-
Monday, July 05, 2021Airdrie Chamber receives much-needed money for small business
Nearly $85,000 has been given to help local businesses still struggling from the effects of the pandemic. The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce recently announced it was approved for funding from the federal government's shop local initiative. "It's unfortunate that it had to happen because of COVID," said Executive Director Marilyne Aalhus. "Now, it's an opportunity for us to do more to support local businesses in our community." The money will help with the Chamber's plan to build an online platform for
Saturday, June 19, 2021Airdrie and Crossfield Chambers celebrate successful virtual women's conference
Lani McLeod, the Executive Director of the Crossfield Chamber of Commerce, admits they didn't quite know what to expect when the 2021 Rural Women in Business Conference had to move online this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. The Crossfield Chamber originated the event but this year they asked the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce if they'd like to get on board and Marilyne Aalhus, the Executive Director of the Airdrie Chamber, agreed they would. In 2020 the event had to be cancelled because of the
Thursday, June 10, 2021Nominations open for 2021 Airdrie Business Awards
Nominations are now open for the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd annual Airdrie Business Awards, offering residents the chance to recognize local business excellence. “Obviously, we all know businesses have been through an awful lot in the last year and a half, so more than ever, we really do need to champion and celebrate the accomplishments our businesses have had,” said Marilyne Aalhus, the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce’s executive director. According to Aalhus, nominations will remain open until
Thursday, June 03, 2021Airdrie Chamber anticipates Mayor's State of the City Address
With COVID-19 cases falling and restrictions slowly lifting for both businesses and individuals, Airdrie business owners are anticipating trying to slowly get back on their feet. Many of those owners will be also anticipating what Mayor Peter Brown will have to say about that and the state of the Airdrie economy at his annual State of the City address hosted by the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday (June 8). The event goes virtually on Zoom from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Chamber Executive Director
Friday, May 28, 2021Airdrie Chamber to focus even more on shopping local
This week the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce gathered, virtually, for its Annual General Meeting and promised to focus efforts on promoting the Shop Local movement more than they already are. As they do that over the next year, the Chamber Board will be very familiar with each other. The entire board that served Airdrie business in the past 12 months has offered to return for, what they hope will be, a much brighter year ahead as COVID-19 restrictions are set to ease. "We've been through a hard time
Wednesday, May 19, 2021Airdrie Chamber of Commerce to provide COVID-19 rapid tests to local businesses
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce has announced it will be providing complimentary COVID-19 rapid testing kits to local businesses that apply. “We wanted to do more to assist our business community with keeping the work environment safe for their employees – and of course, clients,” said Marilyne Aalhus, executive director with the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce. Aalhus said the initiative came about after a conversation took place between representatives from the provincial government and the Alberta
Wednesday, May 19, 2021Airdrie Chamber of Commerce offering COVID-19 rapid testing kits
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is offering COVID-19 rapid testing kits to local businesses. “In conjunction with vaccinations, businesses can stop the spread of COVID-19 by utilizing rapid testing for employees,” says Marilyne Aalhus, executive director of ACC. “In partnership with the Alberta Chambers and the provincial government, the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is offering complimentary COVID-19 rapid tests to eligible businesses. By testing employees, businesses can stop outbreaks before they
Friday, April 30, 2021Airdrie chamber contest promotes local businesses
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is running a campaign throughout the month of May to encourage Airdronians to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staring May 3, the chamber is asking residents, while still following all public health orders, to get out and support local shops, services and products. Participants are asked to post a picture of their shopping experience on Facebook or Instagram for a chance to win $100 worth of weekly prizes. Executive director of the Airdrie Chamber of
Wednesday, April 21, 2021Airdrie Smitty’s to shut down amid continuing economic woes
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt across the business community in Airdrie, and the re-establishment of government restrictions on April 7 has led to another restaurant casualty. Earlier this month, the Airdrie Smitty’s in East Lake announced the diner will be closing its doors for good on April 30. In a Facebook post, the restaurant owners indicated the decision came as a result of tightening restrictions on in-person dining. “We want to send a huge thank you to our staff and
Wednesday, March 31, 2021Chamber asks for your feedback on advocating for re-opening of businesses
