/V em f The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 6, 2003 - 7 CERAMICS Oakville Chamber enjoys banner year Incorporating everything from its audit ed financials to several months of record membership sales, the Oakville Chamber of Commerce has enjoyed its best year since 1997. "We are very pleased that our innova tion and efforts are paying off," said Chamber President John Breakey. "For the past year we have taken a new approach to operating the Chamber and our members and new companies have responded posi tively." According to Chamber Executive Director Laura Babcock, staff had a "gut feeling" for a long time that a tremendous year was at hand. This was borne out by a number of factors, not the least of which was the security of having money left in the bank to sink back into Chamber programs, update its website and much more. The good news was further quantified, Babcock continued, through feedback from members, event attendance and an uplifting period wherein a new business a day signed up as members. Babcock credits much of this success to the Chamber's board, which she says is comprised of "strong business people." "The strength of our Board of Directors, staff and 100 volunteers has made this year an outstanding success," said Breakey The Chamber now boasts 1,040 mem ber companies and 1,700 representatives at these firms. This makes the Chamber the umbrella organization for as many as onethird of all Oakville businesses. Part of this, says Babcock, is attributa ble to the Chamber's utilization of leading operational techniques, sound fiscal man agement, a focus on advocating for the business community and a new level of responsiveness to the membership - not to mention the introduction of a variety of innovative initiatives. They include: · The new television show Oakville Business Live! · New networking events like the Chamber Plus Network and weekly golf ing. · New training programs for profession al development such as free monthly "Maximize Your Membership" marketing seminars. · New weekly online newsletter and monthly magazine upgrade. · New annual Business Directory design and CD-ROM component. · New partnerships with area charitable organizations and other chambers. · Successful events such as "Charity Cabaret" and "Corporate Citizen." · New phase of Buy Local public awareness campaign. The Chamber's Annual General Meeting takes place Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Oakville Conference Centre starting at 4 p.m. This will be followed by the President's Dinner at 6:30 p.m. and remarks by guest speaker columnist Alan Fotheringham. Also handed out that evening will be the new Corporate Citizen Awards to be bestowed on companies that are involved with both the Chamber and the community. M m U u r r M w u c a .c o m Oakville Quality at W arehouse Prices SAVE 100% I O N UNDERPAD HUNDREDS OF AR ta a ,W a ,ttN N SAVE m l O N LABO UR Sapfefttoft* LAMINATE FLOORING % a -** W 8m m IN-STOCK COLOURS ONLY / r I T ' M w PLUSHES flrtsOoz twist u $9 7 0 l 42 PRICES TOO LOW TO PUBLISH! Come bi and we wHi surprise you with our selection and prices, GUARANTEED! · * Shop at Home M s e S * c u e to Ifrstoct o r a n a * O tf« go a l * toM nf localo* Outlet Store Trafalgar Vlage Md Across from The New Home Depot' CERAMICS (90S) 849-4472 Huge Super Store-228K*ig St. L D o w n to w nH a m ilto n· (905) 54&1921 · VI NYL · HARDWOOD · C E R A M I C S · CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS m Jfrtro pIhiriiir < V m r r/W / A R £ i- T , F R A M E S O u r O a k v ille P la c e s h o w r o o m i s n o w c l o s e d . A ll o w i n g u s to c o n c e n t r a t e o n p r o v i d i n g b e t t e r s e r v i c e a t th e ^ www.timessquarestores.com Special Purchase H oward M illar G randfather Clocks O 4 0 F F % FA C TO R Y O U T L E T W AREHOUSE SALE WE DO: · Creative custom framing of memorabilia & personal treasures · Conservation framing · Creative mat cutting · Needlework blocking and stretching · Plaque mounting & laminating · Over size custom mirrors · Framed Prints, Posters, Minors · Rush orders accepted · All work done on site! * This awesome offer is a once-in-a-lifetim e chance D on't Delay,. A t this price they v v 7 // not last! * D u n d a s S treet lo c a tio n o n ly If you find us once, yo u 'll never forget us S A A m i n V E u i M S by G eorgio up to m ON ALL CUSTOM FRAME ORDERS QEW We are your "Everything to do with T IM E" store!! ............................................................. South Service Rd. s Iroquois Ridge Shopping Centre - Oakville (between Longos & Canadian Tire) Oakville Place Mall - Oakville Mapleview Mall - Burlington 785 Pacific Rd., Unit 11, Oakville I It Wyecroft Rd. Speers Rd. i ] 905-465-0020 A L L W O R K D O N E O N S IT E * WHERE CUSTOM FRAMING BECOMES A N ART Offer valid until September 30,2003