PROGRAMS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR

These programs for the private sector will get small and medium sized enterprises in Yukon growing and working together to improve our economy.
With these programs, the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce will create a business friendly community and a dynamic private sector. The Chamber has heard its members when they say "Do Something!" so these programs reflect what we are doing to cultivate our business sector. Together we will develop a healthy and expanding private sector.

Click on each program below to learn more!

SME Training and Development - Seminars, Workshops and Courses

SME TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the Canadian economy. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, they account for 64% of all private sector employment with more than 82% of total employment in health, construction, forestry, tourism and hospitality sectors. 

The Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce is responding to the expanding population and economic growth in the Yukon by building capacity within the SME community ---  partnering with local experts to deliver seminars, workshops and courses for employers and employees, that support and encourage business growth and explore economic opportunities.   

Our local business community contributes to the economic, civic and social well being of Whitehorse. Over the past few years, the Chamber and its partners have worked to keep the SME training and development programs current and each year, more than 140 businesses benefit from the program.  

Chamber members take part in the workshops at only a fraction of the cost, thanks to funding from our partners - the Government of Yukon Department of Economic Development and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor). 

2019 FALL WORKSHOPS SCHEDULE: 

Business Succession Planning

Facilitated by: Stefan Voswinkel, YLynx Management Consulting, Inc.

Date: 4 classes – September 17th, 24th , October 1st & 8th  Plus four one-hour sessions for each participant, to be completed within two months following Session 4

Time: 8:00am – 10:00am 

Location: NorthLight Innovation, NWT Event Space— 2180 2ndAve, Whitehorse

Registration is now closed!

Marketing Communications 101
Facilitated by: Aasman Brand Communications

Date: 5 classes – September 19th, 26th, October 3rd, 10th, 17th (Thursday mornings) 

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.   

Location: Aasman Offices — 402 Hanson St, Whitehorse 

Registration is now closed!

Financial, Tax and Accounting Considerations of Starting a New Business

Facilitated by: Partners and staff of Crowe Mackay LLP, Whitehorse. All presenters will be Chartered Accountants 

Date: 4 classes - October 29th, November 5th, 12th, 19th   (Tuesday mornings for 4 weeks)

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  (with additional time for questions as required) 

Location: Crowe MacKay offices – Suite 200-303 Strickland St, Whitehorse 

WCC members $100.00+gst I CLICK HERE to register or to learn more 

Non-members $150+gst I CLICK HERE to register or to learn more

Human Resources 101 

Facilitated by: RH HR Consulting

Date: 6 classes – October 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 15th& 17th (Tuesday & Thursday mornings for 3 weeks)

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.  

Location: Edgewater Hotel, Windsor Boardroom — 101 Main Street, Whitehorse

Registration is now closed!

Digital Marketing 201

Facilitated by: Aasman Brand Communications

Date: 5 classes – November 7th, 14th, 21, 28th & December 5th (Thursday mornings for 5 weeks)

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.   

Location: Aasman Offices — 402 Hanson St, Whitehorse

WCC members $150.00+gst I CLICK HERE to register or to learn more

Non-members $200+gst I CLICK HERE to register or to learn more

Human Resources 202

Facilitated by: RH HR Consulting

Date: 4 classes – November 19th, 21st, 26th& 28th (Tuesday & Thursday mornings for 2 weeks)

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 

Location: Edgewater Hotel, Windsor Boardroom — 101 Main Street, Whitehorse

WCC members $150.00+gst I CLICK HERE to register or to learn more

Non-members $200+gst I CLICK HERE to register or to learn more

Advanced Financial Management (details to come)
Facilitated by: Kim McMynn and BDO Canada LLP

Questions? Please contact Andrei Samson at [email protected] or at 667-7545

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS / Networking

Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce signature Business After Hours (BAH) Events provide an opportunity for Chamber members to showcase their businesses and to share their products or services at their place of business, or at a venue of their choice. Creativity can be introduced into BAH events, with smaller or similar types of businesses co-hosting or using a theme, delivering a presentation or a demonstration - limited only by your imagination! 

These events are generally held on a Thursday evening from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm, twice per month, except during the summer months of July and August. A Business After Hours event maximizes networking opportunities and the development of new business contacts by extending an open invitation to the business community to attend.....so be sure to show up with plenty of business cards

We encourage all business people and residents alike of Whitehorse and of the Yukon to support their local business community by attending Business After Hours events. These events conveniently fit into your busy schedule and provide a perfect opportunity to build new business relationships and to strengthen established ones. Plus, as an added bonus, business card draws give guests the chance to win great prizes!

Interested in hosting a Business After Hours?

Please contact Andrei Samson [email protected] or call (867) 667-7545 and we will tell you how!

Yukon Business Development Program

The Yukon Business Development Business Advisor, a highly experienced individual in his/her own right, helps local businesses to ensure that the program brings, in partnership with the entrepreneur, the right expert to Yukon, to your business, so that it can grow and prosper.

The Yukon Business Development Program was founded to offer you this level of invaluable expertise, helping you to ensure that your products are designed, manufactured and sold to your target market successfully and profitably. So that your products, systems and/or services will be in increasing demand in the local, national or international marketplace.

 

    Know more

Buy Local Program

The Whitehorse Chamber, working with the business community, and with the financial support of the Government of Yukon's Department of Economic Development created a Buy Local Campaign that we call Look Inside – Your Business Builds Community.

 

Our goal is to create a healthy and competitive Whitehorse economy and a thriving private sector. Part of this initiative is the Yukoner Appreciation Day celebrated the first Friday of November each year. This event, which heralds a huge ‘thank you’ to Whitehorse and Yukon residents attracted over 56 businesses this year and well over 3,000 residents visiting participating businesses.

 

 What are our Buy Local objectives?

