Southeast Alberta - The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce marked a milestone year at its 2025 Presidents’ Reception & Annual General Meeting, celebrating 125 years of supporting and advocating for local businesses. This year’s event theme was based on the Chamber's 'Legacy of Leadership': building on the past and growing into the future through continued growth and collaboration.

“2025 has been a transformative year for the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce,” said Aaron Fleming, Chamber President. “Marked by its 125th anniversary, hosting the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Provincial Conference, receiving yet another Chamber of the Year award and being recognized as one of Canada's top 10 fastest growing Chambers," Fleming further remarked. "This work has been in addition to advancing key advocacy wins that directly impact our business community and the growth of our region".

A key highlight of the year was the Chamber’s 125th anniversary, commemorated at the provincial conference in May 2025. This annual provincial conference welcomed nearly 200 delegates from 32 Chambers across Alberta. Attendees engaged in policy discussions, networking, and celebrations - including a street renaming to Commerce Way. The event generated an estimated $150,000 in local economic impact, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and service providers throughout Southeast Alberta.

Policy leadership was another highlight at the provincial conference, with 29 resolutions passed, six of which were sponsored or co-sponsored by the Chamber, reinforcing the Chamber’s commitment to shaping a competitive business environment. In total, the local Chamber adopted 8 new policies in the 2024-2025 year, including:

• Alberta’s Role in Enhancing Interprovincial Collaboration
• Beveridge Remittance Model Reform
• Development and Infrastructure Division Fees and Charges
• Establishment of a Pre-Approved Trade Corridor for Economic Growth and Investment
• Improvements to Regional Air Service
• Medicine Hat Air Service
• Integrating Economic Stewardship Into The Public Service Values And Ethics Code (Co-Sponsored)
• Supporting Communities in Managing Crime, Homelessness, and Property Damage

The addition brings the total active policy resolution count to 44. The Chamber also provided 37 new advocacy insight updates throughout the year, featuring updates on its work on active policy resolutions and moving the policy agenda forward. 

"Our work focused on all levels of government - municipal, provincial and federal, with over 1600 hours spent in advocacy work, including letters, meetings and events. The Chamber of Commerce has continued its advocacy on key municipal issues, from reducing red tape to creating a strong and diverse economy, with notable progress in improving development processes," said Lisa Dressler, Executive Director. "We encourage members who have concerns to take a look at what we are actively engaging on through our active policies and advocacy insights on our website, and if there are new issues that we are not yet aware of, we encourage members to submit their issues through our online business advocacy submission form or give us a call."

Highlights from the annual report included the Chamber's 866 members, with 157 new members joining during the 2024-2025 year. The Chamber celebrated 25 Grand Openings or grand re-openings with its members and hosted 99 different Chamber events, attracting over 1,700 attendees, and two trade shows, with a combined total of over 8,400 consumers.

As the Chamber builds on its legacy of leadership, the focus remains on building a resilient and prosperous future for Southeast Alberta. From celebrating 125 years of impact to building the future through policy and collaboration, the Chamber is committed to driving growth and opportunity for our members. The groundwork laid in 2025 positions the local Chamber for continued success in advocacy, networking, and partnerships.

The Chamber of Commerce 2025 Annual Report can be viewed online at https://www.southeastalbertachamber.ca/news/annual-reports/ 

For more information about the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce and upcoming initiatives, visit www.southeastalbertachamber.ca.

Please direct all media inquiries to:
Aaron Fleming
Chamber of Commerce President, 2025-2026
Phone: (403) 527-5214 ext. 225

The Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, volunteer-led organization, proudly representing the interests of businesses in our region, and working diligently to stimulate a strengthened and vibrant economy through our connections, support and influence. For over 125 years, the Chamber has stood for promoting business, monitoring government and championing managed growth in the local economy. The Chamber represents close to 900 businesses in our region and is aligned with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), which represents over 24,000 businesses, the Canadian Chambers of Commerce (CCC), which represents over 200,000 businesses and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), representing over 45 million companies in more than 170 countries. With the largest and most influential business organizations locally, provincially, federally and internationally, the Chamber network is the most unified, valued and influential business network in Canada and works together to shape policy and programs that will make a difference to businesses in our region.