heard connected fit global ahead

Picture of man standing on a ball shoutingWELCOME TO THE
EASTERN BAY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Eastern Bay Chamber is an active and vibrant business organisation that connects Eastern Bay Businesses with each other, provides services and consults with local government. If you are operating a business of any size in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, you should join the Chamber.

 


Why join the Chamber?

  1. B-Heard. The Chamber represents its members in the Eastern Bay by facilitating debate and working with the Councils and other organisations to achieve the best outcomes for business. The Chamber is your voice.
  2. B-Connected. To network with Eastern Bay business leaders, provide connections, promote third-party organisations and provide access to mentoring services. The Chamber is a powerful business network.
    Whakatane Retail Promotions Group - to promote and grow the retail sector in Whakatane.
  3. B-Fit. To provide access to training opportunities, professional development and training organisations.
  4. The Chamber has access to Training for you and your staff.
  5. B-Global. To provide assistance to members in regard to importing, exporting, trade documentation and overseas contacts to stimulate export. The Chamber can assist you to Export your products and services outside of the region or country.
  6. B-Ahead. To offer members savings on high use/cost items including petrol, stationary, vehicles, financial services, business insurance, medical insurance, telecommunications, computer hardware, liquor and more. Chamber member receive discounts on some goods and services.

If this is your first time to the EBOP Chamber Website:

This website is provided as a resource to Chamber members and to the general public and new information is added on a regular basis. Here are some good starting points.

Latest news:

CEO Chat

January 2012

Happy New Year to all of you. Well anyone who thought we were going to have an easy start to 2012 has had a shock. Through the rain and mist we staggered (figuratively) into 2012. Where has the summer gone?

The prediction in one newspaper of a hot summer was horribly wrong. It certainly has challenged visitors, campers and locals equally. Gone is our title of the Sunshine Capital of NZ and hopefully we don’t compete for the wettest spot in NZ. To top things off we hear that Rena has split and containers are drifting.

Its times like these as business people we just think it would be good to have a year without challenges and have a chance to just do business in an environment of stability. But I suppose this era is all about change and adapting to it and showing that we can be flexible. I look forward to an exciting year for us in the EBOP and breaking down the barriers. 

The Year Ahead
We have some exciting things planned.

January -
BA5 - Tuesday 24th : Haddock Spraypainters & Panelbeaters

February -
BA5 x 2 - Angell Sound Vision and A-One Electronics and Communications - dates to be confirmed.

March -
Horizon Legends In Business - Andy Hamilton CEO of The Icehouse

May -
Horizon Legends in Business - Ian Taylor Animation Research Ltd

June -
Sir Peter Blake Leadership Week Business Leaders and Youth Event. Some exciting speakers planned, Mike Allsop, Sam Johnston and his partner from Student army, Jenene Greer NZ Girl owner and more to follow. 

October -
Horizon Business Excellence Awards

A lot of great After 5 events will also be happening each month, as well as training seminars throughout the year.  There are BA5 vacancies during the second half of 2012, so if you would like to showcase your business and host a BA5 please email kirsten@ebopchamber.co.nz

250 CLUB
Yes it is a stretch but i challenge you to get our membership to 250 by this time next year. It is a simple equation really. All you have to do is sponsor a new member. Let’s make the Chamber a place that has a bigger voice and a key influencer in the area.

New Business Owner
Congratulations to Aaron Milne on purchasing Cinema Five.  He has a background in Global banking and real estate.  Aaron is moving here from Tauranga with his family in the near future which is another great decision. We look forward to seeing the changes that will happen in the future at the cinema.

Pop Up Shops
I notice a couple of these shops popping up in Whakatane. An interesting concept but one that I am sure does not add a lot of value to the town and the retail sector. They are not contributing to our economy in a significant way and it makes it hard for those retailers who work through the tough times only to have a Pop Up appear when the busy time approaches.  I hope that it does not become a regular occurrence.

15% Surcharge On Public holidays
This is another topic which came up over the holiday period. A number of people expressed concerns over this practice by local cafes. They also did not patronise local eateries on those days choosing instead to stay at home.  Certainly i know that there are higher wages paid to staff on these days. However I struggle to see why it is only Cafes /restaurants that pass this on. Super markets, MacDonald’s and other retailers do not add 15% to their products and they have to abide by the same rules. And margins are tight in some of these businesses too. Maybe Whakatane /EBOP could be the first region that does not charge surcharges on public holidays. Hmmmm now there is a thought and I welcome any feedback.

Thought for the month
"The string principle: Push the string and you can barely get it to move. But pull the string, and it will follow you anywhere." –Eisenhower



Coming Events
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