The executive director of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is sending a call out to local residents for their feedback on how the organization can best advocate for businesses regarding the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. “Together, we are stronger,” says Marilyne Aalhus. “We encourage our entire business community to provide feedback so that we can continue to communicate to the Province asking for support and a clear message.” Residents can have their opinions taken into consideration by filling out a
Thursday, March 25, 2021Airdrie Chamber looks to business community for suggestions on getting clear messaging from the government
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce has done everything they can think of to advocate for a clear and safe reopening plan for businesses in the city and in the province from COVID-19 restrictions. Now, they're looking to the Airdrie business community to suggest other ways to advocate to the government for a clear way forward for businesses to safely reopen. On Monday (March 22) Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro said the government was pushing pause on its plans to enter Phase Three of the Path
Monday, March 08, 2021Women in Leadership: Marilyne Aalhus
In recognition of International Women's Day on March 8, the Airdrie City View is profiling four women who hold leadership positions, in a four-article series that focuses on how these women have helped their respective organizations navigate the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our fourth and final profile is on Marilyne Aalhus, the executive director of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce.In recognition of International Women's Day on March 8, the Airdrie City View is profiling four women who hold
Wednesday, February 17, 2021Airdrie Chamber and entrepreneurs ask Alberta government to allow businesses to reopen
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce (ACC) recently joined with more than a dozen local business owners to send a message to the Alberta government. That message being: “it is time to allow local businesses to reopen safely.” On Feb. 2, the ACC sent a YouTube video to Premier Jason Kenney, MLA Angel Pitt, MLA Peter Guthrie, and the Government of Alberta COVID-19 Task Force in an attempt to “show the faces of local businesses who are directly affected by the current government of Alberta COVID-19
Tuesday, February 16, 2021Airdrie Chamber doesn't see many results from meeting with the Premier
On February 9th, representatives from Alberta Chambers of Commerce sat down on a Zoom call with Premier Jason Kenney to talk about COVID-19 and their desire to let more businesses that have been closed off-and-on during provincial restrictions open safely in the province. The meeting included the President of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce Nikki Nordick, Executive Director Marilyne Aalhus along with several other Airdrie reps. Aalhus says topics of conversation ranged from the pandemic to the
Monday, February 01, 2021Chamber awards $1,000 grants to five local businesses
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce (ACC) recently awarded five local businesses $1,000 grants as part of the Wear it Proud campaign. Wear it Proud was an initiative to raise funds for local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by selling Heart Airdrie toques during the month of December at more than 10 local retailers. “We simply wanted to support our business community by raising funds for businesses that were struggling during the pandemic and incorporate the support of the community who
Friday, January 29, 2021Airdrie Chamber encourages community to Wear it Proud
The Wear it Proud campaign, led by the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, is an initiative to raise funds for local businesses by selling branded toques. “We brainstormed a way to support shopping local by purchasing an item at local retailers while raising funds to support local business that are struggling to due to COVID,” says Marilyne Aalhus, executive director of the Chamber. According to Aalhus, the impact of COVID-19 has left many Airdrie businesses needing resources and relief. Fifty per cent of
Thursday, January 28, 2021Airdrie Chamber video advocates for local businesses to reopen safely
The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce is working on a video campaign that will feature local business owners, in an attempt to grab the attention of the provincial government. The video will come shortly after Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, announced Jan. 22 that pandemic-related restrictions will remain in place for the time being. “We are fully aware that the government is obviously taking extreme precaution around health and safety,” said Marilyne Aalhus, executive director
Monday, January 25, 2021Airdrie Chamber advocating for business reopening in video campaign
Whatever wind may have been left in the sails of Alberta businesses that have to remain closed during current government restrictions was stilled last week when Dr. Deena Hinshaw announced, on behalf of the government, that those restrictions would remain in effect. Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges and cafes, entertainment businesses such as bowling alleys and casinos, gyms, and fitness facilities along with many other businesses remain closed and have been since the mandatory restrictions were put in
Thursday, January 14, 2021Alberta Chamber calls on government to safely reopen shuttered businesses
The Alberta Chamber of Commerce (ACC), including the Airdrie Chamber, has had enough of the confusion over certain businesses being allowed to open at limited capacity while others have to remain closed during the Alberta government's current restrictions. For that reason, they're calling on the government to find ways to safely reopen closed businesses wherever possible. That call came after Premier Kenney announced last week that current COVID-19 restrictions would remain in place for at least
