About the Chamber

What is the Chamber of Commerce?

The goal of the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce is to foster a strong economic environment for Weyburn and the surrounding area so that the business community can, in turn, provide the best possible services to the residents of and travelers to Weyburn and area.

The Chamber of Commerce is not a department of any government, and it is not a charitable organization.  Its function is to unite the efforts of business and professionals to ensure a strong economic and socio-economic climate.  It can harness the tremendous potential of the private enterprise system and its membership to accomplish collectively what no one person or business could accomplish individually.

The Chamber of Commerce is People!  There is a place in the Chamber for all members to get involved and accomplish collectively what no one of them could do alone, and thereby creating a pool of resources from which to draw ideas, energies and finance. 

 

Representation

The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce is the united voice of business, and as such, is a strong voice in government.  We have open communication with all three levels of government (Civic, Provincial, and National).  The Chamber can lobby with a voice much stronger than that of any one individual or business.  Your Chamber Board meets annually with Weyburn City Council to discuss development, tax policy and many more civic issues.

The Board also meets regularly with our MLA, so that our message is heard in the Provincial Legislature on such issues as infrastructure, taxation, and business incentives.

Chamber Board members also meet with our MP regularly to ensure that Ottawa does not forget about Weyburn and our contributions to this great nation. 

It is through this network that the Chamber is able to take your concerns directly to those who affect policy change.

The Weyburn & District Chamber of Commerce has Memberships in, and meets regularly with, both the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The Chambers are then able to share concerns and issues throughout the Chamber network.

 

 

Group Health Benefits

Through our alliance with the Canadian Chamber, all members of the Weyburn Chamber are entitled to access Group Health Benefits wth amazing benefits.

• No Minimum Firm Size
• No Industry Restructions
• Guaranteed Approval & Renewal
• Rate Stabiliity
• You Choose the Coverage
• You Control the Cost

For more information:

 

Merchant Discount Rates

Everyone in business knows that we are quickly becoming a cashless society.

As more and more of our customers continue to use electronic payment methods, we need to adapt and do our best to keep those costs to a minimum.

Through group buying at a nation-wide level, Chamber emembers are eligible for reduced rates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEYBEX

The WEYBEX awards are held bi-annually on even numbered years, celebrating business success in our City and surrounding area.  The WEYBEX Awards are open to businesses, and individuals in the City of Weyburn and immediate area.

WEYBEX winners are forwarded onto the provincial ABEX Awards in Regina.  This is great exposure for these businesses, and for the entire City of Weyburn.

WEYBEX Categories:

• Business Leader of the Year
• Golden Service
• Community Involvement
• New or Expanded Business
• Business Hall of Fame
• Business of the Year

A Quick History of the Chambers of Commerce

The name "chamber of commerce" was first applied to an association of merchants at Marseilles, France, in the fifteenth century, but it was not officially organized until about 1650.  Most European chambers operated under a measure of government control and, indeed, today many continue in that manner.  They performed such functions as initiating laws regarding factory plans and trade markets; registration and winding up of companies; customs tariffs; and transportation regulations.

The first board of trade in Canada to be organized and conducted, independent of any government affiliation was the Halifax Board of Trade, which was established in 1750.  In the United States, the New York Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1768.  About the same time, chambers of commerce were organized in Great Britain - the first being the Jersey Chamber of Commerce in 1769.  From that time, there was a rapid expansion of the chamber federation throughout the world.

The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce has been officially active since 1940, and has seen many changes, but still remains as the voice of business in our community.

As we look forward, we expect our Chamber to continue to expand, and better serve the needs of the business community of Weyburn.

Making Our Community Better

The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce takes great pride in making Weyburn a better place to live. One way we do this is by hosting many great community events which bring everyone together.

The Presidents Dinners: This is the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce's Annual General Meeting. It includes presentation of the Golden Spike Award.

The Weyburn Parade: Each year to kick off the Weyburn Fair, the Chamber of Commerce organizes our Parade.  This is an opportunity to show off why Weyburn is so great.  With over 100 floats, and thousands of viewers on the streets, this parade is one of the greatest.

The Chamber Golf Tournament: Each year the Chamber hosts a member golf tournament.

Farmer Appeciation Night: This evening is an opportunity for urban and rural to connect, and for us to acknowledge the contributions of the agriculture industry to our economy.  It is also when we present the Golden Sheaf Award.

All Candidates Form: Before any election (Civic, Provincial, or Federal), the Chamber hosts an all candidates forum.

The Parade of Lights: The first Thursday of every December, The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce helps our community kick-off the holiday season.

Member Breakfasts

Another great benefit of Chamber Membership are the Member Breakfasts.  These are free to Chamber members and their guests, and are a great opportunity for networking and learning.

One of the most unique benefits to Chamber Membership is the Business Before Nine events.  These member breakfasts are provided to chamber members and their guests free of charge through sponsorship. Business Before Nine is a casual event, which is based on the idea that everyone needs to eat breakfast, and we all need to build our networks. A typical event will include a brief presentation, and lots of time for networking and learning.

Some past presenters and topics: Weyburn City Police - Security Systems; Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce - Benefits of Harmonized Sales Tax; Gary McDougall - Conflict Management, Community Futures Sunrise - How to Keep Employees.

Chamber Connections

If you would like more information about the Chamver, pelase feel free to contact the office.

If oyu would like to speak to some of your fellow business owners/operators, please see this list of current Chamber members.

You will also find a list of the current Board of Directors.

Did You Know?

• Home of three major agricultureal grain companies - Weyburn Inalnd Terminal, Viterra, and Richardson Pioneer.
• Oil is booming thanks to the high-wuality oil being discovered in the Bakken.
• Our manufacturing industry is internationally known due to the fact that Stuart Steel Inc., Nexans Canada Ltd., and Noramera BioEnergy Inc. call Weyburn their home!