BUSINESSMaTTERS T H E
G R E A T E R
V I C T O R I A
C H A M B E R
O F
C O M M E R C E /
NOVEMBER 2011
The Kn owl to Gro edge From t w. he Who K People now.
QUALITY
OF LIFE
GLOBAL INFLUENCES ON OUR LOCAL ECONOMY
INDUSTRY FEATURE:
THE ARTS
BUSINESSMaTTERS Comment from the Chair: David Marshall
A
s 2011 draws to a close, so too does my extended term as your Board Chair. I have thoroughly enjoyed my term and am continually inspired by the knowledge and commitment of your Board and our amazing staff team. This year the Chamber agenda was full, with a number of policy issues demanding our attention, including municipal taxation, regional transportation, and HST. Chamber members were clear that you wanted us to dig into municipal financing. Unlike federal and provincial taxation, municipal taxation is not revenue-based. The relationship between taxes paid and services received is often unclear and taxpayers are challenged to support large increases, the value of which is difficult to assess. With a few laudable exceptions, every municipality in our region has increased operating spending by amounts that exceed the combined rates of population and inflation growth, and which are greater than our GDP growth. This is tough to swallow when incomes and business growth are not keeping pace. It drives down earnings, restricts re-investment and hiring, and can lead to closure or relocation (with the obvious impact on employment).
This practice is not sustainable in the long term – “the well” is not bottomless. As I have said before, municipalities do not appear to have a revenue problem; they have a spending problem. Businesses and households are cutting costs; municipalities need to do likewise.
to entities that are not directly accountable to taxpayers. It is the Chamber’s strongly-held position that our community would be better served if these issues were governed by a single, fully-accountable regional body and not by municipalities who choose to ignore agreed upon plans.
The Chamber was a vocal proponent of the HST, viewing it as a progressive tax which would position the province for investment and growth. We have accepted the outcome of the democratic process and will now refocus our advocacy to help shape the new Provincial Sales Tax system with a particular interest in streamlining processes for businesses.
Following the same theme of fiscal responsibility, we developed four pillars as part of “Our Vibrant Community” campaign for the upcoming municipal election. In addition, your Chamber’s proposal to establish a Provincial Municipal Auditor General has resonated with the Premier; she has committed to establish such an office this fall.
Transportation issues included debates over the Johnson Street Bridge and the LRT proposal, and ongoing advocacy for the Victoria Airport runway expansion funding. The “Blue Bridge Referendum” highlighted the regional significance of infrastructure projects where the impact extends well beyond municipal borders. It is abundantly clear that there must be a broad shift to regional planning and management of regional infrastructure. In a recent appearance before the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, we called for a private equity-level of due diligence into the LRT proposal and renewed our call for a regional transportation authority.
Finally, if we have all learned anything from the sewage treatment, HST, LRT, and the Johnson St Bridge debates, it is that there is an ever-increasing expectation of engagement, particularly when decisions affect pocketbooks. Such expectations can only be satisfied through greater due diligence and transparency.
On this latter – and oft-debated – subject, we continue to call for greater regionalization of services. We believe that decisions that have impact completely (or nearly completely) within one municipality should quite rightly be taken by that municipality. However, issues that transcend municipal boundaries (transportation planning and implementation, emergency planning, policing, water and waste management) must not be referred
This lesson is not lost on your Board in considering our relationship with you, our members. We have not always engaged you according to your needs and, over the past year, we have done a great deal of work to re-define our brand and better understand and fulfill your expectations. I will leave it to John Espley, your incoming Chair, to speak to these changes in his first column in 2012. In closing, I must commend my colleagues on the Board and the fantastic staff of the Chamber. It is an extraordinary team committed to our community. It has been my distinct honour to have been entrusted with the leadership of this team and to have had the opportunity to serve you. Thank you.
Table of Contents Jen’s Quality of Life: Page 4
Member News: Page 14
New Members: Page 18
Global Influences: Page 9
Greater Victoria Development Agency: Page 15
Industry Feature: The Arts: Page 22
Keep Your Eye on the Issues: Page 13
November/December Events: Page 16
Ten Reasons to Join: Page 24
CEO REMARKS: Bruce Carter
A
s the CEO of the Chamber I am fortunate to spend much of my time discussing issues and concerns with our members, community leaders, visitors to our region, and members of the population in general. Indeed it is a common occurrence to be walking down the street and someone says “Hey you’re the Chamber guy. You know what we need is…..” The issues I hear about include parking, regional governance, panhandling, cost of living, state of business and transportation, pretty much in that order based on both passion and the number of discussions. All of these issues are terribly important to our quality of life and are directly affected if not controlled by local governments. The Chamber has worked hard to shine a spotlight on the excessive growth in municipal spending and its corresponding impact on property taxes. Increased property taxes result in increased business costs. As business
costs rise, so do consumer costs, which simply increases the cost of living. Cost of living is now the biggest issue facing the region, as indicated in the recent “Vital Signs” report issued by the Victoria Foundation. Clearly this is a trend which needs to be halted. Understanding municipal decisions is further hampered by the limited transparency of the municipal system. The needs and interests of our community are best served in an environment of open dialogue allowing citizens to understand the reasons behind decisions made.
Airport, a project which would have an economic impact on the entire region.
We are also challenged as a region with the difficulty in planning, particularly with regard to transportation. Municipalities are charged with best managing the affairs within their borders, yet their decisions frequently impact neighbouring communities. In addition, no clear municipal champion arises for projects such as the expansion of the runway at Victoria International
• keep tax increases and spending within our means • build our quality of life and save for the future • actively communicate municipal business in a clear and understandable fashion • work individually and with regional stakeholders to deliver services in the most efficient and effective way
It is time to examine the way in which municipalities conduct their business. The Chamber developed four pillars of good governance and has launched a campaign entitled “Our Vibrant Community”. This campaign encourages candidates to support the pillars. The pillars are built on the foundations of affordability, accountability, transparency and collaboration and include specific areas to ensure that we:
CEO, Bruce Carter
On November 19th, you have the opportunity to elect the municipal leaders who will shape this region for the next three years. I urge you to visit www.victoriachamber.ca/elections to view the comments of your candidates on these four pillars. Learn whose views align with your own, and get out to vote on November 19th.
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BUSINESSMaTTERS | 3
JEN’S QUALITY OF LIFE M
eet Jen, a business analyst with a local technology company we’ll call Tech Fusion Victoria.
Jen is sipping the first cup of coffee for the day in her kitchen as she prepares to head out for work. As she checks her Facebook account, she notices the high winds rattling the window and wonders if there will be any power failures today. She realizes it’s been a long time since the last one. Power and internet access are two things so integral to life on the island that Jen rarely gives them a second thought.
