Chamber offering candidates, business people chance to meet at ‘trade show’

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This article was published 09/09/2015 (4043 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Call it a political trade show.

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce has come up with a novel way to introduce business people to the candidates in their areas.

Starting Sept. 16, it is inviting federal election candidates to attend a series of four luncheons at which members will be able to bring up specific concerns and issues with those vying for their vote.

But instead of listening to a series of speeches or candidate debates, the federal political hopefuls will be set up at tables or booths where they can engage business persons one-on-one.

Loren Remillard, executive vice-president of the Winnipeg chamber, said the 90-minute mid-day events will allow members to meet all candidates in a riding over a short period of time.

He said the format also works for candidates, allowing them to reach out to lots of business people without interfering in their prime evening door-knocking time.

“It’s the first time we’re doing it, and we’re quite excited about it,” Remillard said of the trade show format.

“This really empowers (members) to raise their issues and hear directly from the candidates on how they would deal with those issues.”

He said the chamber is also pleased with the response it’s getting from candidates. The participation rate is at about 90-95 per cent of candidates registered to date.

Traditionally, about 40 to 60 members tend to attend these regular ‘chapter’ luncheons, but the chamber is hoping for “a lot more,” given the fact that federal candidates will be in attendance.

On Sept. 16, Winnipeg South and Winnipeg South Centre candidates will attend an event at the Caboto Centre, 1055 Wilkes.

On Sept. 22, the chamber will hold an event at the Canada Inns, 826 Regent Ave., featuring Elmwood-Transcona and Saint Boniface-Saint Vital candidates.

On Oct. 7, it will host a luncheon at the Canada Inns, 2100 McPhillips St., with candidates from Kildonan-St. Paul and Winnipeg North.

And on Oct. 13, it will host a meeting at the Viscount Gort, 1620 Portage Ave., for candidates from Winnipeg Centre and Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley.

Remillard said the events are open to the media as well as to business people who are not chamber members.

— Larry Kusch