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4– Hearts for Hospital Gala: 780-594-4747

25-Bark in the Park-Lakeland Humane Society

27-Maple Flag begins: 4Wing Cold lake

29-Family Fun Night: Parent Link Centre 780-594-8025

Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce

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Phone: (780) 594-4747

May 2013 Calendar of

Events Fax: (780) 594-3711 www.coldlakechamber.ca

Chamber Beat

Page 2 Canada Wide Page 3 Your Chamber at work Page 4 Chamber Happenings

In This Issue

Director’s Message Director’s Message

There is nothing better than the arrival of Spring in Cold

Lake. The anticipation of the ice leaving the lake, the thrill of pulling the camping

equipment out of the garage, taking that first walk along the lakeshore, cleaning out

that tackle box and buying new lures, seeing those first leaves appear on the drive to

work……….just a few of the reasons we Cold Lakers are happy to bid winter good-bye

and welcome a new season.

The annual Home & Leisure Trade show is a sure sign that spring has sprung. I’d like

to congratulate staff and exhibitors on another very successful event this year. This

year’s event grew to host the Reid Fieldhouse and the Imperial Oil Place, bringing more

exhibitors as well as giving attendees more to see. There were a total of 59 exhibitors

filling over 17,000 square feet in booths and exhibits and a total of 2448 people coming

through the doors, and increase of 47% over 2012. Now that’s what I call a successful

event. Some of the exhibitors have already booked their spots for next year.

This year we implemented a Home Staging area where presentations were given by

Outshine Designs, Everything Organized and Pure Air Experts, the Cold Lake Cloggers

and the North Star Elementary Choir was very well received. We look forward to even

more performers and demonstrations at the 2014 show as it was very successful. Other

suggestions for next year include bringing in a headline presenter on the main stage, a

petting zoo, clowns, face painting. If anyone has more great ideas, contact the Chamber

staff or one of the Board members.

A big thank you to all of the exhibitors, Chamber Staff, Chamber members and

volunteers who helped to make this years Trade Show a booming success.

Congratulations to the grand prize winners and a tremendous thank you to Value Master

Homes and Realty Executives for their generous donations to the prize draws.

So put away those winter boots, dig out your flip flops and head out to enjoy another

fabulous summer in Cold Lake. Yes, I know it’s snowing as I write this but a loyal Cold

Laker is nothing if not optimistic. We’ll be golfing before you know it!!!

By: Sherine Leiper

General Manager Country Hill Homes.

Sherine Leiper–Director

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Corporate

Sponsors

Canada Wide…………

PLATINUMPLATINUMPLATINUM

SILVERSILVERSILVER

GOLDGOLDGOLD

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BRONZEBRONZEBRONZE

3 Steps to Get Ready for Tax Season (Next Year’s, That Is)

Are your small business taxes filed? Now that you’re breathing a sigh of relief it’s

all over, it’s time to start thinking about next year’s taxes. Yes, that’s right. Now is

the perfect time to start tax planning. Here are 3 steps that will make filing your

2013 taxes easier.

1. Get professional help. You may be able to file your business taxes yourself, and

if it’s honestly easy for you (say, you’re an accountant yourself, you love crunching

numbers or your business is a sole proprietorship with very simple income and

expenses), that’s great. But for most of us, preparing our own taxes leads us into a

morass of confusion and piles of papers that takes more time than it’s worth.

Small business owners are notoriously bad at delegating, but taxes are one area

when delegating to the pros makes sense. Accountants spend their lives keeping

up with arcane tax laws, so they know what deductions you can and can’t take and

how to maximize your savings and minimize your expenses. If you don’t already

have one, find a good accountant who specializes in small businesses and/or your

industry—you’ll probably save the cost of him or her several times over.

2. Keep good records. Your accountant can recommend a bookkeeping system

that works for you, whether that’s QuickBooks or something else. It’s important

to maintain good records, including expense receipts (you can scan these into

your computer and store them digitally to save space) and records of automotive

expenses and mileage, travel and entertainment and anything else that you plan

to deduct as a business expense. You should also keep copies of your income tax

returns, records of equipment purchases and records relating to your employees’

wages and taxes paid. Your accountant can advise you what specific records you

need to keep and how long to save them.

3. Learn from your mistakes. What do you wish you’d done differently this year?

Did you fail to make some basic moves that could have saved you money?

Whatever you wish you had done last year, plan now to do it this year.

From Rieva Lessonsky, CEO of GrowBiz media

Www.growbizmedia.com.

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April 29, 2013

Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program a big step backwards for

Alberta business

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program reforms announced today put the competitiveness of Alberta business at risk, says Ken Kobly, president and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.

“This is a huge step back for Alberta business in dealing with the critical shortage of workers in Alberta,” said Kobly. “There is real concern that the changes will affect the competitiveness of Alberta business, as well as the long-term sustainability of busi-nesses, both small and large.”

Kobly says the intention to require that employers prepare a plan to transition to a Canadian workforce is concerning because it could create another roadblock to addressing critical labour shortages. He points out Alberta business welcomes Canadians willing to join the province’s labour force.

“It’s always been a priority to hire Canadians first, where they are available,” said Kobly.

An especially disappointing announcement is the suspension of the Accelerated Labour Market Opinion (A-LMO) process.

“The businesses that accessed the Accelerated Labour Market Opinion were considered to by government to be trusted employers who had a good track record,” said Kobly. “This move is an example of the federal government throwing the baby out with the bath water.”

The introduction of user fees for LMOs and an increase in the cost of work permits also pose concern.

“Business does not mind paying fair user fees as long as long at the end of the day they receive good service that is not tied up for months in government red tape,” noted Kobly.

