The Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce (APCC), formerly the Maritime Board of Trade, was formed in 1896. It has been championing the cause of business in Atlantic Canada for in excess of a century, and continues to promote and support business and economic development in Atlantic Canada.
It was in 1974, when the Newfoundland & Labrador Chamber of Commerce (NLCC) joined the Maritime Board, that today's Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce came into being. In 1985, provincial chambers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island were formed to support the chamber's work in policy and government regulations.
Today, the four provincial chambers and the regional APCC operate under a common set of by-laws and serve as a federation of over 100 local chambers of commerce and boards of trade throughout Atlantic Canada, representing more than 16,000 businesses and professional people.
To best serve its membership, APCC's 2008 Strategic Plan focuses on its mission of becoming the one, strong, unified voice for business in a prosperous Atlantic region. To accomplish this, the Board of Directors has developed a strategy focused on 1) regional policy development and advocacy, 2) chamber and member services across the region, and 3) promotion of regional economic growth initiatives.
Regional policy development and advocacy is a priority for APCC. Through its Policy Development & Advocacy Committee, the regional chamber has been building a stronger policy development framework inclusive of all levels of the chamber network. Policy and advocacy efforts are focused toward achieving regional growth and prosperity, with an emphasis on research and advocacy protocol.
Another strategic priority is chamber and member services across the region. To ensure the best service for APCC chamber and patron members, key positions have been reorganized within APCC. With the addition of VP Business Development, Peter Gildart, whose primary responsibility is patron sales and service, and Chamber Service Representative, Tracy Saulnier, who will be working with, and supporting, chamber members, APCC now has the capacity to grow and strengthen its member network.
The third priority is the promotion of regional economic growth initiatives, especially those involving any of APCC's four pillars: 1) Atlantica, 2) access to capital, 3) people, and 4) innovation. With the support of the chamber network, APCC continuously searches for opportunities to foster growth and prosperity through regional collaboration and cooperation, and to become the strong, unified voice for business in Atlantic Canada.
With the support and the united strength of the regional chamber network, APCC will continue to work toward its goal of helping to create growth and prosperity in Atlantic Canada.
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www.apcc.ca )
