Author: Lucie Shaw, Nurse Next Door Mississauga Owner & Managing Director, 2022 MBOT Chair

Being an active member of Mississauga Board of Trade for many years, it’s now an honour and privilege to be incoming Chair.

As the owner of Nurse Next Door Mississauga for over 12 years, we have benefitted in many ways by being actively involved members of MBOT. MBOT’s motto to Connect/Champion/Advance – applies to all of us. Small, medium, large business – all are welcome. I encourage you to also benefit and to be involved.

Past Chair Ken Tencer from Spyder Works had a uniquely challenging year, but also a very successful one. Building on the success of 2021, let’s look together at challenges and opportunities for this coming year. So, what will next year look like? This is a question that is hard to answer but we’re going to continue with our momentum and move forward. One of our challenges is that we continue to navigate COVID unknowns, but together, through these ever-changing obstacles, we will only continue to improve as a Chamber.

Some businesses are navigating the balance of working from home or in the office or hybrid. Many businesses are dealing with labour shortage and retention. We now have a unique opportunity to review what we do and how we do it. The word “pivot” comes to mind. We’ve heard it frequently, but it is very apt for creating change and opportunities in our businesses. Let’s leverage this opportunity and create positive change in our business and community.

MBOTs dedicated CEO Trevor McPherson and Staff are here to support and guide you, our members, through our rapidly changing world. The great news is that in person events have re-started. With that, we need to understand comfort and personal boundaries as we re-engage with others. MBOT continues to engage and collaborate with all sectors of business through MERG. We will also continue with rapid antigen test distribution, Politician/Minister events and much more.

Again, I urge you to be involved. There are so many opportunities for our members’ involvement – MERG, Committees, attending events either virtual or in person.

I’m encouraged about possibilities and opportunities as we navigate change and support the needs of Mississauga businesses. Let’s work together to Connect, Champion, Advance our businesses.