The majority of the Island’s energy is transmitted from the mainland via undersea cables. With continued growth increasing demand, the Chamber supports increasing our capacity to generate energy from on-Island sources while maintaining the integrity of the connection to an off island source. Lobbying efforts conducted by the Chamber support decisions to undertake a variety of upgrading projects since 2006, in an effort to ensure the island’s power supply is stable.
As Jen closes the door and walks outside to her car, she notices a police car in the neighbour’s driveway. She learns there was a break-in during the night, and that the neighbour’s i-Pod and laptop were stolen from his car. A Saanich police officer was carefully taking down the details, and Jen later learned that this theft was part of a pattern noted throughout the region. In cooperation with the Victoria Police Department, an arrest was made later that week.
Regional policing would greatly improve the effectiveness of service for all residents of Greater Victoria. The Chamber encourages an integrated delivery of services by police forces with adjacent municipal boundaries, and consideration of amalgamation of police services in areas where uniformity would benefit service delivery and public safety.
4 | BUSINESSMaTTERS
The twenty minute drive to downtown Victoria from Cordova Bay takes Jen through tree-lined streets and on to the Pat Bay Highway. Years ago Jen’s commute from similar tree-lined streets to downtown Toronto, took an hour each way. Listening to the local radio, Jen learned that
traffic on the “Colwood Crawl”was again at a standstill as construction on roads near Highway One continued to impact traffic flow. She decided her colleague from Langford would likely be a bit late for their early morning meeting.
A strong transportation system is critical to economic development. Fast, easy and reliable transportation modes attract and retain investors while declining transportation infrastructure and poor planning stifles growth. Regional coordination of transportation initiatives is critical to the creation of an efficient transportation system. The Chamber has lobbied the Provincial Government to create and implement a Regional Transportation Model.
Pulling into her usual parking lot in Chinatown, Jen waved to her finance manager as he rode his bike to the office’s secure lockup facility. His commute of twenty minutes followed the Galloping Goose trail, and allowed him to enjoy the Gorge waterway and stay away from car traffic for all but the last few blocks. The old brick buildings of this part of town never failed to bring a smile to Jen’s face. She was pleased to see construction continuing on a new condo, blending seamlessly with the heritage buildings nearby. She had noticed the increase in permanent residents downtown, and enjoyed the sense of revitalization that accompanied the increased density. Old buildings had been repurposed and now housed residents who were committed to a unique urban lifestyle. Settling into her office, Jen looked at the calendar for the day. Her early meeting was indeed delayed giving her a few minutes to catch up on emails. Her Langford colleague arrived out of breath, and Jen gathered her notes to head to the board room for their morning strategy session. There was a lengthy discussion at the meeting about the budget for the next fiscal year. Tech Fusion Victoria faced increased costs and was looking at ways to reduce expenses. The company had been looking forward to a further cut in small business taxes, but current economic conditions and the result of the HST referendum made such cuts unlikely.
The provincial and federal governments have reduced small business tax rates and increased the threshold for small businesses. The Chamber continues to advocate for further promised reductions.
Jen’s CEO noted that rent had increased again, due to the landlord passing increased property taxes on to his tenants. Her boss’ frustration escalated whenever they discussed the increasing property taxes, as their business growth never seemed to match, making for an ongoing difficult situation. Their business owners did not live in the City of Victoria, and therefore could not influence change with their vote in the municipal elections. Even the landlord could not vote in Victoria, as he lived in Oak Bay. Businesses pay more than three times the rate of residents, yet in most cases, have no influence on decision makers. Jen’s CEO commented that all businesses were seeking ways to reduce expenses given their current economic climate, except for the City. He was frustrated to see that municipal budgets seemed to only increase each year.
Decisions made at the municipal level have a powerful impact on our day-to-day lives. The Chamber encourages voters to be as informed as possible prior to the November election. “Our Vibrant Community” is a campaign which promotes a set of good governance pillars to ensure that we: keep tax increases and spending within our means; build our quality of life and save for the future; actively communicate municipal business in a clear and understandable fashion; and, work individually and with regional stakeholders to deliver services in the most efficient and effective way. In addition, the Chamber continues to champion the concept of a Municipal Auditor General to ensure that taxpayers’ interests are placed at the forefront of the decision making process and help ensure efficiency in local government budgeting. The provincial government has announced that it will move to establish such an office. Jen considered these issues as she examined her department’s budget for areas where savings could be found. It looked like her team might be receiving a very modest raise this year. Keeping great technology staff was a challenge, and Jen was grateful that the management team found innovative ways to reward all staff when economic realities made pay increases challenging. Jen had received a copy of the “Vital Signs” report from the Victoria Foundation, and noted that the cost of living was now the number one issue for the region. She knew that
this was unlikely to change without an increase in salaries, as costs were unlikely to decline. Heading out for lunch Jen noticed Rosie panhandling in her usual place. Rosie gave Jen a wide smile, but did not ask her for money. Jen always declined, knowing that there were lots of services in place to provide support. Any money Rosie collected panhandling would quite likely be spent on her favourite vice. Jen was comfortable with the street people she saw each day, but knew that her mother was not. Jen’s mother had once witnessed a very aggressive panhandler verbally berating a passerby, and it was now hard to convince her to come downtown to meet for lunch. It didn’t matter how much Jen reassured her that such incidents were declining and that enforcement was efficient.
The Chamber supports programs to address the underlying causes of homelessness and panhandling but complaints about disorderly and aggressive behavior are on the rise and the rate of property crime is unacceptable. The Chamber works with community groups on an ongoing basis, and advocated for “The Victoria Integrated Court”, which was established as part of a community initiative to deal with the pressing problem of street crime and disorder, working with repeat offenders in an expedited manner.
Building on BC’s Safe Streets Act, the federal government introduced omnibus crime legislation including provisions to strengthen sentencing for persons who engage in repeat offences, such as drug trafficking and property crime. The Chamber was a strong proponent of this legislation. When Jen returned to her office, she was greeted by a tired but jubilant Director of Sales. He had just returned from a successful trip to China, landing a new contract which would secure revenues for the company for the next year. He entertained the team with stories of the long flight to Vancouver full of Chinese tourists on their first trip to Canada. Now that Canada had been granted Approved Destination Status, it was
BUSINESSMaTTERS | 5
becoming an attractive destination for the Chinese. Many Vancouver visitors were planning to take a side trip to Victoria to visit the oldest Chinatown in North America. The Sales Director had a chat with some Chinese businessmen during the wait to take the short hop to Victoria. They were surprised that they could not get a direct flight to Victoria from China, and were forced to stop in Vancouver, adding to an already long trip.
