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BUSINESS MATTERS
September 2016 VICTORIACHAMBER.CA
GRE AT ER VI CT O A RI
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The journey of the Greater Victoria Development Agency transitioning into the South Island Prosperity Project
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CONTENTS BUSINESS MATTERS
September 2016 Business Matters is a bi-monthly publication of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and a key business resource targeted to 2,000 business leaders in our community. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is a progressive, inclusive and dynamic community leader. It is a supportive resource for business people who wish to learn, grow and create a stronger business and a more robust and sustainable community.
To advertise in Business Matters, contact us at: The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 100-852 Fort St. Victoria, BC V8W 1H8 250-383-7191 chamber@victoriachamber.ca
Beer on the Barge took place at Ogden Point August 4. Turn to page 17 to see The Chamber's upcoming events.
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Greater Victoria: Open for Business
The Chamber has been—and will continued to be—a strong advocate for economic development in Greater Victoria. Read about our role in local economic development efforts—past, present and future!
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Member News
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Chamber Elections
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Chamber Events: Something for Everyone!
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Member Survey: It's All About You
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Introducing Our New Members!
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New appointments, openings, partnerships and awards. Keep up to date with what is happening in our community. In September, we will ask you to elect five new members to the 2017 Board of Directors. Learn about the nominees in here! Nothing can duplicate the moment when you meet face-to-face with the connections you need to do business. A survey was conducted in the spring asking members to rate The Chamber on the three pillars of membership—Benefits, Connections/ Events and Advocacy. Find out the results! Welcome to those who’ve decided to join the people who get things done. Membership—it's about the company we keep.
Advocacy in Action
As the largest and most influential business association in Greater Victoria, The Chamber is the voice of its members and the business community. Take a stroll through The Chamber’s advocacy work.
Publication Mail Poste-Publications 40005319
BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
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GREATER VICTORIA
OPEN FOR BUSINESS In Canada, property tax is our primary means of funding municipal services— protection services, local utilities and the like. When local governments face budget shortfalls, they typically increase taxes or cut services—or both. Local governments are left with a constant balancing act between sustainable taxation and maintaining services and public infrastructure. With municipalities responsible for over 80 percent of all public infrastructure, this balancing act more often or not becomes a juggling act.
The Third Option
Emilie de Rosenroll, Executive Director of the South Island Prosperity Project, the new economic development agency for the region.
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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
There is a third option—economic development, where municipalities seek to expand the tax base, attract external investment, and create jobs. Most cities in Canada have formalized economic development programs. In Greater Victoria, the Greater Victoria Development Agency (GVDA)—a Chamber committee—led regional economic development from 2007 to 2016 on an annual operating budget primarily funded by the City of Victoria, District of Saanich and the University of Victoria. Through the GVDA, The Chamber worked to stimulate the local economy. We helped expand air routes, bringing Greater Victoria within easier reach of investors. We coordinated international education partnerships to attract international students, linking them and their families to investment
opportunities in the region. We led and participated in a wide variety of trade missions to attract investment, business and talent to the region. We applied for and successfully launched a $1.6 million Western Economic Diversification Canada grant to expand international business activity and foreign investment attraction. Even though the GVDA was successful in these things, attracting millions of dollars of investment to the region that created jobs and wealth, the organization was significantly underresourced and ultimately could not impact the systemic shortfalls in the region’s economy. As a whole, we needed to consider the future economy and determine what we wanted it to look like. What type of jobs do we want our children to be working in when they grow up? What type of industry not only aligns with our values but also will thrive here? How do we deliberately nurture small businesses to become major employers? What is preventing our economy from achieving the dynamism that is so attractive to world-class talent and their spouses—so we don’t have to spend time and energy trying to convince them to move here and take a chance on us. The wake-up call rang over the last couple of years, when we started to see negative trends. For example, in 2013 Greater Victoria ranked 27th for Gross Domestic Product growth rate of Canadian’s 28 Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs), falling from 4th in 2008.
jobs, jobs that support organizational growth. We need to attract investment to create and build businesses. We need to stabilize and grow sectors, to diversify our economy, ensuring we have the needed resiliency to survive and thrive during the inevitable downturns—provincially, nationally or globally. “We cannot afford to rely on the enviable beauty and lifestyle of our region. The economy is global and more interdependent than ever,” said Chamber CEO, Catherine Holt. “We need to improve our economy by pulling together to attract investors, new business and trade. We also need to erase municipal barriers to business and support regional entrepreneurs and start-ups.” The Chamber recognized early on that we not only needed region-wide buy-in financially, but also unified leadership that agreed on the course to steer.
Approach The Chamber started work to create a new, non-profit society dedicated to economic development, funded by public and private participants. Moving from concept to reality took time and effort, with regular meetings with Greater Victoria mayors to discuss
proposed models for region-wide cooperation. “The economy does not recognize municipal jurisdictions. When a business chooses to locate in Greater Victoria, all benefit,” said then-GVDA Chair, Dan Dagg. “The more we demonstrate we can work together as a region, the more confidence investors will have in Greater Victoria.” The wheels were finally put in motion November 2015, when the GVDA hosted a public summit, attended by more than 35 local politicians and representatives from First Nations, the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University, Camosun College and many other organizations and businesses. The call to action was clear, and buy-in was fast. By February 2016, the new regional economic development body saw its founding members—led by Dan—sign a constitution document to establish what would eventually become the South Island Prosperity Project. Within weeks, those members then selected 10 business leaders to form the boad of the new organization. Those leaders were chosen to lead the new entity through its first steps directing economic development across south Vancouver Island.
Investment The reasons for the negative trends are complex—but comparing how top-performing communities invest in economic development can be telling. For example, like-sized communities such as Kitchener-Waterloo and Halifax invest in excess of $4 per capita. Our neighbours, Nanaimo and Vancouver, invest much more than that on a per capita basis. According to GVDA primary research, Greater Victoria had been investing less than $0.50 per capita region-wide. Recent Stats Canada reports indicate the provincial economy now has Canada’s lowest unemployment rate. We have more jobs than we can fill— with a job vacancy rate on the rise. Construction is booming. All is good, right? Not quite. We need more investment in economic development because we need to create better jobs, well-paying BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
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SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PROJECT BOARD Jayne Bradbury • Owner and operator of Fort Properties Ltd. Bill Bergen • recently retired after 33 years in the technology sector Jill Doucette • Founder and owner of Synergy (green economy specialization) Dr. Pedro G. Márquez • Professor of Strategic Management and International Business and Vice President, Global Marketing and Business Development at Royal Roads University Christina Clarke • Executive Director for Songhees Nation
Craig Norris • business consultant with expertise in community development, marine development, resort development, oil and gas, and mining Paul Nursey • President and CEO of Tourism Victoria and national tourism leader Ken Taylor • Owner and Operator of six McDonald's restaurants on South Vancouver Island Dan Dagg • President of Hot House Marketing, past-Chair of the GVDA and current vice-chair of The Chamber
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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
With all the necessary governance and structures in place, the search began for someone to turn ideas into action.
