Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA) is undergoing some major changes to broaden their reach.
Among those changes are making the brand no longer just about Sudbury.
The mining service sector in Northern Ontario isn't just about Sudbury, anymore, so it is aiming to position itself as the unified voice for the whole of Northern Ontario.
“We want to be a pan-Northern Ontario association,” said Paul Bradette, director of business development. “The board had discussed this with members last September and approved a growth strategy.”
He added most people are not even aware of what the acronym stands for.
The aim is to have at least one member from all five cities in the north, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Sudbury and Thunder Bay and a director for each city. They have increased membership overall in all those communities, Bradette said.
The other part of the strategy is to have a global outreach re-branding assignment. The board recently approved a request for proposals to consulting firms. Whoever wins it will take on the mandate to help expand into all the mining jurisdictions. They will provide the association with a road map and marketing to make that happen.
The website will also be revamped, which will include any marketing by the consulting firm to drive traffic to the site.
SAMSSA is also planning to launch a new trade program. They have been active in trade missions like a recent trip to Nevada, but they want to expand on that model to help get more value for its members.
Right now they are working with a few companies to organize two incoming missions scheduled for June.
“It will be their opportunity to say these are the challenges and issues and get them in front of members instead of our members going out,” he said.
There are plans to host more networking events. They will continue with their quarterly Export Club meetings, and hosting a luncheon in the spring.
They are finalizing a guest speaker for that.
All of this, Bradette said, is to show members the value in being a member of the organization.
“This is what the organization is supposed to be doing and it's worthwhile to participate and it's helping them to increase their business,” he said.