The Chamber lobbied the federal government to work towards Approved Destination Status with China to allow leisure travelers to vacation in Canada. China represents the largest market for increased travelers, with 100 million Chinese residents expected to travel abroad by 2020. The federal government is also making improvements to the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP). At every opportunity, the Chamber brings forward its number one regional concern, the extension of the runway at the Victoria International Airport. This expansion could be undertaken immediately with the provision of federal and provincial funds, as the airport already has a portion of funds available. The impact on our local businesses is anticipated to be in the millions of dollars annually. Jen hurried home for a quick dinner before loading her son and his gear into the car. As they drove together to Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre for hockey practice, Jen was relieved to see that much of the rush hour congestion had cleared. Even though she did not live or work in the Western Communities, it was hard to avoid the transportation challenges in such a small region. A siren caught her attention and she pulled aside to let an ambulance race by. She thought of the recent trip to Emergency she had taken with her son. The improvements at the Jubilee Hospital were extensive and Jen knew that the construction was possible due to a public/private partnership and had come in on budget. As she shifted her focus back to the road, she hoped that other regional priorities could be addressed in the same way.
As Jen wrapped her hands around a hot chocolate and watched her son skate by, she chatted with another parent about the upcoming weekend. It never ceased to amaze her how many leisure recreation options were available nearby. It was still warm enough to kayak, and there was a plan for a hike in the amazing East Sooke Park. Her husband had talked about playing golf and there was another festival starting on Friday. We live in an amazing place thought Jen, and then joined the cheers as her son’s team scored.
In Greater Victoria, we talk at length about our quality of life, reveling in our position as the “Malibu” of Canada. We appreciate our ability to enjoy a high standard of living in a clean, safe and beautiful environment. Our commutes are brief in comparison to other cities, and for many residents, involve a bicycle or a pleasant walk. The variety of leisure opportunities available is second to none, and residents also enjoy exceptional shopping and dining. World renowned educational facilities and a diverse cultural scene add to the enviable lifestyle we enjoy. In economic development terms, we consider quality of life to be our “ace in the hole”. It is a competitive edge which really helps to set Victoria apart from our global competitors. The Chamber understands the importance of this competitive edge and is actively involved in maintaining our quality of life.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for all of the good work that you have done with Ocean River Sports over the past two years. Since starting with my advertising with The Q! and The Zone we have seen a huge growth in our brand recognition. You guys have done it.” ~ Brian Henry Ocean River Sports Divisions of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group
6 | BUSINESSMaTTERS
Success Exchange
Economic Roundtables
Have a business challenge? The Chamber will provide members with free, timely, practical advice from successful small business people. Members have the opportunity for a one-hour visit with an experienced professional. Meetings will be confidential and focused on specific concerns/ issues/questions and will not require pre-reading, preparation, or follow-up.
This program brings together representatives from a variety of sectors to share practical economic intelligence. This will facilitate greater understanding of market conditions and generate ideas for adaptation. The interpretation of local conditions will be communicated to the membership.
Mission Statement: To be a progressive, inclusive and dynamic community leader, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is a supportive resource for business people who wish to learn, grow and create a stronger business and a more robust and sustainable community while respecting people, planet and profit.
Six for Lunch Six for Lunch provides Chamber members with the opportunity for an in-depth networking experience in a small group environment. Meet or renew relationships with other business professionals, discuss current issues, and exchange insight and expertise over lunch arranged by the Chamber. We make the reservations, you make the connections.
Sector Workgroups
Work groups are a member service directed by industry groups and sectors to support growth and development. Groups of no more than 20 industry representatives will have the opportunity to meet monthly to discuss common, relevant topics. This interactive learning style offers conversation based on current practices and challenges present for that industry.
New 2012 Member Programs 8 | BUSINESSMaTTERS
Global Influences on our Local Economy
Introduction
I
n Victoria we are fortunate to have many advantages and resources that support our local economy. Whether it is the diversity of our local industries, our competitive business climate or the many economic assets we have in our academic and other institutions, the region has many strengths that position us to compete on the global stage. While these assets have served us well and continue to do so, our region is not immune to global and national headwinds. Over the past two years businesses across the region have dealt with a number of challenges. Whether faced by continued access to capital, or challenging economic environments globally, nationally and locally, it has been a difficult couple of years. As we look to 2012, there continue to be mixed signals on the economic horizon. From month-tomonth and quarter-to-quarter, one set of economic news gives us reason for optimism while a short time later, another signals more challenges ahead. As we close out 2011, the projections for our local economy point to a trend that mirrors what is happening on the national and international stage: slow and spotty economic growth. The Conference Board
of Canada projects that we will finish 2011 with a modest gain of 1.7% in our local economy. While definitely not as bad as many other jurisdictions in North America and around the world, it is a departure from the steady economic growth that our region has experienced over the past decade. Unemployment increased from around 3.4% to a recent figure of 6.7% and consumer and business confidence locally has also been shaken.
Diverse Economy To fully understand how our region has been affected and what the forecasts are for our economic future, it is important to understand the nature of our local economy and the factors that go into determining our economic prospects. When we compare our local experience to those of the rest of Canada and most certainly the United States, we realize it could have been a whole lot worse. Because of the nature of our local economic sectors, our region tends to enjoy a more diversified economy than most. The public sector plays a large and stabilizing role, while important industries like tourism, technology and education provide household-sustaining jobs and complement each other in moving our local economy forward. While one sector is “zigging”, chances are that another is
“zagging”, helping to even out the economic peaks and troughs that are seen frequently in places like Alberta. While this is good for our region’s economy, it makes it difficult to find a common experience for all local businesses and have a local entrepreneur say, “Yes, that was my experience too.” There are however, a couple of economic factors that many of our industries share, given the nature of our historical trade ties and the export focus that is the mainstay of many of our businesses.
US Economic Impact In many ways the growth of our local economy is tied more to the prospects of the United States than to those affecting the rest of Canada. What happens in Quebec or Ontario has less impact than what happens in California or Washington state. This holds for our tourism sector and the importance of American visitors to our local economy, as well as the region’s technology sector, that not only sends products and services to the US, but also increasingly looks to that market as a source of investment capital. Consensus on the United States’ economic performance is for continued slow growth, and recent economic data seems to point
BUSINESSMaTTERS | 9
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Impact of the Canadian Dollar The other major factor affecting many of our region’s economic drivers is the level of the Canadian dollar. While it may seem that your winter vacation plans are now more affordable, the strength of the Canadian dollar presents real challenges to our local industries when they compete in the global marketplace. As a region that exports a significant amount of the goods and services we produce, the higher the Canadian dollar climbs, the more expensive purchases become for consumers and businesses outside of Canada.