The Future Through the month of February, the Prosperity Project board moved through an orientation process that would result in the election of Bill Bergen as the founding chair of the organization. He came to Greater Victoria from some very senior positions in the high-tech sector— president of Oracle Canada and a senior executive with IBM Canada. Bill comes to the Prosperity Project with fresh eyes on the region, both from a “here’s what’s missing” but also a “here’s what might be possible” perspective. In March, Bill initiated a committee that led an extensive nation-wide search for an executive director, with the Prosperity Project’s Board confirming Emilie de Rosenroll as executive director April 15th, 2016. Emilie was not only born in the community, but she brings extensive economic development leadership experience to the organization—having led regional and provincial organizations in Nova Scotia for years prior to starting her own consulting company and working in southern California for a time. “Economic development, at least the kind we want, doesn’t just happen by itself. The Prosperity Project will work with companies in targeted areas of the economy to overcome obstacles, connect to resources and expertise, and attract new companies and investments in the region,” said Emilie. “We can have more companies that have local capability coupled with global opportunities.” The South Island Prosperity Project has been full steam ahead over the last several months and is expected to launch a five-year strategic plan in September. The Prosperity Project’s partners include a broad spectrum of community leaders, including 10 municipalities, five industry and business associations, 3 post-secondary institutions, 7 private businesses, 1 local First Nation, and 2 notfor-profit organizations. “This amalgamation of economic development efforts simply makes sense, so we were very interested in contributing to the overall collaborative process,” said Travis Butler, Vice President of Butler Brothers Supplies Ltd, a supplier of aggregate and ready-mix concrete serving South Vancouver Island. “Private partners bring a different perspective than what a government body brings, strengthening the overall concept and delivery.” The partners have committed to funding the Prosperity Project’s focus on economic
SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PROJECT'S PARTNERS Municipal & First Nations Partners • • • • • • • • • • •
District of Central Saanich City of Colwood Township of Esquimalt District of Highlands District of North Saanich District of Oak Bay District of Saanich Town of Sidney Songhees Nation City of Victoria Town of View Royal
Private Sector, Institutional and Not-for-Profit Partners • Butler Brothers Supplies Ltd • Camosun College
development south of the Malahat. This gives the not-for-profit organization a budget of about $650,000 per year for five years—after a transition year with a reduced funding level to allow members to acclimatize to their economic development commitment. “Our region’s per capita investment in economic development nearly doubled in the last few months,” said Emilie. “This is a great moment for the
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Coast Capital Savings Credit Union Coastal Community Credit Union Cube Global Storage Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Greater Victoria Harbour Authority Knappett Projects Ralmax Group Royal McPherson Theatres Society Royal Roads University Tourism Victoria University of Victoria Victoria Innovation Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council (VIATEC) • Victoria Foundation • Victoria Real Estate Board • Wilson’s Group
South Island. If we can build on this momentum, over the next five years, our regional investment in economic development could be on par with other successful regions of similar size and profile, like Halifax.” “I believe with greater investment, comes greater opportunity and returns, and then re-investment and even more opportunity,” said Travis, whose third generation family-company was one of
Prosperity Project’s founding members. “We are in our infancy, but once the results start coming in, I expect to see more private partners—and ideally the remainder of the municipalities—join us.” With all the necessary pieces in place, Greater Victoria said goodbye to GVDA. “The Chamber is very proud of the role it played in this success story,” said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. “As a Prosperity Project partner, we looking forward to our continuing collaboration to diversify and improve our regional economy.” “When we pull together as a region, we can provide greater opportunities for everyone,” concluded Emilie. “Our only goal should be to increase the number and quality of jobs and economic opportunities that will allow the people to stay, live and move here, especially as costs of living continue to rise.” “This community has amazing leaders and people who run amazing organizations doing amazing things,” said Sage Berryman, Chief Operating Officer of Ralmax Group of Companies, one of the Prosperity Project’s private sector partners. “Coming together in a unified way to direct some of this passion and skill in an agreed upon direction, we can’t help but accomplish amazing results.”
Meet our new HR ampion Chemistry Consulting Group is pleased to welcome Jill Little to our HR Consulting Division, assuming the role of HR Consultant. Jill has over 20 years’ experience working in Human Resources, specializing in performance management, change management, benefits and compensation. Contact us today to discuss how Jill and the rest of our talented team can support your organization.
Get in touch T 250.382.3303 E info@chemistryconsulting.ca
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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Vancouver Island
Licensed Child Care Programs; designed to meet the needs of our growing community. The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island has expanded its Licensed Child Care! The new Eagle Creek Y Child Care and Westhills Y Child Care have added much needed child care spaces to the Langford and View Royal communities.
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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
YMCA-YWCA Child Care provides opportunities where children develop values, self-confidence and social skills – essential components to building strong citizens and healthy communities. YMCA-YWCA Child Care is a resource that parents can rely on to provide an environment outside of the home that is safe, caring and developmentally supportive for their child. It’s is a place where children can grow and reach their potential with programs offer enriched programming to engage children in a variety of experiences.
YMCA PLAYING TO LEARN All YMCA-YWCA Child Care programs follow YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum which helps children discover learning through creative play and aligns with primary school benchmarks. It is intended to ensure a child’s continued enthusiasm and capacity for lifelong learning and provides an understanding of how play offers the foundation for learning to read and write, and for learning mathematics, science and technology. It provides early childhood educators with the skills to prepare spaces more conducive to learning and best practices to encourage quality learning experiences.
The YMCA-YWCA has been proudly providing quality child care in Victoria for over 45 years. Our programs provide safe, healthy, creative places where children can play in small groups, develop rewarding relationships, learn new skills and have a lot of FUN!
OUR STAFF YMCA-YWCA Child Care staff are licensed through the BC Early Childhood Registry, have completed a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Clearance and are certified in First Aid. Staff are trained YMCA Playing to Learn educators and participate in ongoing professional development to stay current within their field.
OUR FACILITIES Eagle Creek Y Child Care Centre is located in View Royal at Eagle Creek Village. This program provides a continuum of care for children ages 10 months to 5 years. The centre provides 36 licensed spaces for
VICTORIA DOWNTOWN Y
infants, toddlers and 3-5 year olds. Eagle Creek Y offers a dynamic nature based playground – specifically designed to increase children’s gross motor skills as they age. The Downtown Y Child Care Centre, is centrally located in downtown Victoria and offers 24 licensed spaces for children ages 3-5 years. The child care is surrounded by local parks, within easy walking distance to the Victoria Public Library and other great community resources. It offers an enriched program that includes weekly swim time in the Y’s warm water pool.
