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About Us
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MANTRA
The Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, volunteer-led organization, proudly representing the interests of businesses in our region. Since 1973, the Airdrie Chamber has been the collective voice for businesses, influencing positive change while advocating on their behalf. The Chamber currently represents over 600 businesses and non-profits, with over 175 of our members being from outside of Airdrie. The Airdrie Chamber is aligned with both the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), which represents over 25,000 businesses and the Canadian Chambers of Commerce (CCC), which represents over 200,000 businesses. With the largest and most influential business organizations locally, provincially, and federally, the Chamber network is the most unified, valued, and influential business network in Canada and works together to shape policy and programs that will make a difference to businesses in our region.
PURPOSE
To represent, promote and enhance the interests of our regional business community.
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CORE VALUES
ADVOCACY
We are a collective voice for regional businesses,
influencing positive change while advocating on their behalf.INNOVATION
We continue to evolve and progress, introducing new events, programs and ideas,
as innovation is crucial to the continued success of our chamber.
COMMUNITY CONNECTORWe are a community hub, connecting businesses while
purposefully building community connections of our own.
INTEGRITYWe are professionals who are honest, ethical,
and have strong guiding principles.
INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITYWe treat all people (all defined as, all social/ethnic backgrounds, genders,
sexual orientations, race, abilities, ages and faiths) fairly and provide
access to opportunities and resources for all. -
NICHE
Connect and advocate for our regional business community.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Click here to view the Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce Member Code of Conduct.
The Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce is a Certified Inclusive Employer. Learn more at https://inclusiveemployers.ca/
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The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce was proud to celebrate our 50th Anniversary throughout 2023!
Thank you to all of our members for your support over the past 50 years! We look forward to advocating for and supporting your business in the years to come!
Click Here to see how we've celebrated.
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HISTORY
On the cold night of January 29, 1973 a group of Airdrie leaders gathered in the Airdrie Community Centre for the purpose of establishing a new Chamber of Commerce. Those attending that night were Mayor Darrel Bennett, Hugh Hamilton, Robert Tronsgard, Walter Judge, Orville Kessler, Don Yantz, Russell Check, Sterling Clayton, Jim Stewart, Leonard Farr and Don Sturroch. Their first two committees were Nomination and Projects and later added By-Laws, Membership, Agriculture, Publications, Civic Operations and Recreation. The membership count that year was 24.
The Village of Airdrie grew to 1,000 inhabitants. Membership fee was a mere $10 and the membership count grew. Projects increased over the next few years to include clean up & beautification, working closely with Town Council to assist with expanding industrial and commercial land, EMS and RCMP service.
The Chamber’s early purpose was for business people to interact with the Village Administration and Provincial Government to improve the community. Five years later the Chamber membership had increased to 85 members who represented business in the following areas: agriculture, farm machinery, insurance, real estate, banking and service stations. Airdrie was now a town and the key issues were lack of a local hospital and the increase in vandalism.
Formal Bylaws were finalized and the Chamber was ready to be incorporated under the Board of Trade Act in November 1978.
Airdrie’s first Farm & Trade Fair was held in the spring of 1978 in the Plainsman Arena sponsored by the Airdrie & District Agricultural Society. This group organized the event for the next 11 years until 1989 when the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce assumed sponsorship. This annual tradition, now called the Airdrie Home & Lifestyle Show, moved to Genesis Place Recreation Centre in 2010 after many years in the Airdrie Twin Arenas. The purpose of this event is to showcase local businesses and it continues to be the Chamber’s major source of revenue.
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On July 15, 2021 the Alberta Chambers of Commerce handed out a variety of awards to members from across the province. The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce was extremely proud to be awarded the 2020 Chamber of the Year Award in the mid-size chamber category and we were excited to celebrate this accomplishment with the community at our recent Airdrie Business Awards.No one could have predicted the last two years. We kicked off 2020 with optimism and enthusiasm; in fact, our first workshop of the year was “This Year Is Going to Be Different”, but little did we know how different it really was going to be! Fortunately, with the guidance of our strong board and our dedicated staff, it did not take long for our Chamber to regroup and refocus our efforts to best support our business community. Of all the years to win an award, this one is extra special.In 2020, and still to this day, we have connected with almost all our members via personal phone calls and countless ZOOM meetings to check in. We gauged the impact the crisis had on our membership, and provided guidance with government guidelines and subsidies. By providing this valuable customer service, we were able to sustain most of our members, gain several new ones, and support them through extremely challenging times.Throughout 2020 and into 2021, we also encouraged our community, more than ever, to SUPPORT LOCAL. From partnering with the City of Airdrie on the “Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is” contest, to launching our own “Wear It Proud Heart Airdrie” toque initiative, we continue to work diligently to support local businesses. We raised funds for businesses that were struggling and worked closely with the City in promoting the Right for Your Business voucher support program. The last 20 months will most definitely go down in history, not only for the extreme challenges we all faced but also for the unwavering support our community showed one another. The Airdrie Chamber is extremely proud of our team for their resiliency, and truly believe we are offering our members more value and support than ever before. Businesses have not been able to maintain the status quo for the past 20 months and the same can be said for chambers.Thank you to all of our members and sponsors for your continued trust and support. We look forward to providing our innovation, services, and support for many years to come.Visit our Chamber News section to catch up on the latest chamber initiatives including the 2021 Alberta Executive of the Year Award presented to our very own Marilyne Aalhus!