MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Aurora Chamber of Commerce started 100 years ago!

The last 100 years have seen more changes in how we live, how we do business, how we communicate, than the 1000 years before that.

We have almost an entirely new language – we Facebook, we Twitter, we LinkedIn. In 1910 the telephone was an extravagant luxury for the privileged few. Now it seems that everyone has a cellular phone. In 1910 a trip from Toronto to Aurora was a major outing. Since then, we have been to the Moon and are contemplating travel to Mars.

Yet, the basics of business have not changed. People still buy from People. Granted, those people may be on the other side of the world, but the basics of business have not changed. You tend to deal with people you know, or who have been referred to you. You look for value and you look for service.

“If your products are the same, your people had better not be.” That was advice I had from a sales manager years ago. It is as valid today as it was then. The Chamber is about People. It is about People helping People. It is about providing our members with an avenue for promoting themselves and for that all important reference base. For helping make sure your people are different!

As the business world becomes more global and more competitive, I firmly believe that membership in your local Chamber is as relevant as it has ever been. In 1910 a Chamber member might work with his neighbor up the street on a business opportunity. One hundred years later, that neighbor might be across the country and you are working on a business opportunity on the other side of the world. Farfetched? The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is working with its counterpart in Alberta to organize a trade mission to China. People dealing with People!

The Aurora Chamber of Commerce is here to help YOU. We offer you opportunities to BE SEEN and to BE HEARD! The only thing you have to do is BE THERE!

It truly is a privilege to serve as the President of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, and l look forward to meeting you and getting your suggestions as to how we can help. Please feel free to email me at president@aurorachamber.on.ca.

Thank you.


Geoffrey Dawe