The Westhills Y Child Care Centre, is located in Westhills, Langford. The child care offers 36 licensed spaces for children 18 months to 5 years. Internally the Child Care has access to a wide range of resources and programming opportunities: Aquatic Centre, Public Library, Conservatory of Music and a nature playground where children can experience a natural space to play, learn and explore. Children will also benefit from the weekly swim time in the Aquatic Centre (3-5 year olds) and story-time in the new Westhills Public Library.
SPACES NOW AVAILABLE AT OUR WESTHILLS Y CHILD CARE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION CALL: 250-386-7511
LANGFORD WESTHILLS Y
VIEW ROYAL EAGLE CREEK
www.vancouverislandy.com | 250-386-7511 BUSINESSMATTERS |
SEPTEMBER 2016
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MEMBER NEWS Transit Hub Opens Capital City Station, located at the historic Crystal Garden in the 770-block of Douglas Street, was officially opened in July. The transit hub offers customers a chance to buy tickets and board buses to Vancouver via BC Ferries, to the airport and to scheduled destinations throughout Vancouver Island. BC Transit passengers can also buy their tickets. The BC Transit stop is located further up the same block, just north of the Station. "Collaboration was key to opening this new transit hub in the heart of the downtown," said Wilson's Group CEO John Wilson as he thanked The Chamber, Tourism Victoria, the City of Victoria, BC Transit and the other partners who worked together to make this vision a reality. City of Victoria: member since 1962 Tourism Victoria: member since 1988 The Wilson's Group: member since 2004 BC Transit: member since 1999
Shaking Up Earthquake Alerts Scientists in Victoria have successfully placed the first offshore earthquake sensor along the seabed off Vancouver Island. It will be part of a network of seismic sensors at the Cascadian subduction John Wilson, Catherine Holt and Al Hasham at the zone, a fault that is grand opening of Capital City Station expected to produce a severely damaging New Provincial Chamber earthquake within the next 50 years. Leadership "We are the first really in the world Entrepreneur and Chamber leader to do this offshore," said Kate Moran, Val Litwin will join the BC Chamber of president of Ocean Networks Canada, Commerce as its new President and based at the University of Victoria. CEO. Once the network is complete it will Since 2013, Val has served as CEO of provide up to 90 seconds of warning the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, when a major earthquake strikes. That where he has grown its membership, could be enough time to help people launched a world-class educational to take cover and to protect critical partnership with the Gustavson School infrastructure. Work is underway to of Business at the University of Victoria integrate these alerts in social media (which was recently featured in Forbes. feeds. com) and reinvigorated the Whistler University of Victoria: member since 1976 Chamber's brand.
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MEMBER NEWS "Chambers are among the most dynamic and necessary organizations on the planet, and not just for businesses, but for communities too," Val said. "The BC Chamber is at an exciting crossroads and ready for its next evolution. We now get to define what the future looks like with our members, with our partners and with our province. We are going to build on the strengths that have served BC businesses and their communities for almost 70 years - and we are also going to develop exciting new ones." Litwin is originally from Victoria and a graduate of UVic.
Who You Gonna Call? Your newest connection at The Chamber, that's who. Stefanie Knox is joining the team as Membership Manager and staff liaison with the Ambassador Committee. Stef brings with her a rich foundation of experience having recently moved to Victoria from her role as the Member Programs Manager with the Toronto Region Board of Trade (TRBOT), managing all proprietary memberfacing programs, including those for
small businesses, young professionals and the member affinity program. In that short time Stefanie assembled an impressive portfolio of compelling, relevant programming for members and a roster of dedicated membervolunteers, all while managing the overall member program experience for 12,000 members. Stefanie has an extensive background as a Program Manager in the charity sector. Prior to TRBOT, Stefanie worked with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation managing their National Grants Program and Partnerships. Throughout this chapter, Stefanie managed a large and varied portfolio of grants and partnerships, including Canada's first Stand Up To Cancer partnership—a $9 million grant competition focused on bringing new world class treatment to beat breast cancer. Stefanie had similar roles with The Arthritis Society as well as the Canadian Arthritis Network managing both of their National Research and Training Programs. Please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome her both to The Chamber team and Greater Victoria.
Stefanie Knox
Passenger Ferry Service takes Shape Aiming to launch a harbour-toharbour passenger service between Vancouver and Victoria next year, V2V Vacations has five employees in Victoria to develop the business. V2V Vacations will hire up to 50 Victoria and Vancouver residents in the coming months as they prepare for a spring 2017 launch. The company will operate out of the CPR Steamship Terminal building and
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MEMBER NEWS is owned by Riverside Marine Group, one of Australia's leading marine companies. Nick Cheong is vice-president of operations. Callum Campbell will focus on both Victoria and Vancouver’s terminals, as V2V finalizes the arrival and departure experiences for their passengers and guests. David Payne is project manager for the vessel refit. Hayley Low will work on setting up the reservations and booking system as well as training the reservations and sales staff. Lauranne Cheong is executive assistant and responsible for development of collateral, outreach and logistics for the team. V2V Vacations: member since 2016
Carpentry Students Construct Micro-house Prototype Camosun College carpentry students are putting their skills to work to tackle homelessness in Greater Victoria by constructing an 8’x10’ micro-house for Choices Transitional Home, run by Our Place Society. “It is a great fit for us in the Carpentry department because every Level 1 apprentice and every Foundation
Photo by Al van Akker
Camosun carpentry students with their 8’x10’ micro-house prototype.
student needs to build a floor, walls and a roof in order to satisfy the practical competencies of the program,” says Architectural Trades chair Al van Akker. “If we build microhouses, we will achieve all of our curricular requirements, and could make a measurable contribution to the most needy in our community.”
