CVEDS Approved to Prepare RFP - Food Innovation & Processing Hub

CVEDS responded last month to the provincial Food Hub Network Request for Qualifications in partnership with North Island College, FoodMetrics Laboratories, Pickled Carrot Catering, Salish Sea Foods, Lentelus Farms with 20 letters of support from agriculture, agrifood and education related organizations. The Ministry of Agriculture advised CVEDS of its successful application on July 24 and confirmed CVEDS would be invited to submit a response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) this month.

Innovate 2030 - Online Business Survey

The creation of the Innovate 2030 Regional Economic Development Strategy process continues and there's still time to have your say, take the Business Survey today ! Public Open Houses were hosted this past April and May along with numerous industry, sector, and stakeholder engagement sessions. To read more about the Innovate 2030 process and related presentations click here .

NEW - CVEDS offers Businesses a Google 360 Verification Program

Make sure your business is digital ready and visible across key online search engines like Google and TripAdvisor. CVEDS can help verify/optimize your Google My Business listing via its FREE Google My Business Verification Program, which includes a visit to your business to take 360 degree photos and upload them to your Google My Business Listing. FMI or to book an appointment contact the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre [email protected] or call 250-400-2882.

BizMap - New Partnership with Small Business BC Announced

To encourage business start-up and growth, Comox Valley entrepreneurs will soon have access to in-depth market information for downtown Comox and Courtenay thanks to a new partnership between Small Business BC and CVEDS. This will be the first expansion of the service outside of Vancouver, bringing critical data to Comox Valley business owners and business start-ups. 

Bizmap will be available for entrepreneurs this fall at Bizmap.ca

CVEDS Fall Business 'Lunch & Learn' Series and other Business Events

A Step by Step BC HACCP Workshop - To register contact Candice at [email protected]

Date: August 27 & 28, 2019 | Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |

Lunch & Learn: CVEDS 101 - Register Now

Date: October 1, 2019 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM |

Lunch & Learn: Vancouver Island Visitor Centre & Its Business Services - Register Now

Date: October 3, 2019 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM |

Lunch & Learn: Access to Capital - Register Now

Date: October 8, 2019 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM |

Lunch & Learn: New to Comox Valley and looking to start a small business? - Register Now

Date: October 10, 2019 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM |

Lunch & Learn: Business Transition; Things to consider when buying or selling a business - Register Now

Date: October 17, 2019 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM |

Lunch & Learn: Food Safety Trends & Innovations - Register Now

Date: October 29, 2019 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM |

There are many business and tourism industry events happening within the Comox Valley this fall. Use the CVEDS online Business Events calendar to plan ahead.

Discover Comox Valley's Tourism & Professional Development Week

Celebrate tourism in the Comox Valley with Discover Comox Valley's Tourism & Professional Development Week October 21 - 24, during Small Business Month!  Click here to register/view full descriptions and details of all Workshops and informative speakers.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS

Superhost Destination Ambassador Comox Valley - Register Now

Presented by Gaetane Palardy, Tourism and Hospitality Training & Consulting

Date: October 21 | Time: 12:30 - 4:30pm | Location: Vancouver Island Visitor Centre | Cost: $75 per person

 

Food & Beverage Industry Workshop - Make Social Media Work for You! - Register Now

Presented by Ian Tostenson, CEO, BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association

Date: October 22 | Time: 2:00 - 4:30pm | Location: Vancouver Island Visitor Centre | Cost: Free

 

Grow with Google Program - Register Now

Presented by Dana Wacker, Tourism Vancouver Island

Date: October 23 | Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm | Location: Vancouver Island Visitor Centre | Cost: Free, lunch provided

 

TOURISM INDUSTRY MINI-CONFERENCE - Register Now

Speakers: Dana Wacker, Tourism Vancouver Island; Martin Littlejohn, Mountain Bike Tourism Association; Ken Beattie, BC Ale Trail, plus Trade Show and Networking

Date: October 24 | Time: 4:00 - 7:30pm | Location: Vancouver Island Visitor Centre | Cost: $20 early bird rate

Largest International Seafood Buyers Delegation - BC Seafood Expo

Comox Valley Economic Development, (CVEDS) together with extensive seafood industry partners hosted the 2019 BC Seafood Expo with almost 500 delegates, exhibitors, speakers and buyers; the largest Expo to date. This included the biggest International Buyers Delegation supported in partnership with the BC Ministry of Jobs, Trade, & Technology and Global Affairs Canada. Additionally, a new Business to Business (B2B) meeting platform was piloted during the conference, connecting 385 meetings between regional producers and the International Buyers Delegation participants.

Mark your calendar now for June 17 & 18, 2020.

Provincial Nominee Program - Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot

The Entrepreneur Immigration stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program is a path to immigrate to Canada and settle in BC for experienced entrepreneurs; CVEDS is participating in the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot representing the Town of Comox, City of Courtenay, and CVRD Areas A, B, and C. Program criteria and eligibility information may be viewed on the BC Provincial Nominee Program website.



Interested in submitting? Email [email protected] .

Downtown Comox Ambassador Program Returns

Thank you to the Comox BIA for collaborating with CVEDS to present the Downtown Comox Ambassador Program for a second season. The program's goal is to engage visitors and boaters who would not normally visit the brick-and-mortar location of the Visitor Centre to increase awareness of the businesses, services and attractions in the area. The roaming Ambassador team engages with visitors in downtown Comox, Marina Park and the Wharf Thursday to Sunday June 27 - September 1.

2019 Comox Valley Growers Guide - Showcasing Agrifood Producers

A significant component of CVEDS annual work plans includes focus and programs around on the agrifood sector, growers, and food & beverage producers. The Comox Valley Growers Guide is developed annually to present the range of area producers, product seasonality, the Comox Valley Farmers Market and related events to support increased farm gate sales and awareness of the range of locally produced foods. 100k copies are distributed regionally and on Vancouver Island.

Big Turnout at May Employee Housing Summit

Thank you to the CV Coalition to End Homelessness for co-hosting with CVEDS a successful Employee Housing Summit with approximately 100 attendees in May at CFB Comox 19 Wing.

Weren't able to attend? View the presentations below from excellent panelists including; Jada Basi, CitySpaces, Cheeying Ho, Whistler Centre for Sustainability, Candace Koo, CMHC and Raymond Kwong, BC Housing

BC's Innovation Commissioner Visits the Comox Valley

CVEDS recently hosted Mr. Alan Winter, BC's Innovation Commissioner for an information sharing meeting with 25+ local technology and innovation stakeholders, in addition to providing the keynote address at CVEDS AGM regarding BC's focus on and trends in tech and innovation.

Small Business Market Research

Did you know CVEDS hosts and maintains a variety of current demographics, sector studies, and even an online development map?