P’tite fête des Fêtes » in December. Also on the list is the joint annual general meeting of the Chamber and RDÉE Prince Edward Island in June.

A series of lunch-and-learns and workshops on a host of topics will also be organized. Among the confirmed topics will be choosing the right candidate for the job, interpreting financial reports, using social media to promote one’s business, and business succession via the co-operative route.

NEW EVENTS

New events planned for this year include:

  • hosting the grand finale of the Dragons’ Contest (offering a $10,000 first prize to the entrepreneurial project) right before the Entrepreneurs’ Gala in March;
  • group participation at the dinner-theatre at the Acadian Musical Village in mid-July;
  • and hosting the annual general meeting of RDÉE Canada and holding social events for meeting delegates in mid-June.

Obviously, the spokesman noted, the Chamber can’t organize all of these events by itself. The majority of « learning » events will be organized jointly with the Wellington Rural Action Centre. Among the other major partners of the year will be the CBDC Central PEI, the Collège Acadie Î.-P.-É., the Conseil de développement coopératif, RDÉE Prince Edward Island, the PEI Regional Committee of Les Jeux de l’Acadie, the Summerside and Charlottetown Chambers of Commerce, the Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean, the Centre Belle-Alliance and the Coopérative d’intégration francophone de l’Î.-P.-É. A number of private and government sponsors will also make several of these events possible.

EVOLUTION

The calendar of events will remain in continual evolution as new events present themselves throughout the year or as dates need to be changed for various reasons. The most up-to-date version of the list can be found anytime on the website www.rdeeipe.net, under the tab « Activités à venir ».

By paying their annual fee ($25 plus HST for business and organizations and $5 plus HST for individuals), Chamber members get discounts when participating in most activities; in some cases, they get in for free. They also often get to win door prizes or gifts.

To become a member, fill out a membership form at www.rdeeipe.net/membres/adhesion/.

-30-

 

CUTLINE: Velma Robichaud, left, development officer with the Wellington Rural Action Centre, Martin Marcoux, spokesperson for the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce, and Bella Bernard, board member with the Coopérative d’hébergement Le Bel Âge, check out the joint calendar of events of the Chamber and the Rural Action Centre during the Members’ Luncheon Jan. 25 in Summerside.

 

For more information:
Raymond J. Arsenault
Coordinator
Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI
(902) 854-3439, Ext. 231
raymond@rdeeipe.org