Annual Report 2015

members | reputation | results

Notice of Meeting

Of the one hundred and twenty eighth Annual General Meeting of the Otago Chamber of Commerce Incorporated Date Thursday 15 October 2015 Time 12.30pm Venue The Otago Chamber of Commerce Level 3, Public Trust Building 442 Moray Place, Dunedin General Business Any general business must be notified to the Chief Executive by 5pm Monday 12 October 2015. Business 1. Apologies 2. Confirmation of minutes of the 127th Annual General Meeting 3. Matters arising 4. To receive and adopt the annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30

June 2015 5. To record the appointment of auditor 6. To consider any general business that may be legally brought before the meeting Register your attendance at the 128th Annual General Meeting no later than 5pm Monday 12 October 2015. Phone 03 479 0181 or email office@otagochamber.co.nz

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The Otago Chamber of Commerce Incorporated Directory

Location Level 3, Public Trust Building 442 Moray Place, Dunedin Postal PO Box 5713, Dunedin 9058 Phone 03 479 0181 Email office@otagochamber.co.nz Website www.otagochamber.co.nz IRD 10 356 997 Bankers Westpac Auditor Crowe Horwarth New Zealand Audit Partnership Lawyers Staley Cardoza |Gallaway Cook Allan Board of Directors Elected Alan Preston Bedpost Ali Copeman akB Conference Management Ltd Chris Staynes George Street Wines Ltd David Frame Craigs Investment Partners David Shelton J W Smeaton Ltd Greg Easton Craigs Investment Partners Professor George Benwell University of Otago Business School Appointed Scott Willis Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust Simon Berry Whitestone Cheese Ltd

Committees Ali Copeman Tourism Committee Chair Alan Preston Retailers Committee Chair Colin Mitchell Clutha District Advisory Committee Chair David Shelton Audit and Finance Chair Mark Willis and Chris Staynes International Trade and Manufacturers Committee Co-Chairs Simon Berry North Otago Advisory Branch Chair Scott Sinclair Central Otago Advisory Committee Chair Scott Willis Energy Committee Chair

NZCCI Representatives Alan Preston, Dougal McGowan

Life Members Bevan Rickerby | David Humphrey, VRD, JP Joylon Manning | Stephen Brocklebank

Chamber Team Dougal McGowan – Chief Executive Bruce Dunn |Cara Bradley | Fiona Gray | Gaylene Flamank Katie Greene | Kevin Flaws | Kim Cox | Paul Allen Sarah Rickerby | Susan Sims | Tania Duff | Tony Denley

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President and Chief Executive Report The Chamber has continued in its role of advocating, promoting, networking and developing business and the business environment throughout the Otago region.

The last year has seen new staff being appointed and a new strategic plan being developed. Much of the work is based around how we can support and advocate for a ‘better for business’ environment throughout the region. A key aspect to this is going to be the communications strategy and website developments which will link members more closely to the work and lead to a better understanding of the role of the Chamber.

The Chamber continues to be the voice of business for the Otago region and we have advocated on five long term, local and regional plans. We are also on a weekly basis supporting or advocating on specific developments across the community.

The Chamber has continued in its role of fostering relationships and creating business opportunities within New Zealand and internationally, that will allow business throughout the region to develop, grow and seek new prospects.

The Chamber has been focussing on supporting the development plans for Clutha District, North and Central Otago regions. There has been a stronger regional engagement focus with a growing commitment from all partners in the value of a shared vison and implementation of these plans.

The recent Berl report highlighted the economic growth of Dunedin and its wider hinterland with employment also on the rise. Business conditions were positive up until May but confidence has been very conservative throughout the region since February. People are wary of potential uneasy times ahead and are planning cautiously as a result.

The Chamber is only as strong as its membership. Activities are being better supported and engagement is improving. We are constantly looking for feedback and our surveys are providing great insights into our future work on engaging the membership. Your support of the Chamber and its variety of events, activities, training and sub committees is greatly valued.

The Chamber is in a strong position with a team of directors, staff, sub committees, sponsors and partners who work hard to promote a ‘better for business’ environment in the community. We thank you all for your support and contribution. We look forward to continuing to be the business voice of Otago and to represent members and business on an everyday basis.

