February 9, 2011

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce conducted its annual issues survey recently to gauge members’ business outlook for 2011 and to identify key issues that the Chamber should focus on in the coming year.

“The Chamber’s annual issues survey provides important feedback for the Chamber’s Board of Directors as we develop our annual strategic plan and participate in pre-budget meetings with the Province and City of Charlottetown,” commented Berni Wood, President of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.  “Our members’ optimistic business outlook for 2011 builds on the positive trends we noted in our 2010 survey.”

Looking ahead to 2011, 80% of survey respondents felt that the level of economic activity in the greater Charlottetown area would increase or stay the same compared to 2010.  A full 94% of respondents indicated that employment within their organizations would either increase or stay the same compared to 2010 levels.  When asked how their own businesses would perform in 2011, 54% felt their businesses would do better in 2011, and a further 34% expected their businesses to stay the same as 2010.

Chamber members were asked to identify the top three factors that could negatively impact their businesses in 2011.  Consumer confidence, wage and salary rates, and skilled labour shortage topped the members’ list of concerns.  Government competition with the private sector was also a dominant theme expressed in the survey and in roundtable sessions with members.

When asked which issues the Chamber should focus on in 2011, the provincial government deficit and municipal planning and development topped the list.  Other concerns included parking in the downtown, transit, debit and credit card transaction fees, and the regulatory burden faced by business.

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the “Voice of Business” on economic issues for its 900 members representing over 17,500 employees in small, medium and large enterprises in the capital region.  For more information on the Chamber visit www.charlottetownchamber.com or call (902) 628-2000.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lot 30 Restaurant/Wine Bar

Largo Fitness Center

The Garment District