In 1949, a group of Timmins businessmen formed a chamber of commerce in order to address the need for an airport.
Land was cleared and promissory notes were issued to secure the land prior to selling it to the city for a nominal fee.
“The chamber was formed out of a real community need to help drive business,” said Timmins Chamber of Commerce manager Keitha Robson. “It has always had a role in moving the business community forward and it was founded on that. Highway 144, having a museum and having an economic development corporation all started from the need the chamber identified and found a way to address.”
The chamber's 21-member board may be large, but it represents a broad cross-section of the business community and each member is a committed volunteer.
This is one of a special series of articles that appeared in our July issue celebrating the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Timmins.
“Some chambers are reducing the size of their boards due to a lack of volunteers and commitment but we are able to maintain it,” she said.
With 840 members, the Timmins chamber has above average provincial rates for penetration and retention.
Its penetration rate is 50 per cent, while many others stand at 30 per cent. Its retention rate is in the low 90s.
“Our membership is strong, our programs and services are strong and our members are well-engaged and able to launch new programs and events,” Robson said.
Its annual Nova Awards, which started in 2003, recognize the achievements and accomplishments of businesses and entrepreneurs. Its well-attended gala event has attracted sold-out crowds since its inception.
Every second year, the Timmins Regional Economic Outlook (TREO) conference is presented by the chamber. It follows a different theme and attendees have an opportunity to network and hear presentations by industry and business leaders.
This year's event is scheduled for Oct. 15 and 16 and will begin with Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren's state of the city address and coincide with Small Business Week.
Its Young Professionals Committee, which began two years ago, not only caters to the professionals and entrepreneurs between the ages of 25 and 40, but also to those new to the community who want to build their networks and connect with others. Events and professional development initiatives are held throughout the year along with an annual awards gala.
“This committee has garnered some young professionals for our board,” said president Christine Leclair. “That succession is needed so we need to keep them engaged.”
The chamber's newest program is Women in Business.
“Our members requested if we would be willing to offer more women in business programs so we launched a luncheon series for them. We have had two so far and they have been well-attended and surpassed our goal,” Robson said.
“We weren't sure what the market was but women are willing to support other women in business and discuss business topics, so it is nice to facilitate that for them and empower women in business.”
Over the past decade, the membership has added more supply and service businesses, and many of its smaller members have grown into medium ones.
“In the past two years we have seen some nice growth in some of our businesses and they have become a new type of company,” she said.
The manager also has high praise for the generosity of its members who contribute to the community. “We see kids playing hockey and on the soccer fields, and business has made that happen,” Robson said. “People tend to forget that generosity is every way and every day and it filters throughout the community when they step up and share. We have about 1,600 businesses in the city and that is not a lot to be spread out.”
The chamber enjoys a good working relationship with the municipality and it meets monthly with the mayor and the city's CAO.
“Myself and the board chair discuss any issue imaginable at these meetings but we want to make sure the communication is clear. We don't always agree but we figure out areas where we can work together and make an improvement and our mayor and CAO are always open to hearing the chamber voice on those issues,” she said.
“We have an opportunity to be heard and we take advantage of that.”
www.timminschamber.on.ca 