With appropriate funding and planning, van Akker says that Camosun Carpentry students could construct up to 100 micro-houses per year, making a tangible contribution to a longterm solution to homelessness in our community. Camosun College: member since 1981 Our Place Society: member since 2010
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ADVERTORIAL
IT’S A MOUTHFUL Dentists are known for protecting our teeth and gums from dental disease but did you know they could also save your life? In addition to inspecting your mouth for cavities, dentists use checkups to screen for several different health issues by spotting symptoms that could indicate serious medical problems elsewhere in the body. It’s often during this routine check dentists discover signs of a problem in the form of colour variations, small sores, and changes in saliva. Just by looking in your mouth, dentists can identify signs of cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, skin diseases, autoimmune diseases and more. Your oral health can also have an effect on your overall health. Dentists identify, prevent, and treat gum disease, which can have a significant effect on the rest of your body. Studies have shown gum disease can heighten the risk of heart disease, strokes, and pneumonia. Visiting your dentist every six months is a key component of maintaining
good oral and overall health, but it can be expensive if you don’t have the proper dental coverage. The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan offers a wide range of dental options, designed to meet a variety of budgets and employee expectations. Basic coverage includes such things as checkups, cleanings and x-rays; while more comprehensive coverage includes services like crowns, dentures and orthodontic services. So take a few moments and make sure your dental plan is up-to-date. 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.
The Group Benefits Plan Made Specifically for Small Business The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan is used by over 25,000
Rob Jack with a client small to medium-sized businesses across Canada. From Vancouver to Halifax, and everywhere in between, small business owners just like you continue to enjoy comprehensive benefit coverage at affordable rates. For over 17 years, Jack Insurance and Financial Services has helped Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce members design a Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance plan reflecting the size and requirements of their businesses. Jack Insurance and Financial Services: Member since 1998
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HELP GIVE DIGNITY. TP the Town Victoria in support of the Mustard Seed October 1st | 9 am to 3 pm Interested in participating? Email shaun.cerisano@prodigygroup.ca facebook.com/TPtheTownVictoria prodigygroup.ca
BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
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NOMINEES FOR THE 2016/2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAMBER ELECTIONS Each fall The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce holds an election for new board members. Each board member is elected for a two year term with staggered renewal dates—this year we are asking members to elect five members of the board. Election ballots will e-mailed to the main contact for your organization on Mon., Sept. 26. The Chamber uses a weighted voting system, based on the number of employees. Voting will close Wed., Oct 4 at noon. If you are The Chamber’s main contact for your business and did not receive your ballot on Sept. 26, please contact us at 250-383-7191.
John Wilson
CEO and Principal The Wilson’s Group of Companies
J
ohn Wilson is the CEO and Principal of The Wilson’s Group of Companies. Since 2008, with John’s leadership, the company has grown beyond its core business offering of bus charters and rentals to include Gray Line Sightseeing, YYJ Airport Shuttle and BC Ferries Connector services. Born and raised in Victoria, John graduated from the Business Administration program at the University of Victoria. Through Wilson’s Transportation, John has become well-known as an active community leader, sponsor and endorser of Vancouver Island sports teams and athletics including ownership of two local junior hockey teams and most recently the Victoria Harbourcats. John has been a member of Board of Directors for the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce since 2011. He sees regional governance and transportation as two important issues in our region.
Dan Dagg
Branch Manager Talentcor
hroughout her career with Talentcor Victoria, which began in 1997, Rose Arsenault has worked on behalf of both public and private employers, assisting them in their recruiting and Human Resource needs. Rose was involved for a number of years with the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador, a Director and, as well, she participated on numerous committees. Rose also held positions with the Alzheimer Society Advisory Committee, the Heart & Stroke Foundation and most recently, the Better Business Bureau. Two of Rose’s top agenda items that she would like to see move forward are Sewage Treatment and Tent City—both of which are giving the City a bad name and costing us money.
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Vice-President External Relations University of Victoria
Incumbent Member-at-Large
Rose Arsenault
T
Carmen Charette
C
armen is UVic’s Vice-President External Relations with responsibilities including community and government relations, communications, marketing, alumni relations and fundraising. Combined with her former experience as Vice-President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Carmen brings to this region her strategic leadership working with government, the private sector and community leaders. Carmen has been a Chamber Board member since January 2016. She represents UVic in the South Island Prosperity Project, and in the Education Victoria partnership, promoting Victoria internationally as an education destination. She recognizes the important role universities play in bringing far-reaching economic benefits to Greater Victoria and in developing the educated workforce so vital to our businesses. In all her work, Carmen values collaboration, innovation and a focus on positive action to address challenges.
Mark Smith
President Hot House Marketing
Chief Experience Officer Query Technologies Corp.
Incumbent Vice-Chair
Incumbent Director
D
an is the president of Hot House Marketing, one of Victoria’s top advertising agencies with a staff of thirteen and a client base that includes local, regional and national clients such as Monk Office, The Oak Bay Marine Group, DC Bank, Oak Bay Tourism and the Comox Valley Economic Development Society. Dan is the Vice-Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the former chair of the Greater Victoria Development Agency—now the South Island Prosperity Project. He is a board member of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, was chair of the marketing committee for the David Foster Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Miracle Concert, and the former President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria.
BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
Incumbent Director
M
ark is the Chief Experience Officer with Query Technologies Corp., a Victoriabased technology company specializing in the development of software products and solutions designed to support business process and enhance customer experience. Mark has over thirty years of experience resulting in an advanced ability to execute a wide range of business development and marketing strategies designed to strengthen market presence, increase revenues and enhance overall profitability. Mark is the Board's liaison to The Chamber's Prodigy Group and a member of The Chamber’s Governance Committee. Mark has served on The Chamber’s Board since 2013.
EVERYTHING IS BETTER TOGETHER Ian Batey
Principal IPB Consulting Services
B
orn, educated and married in Victoria, Ian is passionate about our economy and community. As Principal, IPB Consulting, he provides essential strategies to private and NFP sector clients built on a foundation of enduring relationships and mentorship. He has a significant philanthropic and leadership track record in affordable housing, culinary arts and athletics with the Greater Victoria Housing Society, PGA Tour Canada, Coalition to End Homelessness, Chaine des Rotisseurs and Institute of Corporate Directors. A contributing member since 2009, he serves on The Chamber’s Policy and Government Affairs Committee and Prodigy Group mentorship program. Expertise in employment, housing and entrepreneurialism have ground truthed Ian’s desire for a fair and competitive business environment and robust supply and retention of qualified people.
Mark Mawhinney Investment Advisor Odlum Brown Limited
Incumbent Secretary
M
ark is an Investment Advisor in the Victoria office of Odlum Brown Limited and is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Management Accountant. Mark founded, built and sold two successful businesses all before his thirtieth birthday. Mark is co-founder of the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club Society and volunteers at both Royal Roads University and the University of Victoria on Dragon’s Den style business plan competitions. Mark is a monthly guest on CFAX 1070 where he discusses entrepreneurship. Mark is chair of The Chamber's Policy and Government Affairs Committee, a member of the Finance and Audit Committee and is The Chamber’s representative on the Tourism Victoria board of directors. Mark has served on The Chamber’s Board since 2013.
