Welcome to the heart of the Greater Stouffville Chamber’s vibrant business community — our exciting events page! Here, you’ll discover a calendar packed with diverse opportunities designed to inspire, connect, and empower our members. From monthly member-hosted networking nights to insightful economic and government affairs breakfasts, our events are crafted to cater to every interest and need.
Join us for gala dinners that celebrate our community’s achievements, engage in Special Interest Group events that foster collaboration among like-minded professionals, and attend educational workshops to sharpen your skills and knowledge. With something for everyone, our events provide the perfect platform to grow your network, learn from industry leaders, and elevate your business.
Many of our events are free for members, and members always enjoy discounted rates, making it even more rewarding to be part of the Greater Stouffville Chamber community. Be sure to register early, as our events sell out quickly. Dive in and explore the opportunities that await you — your next great connection or breakthrough idea could be just an event away!
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
Hosted by: Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced our work and home lives to collide, fundamentally changing forever how companies view flexible work arrangements such as work from home (or work from wherever) and has shined a light on opportunities and benefits around flexible hours, four-day workweeks, and job sharing. It has also had uneven effects on different segments of the population - generally high skilled and higher-income groups have fared relatively well while the gaps with lower-skilled and lower income Canadians have widened.
While flexible working arrangements are not new, the pandemic has forced large-scale adoption and necessity has eroded at least some of the historic resistance. Flexible work arrangements can help level the playing field for women, whose careers are often penalized when family care prevents them from spending as many hours on paid employment as their male colleagues. It can also provide more opportunities for persons with disabilities who have often identified flexible work and the ability to work at home as key accommodations. Research shows that industries with more flexible working arrangements tend to have lower gender pay gaps because women can upskill more easily. Further, countries with more women working from home tend to exhibit higher employment rates among mothers.
A recent survey conducted by the Environics Institute for Survey Research, in partnership with the Future Skills Centre and the Diversity Institute reveals the impacts the pandemic has had on pre-existing barriers to workforce advancement and widening the skills and labour gap. Join us on Thursday, March 18th to learn more about this data from Dr. Andrew Parkin, Executive Director at the Environics Institute. Learn how Canadian men and women and diverse groups have been affected by, and are coping with, the disruptions caused by the pandemic through their experience of working from home.
Following his presentation, we are delighted to host an exciting panel conversation on what this means for the future of work and the implications for skills both among employees and managers.
Unlock unparalleled opportunities by sponsoring events with the Greater Stouffville Chamber of Commerce. Join fellow business leaders, community partners, and local influencers to forge valuable connections and collaborations that will enrich both our community and your business. As a sponsor, your business will gain exceptional visibility and showcase its commitment to supporting our vibrant local business community, all while being in front of influential business and political leaders in the region.
Our diverse lineup of events includes the Annual Spring Dinner featuring the Mayor’s State of the Town Address, the fall Greater Stouffville Business Hall of Fame Dinner, the winter Economic Outlook Breakfast, monthly member-hosted networking nights, and other exciting events throughout the year. We offer a variety of sponsorship levels to position your brand and engage in meaningful ways to achieve your goals. Additionally, we are eager to collaborate with sponsors to create tailored event opportunities and offer bundling deals for sponsoring multiple events.
Our dynamic Chamber sold out all its events in 2024, making sponsorship a fantastic way to elevate your business presence in Greater Stouffville. Don’t miss this chance to connect with key community figures. Contact us at christian@stouffvillechamber.ca to explore sponsorship opportunities.
The Greater Stouffville Chamber is pleased to offer Special Interest Groups (SIGs) as part of our initiative to enhance member engagement and connectivity. These SIGs are communities within our Chamber that focus on advancing specific areas of interest, fostering collaboration among members with shared goals.
Currently, we have launched two SIGs:
Each SIG is led by a Chamber member and is designed to drive change and produce solutions through communication, meetings, and organized events. These groups provide unique opportunities to network with peers, share resources, and develop strategies to address challenges specific to their focus area.
Participation in a SIG is exclusive to Chamber members, making it an excellent opportunity for professional growth and community building. If you or someone you know is interested in joining one of our SIGs, please contact us at taya@stouffvillechamber.ca for more information and to secure your spot.
