Chambers of Commerce: A Wealth of Opportunity
Publié le 4 February 2013
Wondering how to raise your profile within the business community, and access SME employers in your area? Look no further than your local chamber of commerce. With plenty of networking events and student programs available, young people can take advantage of the opportunities that chambers of commerce provide. Career Options spoke with Cate Proctor, executive director of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, about student involvement in the Chamber.
Career Options: Can you explain what a chamber of commerce is?
Cate Proctor: A chamber of commerce is a non-profit organization that represents “the voice of business” in its community. It is a member of a worldwide organization, serving the business community through advocacy and involvement on various issues. It also involves itself in the areas of business development, which includes the topics of human resources, government policy, trade and export, economic development, immigration and anything else that affects business. A chamber also provides networking opportunities through events, mixers and programs that support these opportunities, and communicates directly to the business community through various platforms.
Specifically, the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2012. It began as the Charlottetown Board of Trade in 1887 and was formed on the request of Mayor Heath Haviland. The mayor asked merchants, traders and others to consider forming a board of trade so that representatives of the commercial sector of Charlottetown could participate in the International Congress of the Canadian and American Boards of Trade. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss commercial difficulties that existed between the two countries. In 1970, the Board of Trade changed its name to the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.
CO: How do chambers of commerce relate to students, and how can they get involved?
Proctor: The GCACC has a Biz Under 40 program that encourages student involvement so they get to know their peers and feel comfortable under the Chamber umbrella of activities. We also offer student memberships at a reduced fee to encourage them to participate as a full Chamber member.
The GCACC works closely with the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) to promote its Student Co-Op Program offered through the School of Business. This program helps business students gain hands-on experience outside of their studies.
We also work with Holland College and students in its various event and marketing programs to provide volunteer opportunities so they can put their newfound skills to use at numerous events we host throughout the year.
CO: Are there any networking opportunities?
Proctor: For the youth, there is the Biz Under 40 program at GCACC; for all others (including the youth), there are numerous events: monthly mixers held at a new location each month; business lunches; lunch ‘n’ learn programs; a variety of other events (golf tournament, curling tournament, Ultimate Girls’ Night Out); the President’s Excellence Awards and President’s Annual Luncheon; and many other events.
There are also the opportunities provided by volunteering on numerous committees or on the Board itself. These are great opportunities to actively participate and meet others while supporting the work of the Chamber.
CO: How can students learn from business people?
Proctor: By being involved and building relationships, a person builds their network. Gaining business knowledge is not always based on “the business relationship” at first, but after initial discussion, areas of common interest will emerge and valuable information sharing will ensue. Further to this, by watching, listening and building their network, a person has access to a wealth of information that is available for free—they only have to ask.
CO: What role do SMEs play in your chamber?
Proctor: The majority of our 1,000 membership are SMEs; by Statistics Canada’s definition, they employ less than 500 people. Coincidentally, SMEs are the largest percentage of business owners across Canada and certainly in Charlottetown. These companies are the drivers of our economy and they play a very important role to be involved in the work of the Chamber, both by providing input to the Chamber and by staying informed of information distributed by the Chamber (for their benefit). By exchange and support between the Chamber and the SMEs (as well as all businesses), the economy is well positioned to move in a positive direction.
CO: Why should students seek out their local chamber? Are there opportunities for accessing SME employers?
Proctor: There are programs currently available that match up SMEs with recent university graduates, in addition to the specific Student Co-Op Program initiative we share with UPEI. The Chamber is often asked to partner on this type of project by bringing awareness to the business community of such opportunities and potential program results. There is no guarantee a student will gain long-term employment, but it is an avenue worth considering for both parties.
Beyond specific programs, any opportunity to build a personal network with business is a positive step forward for anyone looking to build a relationship with SME employers. The Chamber offers those networking opportunities in spades.
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