On the heels of our 2025 AGM, it is my privilege to reflect on the past year and share the progress we have made together. 2024 was a transformative year for our Chamber, as we reaffirmed our commitment to our four Strategic Pillars: Advocacy, Connection, Education, and Promotion. These pillars are the foundation of our work, and I want to take a moment to highlight our accomplishments and the path ahead.
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AGM - Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce 72nd Annual General Meeting
Read the full Message Below from the Executive Director: A Year in ReviewOr visit
https://bracebridgechamber.com/message-from-the-executive-director-a-year-in-review/
Advocacy: A Voice for Local Business 
Housing affordability remained our primary advocacy focus. We released a housing backgrounder, participated in provincial roundtables, where we discussed the challenges our business community faces from a small-town perspective including workforce development, attracting and retaining young people and housing affordability. And we have worked closely with the Muskoka Community Land Trust to support a mixed-use development in downtown Bracebridge.
At the local level, we maintained regular discussions with the Mayor, CAO, and Economic Development staff, ensuring that the business community’s concerns were heard and addressed. With provincial and federal elections on the horizon, we will continue to provide unbiased election information and host all-candidates meetings to help our members make informed decisions.
Connection: Strengthening Business Networks
Last year, we hosted 12 networking events, averaging 49 attendees per session. We carefully scheduled events at different times to accommodate various business needs.
Key events in 2025 include:
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- 30th Annual Chamber Awards Gala (Pearl Theme) – April 3rd at Leon’s Auditorium, Muskoka Lumber Community Centre.
- Annual Golf Day – Planned for May or June.
Beyond events, we continue to facilitate business partnerships and connections. With the decline of traditional media, our newsletter has become a vital resource for members. We encourage businesses to subscribe to stay informed.
Looking ahead, we plan to expand our outreach by visiting our members in person, onboarding an intern through the FedNor program and strengthening cross-Chamber collaborations, including continued joint events with Muskoka Lakes Chamber, Gravenhurst Chamber, and expanding to include an event with the Huntsville Chamber.
Education: Supporting Business Growth
Providing valuable resources to our members is a top priority. Over the past year, we have shared educational content, webinars, and industry insights to help businesses thrive.
A major initiative for 2025 is our partnership with HR Covered, offering Chamber members access to over 1,000 HR-related documents, including templates for job postings, memos, and checklists—all at no cost.
Promotion: Showcasing Our Business Community
In 2024, our promotional efforts resulted in:
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- 117,000+ people reached on social media, a 500% increase from the previous year.
- 41% increase in Facebook engagement and 100% growth on Instagram.
- 117,000+ people reached on social media, a 500% increase from the previous year.
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We also expanded advertising opportunities, including:
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- Newsletter ads
- Digital screens in the Visitor Information Centre
- Customizable ad options for Gold members, continuing the map and expanding to the digital options.
Additionally, Oktoberfest continued to boost tourism and local businesses. With Bracebridge’s 150th anniversary in 2025, additional funding has been secured to make this year’s event even bigger.
Upcoming Change: Visitor Information Centre Relocation
This year marks one big change in particular. We are anticipating a move of the visitor information centre, where we operate from the Bird Mill Mews, just above the falls to the old Carnegie library building. With this move comes a sentimental weight, moving from a building with memories since the 90s, but it also brings a physical component of moving the furniture, digitizing documents and setting up the new Visitor Centre to ensure it provides the same or more value to visitors, and in turn the businesses supported by them. We ask for and appreciate your patience when this move happens and are excited for the future possibilities that come with a new space.
Acknowledging Contributions & Looking Forward
Last but certainly not least, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to our board members, volunteers, and staff whose hard work and dedication make all of this possible.
To our members, thank you for your trust and partnership—your success is at the core of everything we do.
I also want to recognize the board members who have served this year but will not be renewing their terms:
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- Louise Asselbergs, our former Treasurer
- Rahim Premji, the Chair of our Advocacy Committee
- Connor Ryan, the Chair of our Membership Committee
- Sara Landry
These board members have made significant contributions, from helping shape our advocacy efforts to securing support for our Golf Day and Gala. We sincerely thank them for their service.
I also want to extend a warm welcome to our new and returning board members:
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- Emerson Blackman
- Kevin McKinnon
- Marc Baudendistel
- Sarah Smith
- Andrew Luciani
- Barry Hammond, our Town Council representative
A special thank you to Nicolette Rushton, who has been an exceptional President throughout my tenure. Her guidance, leadership, and unwavering support have been invaluable. While I may occasionally have questions—some better than others—Niki is always there with thoughtful advice and a steady hand. I deeply appreciate her dedication, and I know the Chamber is stronger because of her commitment.
Thank you to all of our members once again for being here today and for your ongoing support. Here’s to another successful year for the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce!
2024 was a transformative year for the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce, and we’re anticipating even more exciting changes in 2025!
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Highlights
Advocating for housing affordability & workforce development Expanding connections with 12+ networking events Providing resources like 1,000+ HR documents for members Boosting visibility—500% growth in our social media reach! 
Future relocation of the Chamber and Visitor Information Centre to the Carnegie LibraryWe’re grateful for our members, board, and volunteers who make this possible. Your support drives everything we do!
The 72nd AGM was held at:
📅 Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: The Muskoka Collective, 16 Dominion St., Bracebridge
Important Links:
Can't make it? Send in your proxy vote by downloading this form and emailing it to Chamber@bracebridgechamber.com or EmilyBrown@bracebridgechamber.com
----> FILL IN THE FORM or submit the proxy form using Google here: https://forms.gle/MU1zHP7uPfr5DJHo9 or through our website here.
Virtual Meeting Option
Time: Jan 29, 2025 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88954743882
Meeting ID: 889 5474 3882
Attending the AGM is important for members to exercise their voting rights, stay informed about the organization’s progress, and contribute to key decisions. It’s an opportunity to ensure leadership remains transparent, network with others, and voice ideas or concerns. A strong turnout ensures the organization remains transparent, credible, and aligned with its members’ needs.
Refreshments and snacks provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
CLICK THE REGISTER BUTTON on the right side of the screen to indicate your plan to attend. If you have any issues with registration call the Chamber at 705-645-5231
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Date and Time
Wednesday Jan 29, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM EST
5:30 - 7:30pm
Location
The Muskoka Collective, 16 Dominion St. Bracebridge
Fees/Admission
Chamber Members are free to attend
Website
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Printed courtesy of www.bracebridgechamber.com – Contact the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce for more information.
3 Ecclestone Drive, Unit 1, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1S4 – 705-645-5231 – chamber@bracebridgechamber.com