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to the US not entering a “double dip” recession as previously thought. Consumer confidence in the United States is beginning to stabilize, edging higher over the past few months. Indicators such as the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) index of activity show the level of manufacturing activity increasing to 51.6 in August, which is better than expected as well. A reading of 50 or more indicates that the manufacturing sector in the US is expanding. In addition, recent job creation figures in the US have surprised many forecasters, and consumer spending for big ticket items such as cars, also shows month over month increases, a hopeful sign for continued increases in consumer confidence over the coming months. All told, economic growth in the US is forecast at an average of 2.7% for the coming year, which is up slightly from the figure of 2.5% predicted in August.
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We have all watched in some amazement at the climb in the Canadian dollar when compared to its US counterpart. Three years ago the dollar stood at 79 cents US, up from the low 60-cent range that was the norm a couple of years prior. Recently, the Canadian dollar stood close to parity, after an actual rise above the US dollar to 1.05, something that seemed almost unthinkable just a few short years ago. This volatility is an ongoing issue for many of our local businesses as they manage the revenues and expenses received in different currencies. The rise can be explained in part by lower demand for the US dollar, but there are other factors at play as well. In addition to the opportunities opened up for our region, the rise of China as a global economic player has a big influence over many of the commodities that Canada exports around the world. Increased demand for oil or other commodities like copper or coal has meant increasing demand for the Canadian dollar. Now often dubbed a “petro-currency” because of this effect, and with continued economic growth in China pegged at around 9% annually, a stronger (and higher) Canadian dollar may be an economic reality for the near term.
Mike Doehnel and Bryce Rashleigh
Local Forecasts and Building for the Future While it is important to take these global “macro” considerations into account, it is equally important to understand our local market conditions. As we manage through the volatility that continues around issues like European sovereign debt, we need to make sure we are making sound business decisions based on local economic reality. As a community we must keep our eye on the horizon, continuing to build for the future and the tremendous potential we have to grow our economy. Forecasts for the region remain positive, with projections for economic growth returning to more historical levels over the next few years. The Conference Board of Canada, the country’s largest private sector forecaster, sees economic growth of 2.6% for the coming year, and growing at that level for the next few years. As mentioned earlier, this represents a return to normal economic growth for our region, and over time allows for a more stable and predictable investment environment for local businesses. For workers in the region, the Conference Board predicts we will see a drop in unemployment below 6% for next year, and easing further over the coming years to just over 5%. In addition, forecasts are for average incomes in the region to resume their growth of recent years, eclipsing the $40,000 mark for the first time, and are predicted to grow by roughly 3.5% per year for the next three years. This is good news for our region’s retailers who make up roughly 40% of local economic activity. As consumer and business confidence grows, the retail sector is expected rebound by 4% in 2012, with retail growth of 3.5% projected in the medium term. All in all, continued improvement is forecast for 2012 and beyond. As a business community, and as part of the fabric of our region, we all continue to play an important role in building for a positive future, ensuring that Greater Victoria remains a vibrant place to live, work and invest.
“We have a great opportunity with our climate here. Water is just one of many pieces of the puzzle”.
— Mike Doehnel, Saanich Pennisula Water Commission and the Water Advisory Committee
Our region is at a great advantage. Food systems require a lot of energy, but many overwintering and legume crops require no additional irrigation – in fact, growing food in our climate requires approximately four times less water than equivalent crops grown in hotter areas of North America. And that’s great news, not just for local farmers, but for our environment. In our communities, people and organizations are taking a new interest in supporting local farms and sustainable food options. Localized food systems support long term environmental health, and we are all looking for new ways to enhance food production and distribution. Growing food in our mild climate is just one of the ways we can reduce the impact of food production on climate change. For more information on irrigation and water saving tips, visit www.crd.bc.ca/ici
www.crd.bc.ca
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business services sh w
PRESENTED BY:
get what your business needs
Thank you to our sponsors & exhibitors: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Access Records & Media Management Ltd. Alitis Investment Counsel Inc. AMICA Mature Lifestyles Aquamist Carpet Care Ltd. Backfit Spinal Health and Fitness Bayshore Home Health BC HAZMAT Management Ltd. Beach Club Resort Belfry Theatre Business Exit Strategies Camosun College - Co-operative Education & Student Employment and the School of Business Canadian Payroll Association Canadian Western Bank Capital Regional District CARE - Career Assistance and Resources for Employment Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance CHEK NEWS Chemistry Consulting Group - Business & Human Resource Consulting CIBC - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Coast Captial Insurance Services ctc TrainCanada Delta Victoria - Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa Douglas Magazine Elite Sportswear & Awards
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Empire Hydrogen Energy Systems Inc. Fairmont Empress First Memorial Funeral Services Graffix Promotionals Ltd. Graphic Designers of Canada Greater Victoria Development Agency Greater Victoria Film Commission Hallmark Hotels (Ramada Victoria) Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites Hatley Memorial Gardens Hillside Printing Ltd. HP Advanced Solutions Ideazone.ca Investors Group - Chatterton Island Blue Print Co. Ltd. Island POS It’s Just Lunch Jade Victoria Jockey Person to Person Kenmore Air Lookout Newspaper (CFB Esquimalt) Maximum Express Courier & Freight / Maximum Furniture Warehouse Monk Office Supply Ltd. NCo Cost Reducation Old House Village Hotel & Spa Out of the Blue Designs - Sports & Corporate Wear Pacific Coastal Airlines Party Guy Prodigy Group Public Works and Government Services Canada
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Q College RipTide Computer Resources Inc. Rogers Broadcasting: 103.1 Jack FM & The Ocean FM 98.5 Royal BC Museum Royal Roads University Ruffell & Brown Interiors Sandman Hotel Victoria Scotiabank Group Secretary On The Go Securiguard Services Ltd. Shaw Cablesystems Signs of the Times Enterprises Inc. Swell Source TD Merchant Services Team Sales Vancouver Island Ltd. thenumber creative ThirdQuarter Times Colonist, a Division of Postmedia Network Inc. TLD Information Technology Specialists True Space Media University of Victoria Vancity Savings Credit Union Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour Victoria Police Block Watch Program Viewpoint Medical Assessment Services Inc Wells Gray Tours Ltd. West Shore U-Lock Mini Storage Ltd. Wildplay Element Parks Worklink Employment Society WorkSafeBC
Keep Your Eye on the Issues in Our Region Airport Runway Expansion Working with regional stakeholders, the Chamber has met with provincial authorities regarding the expansion of the runway at Victoria International Airport. This expansion would require a three-way partnership with funding from the Airport Authority, and the federal and provincial governments. An extension to the runway at Victoria’s airport would add millions of dollars to Greater Victoria’s economy annually through a ready market to and from key European destinations, and would open future possibilities for direct flights from Asia. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom told the Chamber at a recent meeting, that the case for the runway expansion is strong, and advised to continue advocating for the project as provincial finances improve. We are confident that as funding becomes available, the green light will be given for this important regional economic priority.
Presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance The Chamber recently presented to the Provincial Standing Committee on Finance to assist with the 2012 budget process. The presentation highlighted the many contributions the province has made to our region and appreciated the important role that the provincial government plays in our local economy. The Chamber’s recommendations to the Committee included a commitment by the government to work with business to reduce the compliance burden our members will face as the transition back to a PST system occurs. The Chamber further supported the province’s balanced budget policy and called for the province to maintain their commitment to infrastructure investment that keeps building our economic capacity. The Chamber also voiced support for “Canada Starts Here”, the provincial job plan, which will support the growth of our tourism, technology, marine and education sectors.
Rapid Transit Update
The Chamber recently addressed the Victoria Regional Transit Commission on the proposed
rapid transit system. The Chamber believes that a third party review conducted to private equity standards is required to ensure that the project and future service costs are financially sustainable. The Chamber further called for a decision making process which allows for taxpayer approval of the local component before the project moves forward. A longstanding position of the Chamber, the project clearly illustrates the need for a regional transportation authority responsible for transportation planning and implementation for all modes of transportation. It is time to move to a regional authority to address all of our transportation needs. Finally, given the lengthy timelines required by a project of this nature, the Chamber called for interim steps to ensure smooth operations continue.
Chamber wins Provincial and National Support for Infrastructure Policies The Chamber is advocating for infrastructure investments in Greater Victoria. We are seeking investments on projects that will provide employment and longer term economic benefit for our entire region. Recently, the Chamber received the endorsement of the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce in our call for a Premier’s Council on Municipal Infrastructure and for federal legislation for the current gas tax program. The Chamber recognizes the need for sustainable infrastructure investment for our continued economic prosperity, and has led the call for a new approach to this growing challenge.
Chamber Policy Outlined in Provincial Speech from the Throne As the originating Chamber to call for a Municipal Auditor General, the Chamber was very encouraged to see the establishment of such an office outlined in the recent provincial speech from the throne. Municipal governments are the only order of government that do not have such oversight, and establishing this office is an important step and resource to help local governments and communities address the growth of municipal spending in the province.
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Small Business Advisor 1080 Douglas St. Victoria (250) 356-4018, ext. 240 steven.kelly@td.com
Trisha Thame
Small Business Advisor 4000 Quadra St. Victoria (250) 589-1372 trisha.thame@td.com
Paul Publicover
Small Business Advisor 1080 Douglas St. Victoria (250) 356-4018, ext. 238 paul.publicover@td.com
Joshua Hample
Small Business Advisor 3530 Blanshard St. Victoria (250) 532-3265 joshua.hample@td.com
Call us today for an appointment and find out how we can help your business succeed.
BUSINESSMaTTERS | 13
It’s simple. Hire a student. See results. Co-op students have the skills and energy to help your workplace excel. Contact us today to hire a student. Work terms normally begin in January, May and September.
Co-operative Education and Student Employment www.camosun.ca/cese 250.370.4410 Co-operative Education Program and Career Services www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer 250.721.7628
MEMBER NEWS Award-Winning Directis Expands to Serve Local Business Directis Consulting Group, winner of the Outstanding Customer Service Award in the 2011 Business Awards, is growing. An expanded team provides an increased capacity for Directis to work with organizations of up to 100 employees in the Greater Victoria region. Christy Anderson specializes in small business start-ups and not-forprofit organization management. Linda-Mary Bluma specializes in financial management and possesses an enormous depth of knowledge stemming from her 35-year career, involving both small business and non-profit organizations. Directis Consulting provides a variety of valuable services including strategic planning tools, process improvement, facilitation and business planning. With the addition of Christy and Linda-Mary, the Directis Team offers the dynamic combination of in-depth business planning, financial management and strategy planning for local organizations. For more information visit www.directis.ca
BCHAZMAT Management Ltd. Welcomes New Team Member Peter Krytiuk has joined BCHAZMAT Management Ltd. as their Senior Project Manager, Hazardous Materials Division, and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team. His specialty is Hazardous Materials / Asbestos Inspections of buildings, which are a WorkSafeBC requirement prior to renovations or demolitions. To learn more about BCHAZMAT Management Ltd. and its growing staff please visit www.bchazmat.com or call 250-656-3382.
Previous Owners and Management of Cashline ATM Announce Their New Venture
Success By 6 starts with you. The importance of the early years cannot be overstated as they are crucial for a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Success By 6 Vancouver Island works with organizations to increase Early Childhood Development opportunities across all socio-economic boundaries. If you wish to make a meaningful contribution to a child’s life, the time to act is now. Your donation will have a tremendous impact not only on the children, but greater community as well. They say it takes a “village”, to raise a child, work with the family, and weather the storms of life — and the place to start is with you.
www.SuccessBy6victoria.ca
Cashline was acquired by DirectCash in the summer of 2010. Since that time, Steve Clark, founder of Cashline, along with senior management in finance, marketing and IT, have reconvened to form a new company, Company Capital Inc. Company Capital provides small businesses with an alternative to a bank loan. Referred to as a “merchant cash advance” Company Capital provides a cash advance based on future credit and debit card sales. For businesses that have an ATM on site, Company Capital will advance an entire years surcharge revenue to the business owner. Unlike traditional lenders, Company Capital provides working capital based on the sales history of the business rather than the personal credit history of the business owner. Learn more by visiting www.companycapitalinc.com.
Helping all children succeed for life.
14 | BUSINESSMaTTERS
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If you could buy $100,000, or more of your favourite TSX 60 stock(s):
The GVDA’s Economic Development Officer, Sasha Angus
A
n important mandate of the Greater Victoria Development Agency (GVDA) is to further strengthen economic conditions throughout our region by encouraging new investment and business from across North America and around the world. At every opportunity, the GVDA highlights Greater Victoria’s key business sectors, economic strength, and labour force, as well as lifestyle qualities including real estate, climate, commuting, transportation and green and safe neighborhoods. There are many factors which make Greater Victoria an excellent environment for a diverse array of businesses. The 17,000 businesses operating in the region range from small to large ventures, with technology, tourism, marine and education being the leading sectors. With three acclaimed post-secondary institutions, the region has a large, stable and well-educated workforce. Our location is well served by international transportation links and our proximity to Asia in particular, makes it easy to do business anywhere in the world. Greater Victoria is also the seat of the provincial government and Pacific home of the Royal Canadian Navy. With an envied climate, plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities and a safe, clean environment, the region’s quality of life is such that everyone wants to live here.
