Monday February 25, 2013

Good morning members of Council.  I am pleased to be here today to represent the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber has an LRT task force that comprises representatives from our Divisions and Committees, City Council (Councillors Farr, Ferguson and McHattie as well as the Mayor), Hamilton HIVE, the Realtors Association of Hamilton Burlington and the Hamilton Halton Home Builders Association.

The Hamilton Chamber has had a long-standing policy position of supporting public transit infrastructure – both all-day two-way GO Train service and LRT.  As we know, the GO Train project is proceeding. 

Today is about LRT and my comments will build on those that I shared at both the October 11, 2011 and December 11, 2012 meetings of the GIC.

We are here to speak in favour of staff’s recommendations in today’s report.

HAMILTON – Louise Dompierre, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Chamber announced today that President and CEO David Adames will be leaving the Chamber to join the Niagara Parks Commission as Senior Director, Business Development. His last day with the Hamilton Chamber will be March 8.

“On behalf of the Board and our membership, I would like to thank David for his leadership in guiding the Chamber through a transition period in our history as the Board implemented a new governance model,” stated Dompierre.  “David contributed significantly to the growth of the Chamber and his accomplishments included bringing greater financial stability to the organization (as we will report at the Annual General Meeting); shepherding the Chamber’s office move to the downtown core last summer; hosting the Canadian Chamber of Commerce annual conference in 2012; re-positioning communications with our members and the business community; and initiating new collaborations for the Chamber.”

“I would like to thank the Chamber Board for their outstanding support since I became the President and CEO in July, 2011,” added Adames.  “While there is never a “right time” to move on, this new position provides me with the opportunity to expand my professional experience. It has been an honour to serve in this role and I have enjoyed working with the Board, Divisions, Committees and the membership at large. There are tremendous opportunities coming up in the near term for the Chamber to provide leadership on important business issues in the city and I know that the Board and my successor will continue the Chamber’s important work representing business in our community.”

The Board will begin the recruitment process for a new President and CEO.  Richard Koroscil, who was Chair of the Hamilton Chamber Board from 2010-2011, has agreed to serve as interim President and CEO. Koroscil is also the former President and CEO of Hamilton International Airport, retiring from that position in early 2012.  Today, Koroscil is the President of Korlon Strategic Services Inc. and serves on the Boards of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Metrolinx.

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Media Contacts:

Louise Dompierre, Chair of the Board        David Adames, President & CEO
Tel:  905-527-6610 ext. 228                Tel:  905-522-1151 ext. 229
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Please click here for the press release.

HAMILTON – Today, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce released the results of its membership survey concerning a casino facility for the city.  The survey was conducted from January 30 to February 15, 2013. 

The survey produced the following key results regarding a casino location:

•    72.1% of respondents believed that they had enough information to make an informed decision about a casino
•    50% support the existing Flamborough location for a casino while 23% opposed and 23% were indifferent
•    67% opposed a stand-alone downtown casino while 14% supported
•    46% supported a downtown casino if it included a hotel and entertainment facility while 42% opposed
•    45% opposed another location in Hamilton for a casino while 15% supported

Reasons for supporting a casino were ranked as follows:

•    Economic benefit (jobs and tax revenue):    80.2%
•    Revenue to the City of Hamilton:                  76.1%
•    Potential tourism attraction:                          71.3%
•    Entertainment venue for residents:               60%

Reasons for opposing a casino were ranked as follows:

•    Oppose casinos because of social/moral concerns:                                  66%
•    Does not fit with City’s vision or strategic plan:                                          54.2%
•    Casino would compete with local businesses for entertainment dollars:    49.5%
•    Logistical reason – parking                                                                        21.6%

The survey was sent to 1601 Chamber member representatives and 453 completed  surveys were received providing a statistically significant result.  Of the respondents, 51.4% were the business owner while 37% were managers. 

“The survey indicates that the Chamber’s membership is evenly divided between support for the existing casino location in Flamborough and for a downtown casino/entertainment complex.  The survey clearly showed that Chamber members do not support a stand-alone downtown casino,” stated David Adames, President and CEO.  “I would like to thank our Chamber members for responding in a strong way to the survey and for attending the public meetings regarding the casino.”

The summary of the survey results is posted on the Hamilton Chamber website at hamiltonchamber.ca

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Media Contacts:

David Adames, President & CEO
Tel:  905-522-1151 ext. 229
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2013 Casino Survey Results

2013 Casino Survey Results Media Release