To manage the many projects of our Chamber we've setup three Strategic Sub-committees that meet monthly and report back to the main MCC Board with recommendations on how to proceed with projects.  Within each sub-committee individual Board members manage the projects that are important to them and liaise with other committee members for support and advice.  Below are the offical MCC projects for 2011:

Special Projects Committee

Broadway Avenue Recovery Strategy

Project leader: Ralph Bare

Many businesses have moved out of Broadway which has impacted the remaining businesses financially.  We're presently liasing with PNCC and Broadway Avenue property owners to find a solution.

Centre of Excellence for Cycling (Velodrome)

Project leader: Paul O'Brien

Palmerston North has lodged a proposal with BikeNZ and Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) to build New Zealands second international indoor cycling velodrome.  More...

Rugby World Cup

Project leader: Paul O'Brien

New Zealand is the host of Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011), with matches around the country from 9 September to 23 October 2011. Palmerston North has been confirmed as a venue for two matches from 28 September to 2 October. We're working to help local businesses capitalise on this opportunity.  More...

Business Awards

Project leader: Paul O'Brien

We're working closely with Vision Manawatu to find the Manawatu's best businesses and cellebrate their excellence.

Manawatu Tram Trust

Project leader: Paul O'Brien

We're working with local businesses to create battery powered Tram to be sold Internationally.

Manawatu Free Wireless Project

Project leader: Brynn Neilson

We're presently working with stakeholders to create free wireless internet access in Palmerston North and Feilding.  More...

Sustainable Manawatu

Project leader: Brynn Neilson

We're part of the founding members Task Force with representatives from local government, environmental and business groups that formed Sustainable Manawatu.  This year we formed a new Board and have aquired funding for the next 12 months. More...

Manawatu Digital Strategy

Project leader: Brynn Neilson

We are liaising with PNCC and local IT stakeholders and will submit a recommendation to PNCC this year.

EMA Merger

Project leader: Brynn Neilson

Research into the viability of a merger between the Manawatu Chamber of Commerce and EMA has been halted due to the Wellington working group's request for more time to measure results of the Welling Chamber merger and also prepare better procedures for future mergers. More...

Membership Committee

Project leader: Phil Monk

Our membership database has been updated and we've improved many of our services to members such as more member to Member discounts, National discounts, better events and better communication with our members.  If you have ideas on how we can improve our services to members please contact us.

Lobbying Committee

PNCC Business Conflict of Interest

Project leader: Brynn Neilson

In 2010 several of our members told us that PNCC was competing against their business for contracts such as tree pruning.  When we brought this to the attention of Paddy Clifford (PNCC CEO) and Jono Nailor (Mayor) they agreed that PNCC should not be competing with local business and immediately asked the PNCC department to pull their advertising.

We also had local telecomunications companies note that PNCC was competing with them by offering less than market rate telephone services.  At first PNCC totally denied the allegation but after much prodding Mike Manson (PNCC Business Development Executive) revealed that the Council did supply telephone services to it's partner organisations (such as Vision Manawatu, Destination Manawatu) and also to tennants in their buildings.

We suggested that PNCC provide us with a policy for conflict of interest situations.  This is what was provided: click here.

We're continuing to monitor this issue.  If you have examples of other possible conflicts of interest please let us know so we can work with the Council to create policy where needed.

PNCC Annual Plan

Project leader: [Will be handled by new Executive Officer]

Each year we make submissions to the PNCC Annual Plan on behalf of our members.