Brown offers ‘future-ready’ vision as chamber president

The new president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce says he is “deeply committed” to working alongside business leaders to help build and grow the local economy.

Emelio Brown, partner and CEO of IntriTech Digital Marketing, replaces Jennifer Ludwig in the chamber’s top job for a one-year term. Brown served as the chamber’s vice-president up until Thursday’s appointment.

“My vision is simple — to foster a resilient, future-ready and inclusive business community,” Brown told a crowd of about 250 chamber members during a changeover luncheon at the Clarion Hotel and Suites in Brandon.

“In today’s economy, we must ensure that local businesses are equipped to face change, seize the opportunity and also reflect in the richness of our diversity that we do have here in Brandon.”

Brown has a background in computer science and serves as co-chair of the Westman Jamaican Community. He immigrated to Canada in 2014 from Jamaica and founded his company in 2017.

During his speech, he said everyone’s voice needs to be heard at the table.

“When we bring more perspectives to the table, we make better decisions, we uncover opportunities that we may otherwise miss, we strengthen our collaboration, we build solutions that better reflect the realities that we are facing here in Brandon,” he said.

Brown also touched on the use of artificial intelligence, saying his business is “embracing the power of AI” and that he is seeing good results and improved productivity, efficiency and customer experience.

“The chamber has an important role to play in all of this, through workshops, resources and open conversations,” he said. “We can help promote AI literacy … and help businesses of all sizes grow with the use of AI.”

He said the chamber’s goal is not to react to change, but instead to position the city and region as a business community that is “forward thinking, adaptable and ready for the future.”

He also said businesses have to be ready for other kinds of change, whether it be tariffs or another pandemic.

“Your chamber will be ready to adapt alongside you. Your chamber will also be responsive to your needs, will advocate when challenges arise, will also be there to ensure that you have the support that you need in times of uncertainty,” he said.

“The decisions that we make today, the conversation that we have, the momentum that we build will help shape the region for years to come,” he added.

“I’m optimistic, and I’m proud to take this journey with all of you.”

Ludwig, the president of Super Thrifty Drugs Canada, started her one-year term as uncertainty for Canadian businesses was near its highest. On-and-off tariffs enacted by U.S. President Donald Trump led to higher prices for a variety of sectors.

She described her presidency as “a rebuilding year,” because of tariffs and international trade making headlines constantly, along with the search for a new chamber general manager.

Health care and local safety for businesses were other major issues over the last year, she said.

The city as a whole has made a lot of progress on dealing with retail theft, she said, including the province announcing funding police officers to combat the issue.

Ludwig said she’s proud of the advocacy the chamber has done, whether it be through speaking with the media and government, or talking with the local workforce.

She told Brown that the chamber will be in good hands with him as president.

Chris Finley, the vice-president of Mazergroup’s parts and service operations, was installed as the chamber’s new vice-president. Finley served as the chamber’s secretary-treasurer until Thursday.

» alambert@brandonsun.com