SWCC hosting new event to further strengthen local business

The Strathmore and Wheatland Chamber of Commerce (SWCC) held its first-ever "Coffee Connections" event on July 19, which is a monthly event designed to get local businesses networking and learning more on how they can work together to strengthen our community's local business scene.

The SWCC Chair of the Board Whitnee Sidloski explained the SWCC was trying to find new ways to get businesses involved with each other, and a unique way to do that would be a daytime event rather than the usual evening/ night events. As for Coffee Connections itself, Sidloski believes this could strengthen an already strong local business scene.

"We have a lot of business owners that are really excited about collaborating with other businesses, working hand in hand with other businesses, and just meeting other business people in the community. Some business owners aren't from town, some of them are new, and we wanted to create a platform where people in business could come and have a space to meet other people in business and talk business," she said.

Sidloski added the willingness of local businesses to collaborate and work together is something that makes Strathmore's business scene stand out from other communities. While bigger communities may see more of a cut-throat "us vs them" mentality when it comes to business, Sidloski says a rising tide can lift all boats in a community like Strathmore, so promoting connections and working together could be in everyone's best interests.

"We see so many businesses that want to collaborate with other businesses instead of having it be a competitive thing. Everybody wants to see everybody succeed here and I think that's really refreshing to have in this community." 

Attending these Coffee Connections events are free, so Sidloski hopes to see plenty of new and returning faces at the next one. However, to attend you do have to be an SWCC member, and you can learn more about that at its website here.

The next Coffee Connections will be hosted by Lakewood Developments and Kelly Kustom Homes Ltd. on August 23 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at 111 Lakewood Circle. If you are interested in hosting a Coffee Connections event you can email board@swcc.ca for additional details.

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