The GVDA lets the world know Greater Victoria is open for business with the latest publication of Business in Greater Victoria. The publication is distributed to major Canadian cities, as well as San Francisco, Seattle, and to the Department of Foreign Affairs in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It is a terrific tool which invites investment to help further diversify our local economy and all its sectors. An important regional initiative, the publication clarifies how our region continues to provide excellent economic opportunities, and Business in Greater Victoria helps to provide an introduction for investors and businesses around the world. In addition, the GVDA recently secured a spot for Greater Victoria on the upcoming KPMG International Competitive Alternatives study. This bi-annual study examines over 150 international jurisdictions and evaluates them for their cost of doing business. The study reviews 35 different inputs and provides a ranking based on those outcomes. This is the third cycle that the GVDA has secured and provides great insight into our local economy including where we rank provincially, nationally and internationally. The good news is that the region is more competitive than most people think. We matched jurisdictions like Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary, and beat places like Seattle and San Francisco, particularly where technology companies are concerned. This new data will be available shortly in the new year and will provide a great new tool for attracting business, retaining our local companies and examining where we can continue to improve as a region. For more information on the region’s economy, please visit the Greater Victoria Development Agency at www.gvda.ca or call Sasha Angus, our region’s Economic Development Officer at 250-383-7191 ext 204.
• with 100% financing from Macquarie; • keep the dividends and the gain(s); and • experience no capital downside,
would you be interested? Periods of one to five years are available and you only pay the interest, which may be fixed or variable. Find out more about the Macquarie EquityPlus 100% financing program.
Chris Witt, CIM, FCSI, Senior Investment Advisor 250 412 3406 | 1 877 978 9300 | chris.witt@macquarie.com Macquarie Global Investments ® Macquarie Global Investments 2010. Financing provider: Macquarie Securities Financing Ltd. (Canada). Macquarie EquityPlus (MEP) is offered by Macquarie Securities Financing Ltd. (MSFL). Before deciding to participate in MEP obtain the current Information Folder and consider its contents. The information folder is available by calling 1 877 484 4665. To participate in MEP, you must complete the application form in the Information Folder or online at www.macquarieglobalinvestments.ca. Financing terms and conditions are set out in the MEP Master Acquisition and Financing Agreement. No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is registered as a bank or an authorized foreign bank in Canada under the Bank Act, S.C. 1991, c. 46 and no entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies is regulated in Canada as a financial institution, bank holding company or an insurance holding company. Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (MBL) is a company incorporated in Australia and authorized under the Banking Act 1959 (Australia) to conduct banking business in Australia. MBL is not authorized to conduct business in Canada. No entity within the Macquarie Group of Companies other than MBL is an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Australia), and their obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of any other Macquarie Group company. Macquarie Private Wealth Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and IIROC.
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•
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BUSINESSMaTTERS | 15
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER EVENTS Tuesday, November 1, 2011 CEO Coffee Hour 8:30am – 9:30 am Hosted by: Ross, Johnson & Associates, 4th Floor, 888 Fort St. Members only please
Thursday, November 10, 2011 Prodigy Group November Mingle 5:30pm – 7:30 pm Hosted by: Temple Events & Catering, 525 Fort St. Members & their guests only please Thursday, November 17, 2011 Business Mixer 5:00pm – 7:00 pm Hosted by: Atlas Audio Visual Unlimited, 966 Yates St. Members & their guests only please
Thursday, November 3, 2011 Sustainable Futures Series Sponsored by: Heritage Office Furnishings Victoria Ltd. Understanding the Green Consumer 11:45am – 1:15pm Chamber Office, 100-852 Fort St.
Friday, November 25, 2011 29th Annual Dinner Auction Sponsored by: Victoria Conference Centre & Maximum Express, Courier, Freight & Logistics 6:00 – 10:30 pm Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 Business Education Series Sponsored by: Sector Learning Solutions Financing Your Business: What is available and how do you get it? 11:45am – 1:15 pm Chamber Office, 100-852 Fort St.
50, 000 E A R N U P TO
Thursday, December 1, 2011 Chamber Member Appreciation Christmas Reception 4:00 – 6:00pm Hosted by: The Chamber and Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa, 45 Songhees Rd. Wednesday, December 7, 2011 Prodigy Group December Mingle 5:30pm – 7:30 pm Hosted by: Victoria Royals at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St. Members & their guests only please
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16 | BUSINESSMaTTERS
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NOMINATE
recognition • promotion • celebration greater victoria business awards 2011
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2012 Business Awards
receive over $10,000 in promotion!
nomination categories New Business Outstanding Customer Service Sustainable Business Practices Innovation
Employer of the Year Business of the Year (1 to 10 employees) Business of the Year (11 to 25 employees) Business of the Year (26 to 75 employees) Business of the Year (76+ employees) Employee of the Year Business Leadership Young Entrepreneur of the Year Business Person of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award (selected by the Chamber’s Board of Governors)
celebrate!
For detailed information about the award categories and submission criteria, please visit www.victoriachamber.ca/businessawards Nomination forms must be submitted online to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
BUSINESSMaTTERS | 17
NEW MEMBERS South Island Distance Education School (SIDES) The South Island Distance Education School (SIDES) is a public K-to-12 school in Saanich which offers distributed learning courses to students throughout British Columbia. 250.704.4979 sides@sides.ca www.sides.ca
AP Plastics Inc. 877.301.2233 ext.706 cald@applasticsinc.com www.applasticsinc.com
Trade Roots 250.590.7677 askus@trade-roots.ca www.trade-roots.ca
UsedEverywhere.com UsedVictoria.com, part of the UsedEverywhere. com social commerce platform, focuses on facilitating conversations between buyers and sellers, online & offline, while remaining the most efficient family friendly network. 250.381.3484 jepp@usedeverywhere.com www.usedeverywhere.com
Paradigm Training Inc. Al Patey, president of Paradigm Training, has been conducting seminars on sales psychology and sales management coaching since 1989 to Fortune 500 companies around the world. 250.480.4141 alpatey@aol.com www.paradigmtraininginc.com
Riptide Computer Resources Inc. Riptide offers highly competitive pricing on original, remanufactured and compatible ink jet and laser cartridges. Established in 1990, we specialize in hard-to-find items. Free same-day or next-day delivery. 250.381.1666 riptide47@shaw.ca
3 Penny Publishing Self-publishing workshops; shortrun softcover book prototype service; author videotaping; self-publishing resource listings; cafe-press products; children’s and non-fiction books. 250.885.9010 info@3pennypublishing.com www.3pennypublishing.com
www.prodigygroup.ca
Community Connections:
Connecting Emerging Community Leaders with Community Issues and Opportunities Three-quarters of employers strongly agree that volunteering in your community can have a positive effect on an individual’s career progression. What are YOU doing to MOVE YOUR CAREER AND the COMMUNITY FORWARD? The Prodigy Group is committed to being active and engaged community leaders. Our Community Connections program offers current Prodigy Group members opportunities to volunteer in local organizations. We strive to find quality volunteer roles for our members that enable them to apply their skills as young business professionals, while giving back to our community. For more information regarding Board Opportunities, our charitable partners, and ways to be involved with Community Connections, please email Lori or Lee at communityconnections@prodigygroup.ca or visit the Community Connections page on the Prodigy Group website.
