Member Profile: Global Convention Services

From humble beginnings over twenty years ago, Global has become one of Canada’s premier display companies and is now the preferred decorator for most major facilities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island with the new office opening in 2011 in British Columbia.  With fully stocked, fully staffed branches in all of our locations, we are pleased to offer our clients cross Canada service for all of their trade show, conference and special events needs.



Give us a call for any and all of your event’s needs
at: (902) 425-1400 Or Email to:  info@globalconvention.ca 

Small Business Committee


Following the lead of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce we are reviving the Chamber’s Small Business Committee as a standalone entity and we are looking for interested and knowledgeable individuals to participate.

The committee’s mission is in part: “to promote an improved environment in Nova Scotia for SME businesses by raising the issues of SMEs among influential policy makers in the government and general public.”

If you believe in the importance of small business and want to be part a working group who aim to prove it please contact Brian Rose.


REPORTS TO
President

COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT
TBC

CHAIR 
TBC

MEETINGS 
Three to six times per year and on an as needed basis, at the call of the Chair.

COMPOSITION: The Committee is composed of representatives of SME businesses with specialized knowledge and experience in SME affairs and issues. This includes both member companies and other organizations knowledgeable about SME affairs.  Members will be representatives of broad small business sector interests, including services, natural resources, high tech, manufacturing industries, etc.

MISSION STATEMENT: To promote an improved environment in Nova Scotia for SME businesses by raising the issues of SMEs among influential policy makers in the government and general public. The SME challenge offers an opportunity for the Chamber to further contribute in a meaningful way to the further advancement of small business entrepreneurship in Nova Scotia. Providing a stronger, unified voice for SME members has made the formation of this coalition necessary so that SMEs may more readily be heard and recognized. The SME Committee is about engaging and energizing SMEs to come together. 

BASIC MANDATE: To establish within the Chamber a permanent group of experts on small business in order to position ourselves to identify, monitor, promote awareness and provide input on SME matters of interest to our members and the Board of Directors, on a timely basis. This may include conducting surveys on skills, trade and finance and other key issues, providing support to other Chamber Committees, chambers and boards of trade. 

KEY FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

1. Promoting increased emphasis on small business in Nova Scotia and being a voice of Nova Scotian SMEs by identifying their main issues, concerns and needs; addressing and resolving these common issues and concerns; advocating for changes that facilitate a fairer business environment. Providing input to the Nova Scotian government from the SME perspective and encouraging effective fiscal and economic policy measures to improve the business climate, ensure business certainty and create necessary conditions to enhance SME competitiveness.

2. Monitoring action and progress achieved on identified SME issues. Analyzing and reporting on national policies and legislation affecting small business. Conducting studies/surveys; preparing policy statements, submissions and resolutions, where appropriate, and reviewing resolutions submitted by the Chambers on SME issues.

3. Educating the general public, policy makers and government stakeholders about key SME issues, including skills, trade and finance. Liaising with member associations, SME organizations, CFIB, RCC, Hotel Association, appropriate international committees, and other National Policy Committees, such as Economic Policy, Taxation as well as the Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade.

DEFINITION: SMEs are defined as companies with less than 500 employees and annual sales of $30,000 - $50 million. 

Micro 1-10 employees
Small 10-100 
Medium 101-500 employees

STRUCTURE:  The organization will be known as the SME Committee and will be an independent coalition with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce acting as the Secretariat.  (TBC) 

ISSUES OF CONCERN:  SMEs aim to grow, save money and remain competitive and productive.

KEY ISSUES OF CONCERN INCLUDE:

Taxes: Tax relief; lower corporate tax rateEI premiums: lower increases Federal stimulus spending

US: Improving border efficiency, exemption from Buy American

Legislation: Intro of C32; defeat of C300, C311, C386-Government programs: e.g. SME Innovation Commercialization Program, Clean Energy Fund, Green Infrastructure Fund-Bureaucracy and red tape-Skilled labour