The Chamber of Commerce is not a new idea. In fact, the first recorded Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1599 and there were certainly business networks before that. But despite this long tradition, dating back over 100 years in Neepawa itself, many people - unless they have been an active member - don’t know what the chamber is or does, other than being an organisation to do with businesses.

The Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce administrator Jennifer Wiebe and president Kerri MacPherson join us to explain what the chamber does in the community, both for businesses and for residents.

The Chamber is the face and core of the business community, and as such the decisions it makes and the items it supports can have a far-reaching effect on the community. The role of a Chamber, says Wiebe, is to bring businesses together to support growth, share ideas and best practices, and advocate for their members. “It’s more about working together than being each other’s competition.”

The advocacy element has been at the forefront over the pandemic, where supports for businesses were critical to help them remain viable in the face of necessary restrictions and closures. The local chamber of commerce joined with the larger Manitoba Chambers of Commerce organisation to use their collective power to influence policy, particularly in terms of granting programs for small businesses.

The Chamber also provides regular information to its members about upcoming events, resources, and opportunities from both inside and outside the community. They also work in partnership with the local tourism board to provide a series of free workshops for business owners and employees through the Manitoba Tourism Education Council.

One of the most important programs the Chamber runs that particularly impacts residents, many of whom either own or are employed by small businesses, is its group insurance plan. Businesses with small numbers of employees often can’t offer a benefits plan to employees, but through the Chamber even if the business has just one employee they are eligible for a plan.

It's the Neepawa Chamber of Commerce’s more visible programs that are best known to residents. It has been on hiatus for two years, but the Chamber sponsors the Town Fair every May and 2022 marks its return. This event began as an agricultural fair - think prizewinning tomatoes and horse shows - but now features things such as a midway, ball tournament, townwide yardsale, and of course food trucks.

The other very visible program is hosting the candidates’ debates at election time, whether it’s federal, provincial, or in the case of this October, the local municipal election. Wiebe says they are also open to other opportunities, and are quite happy to be led by the needs and wants of the community and use their collective power to support those ideas.