18 | BUSINESSMaTTERS
2011 Golf Tournament The second annual Prodigy Group Golf Tournament presented by Arbutus Inn and National Car and Truck Rental for 2011 was a huge success. With over 50 players in the field, there was a lot of fun and some great shots out on the course. The victorious team came from TD Canada Trust (Joshua Hample, Dorian Chapman, Steven Kelly and Jason Croucher) with runner up team HSBC (Michael Chu, Kevin Chu, Stephen King and Brad Walker) only a few shots behind. We wish to thank everyone involved including all participants and volunteers of the event; without you, this could have never been a success. Special thanks to our hole sponsors: TD Canada Trust, Free Running Technologies, HSBC, Eclipse Creative, KPMG, CGI International, Monk Office, and the many prize sponsors for making this all possible. It was a great time had by all and we look forward to seeing you out on the course next year!
Networking for Everyone! December Mingle: Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena Dec. 7, 2011, 5:30pm – 7:30pm 1925 Blanshard St., Victoria BC We are always on the lookout for new venues and participants! Contact us at mingles@prodigygroup.ca. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the Prodigy Group golf tournament and other events to help raise funds for our charitable partners, Community Micro Lending and Junior Achievement. If you are interested in supporting any of the Prodigy Group events, please contact sales@prodigygroup.ca for more information.
NEW MEMBERS Hesseling & Partners Jan is a self employed successful business consultant and coach in The Netherlands and recently expanded his business to Canada to assist people and companies in improving their outcomes. 1.250.337.5808 janhesseling@telus.net www.hesseling-partners.com
The Grounds Guys A dedicated group of horticulture enthusiasts, skilled landscape technicians and results-driven account managers committed to providing you with timely, reliable and thorough landscape solutions. 250.881.8822 jason.scott@groundsguys.ca www.groundsguys.ca
Viscount Aero Centre The Viscount Aero Centre offers premium office and hangar space for sale and lease, innovative flight training, as well as the popular RC Grill Restaurant. 778.433.1166 matt@viscountaerocentre.com www.viscountaerocentre.com
Visions Electronics Visions Electronics sells consumer electronics for the home, vehicle and on the go. Canadian owned offering the best policies in the industry. Always your best price. 250.474.6082 manager52@visions.ca www.visions.ca
Become a member and get the remarkable service you deserve.
Drs. Carl Leipoldt and Marie-Louise Wessels Medical Corporation 250.479.9280 leipoldt@sasktel.net
Budget Car Sales 250.953.5353 bmacmunn@budgetcarsalesvictoria.ca www.budgetcarsalesvictoria.ca
Barbara Newton Bear Hill Studio Bear Hill Studio caters to Canadian souvenir retailers by offering a large selection of Canadian themed magnets and ornaments with their city name added. 250.479.3060 bearhillstudio@shaw.ca www.bearhillstudio.ca
NOT ALL EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS ARE WHAT THEY’RE CRACKED UP TO BE.
Business banking at Island Savings offers the same range of financial products and services as the big banks, from operating accounts and lines of credit, to commercial mortgages, project financing and insurance. Only here,
SEE WHY WE’RE
you’ll also know the benefit of dealing with people who can truly appreciate the ups and downs of owning a business on the island. It’s all part of our remarkable service.
Contact your local branch or visit iscu.com/business
Bus-Member_BusinessMatters_Nov.indd 1
30/09/2011 10:09:30 AM
Robert Jack Jack Insurance & Financial Services #201, 1137 Yates Street, Victoria, BC P: 250.383.9866 | F: 250.383.6241 rob@jackinsurance.ca
BUSINESSMaTTERS | 19
NEW MEMBERS (Continued) Danielle Cyrilla Topliss - Lawyer A proud Victorian, Danielle Topliss’ clients receive legal advice regarding corporate, commercial, real estate, wealth preservation, succession, fertility, disability & incapacity matters. 250.418.0511 dtopliss@jawlbundon.com
InHarmony Dental Care Combines leading edge technology with gentle therapeutic practices, resulting in a stress-free dental experience. They offer a complete range of preventative, restorative and aesthetic dentistry. 250.727.3552 info@inharmonydentistry.com www.inharmonydentistry.com
Party Guy Party Guy specializes in corporate events and parties; sales events and promotions; product tastings and launches; and a Photo Booth for all your party needs. 250.589.2700 info@partyguy.ca www.partyguy.ca
Bayshore Home Health Providing a range of home care services available privately, as well as through government care programs and personal, group and workplace safety insurance coverage. 250.370.2253 victoria@bayshore.ca www.bayshore.ca
AllSite IT Allsite IT specializes in providing server and desktop management, wired and wireless networking and cloud solutions to tourism, local governments and professional services companies. 778.678.9449 info@allsiteit.com www.allsiteit.com
Healing Hands Healing Hands Chair Massage offers mobile wellness chair massage to your workplace. Help staff feel great, prevent sick days and injuries. Demo days 50% off. 250.383.4300 info@healinghandsvictoria.com www.healinghandsvictoria.com
EPICC - Emergency Preparedness for Industry and Commerce Council EPICC is a non-profit, government-endorsed society that helps businesses throughout British Columbia prepare for emergencies and disasters. 604.813.7979 info@epicc.org www.epicc.org
Ingredients Health Food Getting back to the basics, this specialty store caters to the informed and discriminating health food shopper. Fully enhanced health food menu and products. 250.590.6177 info@ingredientshealthfood.com www.ingredientshealthfood.com
Cara Operations Cara is Canada’s largest full service restaurant company that franchises Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, Kelsey’s and Montana’s, with system wide sales in excess of $1.2 billion. 905.760.2244 ext.2533 rlloyd@cara.com www.cara.com
Fernhill Financial Corporation Fernhill Financial helps people mitigate the three inevitable risks that we all face; living too long, dying too young and the hazards of life along the way. 250.595.1616 david@fernhill.bc.ca www.fernhill.bc.ca
Janet Crocker 778.229.1929 janetzc@gmail.com
20 | BUSINESSMaTTERS
NEW MEMBERS JetDog Solutions Need an effective tech solution? Cozy up to JetDog. We do websites, hosting, apps, content, databases, software, social media, networking, support and more. 250.595.7225 jetdog@jetdog.ca www.jetdog.ca
HIRING A THIRDQUARTER WORKER:
A SMART BUSINESS MOVE
Finding an employee with the right mix of experience, knowledge and essential skills isn’t an easy process. Until now.