  • Increasing Yukon consumer and business awareness of the benefits of local purchases and the contribution of the business community to Whitehorse.
  • Educating Whitehorse businesses – SME Training and Development on the value proposition of service and customer satisfaction, of inventory levels, and of giving back to the community and of purchasing from other local businesses.
  • Increasing the priority of local spending in decision-making criteria of Yukon consumers and businesses.
  • Strengthen co-promotional/partnerships/collaborative efforts between local businesses and organizations.
  • Secure recognition within all levels of government procurement of benefits of spending within Whitehorse.

With the steady growth in retail spending habits it seems we are having an impact on Whitehorse Consumers; but this is not an area where we can let up – we have to keep hitting home with the messaging.

 

Look Inside Campaign

Many cities across Canada are encouraging people in their communities to shop local. The chamber’s Look Inside campaign was created to show Yukoners, business people and government purchasing agents the value of thinking locally and making purchases inside Whitehorse and Yukon. 

There’s value in shopping local, and it goes beyond the immediate gratification of finding the right product and the great feeling you get from service beyond expectations. Shopping is, above all, a social experience. From frequenting your neighbour’s business to seasonal shopping events with visitors, to the relationships developed with the staff while shopping.

Shopping locally develops our economy, creates jobs, and supports many community events.

 

Look Inside Whitehorse is a Facebook page supported by the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and dedicated to supporting local business in our community. We post two business profiles each month by interviewing local entrepreneurs and businesses who are Whitehorse Chamber members and have requested to be featured. These profiles are created and written by a local contractor. We encourage all businesses to e-mail: Avery Brohman at: [email protected], or message the Look Inside Facebook page to be featured. Thanks, and we look forward to profiling your business!

Planter Box Program

Planter Box Program

For the past several years the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Challenge Disability Resource Group and the City of Whitehorse to organize and facilitate the Planter Box Program. The Planter Box Program is a popular program that operates annually from June until the beginning of September (weather permitting).

The Planter Box Program helps beautify the city of Whitehorse by greatly adding to the aesthetic value of our city and are appreciated by residents and visitors alike.  Many people in years past have commented on how the planter boxes make a huge contribution to the beauty of the downtown core.

Businesses pay a one-time fee and are then permitted to place weatherproof signs on the planter boxes in a manner that does not detract from the beauty of the boxes. The planter boxes are distributed throughout the downtown core and businesses can reserve their spot(s) beginning in April of the current year. 

·       The program runs from mid-June until the middle of September (weather permitting).

·       The business chooses  (up to two boxes), what type of box (rectangular or corner) and the location of the planter box(es) they wish to place an advertisement, some restrictions apply.
 If space remains available, businesses may sign up for up to two more boxes.

·       Whitehorse Chamber members will be given first choice, but the program is open to all Whitehorse businesses. Planter boxes will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

·       Signage may be placed on one or all sides of the planter boxes, but sign size is limited to a maximum size of 25"wide and 30"high on corner boxes and 37”L x 15”H on rectangular boxes.  As long as they are in good condition, signs from previous years may be used.

·       The Chamber will notify businesses prior to the delivery of the planter boxes and we ask that the business clearly mark their desired delivery location(s).

·       The City of Whitehorse donates the manpower and equipment to deliver and remove the planter boxes. Putting up and taking down signage on the boxes; however, is the responsibility of the business.

·       The fees to reserve your planter box(es) are payable to the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and are due prior to delivery, otherwise you will “lose” your planter box, at which time it will be made available for another business.

·       The cost is $200.00 + GST for a rectangular box and $250.00 + GST for a corner box for the season.

 

Click here to reserve a Corner Planter Box

Click here to reserve a Rectangular Planter Box

 

If you have any question about the program, please contact Andrei Samson at [email protected] or call (867) 667-7545.

Partnering for Success

What is Partnering for Success?

Partnering for Success is a Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce initiative created to strengthen economic growth, prosperity and cooperation throughout the territory. This private-sector driven initiative exists to encourage and support our business community, industry associations,governments and First Nations to work together, address common challenges and most importantly, find common solutions for the benefit of all Yukon residents.

It is imperative that as a small jurisdiction,we come together and identify the opportunities that will propel our economy forward – for our generation, for our children and for their children. Vision Partnering for Success is a conduit for cooperation to foster economic prosperity for Yukon.

Vision

Partnering for Success is a conduit for cooperation to foster economic prosperity for Yukon.

Mission

Partnering for Success acts to foster economic prosperity through strengthened collaboration, understanding and awareness between business and all orders of government to affect proactive, timely and solution-oriented action and change.

Urban Visitor Signage Program (UVS)

The Urban Visitor Signage (UVS) is a project spearheaded by the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Government of Yukon – Department of Highways and Public Works in 2006 to improve the quality and consistency of information directed to visitors travelling through Whitehorse while continuing to allow for an aesthetically pleasing highway signs system within Whitehorse city limits. 

The Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce travels the stretch of highway in both these directions with regularity to check on the signage for damage and vandalism. The Chamber accepts applications for UVS from the business community and makes sure that proposed signs conform with the policy directives regarding size of sign, lettering and colours. 

The WCC will use the following policies to administer the program:

  • Applicants must provide a $25.00 one-time application fee to the WCC, which is forwarded to YG as per the Sign Regulations.

  • There is an annual $400.00 (WCC members) & $650.00 (non-members) per sign advertising and maintenance fee for all UVS’s payable to the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce.

  • All installations, removals and maintenance must be performed through the WCC contractor as per WCB and YG regulations. Sign owners are not permitted to install, remove or perform maintenance on their sign(s).

If you have any questions about these basic regulations, or those found in the guidelines on our website please contact the Chamber at (867) 667-7545 or email [email protected].