“We have to innovate and develop applications and companies which might be aware of right now’s enterprise group”
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Former Progressive Conservative cupboard minister Doug Griffiths is the brand new CEO of Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, the board of administrators introduced Oct. 10.
The chamber says in a submit on X, previously Twitter, the appointed CEO has what it takes to do the job.
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“(Griffiths) is a group builder at coronary heart. It’s his ardour, which makes him an amazing match for the chamber. We’re excited for Doug to steer us right into a part of development,” reads the submit.
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The political background offers Griffiths the benefit of realizing the method of his new job.
“I perceive the processes of the legislature, how caucuses work, how the provincial authorities works, that by extension that works very properly on the federal stage too, as a result of it’s similar political system,” Griffiths informed Postmedia Monday. “The provincial stuff are precious, and I’ve labored with municipalities for 25 years.”
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Whereas there are a number of long-term plans on the agenda, Griffiths says innovation is the important thing, particularly in terms of responding to right now’s enterprise world.
The agenda contains budgets from all three ranges of presidency, growing workforce numbers in Edmonton and housing, says Griffiths.
“Immigration instantly impacts our labour pressure and we want labour, after which once we get labour, then we want housing,” mentioned Griffiths. “And as a lot as we get housing, we additionally must resolve the place it’s going to be, so we’re eager about persevering with to get individuals situated within the downtown core to reside, as a result of the downtown core is fairly vital to the success of the complete metropolis.”
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In relation to innovation, Griffiths says accumulating information about sources and workforce numbers is vital.
“Innovation goes to be an important half. We’d like extra sturdy information assortment details about who the members are? Why they’re members? What sort of training they’re in search of? And what supply of sources can we offer to the enterprise group to ensure that we’re profitable going ahead,” mentioned Griffiths.
Step ahead for Edmonton’s financial growth: EDBA
The Edmonton Downtown Enterprise Affiliation says Griffiths brings with him two important items: group financial growth and authorities affairs.
“Doug brings with him an in depth background in group financial growth and authorities affairs, that are two important items of the Chamber’s function in our enterprise group and in Edmonton’s financial future,” Puneeta McBryan, govt director of EDBA, mentioned in a press release to Postmedia.
McBryan notes that beneath the brand new management, enterprise within the Edmonton now have a powerful voice, because the financial system grows.
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“I’ve met with him already, and it’s clear that the success of Edmonton’s downtown might be a precedence for the Chamber beneath his management,” McBryan mentioned.
“I imagine we’ll now begin to see extra management and influence from the Chamber to make sure that Edmonton and space companies have a powerful voice and are well-positioned for prosperity as our metropolis and financial system grows.
In the meantime, Tod Janes, chair of Edmonton’s Enterprise Enchancment Affiliation council informed Postmedia he’s thrilled to work with the brand new chief on behalf of the over 5,000 unbiased companies inside Edmonton’s 13 BIAs.
“I stay up for working with the Chamber of shared points that influence companies inside Edmonton,” mentioned Janes.
Chetan Dave, professor of Economics on the College of Alberta, can also be optimistic, as Griffiths has a “file of well-thought out, cheap determination making in authorities.
“He’ll carry a wealth of expertise to the function with sensitivity for each the members of the chamber and people who the chamber liaise with,” Dave mentioned.
It’s a step ahead for Edmonton’s financial growth, he provides.
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“It essential for Edmonton to have somebody reminiscent of Doug in that function because the native financial system diversifies into fashionable development sectors.”
Since 2014, Griffiths has labored because the president of 13 Methods Inc., a consulting firm that works with municipal, provincial and nationwide governments, chambers of commerce and regional financial growth group.
Griffiths served Albertans as an elected member of the Legislative Meeting of Alberta from 2002-2015, holding at one time the place of Minister of Municipal affairs and Minister of Service Alberta.
He succeeds Haydar Al Dahhan, who served as Interim president and CEO for the previous eight months after the chamber’s board introduced Jeffery Sundquist is not the president on Feb, 2, 2023. Haydar stays the Chair of the Chamber’s board of administrators.
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