Ending on a high note

As I sit down to write this last Chair’s message, I feel like the time flew by. For myself, it’s the beginning of my final year on the board, which will be in the Past Chair role. Between my time on the board, and prior to that with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, I’ll have been involved with the Chamber for about a decade! The people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned, and the meaningful work I’ve been a part of has truly created an unforgettable experience.

Looking back at the last few months we’ve had a lot on the go at the Chamber with some key highlights. I’d like to mention Pins and Pints first because it was just such an incredible night. The Chamber team, and many supporters, went so above and beyond to create an awesome experience for everyone attending. From the food, to the lounge, to prizes and competitions, everything was thought of with the amount of detail that makes you want to come back next year before we got even halfway through the night.

We are celebrating International Women’s Day in this issue and the amazing achievements in our own community. I come from a family with three sisters so I can speak strongly to the successes and struggles I have seen firsthand. Starting from the top, my mother Deb is a founder of our own business, Wiegers Financial & Benefits. Not long out of school she joined the incredibly male dominated insurance industry and made a name for herself. She was and continues to be a fierce participant in the community, which has been instrumental in helping us grow the company to where we are today. Among my siblings, what stands out are stories from my sister Tobi on the challenges of another male dominated industry in the engineering field. These challenges I have witnessed in my own family are still very much a reality for many women in our community. There are certainly ways that we can continue to improve in making the workplace and community more inclusive for everyone. That all being said, there are absolutely a lot of positive stories out there and if you’ve been to any recent BBA or SABEX awards you’ll see many of them recognized on stage as finalists and winners. On our own board we have a near perfect split of men and women and it shows in terms of the diversity of opinion and thought that we have in our discussions.

Lastly, advocacy is part of our mandate but this time around it did feel like the moves we made were bigger and bolder when it came to the airlines. Accessibility to Saskatoon affects everyone and I’m proud to be part of a group that doesn’t shy away from making a statement on behalf of our community. Between new updates with the airport and all of the dialogue around the Downtown Event & Entertainment District it feels like the future is very bright for our city!

I’m excited to read about the other great stories shared in this issue and although this is my last Chair’s message, I will certainly still be very involved with the Chamber going forward. I’d like to thank Chamber Members and the community as a whole for your support over the years. Good things happen when we connect, inspire, and advocate for our community and I’m proud to have been part of this group!

Sincerely,

Colton Wiegers , Chair Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce

Colton Wiegers, Chair Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce

Associated Speech Consultants Ltd.

Striving to build strong relationships with clients in order to help make lives better with more effective communication. Working with individuals/families/ agencies to develop communication that works. Staff continuously seek out opportunities to learn and apply the most current - research-based strategies to best support our client’s development.

Steve Stoicescu

1805 Broadway Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 668-0066 w: www.associatedspeechconsultants.ca

Health Care - Services / Supplies

BOMA Saskatchewan

Actively promoting excellence and represents the interests of building owners and managers through education, recognition, professional development, best practices, and providing opportunities.

Cail Maclean

2102 11th Ave, Regina p: (306) 596-7926 w: bomasask.ca

Real Estate - Commercial

Brightwater Pools & Construction

Providing construction services for in ground swimming pools.

Craig Taylor

2315 Millar Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 653-7665 w: brightwaterpools.ca

Construction

BTC Plumbing & Heating

Commercial and residential plumbing, heating and air conditioning.

Brandon Chapman p: (306) 371-9449

Plumbing / Heating / Air Conditioning AND Internet

Cadence

An integrated, end-to-end solution that streamlines both the estate planning and settlement processes. Businesses that use Cadence can support their clientele without adding extra work to their plate, and individuals that use Cadence are given more time to focus on living, grieving, and healing.

Rachel Drew /Krystian Olszanski

229-116 Research Dr, Saskatoon p: (306) 500-9625 w: www.cadencecares.ca

Technology

Christina Smith p: (306) 281-8242

Individual Members

Cornerstone Maintenance Services

Lawn care, snow removal, landscaping, and yard maintenance.

Valwin Boyko

1406-10th St E, Saskatoon p: (639) 384-8310

Landscape Services

CTCM Medical Consulting Prof. Corp

A medical consulting professional corporation.

Cory Tremeer

520 7th St E, Saskatoon p: (306) 612-0673

Consultants - Medical / Disability

Custom Courier

Local courier servicing Saskatoon and area. Delivering to AB, SK and MB on hotshot basis. 119 operators from cars, minivans and half ton trucks to a wide assortment of flat deck, cube vans, specialty trucks and semis.

Jason Gelowitz

4010 Aronec Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 653-8500 w: www.customcourier.com

Courier / Delivery Service AND Transportation Industry