Yesterday, May 10, was The Chamber's Annual General Meeting and Mayoral address. Thank you to all the members that came out to exercise their right to vote and our thanks to Mayor Lisa Helps for her presentation.

See the photos of the event here.
Sharing Our Good News

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps' mayoral address at The Chamber's AGM Tuesday was titled "How Amplifying the Negative Hurts Us All ... and What We Can Do About It". She asked the sold-out crowd of business owners and leaders a series of questions, including whether it's human nature or if it's in our DNA as Victorians to talk only about problems.
 
"Mayor Helps is right. Amplifying the negative can potentially hurt us," said Chamber CEO Bruce Carter. "It's up to us share our good stories of great people doing interesting and important things for our community."
 
Chamber News
Opportunities and connections
Solicitor General Luncheon
YYJ Eats
Member Orientation/ Tasting Event!
Summer Social Series
Business Mixers
Prodigy Group Mingles
Community Calendar
Event Photos 

Retail Crime 

Shoplifting costs Canadian retailers billions of dollars every year. In this Douglas magazine article, concerned Victoria merchants such as Oscar & Libby's share their stories.
"Government, apart from policing and the courts, needs to take action," said Chamber policy manager Peggy Kulmala. "We need to ensure retail crime is treated seriously, reported regularly and punished effectively to reduce the costs on business and on consumers."
 
BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris joins The Chamber at a May 17 luncheon to discuss issues like these that affect our businesses.
We invite you to help us toast to Bruce's achievements over the past 12 years as CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
Tues, June 7 | 4-7 pm    
Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St.
 
$2.5 million Up for Grabs at Bear Mountain

The 2016 Pacific Links Championship, originally set to be contested in Tianjin, China, has moved to Bear Mountain Resort. The tournament dates will remain September 19-25, with the field increasing from 60 players to 81 players, and the purse remaining $2.5 million.

The tournament is part of the Champions Tour where the golfers who compete are 50 and older. Some of the most recognizable and accomplished players in the game including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, participate regularly.


Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa: member since 2003

Put Your Phone Away
Public Safety Minister Mike Morris said BC is increasing distracted driver penalties substantially after most British Columbians called for tougher penalties following a public consultation process launched two years ago.

"Keeping our roadways safe and moving is critical to a healthy economy," said Chamber Chair Al Hasham, who has more than four decades of expertise on moving goods within Greater Victoria as well as on and off Vancouver Island.

As of June 1, people who drive while distracted will face a minimum fine of $368 and pay another $175 for the four penalty points they'll receive with the ticket, bringing the total to $543 for first-time offenders.

Minister Morris will be speaking at a Business Leaders Luncheon with The Chamber next Tues, May 17 to discuss the Province's strategy to further improve community safety in BC. Click here to book your tickets.
SEMINAR:
50 Ways to Grow Your List

In this fast-paced session, you will gain list-building ideas to help your organization rock email marketing and still comply with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Developing an interested and qualified list of contacts who have opted-in to hear from you is vital to accelerating your business forward.

Wed, May 25 | 1:30-4 pm 
The Chamber, 852 Fort St.
Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurs

University of Victoria entrepreneurs will get additional vital support and mentorship through the relaunch of its Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs (ICE), made possible through $450,000 in funding from Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.
 
The renamed Coast Capital Savings Innovation Centre (CCSIC) will expand its current offerings to include seed money for new ventures and prototype development, an entrepreneurship scholarship, an additional annual business plan competition and co-op opportunities for students to work on their ideas.

The centre's new focus will enable entrepreneurs including students, faculty and staff to develop a product or service to a more mature stage before it is presented to other incubator programs and venture capitalists. Entrepreneurial ventures can be in any industry or government sector, high tech, social, commercial or non-profit. 


University of Victoria: member since 1976

Coast Capital Savings Credit Union: member since 2011

Trump and Other Scary Stuff!

According to the Canadian Chamber of
The Top 10 Global Risks
Commerce's Five Minutes for Business, the
most important global risks for Canada are persisting weaknesses in emerging markets, and the political and economic instability caused by a break-up in the Eurozone.

(Donald J. Trump winning the US presidential election could be considered another risk for Canada.) 

Discover how The Chamber can help your business as you mingle with other members and meet our Board of Directors and Chamber staff over beer samples from Vancouver Island Brewery. Each attendee will get an opportunity to do a 30 second pitch about their business.
Thurs, May 26 | 4:30-6:30 pm  
Vancouver Island Brewery, 2330 Government St.
 
Coming to a Coffee Table Near You 

The much awaited May Business Matters is in the mail and heading your way.

Our latest edition features the winners of the 2016 Greater Victoria Business Awards, Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and stories about members like you. 

Don't worry if someone's "borrowed" your copy - you can always read it online.   
Welcome to Our Newest Members! 

250-383-7191  

victoriachamber.ca
chamber@victoriachamber.ca
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