ALBERNI  VALLEY CHAMBER of COMMERCE 

 

www.albernichamber.ca

 

Issue: # 4
June 4, 2013
In This Issue
Member Feature - A-1 Convenience Store
Valley Vision Staff take WORLD HOST TRAINING
Employment grant opportunity United Way
Our Newsletter
VI Tourism update
Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce
CHINA! Oct 2013, 9 days, FANTASTIC PRICING FOR MEMBERS
CAMP DAY - TIM HORTONS
Member Feature - Port Alberni Port Authority
Zoning Bylaw Review
Funding Opportunity
Dates to Remember
Member Feature:
A-1

A-1 Convenience Store & Laundromat is celebrating 20 years in Port Alberni! Saturday, June 15th. Free Lunch! 11:00am - 3:00pm (while quantities last) + random draws throughout the day for Car Wash Coupons, Gas Coupons and for the  Laundromat. Open 7 days a week, 6am - 11:00pm to service your needs. A-1 wishes to thank the residents of Port Alberni for your ongoing support and patronage. 

A-1 Store

 

 

World Host  

 

"On, Thursday May 30th, Valley Vision Optometry staff attended a full day World Host Training program at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce. After receiving Bill Collette`s invitation for businesses to take part on this program, Valley Vision Optometry quickly jumped on board. With over 80% of its staff in attendance for the full day course, they are now designated a WORLD HOST SITE and encouraging other local businesses to do the same.

 

It was a fun, full-day course led by facilitator, Naomi Horbatch. The staff had a great day and were comfortable engaging in the round table discussions and role plays. One of the greatest benefits of the program was having it tailored for our business. We don`t deal predominately with tourists, per se, but we do all have to understand that ALL customers deserve exceptional service and memorable experiences. That`s what we`re here for!

 

We would recommend this course to our fellow local businesses.. We hope others will follow our lead and put the "extra" `back into "ordinary"!! We owe it to our customers,  staff and our community to be the best service providers out there." submitted 

  

 Valley Vision

 

For World Host Information contact Naomi at: [email protected] 

 

Contact Valley Vision at: www.valleyvisionoptometry.ca 

 

Are you a professional who is seeking additional experts to join your firm? Check this link out to learn more about a program designed to assist you in developing Post Secondary Graduates in their pursuit of the experience needed to move forward. 

 

http://www.ymcaimpact.ca/channels/digital-skills-internship 

 

 

 

 

 

This Space is YOURS! The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is committed to Monthly Newsletters aimed at informing our Membership and Community on the Happenings within the Community.

 

Advertising costs are minimal based at: $50.00 for the main Sponsor & $25.00 for secondary ones. Chamber Members receive 25% off!

 

Call us or send your info to us: office@albernichamber.ca  250.724.6535

 

Tourism Vancouver Island SEPTEMBER 24 - 26 PORT ALBERNI, BC

  

Vancouver Islands Largest Tourism Event will be held right here in Port Alberni! Consider supporting this great event that brings 150 + Tourism Delegates to one venue to network, exchange ideas and, guess what... they'll be doing that in our back yard!

 

Put yourself in front of these key people. If you are tourism related you should consider this opportunity. Please consider their auction options that will benefit your tourism business

Visit:

 

Like us on Facebook 


Supporting our Membership through Advocacy, Communication, & Networking opportunities. 
 

 www.albernichamber.ca  

 

 Newsletter produced by:

BILL COLLETTE - Executive Director [email protected]

 DEB OAKES - Executive Assistant: [email protected]

JAG SIDORUK - Acct & Admin[email protected]

JOLLEEN DICK - Visitor Center Coordinator - 2013 [email protected]

 

Member Opportunity:

 

Been to China?

How about 9 days Beijing/Shanghai, Return Air YVR, 3 Meals a day, 4 - 5 Star Hotel accommodations, Full tour. You'll be amazed at the pricing opportunities through the Chamber of Commerce. Really amazed. Call Bill for more information: 250.724.6535 or [email protected]  

 

 

Must be booked / paid by June 30 

 

Real Estate Statistics

 

 

 

 

   

Camp day

This annual event helps raise funds to send kids from your community on a camping adventure of a lifetime. This year more than 16,000 children will have the opportunity to attend one of the six Foundation camps at no cost to them or their families. Two young ladies from Port Alberni will attend camp in Kaananaskis Alberta this August.

 

On Camp Day 100% of coffee sales for the 24 hour period go to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation. Last year's event raised over $11 million across Canada and the US.  The Foundation is dedicated to building a brighter future for young people by providing an experience that will give them confidence in their abilities, pride in their accomplishments and a more positive view of the world and their place in it.

In addition to coffee sales, funds are also raised through special activities. Look for the ADSS Leadership Class BBQ along with an encore appearance of Happy Camper Cookies, prize bags, and more! You never know who might be serving you coffee on Camp Day as many local celeb's and guest servers will be on site from 7am to 3pm.

www.thcf.com

www.timhortons.com

 
   Papa logo

 

On May 22 the little town that could; did. Thanks to the hard work and non-stop efforts of the Port Alberni Port Authority, our town; our city, was successful in every aspect of the Cruise Ship visit. From the big stuff like the 360 foot, and then some...floating breakwater, to the golf carts, music, and crafts;
and ambassador welcome we impressed! With the ongoing commitment of PAPA  to continue with Port improvements we no doubt will see more and more interest from the various cruise lines let alone other shipping activities that are sure to follow.