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce is a federation of 126 Chambers of Commerce in Alberta representing over 23,000 businesses, making it the province’s largest business organization.

Ken Kobly, President and CEO

Alberta Chambers of Commerce

780.975.1659

Province wide………..

News Release

4

Cold Lake Regional

Chamber of Commerce

Contact Information

Phone: (780) 594-4747

Fax: (780) 594-3711

4009 50 Street

Box 454, Cold Lake

Alberta, T9M 1P1

Email: in-fo@coldlakechamber.ca

Website:

www.coldlakechamber.ca

Sherri Bohme

Executive Director

Nicole Mansfield

Administrative Assistant

Kathy Dutrisac

Administrative Assistant

Chamber Happenings

Call Today Bryon Pearman Phone: (780) 594-1857 Toll Free: (888) 594-1857

Email: bpearman@assante.com

www.chamberplan.ca

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Green Leaf Bistro 2nd Floor Energy Centre

Puttin up the Ritz 780-573-9792

Princess House Canada – Lise & Rebekah

780-573-8610/780-573-4669

Beachside Enterprises

www.beachsidedocks.com

Marking Services Canada 780-986-8480

www.markserv.com

Polar Developments Inc 780-826-7093

2013

COMING EVENTS

May 4

Hearts for Health Care Gala

May 15

Chamber Board Meeting

Call the Chamber office for more

details

Welcome New Members

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE GROUP INSURANCE

The Chambers Group Insurance Plan covers businesses with up to 50 employees. Its open to all businesses and offers a full range of benefits, including cov-erage normally reserved for “big business”. With outstanding ser-vice and assistance, the Cham-bers Group Insurance Plan will tailor a benefit program to suit

VALUE ADDED

PROGRAM

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VALUE ADDED PROGRAM

Fish Fry DID YOU

KNOW…….

SHOW YOUR CARD AND SSHOW YOUR CARD AND SSHOW YOUR CARD AND SAVE…….MEMBER TO MEMBER BENEFITSAVE…….MEMBER TO MEMBER BENEFITSAVE…….MEMBER TO MEMBER BENEFITS

Action Plus Flooring - Contact: 780-594-0013

Cold Lake Golf and Winter Club - Contact: 780-594-5341

Baby Bear Specialty– contact: 780-594-1303

Furniture Galaxy - Contact: 780-594-3602 Kia Cold Lake/Budget Rent A Car - Contact: 780-594-6200 Marina Bowling Centre - Contact : 780-639-2950 Renegade Recreation - Contact: 306-236-3210 Kathleen Boland Professional Organizer - Contact 780-594-5018 Tronic Productions—Contact 780-201-9442

The Chamber has several items that you can rent for your next function. Some of the items we currently have available include:

100 cup Coffee Pot

30 cup Coffee Pot

Room Dividers

Sandwich Board

White Pedestals

Aisle Markers

Draw Barrels

Contact us for more details………….

NO SHOW/

PAYMENT POLICY

Remember: When registering for a Chamber event, payment should be received at the time of registration unless prior arrangement has been made. Members who sign up for, but do not show up for an event, will be billed. Please give 48 hrs notice of cancellation as meals are often pur-chased according to the number of attendees.

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Upcoming event……….

15th Annual

Fish Fry

Date: Wednesday,

August 7, 2013

More information to follow

Presented By

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As a Chamber member, your business…

Is a part of an organization that represents over 300 local businesses and over 22, 000 provincially.

Benefits from business referrals that non-members do not receive.

Develops instant credibility through the Chamber Seal of Trust.

Is positioned to access and communicate with all levels of government on issues that affect

business

Will learn about rising government issues that affect business and your voice is heard on these

issues.

Benefits from great networking opportunities.

Receives a monthly copy of the Chamber Beat newsletter, keeping you informed.

Gains access to information on workshops and seminars that will keep you on the cutting edge of business.

Can be showcased at a Grand Opening event.

Reduces costs through Chamber discounts on all activities and events.

Receive substantial savings by taking advantage of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Cold Lake Region-al Chamber of Commerce’s discounts available to you and your staff.

Is eligible for Group Insurance - medical, dental, and disability.

You can be a part of the Chamber member discount program when you offer discounts to local members in exchange for advertising.

Can deduct membership fees on your income tax.

2013 Membership Investment

Core Chamber Activities:

Building a successful environment for a business

Membership services

Lobbying

Economic development

Member to member benefits

Networking/Promotions

Information services

# of Employees

Membership Fee

GST Total

1-5 $165.00

$8.25

$173.25

6-15 $275.00

$13.75

$288.75

16-50 $400.00

$20.00

$420.00

Over 50 $500.00

$25.00

$525.00

Non Profit $61.00

$3.05

$64.05

2nd Business $30.00

$1.50

$31.50

Get the Chamber Working for Your Business!!!

www.coldlakechamber.ca

Your online business portal.

FREE JOB POSTINGS If you are in a labor crunch, email the position details to; ad-min@coldlakechamber.ca

Make sure to include:

business name & contact information

position title/work description

wage & deadline to apply

Chamber of Commerce 2013 Board of Directors President Susan White—Rural Alberta Business Centre

Vice President Trevor Benoit—Value Master Homes Cold Lake

Director Chris Emerson, Canada Brokerlink Inc

Director Lisa Borowitz—ATB Financial

Director Marion Chretien—Fabutan

Director Vacant

Director Patti Ouellette—Remax 2000

Director Vacant

Director Sherine Leiper—Country Hill Homes Cold Lake

Director Ben Fadeyiw - Budget Blinds Cold Lake

Director Steve Cupit - Lakeside Computers Cold Lake

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