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Member Wins International Awards
Upanup were recently awarded a Platinum Award for the design and development of the Viking Air Website, as well as a Gold Award for the design and development of the City of Vernon website.
The annual AVA Digital Awards is an international competition that recognizes outstanding work by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of media. This year there were 2,500 entries from Canada, the United States, and 17 other countries.
Upanup Studios: member since 2012
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New Home Buyers Get Break
As announced Tuesday in the BC Budget, newly built housing units priced up to $750,000 will be fully exempt from the tax, saving home buyers up to $13,000.
"Any reduction in tax is a good thing," said Chamber CEO Bruce Carter. "With Vancouver Island coming into an unprecedented boom in new residential construction, this tax exemption helps move housing affordability in the right direction."
The exemption is directed at Canadian citizens or permanent residents, whether or not they have previously owned residential property. The BC Government estimates that approximately 22,000 new homes across the province will be eligible to benefit from the New Housing exemption in 2016.
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SOCIAL MEDIA SERIES: Is this working? An introduction to social media analytics  How do you know if your social media strategy is working? Learn how to analyze social media channel data and measure whether you are effectively reaching your target audience.  Tues, March 1 | 2-4 pm  Check out the other upcoming social media seminars: |
On the Path to a New CEO
The Chamber is a dynamic organization that needs a leader with a broad depth of talent and experience to support our growing membership. When the current CEO resigned in December, providing a generous six months notice, the Chamber Board formed a search committee in order to hire the best possible replacement.
Given the unique skill sets required for the position, the Board felt it was imperative to utilize a firm specializing in executive placement and issued a Request for Proposal to firms in Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto. The firm selected to assist in the CEO search was Pinton Forest Madden (PFM).
PFM has extensive experience in the Victoria marketplace and has recently placed top city leaders such as the CEO's of Tourism Victoria and the Victoria Harbour Authority. As part of the exercise to find the right candidate PFM is requesting feedback from our members. Please email a list of the key attributes you would like to see in a new Chamber CEO.
Provide your feedback as soon as possible, ideally candidates will be shortlisted for interviews in April with the goal to announce a new CEO in May. For more on the job posting click here.
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Province to Examine Tax Regime
The Province announced Tuesday it will form the Commission on Tax Competitiveness., which will examine whether the Province's tax regime has kept pace with its changing economy or whether current tax policy encourages business investment and growth.
"Our members will be pleased to hear of the Province's work in tax reform," said Chamber Manager of Policy and Public Affairs, Peggy Kulmala. "The examination of the provincial tax burden is key to Greater Victoria economic health, particularly if the Commission also takes into account municipal taxes. The Chamber has long been an advocate for the measurement of the overall tax burden, and we are pleased to see The Province moving in this direction."
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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.
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Flower Count 2016
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#flowercount - it's a social thing
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With over 17 billion counted in 2015, the annual Flower Count encourages residents to get outside and enjoy all the region has to offer. "It just gets everybody involved ... It adds to tourism, it helps the economy and it adds to business," said Chamber board chair Al Hasham in the Goldstream News Gazette.
In 1975, The Chamber first started the annual program, to promote the beauty and colour of our region to help attract tourists to our region. Today a wide variety of community leaders support this tongue-in-cheek event.
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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