Right Management Right Management provides talent and career management workforce solutions to organizations of all sizes. We create and deliver strategies that help companies grow talent, reduce costs and accelerate performance. 250.389.2250 christie.ulmer@right.com www.right.com
ThirdQuarter is a national project giving businesses and volunteer organizations access to a pool of mature Canadians aged 50-plus who want to work during the third quarter of their lives. ThirdQuarters bring a wealth of transferable work and life skills gained through jobs, volunteer activities and personal interests. Take advantage of a ThirdQuarter who:
FTS Forest Technology Systems Ltd. FTS is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and service of rugged, easy to use, environmental monitoring systems that monitor the world’s remote natural environments. 250.478.5561 mcrowhurst@ftsinc.com www.ftsinc.com
Pinnacle Events Pinnacle Events is an educational consultant working to bring North America’s top industry experts to Victoria to help you achieve your personal and professional goals. 250.514.2635 eric@pinnacleevents.ca www.PinnacleEvents.ca
Ralmax Group of Companies The Ralmax Group consists of five companies on the Victoria Upper Harbour: environmental contracting; deconstruction and excavation; recycling, ship repair & retrofit; and metals fabrication and structural steel. 250.386.9411 dougcrowder@ralmax.com www.ralmax.com
• Needs less training • Knows what customer service is • Can be a leader and mentor • Is open to a flexible schedule If people are your greatest strength, hire the most skilled and experienced people! Visit ThirdQuarter.ca and give your firm the ThirdQuarter advantage.
Make Skills Count
ThirdQuarter is a national pilot project running in 12 Canadian communities. The program is a collaboration of the chambers of commerce in B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces and is funded by the Government of Canada’s Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, as well as contributions by the chambers.
“Once we have established that we are going to be employed by someone, we maybe work a little harder to fulfill that obligation. It’s just a different mindset.” – a ThirdQuarter employee
BUSINESSMaTTERS | 21
THE ARTS
Bring More Than Culture to Greater Victoria Businesses
Heather Leary
G
reater Victoria visitors and residents are fortunate to be able to enjoy an impressive variety of performing and visual arts offerings in every season. While the arts have long been considered essential to a community’s health and vibrancy, this sector’s economic contribution has not been quantified. The recently released Greater Victoria Arts and Culture Sector Economic Activity Study demonstrates that there is a strong business case for supporting cultural activities. Over the summer, as an example, the amazing array of arts offerings ranged from downtown music festivals to multiple offerings at the Belfry, McPherson and Royal Theatres. Outdoor offerings included Theatre SKAM’s Bike Ride and the Shakespeare Society’s performances at Camosun College. The Fringe Festival drew people to unusual venues throughout Greater Victoria, creating a buzz of activity and drawing a range
22 | BUSINESSMaTTERS
of patrons. Arts groups have continued to survive despite the economic turbulence and uncertainty the sector has been facing. And their dedication has been Victoria’s economic gain. The Greater Victoria Arts and Culture Sector Economic Activity Study, prepared by Dr. Brock Smith of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria, quantifies the economic impact of arts organizations and cultural events in during 2010. The survey was administered from December 15, 2010 to February 15, 2011 to part-time artists and hobbyists, full-time artists or arts businesses, and arts-culture organizations. Respondents provided detailed information about their activities throughout the year. Local economic activity was defined as arts sector expenditures made only in Greater Victoria, plus the pre and post expenditures of arts patrons attending Greater Victoria performances. The local economic activity generated by the Greater Victoria arts and culture sector in 2010 was $127 million in net income (GDP) activity, supporting the equivalent of more than 4,600 person years of employment. Pre and post event expenditures included event related meals, transportation, accommodation (when visitors came to Victoria primarily for the event) and other event related shopping. On average, arts and
Tourism Victoria, Sumeet Wadhwa
culture patrons spent $15.43 per person per event on pre and post event expenditures in 2010. Worthy of note, pre and post event spending by performing arts patrons generated $63 million in net income, translating into revenue for businesses not directly involved in arts and culture. It is reasonable to expect that as the arts sector grows in Greater Victoria this number will also grow, further benefiting Greater Victoria businesses. For a detailed breakdown of the survey results, visit the www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca.
Tourism Victoria, Sumeet Wadhwa
Heather Leary is a freelance communications professional specializing in strategic communications for small business.
Your Community.
Your
WE BUILD STRONG KIDS, STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES YMCA-YWCA Greater Victoria • 851 Broughton Street, Victoria • Ph: 250-386-7511 • www.victoriay.com
Need a reason to join?
Here’s 10!
Networking.
Get Information Directly from the Source.
Maximize your business’ potential by connecting with customers and suppliers at the 100 different events we host each year.
Position your business to be proactive by learning about new developments, policy changes and trends from high level sources. Our Business Leaders Luncheons provide access to information you won’t find anywhere else.
Members Only Online Directory Listing. Improve your sales by marketing online with our business directory, one of the most active in Victoria.
Target Your Marketing.
Chamber Member Benefits. Improve your bottom line. Chamber programs are among the best in the industry and will help reduce your day-to-day expenses.
Promote your business to the Chamber membership, which represents stable businesses dedicated to the local economy and may well be your best potential customers.
Influence the Chamber’s Policies.
Get the Word Out.
Grow Your Business with Professional Development.
Share your company’s news in a new member announcement and the member news sections of the bi-monthly Business Matters publication.
Keep your skills sharp by attending our seminars and round tables. Take advantage of online training possibilities offered through the Chamber Learning Network.
Have a Voice in Business Issues. You need a strong voice at the government table, and the Chamber is it. We are in regular communication with all levels of government to discuss subjects driven by our members’ concerns.
As a member, your input and feedback on isues is important. Chamber leaders you elect will listen and get to work on member priorities.
Build Future Customer and Employee Sources. Help to nurture a strong business climate in Greater Victoria that will help to attract and retain the best and brightest.
Join today! 250-383-7191 www.victoriachamber.ca