(Niagara At Large is pleased to post the following news item from the recently created Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce in Niagara, Ontario about a precedent-setting meeting, hosted by the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo, New York, with Buffalo-Niagara Partnership to establish a network for working “to work together … for the benefit of the bi-national region.”)
Greater Niagara Chamber Establishes Network with Buffalo-Niagara Partnership
Niagara,February 20, 2012 – At a special meeting hosted by the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo, members of the Board of Directors for the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce and the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership met to explore ways in which the two regional organizations can work together to enhance business in the bi-national community.
Mike Watt, Walker Industries vice-president and chair of the Ontario-based Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
“The luncheon was designed as an opportunity to open a dialogue with the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership as both organizations represent businesses at a regional level,” explains Mike Watt, Chair of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce. “Businesses on both sides of the border are facing the same pressures and challenges and there are some real opportunities to work together for the benefit of the bi-national region.”
The meeting featured members of the Canadian Consulate, including the Consul General Marta Moszczenska, members of the executive team and board members of the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership along with Watt, Wade Stayzer and Steven Megannety of the Greater Niagara Chamber Board of Directors as well as Walter Sendzik and Kithio Mwaniza from the Chamberʼs staff.
“We have a lot of common areas of interest,” continues Watt. “We touched on many issues that are cross border in nature and we found that both organizations have the infrastructure to properly advocate for and seek solutions to the challenges that are facing our members.”
The Buffalo-Niagara Partnership is the largest business organization in the Western New York area with more than 2,500 members. With its operations modeled much like a chamber of commerce, the organization focuses on growing business and the entire business marketplace of Buffalo-Niagara.
The discussions included a focus on the recently released Canadian-US Beyond the Border Action Plan and its potential impact on the Niagara border crossings, the New York State Ballast Water regulations, and the negative impacts of ʻbuy Americanʼ provisions at the state and federal levels.
“Both organizations committed to working together to benefit business in our communities,” furthers Watt. “We will be forging a strong relationship with the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership that will no doubt be a benefit for our membership.”
The identified next steps include a strategic session with board members from both organizations and the development of a special event featuring member businesses from each organization.
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce is the champion for the Niagara business community. The GNCC is partnering with business organizations to present the Niagara Economic Summit on Wed. May 9th at the Scotia Bank Convention Centre. Mark the date in your calendar.
For more information contact: Walter Sendzik, CEO, St. Catharines – Thorold Chamber of Commerce, 905-684-2361 or wsendzik@sctchamber.com
For more information about the Great Niagara Chamber of Commerce visit www.businesslinkniagara.com/articles/?c=104 .
For more information about the Buffalo Niagara Partnership visit http://www.thepartnership.org/ .
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