Esquimalt and Greater Victoria
CHAMBER INTEGRATION
Part of the work of The Chamber is ensuring a strong voice for business. The more members we have, the more influential we can be on your behalf. To that end, the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce have agreed to work toward integration. The goal is to provide increased benefits to members of both organizations while reducing administrative overhead and expanding the voice of our membership. Once complete, the integration will firmly entrench The Chamber as one of the three largest chambers in B.C. RJ Senko, Vice-President of the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce explains, “This integration is about enhanced services. I am confident that through this merger, we can significantly increase the benefits to our members and become a more effective and efficient business organization.” Anticipated benefits include: • access to an enhanced suite of membership services, such as regular professional development opportunities & home insurance discounts; • expanded connections and networking opportunities with business owners and leaders throughout Greater Victoria; and • even greater influence on local, regional, provincial and national government decision-making regarding issues that affect the business community. Both chambers have been in consultation with their respective memberships about the integration. Mayor Barb Desjardins and Lisa Helps were also consulted and both supported the integration based on the wants and needs of the members. They felt that this movement reflected the decisions of regional Councils in Greater Victoria to move towards a more cohesive approach for economic development and business.
Al Hasham and RJ Senko
“In today’s increasingly integrated world, the segregated governance models of the past just don’t make sense anymore and are not in the best interest of our members,” said Al Hasham, Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “Combining resources will allow both chambers to take a more integrated approach to advocacy and serving our members.”
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BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
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Prodigy Group September Mingle September 8 | 5 to 7 p.m. Victoria Premium Automobiles Ltd. 1859 Blanshard St.
Small Business Week October 17 to 21 Check victoriachamber.ca to see a complete list of events.
BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCHEON:
SEMINAR:
Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary September 13 | 11:30 am to 1 p.m. The Union Club of British Columbia 805 Gordon St. September Business Mixer and Board Candidate Meet & Greet September 15 | 5 to 7 p.m. Swans Hotel & Brewpub 506 Pandora Av. SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES:
End of Summer Soirée September 21 | 7 to 9 p.m. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria 1040 Moss St.
Customer Service Using Social Media October 26 | 2 to 4 p.m. The Chamber, 852 Fort St.
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SEMINAR:
A Lesson in Leadership from Olympian Adam Kreek November 2 | 2 to 4 p.m. The Chamber, 852 Fort St. Office Closures Labour Day | September 5 Thanksgiving | October 10
All aboard...
Proud purveyors of healthy food for a healthy lifestyle.
BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCHEON:
Connie Fair, CEO Land Title & Survey Authority of BC September 28 | 11:30 am to 1 p.m. Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St. Prodigy Group October Mingle October 13 | 5 to 7 p.m. Fall Marketplace Mixer October 19 | 5 to 7 p.m. Comfort Hotel & Conference Centre 3020 Blanshard St.
themarketstores.com
903 Yates At Quadra and In Millstream Village
BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
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MEMBER SURVEY
It’s all about
YOU With every call, every email, every face-to-face greeting and handshake we hope that the team at The Chamber is making all of our members feel valued and that we’re meeting the overall needs of the membership. Even more important is knowing that we have succeeded. Meeting member’s needs is key to the success of The Chamber. With that in mind, the board put together a task force to evaluate if The Chamber is meeting the expectations of the membership. A survey was conducted in the spring asking members to rate The Chamber on the three pillars of membership—Benefits, Connections/ Events and Advocacy.
The results were heartening: • 90 percent of respondents indicated a high level of satisfaction with the current benefits • 73 percent felt that Chamber connection opportunities were excellent and 24 percent felt that they were on par with other events • 67 percent felt that Chamber advocacy efforts were effective Although it was good to see the positive support for our efforts, it was truly interesting to see what was working and what wasn’t for our members.
Benefits It was an eye opener that the services seen to be most beneficial were the training and exposure opportunities. Over 70 percent of respondents identified Chamber educational seminars as one of the most beneficial aspects of membership. Based on that feedback, the events and membership team will expand the current offerings of educational seminars to provide an even broader spectrum of topics aimed at different members of your team. This will roll out over the next 12 months. Don’t hesitate to provide your feedback on what you’d like to see.
Next highest honours went to the online membership directory and the member-to-member special offers. It was good to see that the extra efforts that have been put into the online directory including improvements to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as well as adding social media and video options have been a success overall. In coming months, The Chamber will be rolling out referral reports providing annual analytics for you on just how well your online listing—and any other online add-ons like your special offers and box ads—might be doing. The area where we saw the most room for improvement was on items like our gas discounts for businesses and their employees as well as courier discounts where we saw as much as 40 percent of respondents indicating that they were unfamiliar with the offers.
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Over the next few months we’ll highlight one of our benefits weekly in BizNews including the recently launched discounted home insurance rates from TD Home Insurance for our members and their employees.
Connections/Events It wasn’t a surprise that nearly 80 percent of respondents felt that Chamber Business Mixers were a great benefit of membership and that over 70 percent felt the same about Marketplace Mixers. Events that needed more awareness included things like Prodigy Group’s annual fundraising event—or in this case, toilet paper gathering—TP the Town which is happening on October 1st. Although we’ve have great success with several new events, such as our Social Media Seminars, Summer Social Series and YYJ Eats, watch for a survey this fall from our Events team as we pick your brain on what you’d most like to attend.
Advocacy For everyone using the roadways to get to work or transport goods, it comes as no surprise that 90 percent of Chamber members felt that regional transportation was their number one concern followed by lower taxes at 85 percent and housing costs at 72 percent. The Chamber will continue to work with municipal and provincial government to improve the future of moving in, out and around the region and to ensure that the gap between commercial and residential tax rates does not grow. Recent Chamber wins include advocating for funding for Belleville Terminal and the McKenzie Overpass, but these are only two of the many challenges we face in keeping our growing community moving.
The Future The best way to continue to grow our vibrant community is with successful businesses. The Chamber has nearly 155 years of expertise in working to build that successful business climate and supporting our businesses in doing what they do best. Based on your feedback we will continue to shore up our three pillars of support—Benefits, Connections/Events and Advocacy—to provide a solid foundation for your continued growth and success.
BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
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ing things, take charge of HEARING LOSS IN THE WORKPLACE HEARING LOSS IN your health and give us a
THE WORKPLACE
In my job as an Audiologist, I help The good news is that today’s people manage their hearing. high tech hearing aids are SixtyIn percent of as Canadians with extremely effective Institute at mitigating my job an Audiologist, Better Hearing hearing loss are in the workforce or completely eliminating the I help people manage their showed that unaddressed and it’s often the onespercent closest to hearing. Sixty of issue. hearing loss can pose sigus, who notice thewith presence of lossWhy Canadians hearing nificant Wait?barriers to producareloss. in the workforce and it’s tivity, performance, career hearing oftenand waitlifelong too longearnthemissing? ones closest to us,People success Whatoften are you address this issue, until is it that who notice the presence of to ings. The good news One hearing of my favourite becomes for the loss. quotes is today’sproblematic high tech hearing “hearing loss is more visible than people around them. If aids are extremely you effective What are you missing? any hearing aid”. It’s difficult to suspect you are missing things, at mitigating or completely myare favourite quotes take knowOne whatof you missing in charge of your health and eliminating the issue. is “hearing more visi-give us a call for a comprehensive the workplace andloss howisoften Why Wait? ble than anytohearing you don’t respond a name aid”. hearing assessment. It’s covered difficult tofrom know what under call. AIt’s recent study Better your Chambers Insurance People often wait too long youInstitute are missing inthat the work-benefits. Hearing showed Your benefits mayuntil also it to address this issue, place and how often you unaddressed hearing loss can help with the problematic cost of a hearing becomes for respond to atoname aid. the them. If posedon’t significant barriers If apeople hearingaround loss is workplace call. A performance, recent studycareer from you suspect youhearing are missproductivity, related, testing and aids success and lifelong earnings. are fully covered by WCB.
call for a comprehensive hearing assessment. It’s covered under your Chambers Insurance benefits. Your benefits may also help with the cost of a hearing aid. If a hearing loss is workplace related, testing and hearing aids are fully covered by WCB.
Dr. Erin Wright
M.Sc., Au.D, Audiologist
Dr. Erin Wright Broadmead Hearing Clinic M.Sc., Au.D, Audiologist
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We provide a wide range of quality and proactive strategic, tax, financial, and business professional advice and support to small business owners/ managers and individuals within our Greater Victoria area. “Helping YOU Turn YOUR Dreams Into Reality” 250-386-4466 www.andrewsgreene.bc.ca
Arete Hub Inc.
Arete Hub Inc is a custom software development firm building solutions that support your business. 778-628-0084 AreteHub.Tech
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Cheeky Monkey Mobile Marketing
Get wrapped up in the idea of promoting your brand throughout Greater Victoria on our 3-wheel mobile billboards. Marketing never looked so cool. #supportlocal 250-686-0119 cheekymonkeymobilemarketing.com
CVC Market Point Inc.
CVC Market Point Inc. is an exempt market dealer providing investors select investment opportunities in private issuers. 250-412-3681 www.cvcmarketpoint.com
E. Sands & Associates Inc. ComForCare Home Care
ComForCare is a premier provider of nonmedical, private duty home care services for people of all ages. 778-265-3393 www.comforcare.ca/vancouver-island
Sands & Associates is British Columbia's largest firm of credit counsellors, proposal administrators and licensed insolvency trustees focused exclusively on personal and small-business insolvency services. 778-746-3328 www.sands-trustee.com/office/victoria
BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
Big plans for your small business? We work with children, families, caregivers and hundreds of thousands of British Columbians each year to raise funds to support child health. 250-380-1527 www.bcchf.ca
Breakwater Cafe and Bistro
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Breathe Athletic Inc.
Do you want to create a unique look for your workout or lifestyle wardrobe that’s locally made? Come to Breathe Athletic for the best collections on the market! 250-995-2244 www.breatheathletic.com
Calliope Consulting Inc.
Calliope provides strategic project management. Where people need to be brought together to understand their context and discover a path to progressive change, Calliope is the catalyst and the guide. 250-415-7993 calliope.ca
Catalano Restaurant and Cicchetti Bar
Mediterranean inspired dining, featuring cicchetti, the tapas of Italy. Ideal for private parties & business lunches of any size. 250-480-1824 www.catalanorestaurant.com
1
Big plans for your small
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Cheryl Duff Small Business Advisor 250-356-4018 ext. 300 cheryl.duff@td.com Victoria City Centre 1080 Douglas Street Victoria, BC V8W 2C3
Bruce Read Bruce Read Bruce ReadBusiness Manager, Business Banking Banking Services Services Manager, (250) 356-4018 ext. 301 If you’re looking for help to growBusine your Manager, (250) 356-4018 ext. 301 Manager, Business Banking Services bruce.read@td.com (250)bruce.read@td.com 356-4018 ext. 301 Victoria City Centre Victoria City Centre Banking Specialists offer(250) you 356-4018 solutions 1080 Douglas Douglas Street Street 1080 bruce.read@td.com Victoria, BC BC V8W V8W 2C3 2C3 Victoria, bruce.read@td.c We’re open earlier, later, and even on S Victoria City Centre Cheryl Duff Duff Victoria City Cen 1080Cheryl Douglas Street Small Business Advisor Small Business Advisor whenever there’s a convenient time for 250-356-4018 ext. 300 300 Victoria, BC V8W 2C3 250-356-4018 ext. 1080 Douglas St cheryl.duff@td.com
Trisha Thame Trisha Thame Trish Thame 3675 St.St. Small Business Advisor 3675Shelbourne Shelbourne Victoria 250-405-5260 ext. 300 Victoria trisha.thame@td.com 250-405-5260, 250-405-5260,ext. ext.256 256 Victoria Cedar Hill trisha.thame@td.com trisha.thame@td.com
Cheryl CherylDuff Duff Small Business Advisor 1080 1080Douglas DouglasSt. St. Trish Thame Thame Trish 250-356-4018 ext. 300 Victoria Victoria Small Business Advisor Small Business Advisor 250-405-5260 ext. ext. 300 300 cheryl.duff@td.com 250-405-5260 250-356-4018, ext. 240 250-356-4018, ext. 240 trisha.thame@td.com trisha.thame@td.com Victoria City Centre Victoria Cedar Hill cheryl.duff@td.com cheryl.duff@td.com Victoria Cedar Hill
3675 Shelbourne Street Victoria, BC V8P 4H1
Bruce Read
cheryl.duff@td.com Victoria City City Centre Centre Victoria 1080 Douglas Douglas Street Street 1080 Cheryl Duff Victoria, BC BC V8W V8W 2C3 2C3 Victoria,
3675 Shelbourne Shelbourne Street Street 10803675 Douglas Street Victoria, BC BC V8P V8P 4H1 4H1 Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2C3
Victoria, BC V8W
Bruce Read Shawn Johnson Shawn Johnson Manager, Business 2406 Ave. 2406Beacon Beacon Ave. Banking Services Cheryl Duff (250) 356-4018 ext. 301 Sidney Sidney bruce.read@td.com 250-655-5244, 230 250-655-5244,ext. ext. 230 Business A Small Victoria City Centre shawn.d.johnson@td.com shawn.d.johnson@td.com 250-356-4018 e 1080 Douglas Street cheryl.duff@td.c Victoria, BC V8W 2C3
Victoria City Cen
Trish Thame Cheryl Duff 1080 Douglas St Small Business Advisor Small Business Advisor Victoria, BC V8W Banking Bankingcan canbe bethis thiscomfortable comfortable 250-405-5260 ext. 300 250-356-4018 ext. 300 ® 1 1 Individual branch hours vary. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Individual branch hours vary. The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. trisha.thame@td.com M00574 (0914) (0914) cheryl.duff@td.com M00574 Victoria Cedar Hill Trish Thame ®/®/ Victoria Centre TheThe TDTD logologo andand other trade-marks areare thethe property of of TheThe Toronto-Dominion Bank or or a wholly-owned subsidiary, inCity Canada and/or countries. other trade-marks property Toronto-Dominion Bank a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/orother other countries. 3675 Shelbourne Street 1080 Douglas Street Small Business A Victoria, BC V8P 4H1 SEPTEMBER 2016 21 BUSINESSMATTERS Victoria,| BC V8W 2C3
Individual branch hours vary. ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
250-405-5260 e trisha.thame@td
M00574 (0914)
NEW MEMBERS June 1 to July 31 FloForm Countertops
Your kitchen is so much more than a place to prepare meals. Trust FLOFORM to transform the most important room in your home into a welcoming space for everyday living. 250-472-1200 www.floform.com
RESTAURANT
Glenmore Printing & Packaging
Christmas Parties
Perfect Venue for Private Dinners or a Unique Christmas Party Experience! Afternoon Tea in the Gatsby Mansion with Champagne Toast.
