DANIELLE MILLAR

JUST PICTURE IT

When you are the project lead, most of your time is spent behind the scenes not in front of the camera. Understanding the visual importance of digital communications, I needed to dig deep to find photos depicting my work experience and accomplishments. The gallery below will give you a sampling of my capabilities and nature.

As Executive Director, I was responsible for providing members with the Chamber's annual financial report and strategic direction. Accountability and communications was members was key for recruitment and retention goals.

Working with the brewers, staff and management, I coordinated our participation in events throughout the province. The Sawdust team is brimming with talented young staff. It was key for retention that I continually sourced opportunities and experiences allowing staff to play a role in the planning and execution of brewery promotions and projects.

Each year the Chamber team invited businesses to a tourism round table allowing us gather feedback and understand the climate and needs of local tourism operators. The forum encouraged partnerships and collaboration amoungst the community while allowing us to promote Chamber marketing opportunities.

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SKILLS & EXPERTISE

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Developed growth strategies and opportunities for Sawdust City Brewing

Established community, event and festival partnerships securing exclusive rights for the brewery

Developed and launched Sawdust City's experiential education marketing strategy spearheading growth in targeted regions throughout the province

Increased membership by 41% and doubled annual revenues allowing the Gravenhurst Chamber to grow and expand program offerings

Researched regional business development priorities to create a five-year strategic plan and budget forecast for the Gravenhurst Chamber

Consulted entrepreneurs on opportunities, resources and strategies to grow their business

Supported multiple new businesses and developments resulting in 100+ new employment opportunities and accounting for over 20 million dollars in economic impact for the community

Grew Mr.Sub Gravenhurst to one of the country's top ten performing franchise locations

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Completed marketing review providing the Brewery's owners with a summary of expenses and staffing in comparison to outcomes and effectiveness

Lead programs and initiatives related to the Chambers's five service areas including community engagement, business development, tourism, special events, membership services and Service Ontario

Over 15 years experience developing and successfully executing business plans, strategies, budgets and funding proposals

Two decades of experience motivating teams ranging in size from four to twenty plus people

As a business owner and executive director oversaw all aspects of business operations including finance, human resources, customer relations, marketing and growth planning

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Developed a core business plan for Canadian Brewing Awards and Conference 2017 clarifying goals and outlining the growth strategy, priorities, finance and budget and critical path.

Oversaw the coordination and growth of Gravenhurst Chamber programs including Gravenhurst Santa Claus Parade, Business Education Series, Dockside Festival of the Arts, Membership Renewal Campaigns, Gravenhurst Car Show, Visitor Information Services, Tourism Marketing Campaign and Experience Gravenhurst Guide & Map

Developed year-long tourism strategy for World Pride promoting Muskoka as a destination in partnership with four regional chambers and Muskoka Tourism

Completed project reviews comparing goals to results and providing SWOT analysis, success and improvement priorities

Collaborated with numerous organizations to plan and execute programs accomplishing shared goals

Over 10 years experience, executing projects ensuring goals were met on schedule and on budget

PUBLIC SECTOR / GOVERNMENT

Developed partnership strategy to increase product listings and brand awareness with the LCBO, The Beer Store and grocery stores.

Coordinated AGCO licensing and permitting for the Brewery drafting comprehensive operational plans to accompany applications

Oversaw operations of a top performing Service Ontario private issuing office ensuring compliance, staff training and KPI's with Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Health

Launched and managed elearnnetwork.ca/Contact North, a MTCU funded regional centre that became one of the top three performing centres in terms of student registrations, retention and program completion

Fostered and maintained meaningful working relationships with government staff, elected officials and agency stakeholders

Coordinated unbiased all-candidate interviews and community forums for municipal, provincial and federal elections

Advocated for change and provided elected officials with information on the local business climate

GRANTS & FUNDING

Secured $40,000, managed $250,000 and sourced $4,000,000 in grant and expansion funding opportunities to support the brewery's expansion

Successfully secured over $2,000,000 in grant and partnership funding allowing a relocation and expansion of services while managing the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce

Successfully secured grant funding from FedNor, OMAFRA, Muskoka Futures, RTO 12 Explorers' Edge, Industry Canada, Ministry of Tourism, Foodland Ontario, BDC, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Employment Ontario, Muskoka Community Foundation.

COMMUNICATIONS & RELATIONSHIPS

Built relationships with Canadian Brewing Awards and Conference host city and industry partners across Canada to achieve the 2017 expansion goals

Developed & executed a tourism marketing & visitor services plan for the Town of Gravenhurst

Built and sustained relationships with funding partners including FedNor, Trillium, Grants Ontario managers and regional stakeholders

Presented Chamber of Commerce strategies and annual reports to members and partners

Fostered relationships with community organizations to promote Chamber priorities and align strategies

Trained staff and membership staff of Customer Service Excellence outlining foundations of relationship building, effective communications and conflict resolution

Developed elearnnetwork.ca's regional marketing strategy implemented by 90-centres province-wide

Over 15 years experience, developing and executing communications and marketing strategies that focus on relationships and customer engagement

A career committed to understanding the needs of clients and partners and aligning opportunities and products to achieve results

VOLUNTEERING

I am a villager, I like to volunteer and support the local community. As manager of the Chamber, I sat on countless committees and tasks forces that aligned with the organization's goal of improving Gravenhurst as a destination and place to live and do business. Aside from my professional role, I have also volunteered for the following organizations.

Community Living South Muskoka

Gravenhurst High School

Gravenhurst Downtown Revitalization Committee

Community Living Morrison Meadows Fundraising Committee

Tourism Excellence North Facilitator

Friends of Muskoka Midwives

Big Brothers & Big Sisters

Muskoka Pride

Camp Winston

CANFAR

Ontario Winter Games 2008 & 2012

South Muskoka Job Fair

Accomplish Today

EDUCATION

PUBLIC RELATIONS DIPLOMA

Humber College, 1997-2000

CULINARY ARTS CERTIFICATE

George Brown College, 2006-2007

CLIENT RELATIONS COURSE

Algonquin College, 2010

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE FACILITATOR

OTEC, 2015

VIEW MY PROFILE

VIEW MY RESUME

Contact Me

Gravenhurst, Ontario

Tel: 705-394-5790

DANIELLE MILLAR

JUST PICTURE IT

AGM & REPORTING

TEAM BUILDING

TOURISM ROUNDTABLE

SKILLS & EXPERTISE

VOLUNTEERING

EDUCATION

Contact Me