   

Here are some quotes as received from 'Amsterdam Cruisers'    

"
 We would like to express our appreciation of the wonderful reception the Port Alberni community gave to the passengers.  The continuous entertainment, the assistance of your hospitality/information teams and the general enthusiasm toward the passengers was delightful.  We have been on many cruises to many parts of the World and were proud to say we live on Vancouver Island."  Vicky Blower 
  

"On May 22 the Holland America ship, the Amsterdam arrived in your port. What a lovely welcoming to this lovely little town. The highlight of our entire cruise was the Mars Water Bomber doing a fly over and dropping it's load of water. Thanks to all who made this possible." Betty Millward  

 

"Although we have passed through Port Alberni on many other occasions, this trip gave us a new feel and deeper appreciation of your Valley and Community, and we will be doing less passing through and more visiting your way in the future." Sam Isaacs  

 

"Hats off to all those who participated in making our first visit to Port Alberni such a wonderful experience!"
Alan and Linda Bishop 

 

 

Enjoy the video taken during the day!

  
   

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce through it's Directors and Staff are proud of the Port developments. Well done PAPA!

City of Port Alberni:

 

ZONING BY LAW REVIEW:

 

The City of Port Alberni is updating its zoning bylaw, to meet the needs of our changing community. We've compiled your input and suggestions so far and now its time to find out what you think of the draft we've put together. YOU ARE INVITED to come out and comment on the changes being proposed and let us know what you think.

 

Key Issues:

  • Suites in residential neighbourhoods
  • Seniors and Special Needs Housing
  • RV/Boat Parking
  • Commercial Revitalization
  • Chickens and Bees
  • Urban Agriculture

Community Meeting and Open House- MONDAY, JUNE 17th 4:00pm - 6:00pm Presentation/Q&A 6:30pm - 8:00pm

 

Echo Centre - Dogwood Room - 4255 Wallace Street

 

For more information please contact: Scott Smith, MCIP, City Planner.

250.720.2808 or via email at: [email protected] 

 

Targeted Skills Shortage Program - TSSP

Grow Your Employees Potential!

with funded training for eligible staff

The ASPECT Targeted Skills Shortage Program (TSSP) is focused on helping businesses and non profit organizations grow the potential of their low skilled employees by providing access to funded training to eligible staff.

Program Details

Each eligible employee can be provided with up to a maximum of $1500 ($7500 per employer) to be used towards training courses that are specific to the employees' workplace need.

Are You Eligible?

In order for your organization to qualify for the ASPECT Targeted Skills Shortage Program you must have less than 100 employees and identify with one of the following sectors:

  • Healthcare and Social Service
  • Transportation
  • Manufacturing
  • Natural gas
  • Technology, Clean Tech & Green Economy Sector
  • Tourism

Contact us for more details on eligibility requirements.

Is Your Employee Eligible?

An eligible employee(s) either does not possess a high school diploma or has a high school diploma but does not have any recognized certification. Each eligible employee is able to participate in the program only once, however more than one "growth employee" from your organization can take part in the program at the same time.

Benefit  To Your Organization

  • Training programs demonstrate your interest in your employees' professional development or skill enhancement
  • Training can increase the ability to adopt new technologies and methods
  • Reduce employee turnover
  • Increase employee motivation, job satisfaction and morale among employees

 

For more Information on this programs and others suitable to your business please contact:

 

 

Shirley Phillips, M.Ed.

TSSP Training Coordinator

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society

Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R4

Tel: (250) 753-6911 Ext 120

Fax: (250) 753-4250

[email protected]

www.cvims.org

 

 

  
  
  

Port Alberni Folkfest Multicultural Society. 

Support Canada Day & enter in the parade! Contact: [email protected] for more information. 

Saturday, June 1 saw our first Artisan Fair at the Chamber of Commerce Building. Bands, Food, Vendors alike contributed to a great day. Watch for more events in the coming weeks. Contact Jag at our office if you wish to participate! [email protected]
Quick Links

Dates to Remember:

June 5 -Tim Horton's Camp Day - Port Alberni - help send a kid to camp! 

June 15 - A-1 Convenience Store 20 year celebration

June 17 - Zoning By-Law Information Meetings - See above 

June 19- Chamber Member Meeting - Solda's Restaurant
$27.95 Members: $29.95 Non-Member (plus GST)

5:30pm networking; dinner 6:30pm -

Guest Speakers Kim Burden ED Parksville Chamber of Commerce

     Gord Johns ED Tofino - Long Beach Chamber of Commerce

June 29 - July 1 - Funtastic (formerly Okie Dokie) Slo-Pitch Tournament 56 team event!
July 1 CANADA DAY PARADE & FESTIVITIES  

 

 


 
Chamber Group Plan Are you protecting your business, your employees, your family from things unknown? Do you have GROUP Insurance? The Chamber Plan is an exceptional product designed for Small Businesses like many of you. Medical, Dental coverage and perhaps most important. Peace of Mind. Call us today and we'll send a licensed Insurance Representative to you to discuss the features of the CHAMBER PLAN. [email protected]  or: 250.724.6535. CHAMBER PLAN administered by FRANK ALLEN FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
  
Best Feature: Coverage for small business with big business leverage through Chamber of Commerce Memberships