Winter Afternoon Tea Wednesday – Sunday
No smoke and mirrors—what you see is what you get. Using Glenmore is a guarantee that your job will get done right, on time, with people you enjoy working with. 604-273-6323 glenmoreprinting.com
Harlan-Stone Ltd
Harlan-Stone Ltd. Is a natural stone & tile design and installation company. Owned and operated by a Master Craftsman with over 35 years of experience: If you can dream it, we design and build it! 778-977-1778 harlan-stone.com
J4 Interactive Inc
J4 Interactive Inc. provides software solutions to businesses to help them gain competitive advantage against their competitors. 250-984-1308
Book your Christmas Party!
JoeRos - Art & Photography
Web Design - Photography - Marketing - 3D Concepts. 778-747-0166 joeros.com
KAZ Creative Agency
We are a creative agency based in Victoria, BC, with national and international clients. We specialize in web design, graphic design and advertising solutions that improve the way businesses attract and interact with customers. 250-900-9945 wearekaz.com
McKenzie Wealth Management
Gatsby Mansion Belleville Street Gatsby Mansion 309 309 Belleville Street Reservations & Inquiries 1-800-663-7557 • 250-381-3456 Reservations & Inquiries 1-800-663-7557 • 250-381-3456 Fax: 250-382-7666 info@gatsbymansion.ca Fax: 250-382-7666 • •info@gatsbymansion.ca Huntingdonmanor.com Huntingdonmanor.com 22 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
Our business is based on relationships with our clients that can only be maintained through our core principles of trust, honesty and reliability. We offer genuine, dependable advice that is always in our clients’ best interests. 250-893-0072 www.mckenziewealth.com
June 1 to July 31 Moe’s Home Victoria
Moe’s Home Victoria brings a wide range of quality furniture and decor from around the world to Victoria. Design made simple! Come in and let our staff help you create a home that reflects your true spirit! 250-590-6637 www.moeshome.ca
NEW MEMBERS
Rolf’s Cook St Barbershop
Complete with beautiful antique barber chairs, a few tune-ups, new paint job, and a brand new team of experienced barbers, Rolf’s Cook Street Barbershop is ready to provide a new generation with unmatched personalized service. 250-383-6035 cookstreetbarbershop.com
Hire a co-op student.
Hear the results.
Red Lion Hotel - Port Angeles
Our unique location is one of the most scenic the Northwest has to offer. Nearby you’ll find great shopping & the many natural attractions of Olympic National Park, including rainforests & beaches. Hiking, golfing, fishing & skiing are also close by. 360-417-5722 www.redlion.com
Removall Remediation Services Ltd We believe in managing the removal and remediation process with care and understanding. 250-478-9998 www.removall.ca
Salus Systems
An independently owned private company, Salus focuses primarily on web-related custom application and system design, development, and support. 250-370-9963 www.salussystems.com
Speak Now Communications
Carmel Ecker is a graphic designer, writer, editor and avid mountain biker based in Victoria. She specializes in publication design. 250-661-1269 speaknowcommunications.ca
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Spirit Bay Developments Limited Partnership
Southern Vancouver Island’s newest seaside town. Currently under development, Spirit Bay will feature 400 homes, a vibrant commercial centre, and a world class resort spa. 250-478-7789 www.spiritbay.ca
Spray-Net
An exterior painting service that transforms your renovation into an investment. 250-634-3572 www.spray-net.com
Strong Back Contracting
StrongBack has framed hundreds of homes for the best residential home builders in western Canada while specializing in decks and additions. 250-886-9025 www.strongback.ca
Swiss Chalet Rotisserie & Grill
Since our doors first opened in 1954, families have been coming back to Swiss Chalet generation after generation. And that’s certainly not stopping now. 250-475-0334 www.swisschalet.com
V2V Vacations
V2V Vacations is a direct high-service ferry operating between two of Canada’s premium harbour cities - downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria, British Columbia. 604-719-1448 www.v2vvacations.com
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Victoria Retina
Dr. Murray Erasmus is your Victoria eye doctor, visit him today. Located on the Blanshard Level above Steve Nash Fitness World. 778-265-7520 shopuptown.ca/store/dr-murray-erasmusvictoria-retina
Works Photography
A formally educated photographer, Jo-Ann Richards brings a sophisticated sense of light, mood and balance to her work. 250-361-4909 www.worksphotography.ca
Wuma Design
Wuma is a boutique interior design studio specializing in high-end residential interiors for contemporary minded clientele. 250-208-3906 wuma.ca
ADVOCACY IN ACTION Picture Greater Victoria without the Inner Harbour’s infrastructure, without an international airport, without a dedicated strategy to grow key sectors such as tourism, technology, marine and education. Many of our local institutions and economic drivers began as points of discussion around the board table of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Over the last 153 years, The Chamber has helped shape much of what we now take for granted— campaigning for the Canadian Pacific Railway to build the landmark Empress Hotel, attracting national retailers such as Canadian Tire to Greater Victoria, advocating for the growth of University of Victoria (UVic) and much, much, more. Many of The Chamber’s successes were based on the work of its advisory committees. Comprised of established business people, its committees were designed to advise Chamber leadership on what was needed to improve business conditions in Greater Victoria. These committees targeted emerging needs in the community, in areas such as transportation, economic development, manufacturing, technology, film and TV production, harbour development, and more. This broad spectrum approach tapped into the influence and expertise within the local business community to get things done and to generate new ideas. Over the past four decades, committees have come and gone, some dissolving with their mandate complete, others spinning off from The Chamber as their mandates evolved. For example the Downtown Victoria Business Association, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Tourism Victoria, Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission, and Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council (VIATEC)—as well as the recently launched South Island Prosperity Project—all had their origins with The Chamber. Of these many successes, we profile three here.
