Chamber Time Machine: When 1985 and 2019 collide...

​1985 saw the birth of the original Macintosh (the computer not the apple), the SONY Discman, Nintendo NES and Tissot’s first digital watch.  The wreck of the RMS Titanic was found and the pop music industry came together to sing “We are the World”.   

Robert J. Barker was Peterborough’s Mayor. Nine Peterborough residents were inducted into the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame including Cy Coombes and Sally Graham.  VIA Rail operated train passenger service out of Peterborough.

726 businesses belonged to the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce – growth over both 1983 and 1984.

And this article, which was recently dug out of our archives, titled “The Importance of Being a Member of the GPCC” was written and published by the Peterborough Chamber of 1985:

“…why your business should become a member of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of
Commerce is the first question an astute business person will ask.   Because of the complexity of bureaucracy and the information overload that assails everyone in business, an advocate is essential.  Your Chamber speaks for you at all levels of government.

At the local level the Chamber provides a full range of member services which respond to the specific needs of the community. A common ground on which local businesses meet to discuss issues of concern to their community and to promote their shared objectives, is supported by the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.  The group health plan, dissemination of information and a forum for business concerns are all provided through the Chamber.

Provincially, government has grown not only in size but also in impact on the business community, and it is essential that business people have a strong voice to protect their interests.  The Chamber at the provincial level interprets, monitors and provides comment on legislative issues affecting business.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the nation’s largest business association, and the only national group that speaks for every size and segment of business.  This results in an effective lobby for business
interests in Ottawa, and a strong voice for business to the news media and the public on issues ranging from energy to employment, pensions to patents, competition to capital gains.   Included in this are educational projects to promote competitive enterprise, seminars and conferences designed to teach management techniques and to encourage public discussion of key issues and programs to facilitate and promote international trade.

There are many reasons to belong to the Chamber, but the most significant factor must be the strength provided by numbers of people with a common goal.  If business intends to compete on an equal footing with other forces in the community, it must combine its voices and strengths – and it does, in the Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce network in Canada is unique.  Each level of the Chamber system is autonomous and financially independent, the joint development of local, provincial and national Chambers has
required the co-ordination of activities, policies and programs among the three, and this co-operative spirit has made the Chamber movement the powerful force it is today.

It all adds up to a nation-wide partnership serving your interests.  The Chamber can be counted on to speak for your interests.  Now, doesn’t it make sense to become a member of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce?”

Flash forward to 2019 and the consistency of message between the past and the present is
evident.  Currently, we present businesses with three value propositions as they relate to why they should become a member – influence, profile and knowledge.    

Influence:  We are committed to helping create the conditions for growth and to improving the competitiveness of the Peterborough business community through our lobbying efforts at every level of government.
Profile: We can help you build your brand, and find new partnerships and collaborations, through our online directory, our social media channels, marketing and advertising, sponsorships and events.
Knowledge: We can help improve your business fundamentals, attract employees, and adapt to new technologies through reliable and relevant information, quality training, and targeted programs.

All together they culminate in our strengthening business Vision statement and builds upon the idea expressed in 1985 of strength in numbers and the end goal of nurturing a strong and impactful business community for Peterborough.