THE CHAMBER CONNECTION PODCAST
The Chamber Connection is a podcast aimed to inspire, educate, but ultimately make the world a smaller place for us Chamber folks. Hosts Melanie and Stephen bring together Chamber experts and partners to help share insights into all things Chamber.
If there’s a topic that interests you or you would like to participate, reach out to:
Stephen: schychota@mbchamber.mb.ca
Melanie: Ceo@haltonhillschamber.on.ca
Check out the podcast on YouTube here.
Check out the podcast on Spotify here.
Revenue Strategies - Using Travel Programs to Boost Your Bottom Line
With years of experience in generating revenue through Chamber travel programs, we take a look at the approaches taken by Kristi at the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce & Debbi Nicholson at the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. They have solid strategies when it comes to non-dues revenue and are nailing it when it comes to their travel programs.
Exploring The New Era of CCEC: A Powerful Network Resource
The Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada (CCEC) has undergone significant changes to its operations, transforming into an even more valuable networking resource for Chamber leaders. Join us as we take a tour of the latest developments and future direction of CCEC with their new Executive Director, Deneen.
How To Maximize The Chamber Group Insurance Plan
Every Chamber leader should be well-informed about the Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan and its benefits for members. In this episode, we are joined by France Fournier and Nyla Frank-Rodgers who both have very successful insurance programs and Doug Hynek, a top advisor of the Chamber Insurance Plan. They share invaluable insights and strategies on how to increase member participation in the Group Plan and boost your Chamber's non-dues revenue.
Sharing Best Practices With Industry Leaders
We all run our Chambers a little bit differently, but we don't always have the opportunity to ask others how they are doing it. Join us as we sit down with Rob from the Moosejaw Chamber and Jennifer from the Georgina Chamber, who share their invaluable insights and experiences on running successful Chambers.
Becoming A Strategic Planner
Having a plan and following it can lead to success. There is a saying that if you don’t plan, you plan to fail. We don’t have to be that harsh here but having a well thought out plan can definitely make life easier. We’re joined by Stu Harrison and Shelley Morris (yeah that’s right, we got them!), as they share some great tips, insights, tools and event some things to avoid when it comes to building your next Strategic Plan. So whether you or your Chamber has never made a plan, or perhaps you’ve been through a few of these exercises, you’re definitely walking away with something from this episode. Good luck picking up all the golden nuggets in this one!
Future Ready Chamber
Is your Chamber future ready? We have Todd Letts joining in to help us with just that. Getting your members to join and stick around can sometimes be a challenge. But Todd fills us in with some of his helpful tools and membership strategies that can surely help keep on your directory. Prepare yourself and get comfy as we unpack what it means to get your Chamber future ready!
Conference Recap
What a blast the national conferences were, right!? Having the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada conference and then the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Summit & AGM can be a lot to take in. Even for the experienced Chamber folks. Incase you missed the events, here is a little insight into what you missed. And if you were there, here's your reminder. What were some of your major takeaways? Did you implement anything when you got back to your Chamber and have you seen any positive impacts?
Your Chamber is a Business
In order for a Chamber to flourish these days, it needs to be constantly measuring itself. From revenue generation, to staffing, to that next big idea... Chambers need to be mindful of how they operate if they are to serve their businesses tomorrow. We're teaming up with a couple of greats within our network to find out how they are running their Chambers like a business.
Chamber Collaborations
Chambers helping Chambers is such a beautiful thing. We have brought together a couple of fresh collaborators to give us the behind the scenes take on how their Chambers work together on projects. If you want a few shining examples of what Chambers can do together or even with some other partnering organizations, take a dive into this episode.
Leveraging Your Provincial Chamber
In this episode of Chamber Connection, we sit down with Chuck Davidson (President and CEO for the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce) and Daniel Tisch (President and CEO from the Ontario Chamber) to explore the vital role of provincial chambers and how they support local chambers. We dive into the key differences between provincial and local chambers, the biggest missed opportunities for collaboration, and how local chambers can better leverage provincial resources to amplify their impact. Plus, we discuss the future of the Chamber movement and what local organizations should focus on to stay ahead. Don't miss this insightful conversation on strengthening your Chamber's reach and effectiveness!
Capturing a Legacy
We're kicking off 2026 with none other than the legend, Keitha Robson from the Timmins Chamber of Commerce. Join us to hear all the magic that Keitha shares from her decades of experience developing a successful Chamber. The CCEC 2025 Council of Excellence award recipient dives into board relationships, keeping your Chamber focused and what it means to make money... just to mention a few.
Leadership Lessons with Kyle Romaniuk
As a leader, you're always looking ahead with a lot to balance. We're joined by Kyle Romaniuk author of EMBARK and creator of the Refraction Pathway. Take a dive with us and pick up some practical tools that can help you to aim and hit your goals. What we embark on in this episode works for teams of one and all sizes above that.
Getting a Handle on Trade & CUSMA
Join us for a deep dive into cross‑border trade and the Canada‑United States‑Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). This conversation features Dean Wood, founder and CEO of BorderWorx Logistics, a seasoned expert in customs and logistics. What we cover:
- CUSMA basics: why this agreement creates the largest free‑trade region in the world and strengthens Canada’s ties with the U.S. and Mexico.
- Compliance vs. competitiveness: practical steps for qualifying goods under CUSMA rules of origin and avoiding costly tariffs.
- Real‑world logistics: how cross‑border trade works day‑to‑day, with clear examples from a seasoned customs broker.
- Support from your chamber: tools and resources chambers can offer to help members navigate trade rules and stay relevant in a fast‑changing environment.
- Why networks matter: Dean explains how a strong chamber network can give businesses an edge when exporting.