Strait Area Chamber

08/28/2026

Meet Flourish: Chaos Crushing Transformation, Right in Your Backyard

For 20 years, Flourish Management Consulting has helped businesses from coast to coast improve inventory management, speed up billing, streamline payroll, sharpen financial reporting, and protect their margins with smarter pricing. What many of our neighbours don't know: we're doing it from right here on Cape Breton Island, and our local team is growing.

If your business runs on Sage BV (BV), please read this part twice.

BV will be sunset on December 31, 2026. Sounds far away, but that is only 88 days!
The good news: Flourish is an Authorized Spire Partner specializing in BV to Spire migrations. Spire is a modern Canadian-built system that feels like BV only better. Your years of BV data roll into Spire, which means faster conversion, lower cost, and shorter learning curve for your team. You'll join an active Spire community full of former BV users, backed by a responsive company that keeps investing in its users' success.

Flourish Deliver ROI Start to Finish

Flourish is led by Nona MacDermid, CPA, who pairs the discipline of the accounting profession with more than 20 years of implementing innovative technologies to help business owners grow and succeed sustainably. With an in-house development team so that every design and build stays completely within our team's control; a dedicated crew of technical support specialists constantly on guard, and a team of Accounting Specialists to help with everything from that knarly bank reconciliation to annual Year-end and T4 filing, we are here and ready to serve..

Beyond the migration

Whether or not you use BV, we help owner-managed firms take command of their business performance by customizing your setup to work exactly the way your business does, and building real-time reporting so you know the pulse of your business every day, every hour, every decision timeframe that matters.
When you are ready to talk, we'll be here.
If any of this sounds like a mountain you've been meaning to climb, we'd be honoured to climb it with you.

Reach out for a no-obligation conversation about where your business is and where you want it to go.

08/26/2026

2026 Fall Workplace Education Courses Open Now

To register, please complete the form - https://forms.gle/JbnnLxYieVvKa1Co7

For more information visit - https://www.straitareachamber.ca/training-programs/

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

Celtic Oktoberfest - Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now!

The Strait Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to celebrate our 12th year of Celtic Oktoberfest – Cape Breton’s first ever all inclusive craft beer, local food and music gathering! Over time we have expanded to include local wine, spirits, and cider.

This year, we’ve lined up The Relatives to take the stage, and make this a night to remember! There will also be brand new Oktoberfest themed competitions!

Attracting a sell-out crowd of over 400 enthusiastic attendees, Celtic Oktoberfest is the must-attend event of the year.

Come and experience the best of Nova Scotia’s flavors and sounds with us!

PORT HAWKESBURY CIVIC CENTRE
OCTOBER 17, 2026 / 6:30PM-10:30PM

EARLY BIRD PRICING ACTIVE UNTIL SEP. 17 ($65 + tax)

https://www.straitareachamber.ca/2026-celtic-oktoberfest/

08/13/2026

Thank you to all who joined us yesterday at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre for the State of the Province luncheon with Nova Scotia’s Honorable Premier, Tim Houston. Great to see a strong turnout from the region’s business community at this event.

A special thank you to Trent Vichie, CEO and Founder of EverWind, for his remarks on behalf of our presenting sponsor, EverWind. Trent shared an optimistic outlook for the Strait Region, highlighting the incredible assets we have here in the Strait, and how we are prepared to take advantage investment opportunities to further develop our economy.
Thank you to Premier Houston for joining Chamber President, Jeremey Carroll in an on-stage conversation responding to questions and concerns from the business community on a variety of key issues. Including housing, immigration, port development, cell service, program funding cuts, the Port Hastings rotary and building on regional assets.

As a Chamber of Commerce, we are funded by and for our members. Events like this are important opportunities to bring this business community together to connect with government leaders directly on key issues. This would not be possible without a strong membership and the generosity of sponsors.

Thank you to the following State of the Province sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor, EverWind
Banner Sponsors: Mulgrave Machine Works
Networking Sponsor: Cactus Ship Building and Total Transport & Rigging
Media Sponsor: 1015 The Hawk
Table Sponsor: Maple & Jack Florist

We would also like to recognize our Chamber Past President, Bob MacEachern for a fine job as our emcee, thank you Bob!

08/13/2026

Save the Date: Celtic Oktoberfest – October 17, 2026

Join us on October 17 for another night of great music, great food, and plenty of fun. This year, The Relatives will be taking the stage, bringing the energy to the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre.

And we’re adding something new this year: competitions! We’ll be introducing a brand-new competitive element to Celtic Oktoberfest, with more details to be announced soon.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for competition details, ticket information, and more announcements coming soon.

Celtic Oktoberfest 2026 — October 17. You won’t want to miss it!

08/07/2026

Final Chance to Register – State of the Province Address

Join an audience of business leaders, industry representatives, elected officials, and community stakeholders for a State of the Province Address from Premier Tim Houston. The address will be followed by a fireside chat, with Chamber President Jeremey Carroll. There will also be a series of networking sessions before and after the program.

Time is running out to reserve your seat. With limited seating available, these next few days are your last opportunity to register for this special event. The registration deadline is Monday, August 10 at 12:00pm.

Reserve your spot today - https://straitareans.chambermaster.com/events/details/state-of-the-province-with-premier-tim-houston-114

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Time: 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre

Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from Premier Tim Houston and connect with fellow business and community leaders.

08/05/2026

Last Chance to Register – State of the Province Address with Premier Tim Houston

Time is running out to reserve your seat. With limited seating available, these next few days are your last opportunity to register for this special event. The registration deadline is Monday, August 10 at 10:00 am.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, EverWind NS, for their continued support of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce. EverWind owns and operates the Point Tupper energy hub, an established industrial facility and major employer in the Strait Area, while advancing renewable energy, clean fuels and new business opportunities across Nova Scotia. Through its investments in green hydrogen and ammonia, wind energy, infrastructure and industrial development, EverWind is working to create long-term economic opportunities, strengthen Indigenous partnerships and position Atlantic Canada for growth in the global clean energy economy. Thank you to EverWind for its continued commitment to our region and for helping make this event possible.

Event Details

State of the Province Address with Premier Tim Houston, followed by a fireside chat. Registration and networking begin at 10:30 am, Lunch will be served at 11:30 am, followed by the program, and networking after the event.

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Time: 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre (Bear Head Room)

Members: $65 + HST
Non-Members: $75 + HST

Reserve your spot today: https://straitareans.chambermaster.com/events/details/state-of-the-province-with-premier-tim-houston-114

Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from Premier Tim Houston and connect with fellow business and community leaders.

08/03/2026

Office Closure Notice:

Please note, our office will be closed today for Natal Day. We will resume regular hours tomorrow. (Tuesday, August 4th)

07/31/2026

Congratulations to a valued member of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, Cabot Cape Breton, for their well deserved recognition! Aside from the amazing views and golfing experience, their staff truly know how to provide the most possible value to their guests.

Cabot now holds both the No. 1 (Cabot Cliffs) and No. 2 (Cabot Links) spots on SCOREGolf's Top 100 Golf Courses in Canada list.