Ali Copeman | President

Dougal McGowan | Chief Executive

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Members

Total Membership 2015 2014 2013 992 1,087 1,172

Regional membership continues to hold at 26% of total membership. We are still experiencing a decline in Dunedin membership levels as has been a trend over the last 5 - 7 years.

91 member businesses resigned for reasons beyond our control including those that were closed, sold, in receivership, merged and relocated. In 2014, 105 resignations were for these reasons, in 2013, 130.

81 new members were processed during the year against previous years of 104 and 110 respectively.

Total Activities 2015 2014 2013 Events Run 65 75 79 Attendees 3,233 2,656 3,077 Participation rate 96% 92% 91%

The usual mix of events and “after-5” functions were run over the 12 months supplemented by two golf tournaments in Alexandra and Dunedin.

We have partnered with Vodafone to bring a series of technology updates to members and have kept up with our members in the regions with a mix of BA5s and Beer ‘n’ Yarn functions.

OBIZ Awards 2014 culminated in a successful black tie event in November 2014. We were excited to announce Whitestone Cheese Ltd as the overall winner of the Business Excellence Awards. There were a wide variety of entrants and winners with a higher number of regional organisations entering.

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Reputation The Chamber has developed effective relationships and partnerships with organisations forming strategies and plans which affect the Otago economy. We have been instrumental in coordinating business voices throughout Otago on a variety of projects and issues.

These include:

Leading two delegations to China focussing on connections and introductions for Otago business and exporters

Project convenor for Project Shanghai and China. Driving the education, tourism technology and food and beverage industry opportunities

Representation on the Grow Dunedin Partnership with regard economic development strategy

We have submitted on:

Draft annual and long term plans for Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, Central Otago District Council, Clutha District Council and the Waitaki District Council

Dunedin City Council Cycle Lane Proposal and South Dunedin Cycle Network

Participation in the consent hearings around the Loan and Mercantile Building consent application

The work of the Chamber committees and individuals who write submissions, appear at hearings and meet with regulatory bodies on behalf of the Chamber and Otago businesses is greatly appreciated.

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Results Training and Development

We have continued to offer a comprehensive range of training workshops and development programmes over the year. 824 participants attended 532 hours of training in 155 different workshops (2014: 1,019, 846, 124 respectively).

Our Xcellerate diplomas programme allowed 29 participants to graduate with a diploma in Human Resources, Business Management and Financial Management over the year. Since 2010, there have been 137 graduates from 18 Xcellerate programmes.

257 participants trained in 31 workshops for the not for profit sector. (2014: 298 and 32 respectively). We would like to acknowledge the Otago Community Trust without whose support we would be unable to offer these governance workshops.

Leadership Academy

This leadership programme has now run for eight, 8-week sessions and is building a significant alumni. We would like to thank those presenters and leaders who have given of their time and offered their advice and experience to the academy over the last years.

Employment Initiatives

The Chamber has continued to manage the employment of apprentices for the For Trades Apprenticeship Programme, and modern apprentices on behalf of the Otago Polytechnic, in areas including automotive, building, creative, joinery and plumbing trades.

Energy Committee

Formed last year, the energy committee has undertaken some substantial work in getting a baseline energy assessment underway for Dunedin. It is also assisting in finding spaces to set up charging stations for electric vehicles.

Finances

While the Chamber has reported a loss for the year it has continued to keep its expenditure to a minimum. A number of smaller one-off expenses and a reduction in contract revenue were absorbed against lower membership and training revenues.

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Financial Statements

Financial Responsibility Statement Page 1

Statement of Accounting Policies Page 2

Statement of Financial Performance Page 3

Statement of Movements in Equity Page 3

Statement of Financial Position Page 3

Notes to the Financial Statements Page 4-5

Independent Auditors Report Page 6

for the year ending 30 June 2015

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Level 3, Public Trust Building, 442 Moray Place, PO Box 5713, Dunedin P 03 479 0181 E office@otagochamber.co.nz www.otagochamber.co.nz

Photographs attributed to Paul Allen and Clive Copeman