The Chamber joins municipalities and Chambers through-out BC to celebrate Chamber Week from Mon Feb 15 to 19.

Chamber Week is an opportunity for BC's more than 125 Chambers of Commerce to showcase their hard work on behalf of businesses across the province.

The Chamber has a variety of events scheduled throughout the week, highlighting the full range of chamber services, including advocacy, building connections and professional development.
Strength in Numbers

This month's Douglas Magazine outlines the South Vancouver Island Economic Development Association (SVIEDA) progress and focus on economic development south of the Malahat.

In this piece, Dan Dagg, SVIEDA's interim-chair, describes the need for this first-ever collaborative approach to economic development.
Wastewater Input Wanted
Chamber members are invited to an information session Mon, Feb 15 from 7:30 to 9 am at the Coast Harbourside Hotel with Victoria Mayor, Lisa Helps.

Attendees will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on current wastewater options.  A light breakfast will be provided.

Please RSVP to ltaylor@crd.bc.ca
Chamber News
Opportunities and connections
Community Calendar
Distinguished UVic Alumnus! 
Chamber board member John Wilson was named one of the University of Victoria's Distinguished Alumni for 2016 on Tues., Feb 2 at an awards ceremony at the Royal BC Museum.

The CEO and Principal of Wilson's Transportation, John Wilson graduated from the Business Administration program in 1998.

John took the helm of the family business in 2008 and has grown the business to be the largest charter bus company on Vancouver Island and now includes the YYJ Airport Shuttle, Gray Line Sightseeing Victoria and an eight-bay mechanical and body shop facility.

Through Wilson's Transportation, John has become well-known as an active community leader, sponsor and endorser of Vancouver Island sports teams and athletics.

Congratulations John! 

Wilson's Transportation: member since 2004
Keep your most important asset - your people - healthy and well taken care of with the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, the most popular employee benefits plan in Canada for small business. Click here for more information.
Pipelines and Canada's Competitiveness
In a recent National Post op-ed, Canadian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Perrin Beatty discusses how the pipeline debates may undermine global businesses'  confidence in Canada's ability to get large projects done.

Beatty outlines how good governance of infrastructure projects requires processes that are efficient and predictable, allowing decisions to be made within a reasonable timeframe.
Member Orientation Breakfast
Wed, Feb 17 | 7:30-9 am
GoodLife Fitness @ the Bay Centre 
4th Fl-1150 Douglas St 

 

Join GoodLife Fitness at
7 am for a free workout!




SEMINARS:
It's often not what you say but how you say it that sets you apart and makes you memorable at business mixers and during presentations.

Tues, Feb 16 | 2-4 pm 
The Chamber
852 Fort St.  
Anyone can be a good people manager. Discover the steps that apply to managers everywhere, no matter the size of company or the industry it serves.


Thurs, Feb 18 | 2-4 pm 
The Chamber
852 Fort St.  
 
UVic Places 75,000 Co-op Students 
Forty years after launching one of Canada's largest co-operative education programs, UVic reached the milestone of 75,000 co-op placements. In 2015, 1,130 different employer organizations in BC, across Canada and around the world hired co-op students. 
UVic's Co-op Program was established in 1976 in the departments of chemistry and physics. The program secured 58 placements in its first year. Today, the program includes 13 co-op offices that provide opportunities for students in nearly every academic program at UVic.

Congrats to the University of Victoria!

Welcome to College's New Senior Leaders
Camosun College has two new people in the senior leadership positions of Vice President, Partnerships and Vice President, Administration.

Geoff Wilmshurst moves into the portfolio of Vice President, Partnerships. Prior to Camosun, Geoff had 20 years of experience in Canadian public and private post-secondary institutions, both in Canada and abroad. He also has had extensive experience in not-for-profit management that included developing organizations from the ground up as well as rebuilding already established initiatives.

Shane Busby has accepted the position of Vice President, Administration, and will be joining Camosun in February. Shane most recently served as Provincial Executive Director, Alberta Health Services (Calgary). A former BC resident, he has previously worked for Vancouver Coastal Health, and for the Ministry of Health in Victoria. 

 
Camosun College: member since 1981
SPRING MARKETPLACE MIXER:
Book your Spring and Fall booths together and save $50!

Exhibitors showcase your businesses to over 300 people, including Chamber members and the public. Book your booth early to avoid disappointment!



Maximize your exposure. 
Full colour Times Colonist advertising is available for $100. Creative services provided by the Times Colonist for no additional cost. Limited supply.

Wed, Mar 16 | 4-7 pm
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St. 
A Milestone!
Arlee Snitowski, Client Service Manager, Franchise Accounts, recently celebrated 15 years with Payworks. Arlee's work anniversary was a first of its kind for a Payworks employee, as Arlee was the first Payworks Client Service Representative. 


"Being the first employee to hit 15 years is super exciting," said Arlee. "I feel proud of this accomplishment, being here for 15 years is a huge milestone. But to be honest, the time has just flown by and it really doesn't feel like 15 years at all. I have been able to be a part of so many different areas that make up a big part of day-to-day functions."

Payworks: member since 2004 
PROVINCIAL FINANCE MINISTER LUNCHEON 
Be First to Hear About Budget 2016!
Almost sold out!

Join us for The Chamber's annual post-budget address with BC Finance Minister Michael de Jong. Hear about how BC plans to invest surplus savings back into our economy and find out what province-wide changes could impact our community and your bottom line.

Wed, Feb 17 | 11:30-1 pm
The Fairmont Empress
721 Government  St.
Tap Into the Power of The Chamber!
First impressions count. When someone walks into your business, seeing your Chamber decal and membership certificate will inspire customer confidence and enhance your credibility.

Did you know, the results of the 2012 research study, "The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce", found that when consumers know that a small business is a member of a chamber of commerce, they are 49% more likely to think favorably of it and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

Questions? Contact our membership team at 250-383-7191 or membership@victoriachamber.ca.
Welcome to Our Newest Members!
 
 
 
 

#100 - 852 Fort St.,
Victoria, BC V8W 1H8
Phone: 250-383-7191
Fax: 250-385-3552
 chamber@victoriachamber.ca