Film and TV Production One of former Chamber CEO Brian Small’s favourite stories was a phone call he received in 1971 from movie producer Richard Wexler, who apparently said, “I need a house on the island,” for his movie Five Easy Pieces staring Jack Nicholson. Brian leapt into action, and Richard ended up filming
multiple scenes at a Brentwood Bay residence. And so began The Chamber’s ongoing support to film and TV production on the Island, with Brian’s response to ever-increasing requests, “what do you need and how soon do you need it?” After years of hard work by Chamber staff and volunteers, the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission spun off from The Chamber in 1996, becoming an autonomous organization with a mandate to “market and promote the locations, skills and creativity inherent in Victoria and Vancouver Island to the global film industry.” “I have has seen the [Film Commission] grow from its roots at The Chamber, into a successful non-profit, attracting a record-breaking 20 productions in 2015, which created $18 million in direct spending and hundreds of jobs in that year alone,” said Annie WongHarrison, President of the Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission. “All thanks to the enduring vision of The Chamber and the continuing hard work of the Film Commission’s staff, volunteers and board members.”
CASE IN POINT According to then-Chamber manager Brian Small (1969 to 1994), in the late-1960s, he saw his classmates leaving Victoria to work in their fields of choice upon graduation, he envisioned a future where people would be schooled in their home town—and have jobs waiting for them upon graduation. With that vision in sight, and Brian at the helm, The Chamber began advocating for the development of UVic’s engineering, business and law schools. The Chamber also campaigned for Camosun College’s second campus, and is credited with securing the site for Pearson College. Brian’s vision proved to be on-point, and The Chamber’s ensuing efforts helping to create world-class places of learning that generate billions every year in local economic impact.
16.VictoriaChamberAd2 2016-07-28 2:27 PM Page 1 O DLU MB R OWN.CO M
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Tourism Tourism Victoria was created in 1974 as the Greater Victoria Visitors’ Information Centre. Today’s Tourism Victoria is a healthy, self-sustaining organization with its own governance and funding. Work to make that a reality began as far back as 1902. The Chamber had the tourism sector on its radar, working hard to attract visitors to our fair city. From keeping the downtown’s skyline open by ensuring electrical wires were
installed underground to its 40 years of annual Flower Counts, The Chamber has helped play a role in today’s booming tourism industry. In the 1970s, Greater Victoria saw a decline, and industries started leaving the region. The Chamber saw tourism as a way to keep the city vibrant. The Chamber’s proactive and visionary tourism committee—which included known tourism champion Mel Cooper— rolled up their sleeves and went to work, and Tourism Victoria was born.
“The tourism sector is incredibly sophisticated and is only getting more so as we embrace the opportunities we have to market our destination in the digital age,” said Paul Nursey, President and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “However, all the hard work requires a vision to create a climate that is open to travellers and a business community capable of providing the experiences that people want to visit. We’re thankful for those pioneers who helped the tourism industry grow into the vital component of Victoria’s economy that it is today.”
Economic Development
In 1980, The Chamber placed an ad in Time Magazine, featuring Brian Small as Chair of the Capital Region Economic Development Commission, asking for businesses to come to Victoria. They received more than 500 inquiries. One was from Canadian Tire, which led to the eventual opening of five Canadian Tire stores in Greater Victoria. 26 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
The Chamber’s support to the region’s economic development reaches back more than 40 years. In 1976, The Chamber’s Economic Development Committee played a hand in the creation of a Capital Regional District (CRD)-wide economic development commission, which ran from 1976 to 1979. The CRD-led commission was then passed on to The Chamber in 1979. Over the subsequent years, The Chamber has maintained its commitment to economic development, under various banners, including Business Victoria. The most recent Chamber-led economic development entity was Greater Victoria Development Agency (GVDA), formed in 2007 and supported by one employee and a volunteer committee. The GVDA has now evolved into a stand-alone organization, the South Island Prosperity Project. “Although we are a collection of small to medium-sized municipalities, together as a region we have the challenges and opportunities typical of Canada’s largest cities,” said Chamber Chair Al Hasham, referring to Greater Victoria’s 2011 census population, which would place it as Canada’s 16th largest city. “For over 150 years, The Chamber has been the glue, bringing a cohesive approach to getting things done.” Today, The Chamber continues its work behind—and occasionally in front of— the scenes, thanks to the efforts of its countless members, staff, and volunteers with the expertise, passion, and influence to get things done. These dedicated people have enabled The Chamber to be the voice of the business community, laying the foundation for what we enjoy today—a thriving, vibrant community with a strong economy. “The Chamber and its committees will continue its long history as the voice of business in Greater Victoria,” said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. “Our people have the expertise and influence to identify what needs to be done, and get those wheels in motion.”
Building Healthy Communities. One Y at a Time.
The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island recently welcomed two new facilities to our region. The Westhills YMCAYWCA/Langford Aquatic Centre and the Eagle Creek YMCA-YWCA in View Royal. The recent expansion to the communities of Langford and View Royal are just the first stage in the long-term expansion strategy to deliver outcome-based growth through partnership development and innovation. The Westhills YMCA-YWCA/Langford Aquatic Centre offers a state-of-the-art fitness facility, fitness studios, multi-
purpose space, teen centre, licensed child care services and a remarkable Aquatic Centre with a lazy river, pool slide, lap pool, warm water therapy pool and wave pool. The Eagle Creek Y, View Royal will provide licensed child care with designated infant and toddler spaces as well as a health and fitness centre. The Y remains committed to its flagship Downtown Victoria location and will continue to offer the same extensive programs and services including Health, Fitness & Aquatics, Child Care, Youth and Young Mom’s Programs.
Victoria Downtown Y
Langford Westhills Y
View Royal Eagle Creek Y
250-386-7511
NOW OPEN
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www.VancouverIslandY.com BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016
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28 BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2016