The Chamber’s Summer Scavenger: Wrap Up! | | |
✨ That’s a Wrap on Our Summer Scavenger Hunt! ✨
The hunt has officially wrapped for the summer, and we’re excited to announce that the winner of the End of Summer Grand Prize Draw is Adrian Kitt! 🎉
A huge thank-you to all of our participating locations this summer:
Studio 2880 • Grama’s Inn • Crossroads • Prince George Florist • Jim’s Clothes Closet • Koops Bike Shop • Gingerbread Toys • Les Beaux Visages • HomeSpun Refillery
And another big thanks to our generous prize donors:
Crossroads • Grama’s Inn • Prince George Florist • Studio 2880 • Jim’s Clothes Closet • RBC • Koops • Gingerbread Toys • Les Beaux Visages • Northern Innovation Network • HomeSpun Refillery
Because of their support, the End of Summer Draw prize was valued at over $500! 🙌
Interested in being part of our Winter Scavenger Hunt or next summer’s adventure? Reach out to our Partnership Manager, Colleen Sparrow, at membership@pgchamber.bc.ca. We’d love to have you join in!
| | Introducing Our First-Ever Chamber Youth Ambassador! | | |
We’re thrilled to share that our Executive Director, Neil Godbout, has created a brand-new role at the Chamber—Youth Ambassador—and appointed Mila Millions as the very first one on August 22, 2025! Mila will be helping out at events, sharing her take on life in Prince George, connecting with local businesses, and even hosting fun projects for families and youth. Keep an eye out for her new segment, Mila’s Thoughts, in upcoming newsletters!
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Acres has been named a national winner of the 2025 CIO Awards Canada, presented by IDC and CIO.com.
This award recognizes Canadian organizations that are using technology in innovative ways to drive real impact, and we’re proud to say that Acres is now in the company of national giants like TD Bank, McCain Foods, Bell Canada, Canadian Tire, and CAA Group.
Acres is being recognized for our in-house LiDAR Drone Program, which has completely transformed how we approach surveying and data collection on our civil and industrial construction sites. The program delivers faster, safer, and more precise results - and it was developed entirely by our internal team.
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At its core, our LiDAR Drone Program solves an everyday problem in construction: how to survey large, rugged, often vegetated sites quickly, accurately, and safely. Traditional boots-on-the-ground surveying can be time-consuming, costly, and risky in tough terrain. Acres tackled that challenge head-on.
Using DJI Matrice 350 RTK drones equipped with Zenmuse L2 LiDAR sensors – and integrating them with Trimble Stratus and Trimble Earthworks – we’ve created a drone-enabled workflow that produces sub-1.0 cm survey accuracy, three times faster than traditional methods.
What once took weeks can now be done in a day or two, with usable deliverables generated within 24 hours. This includes 3D surface models, contour maps, cut/fill volumes, and more—all produced internally by our certified team.
And the results speak for themselves:
- 70% reduction in survey time
- $10,000–$20,000 savings per large survey
- Over 100 hectares surveyed per week
- Fewer boots in hazardous terrain
This isn’t just about drones – it’s about better, safer, faster ways of working.
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We’re proud to be:
- One of only two construction companies ever to receive this honour.
- The only mid-sized BC-based company ever selected.
- And a national representative of innovation in construction this November at the CIO Summit Canada Gala in Toronto.
| | | BC Hydro - Programs and incentives | | You’re invited to a special afternoon at the Prince George Playhouse! | | |
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On Friday, September 19, 2025, we’re partnering with the Prince George Chamber of Commerce to host an Open House and Volunteer Appreciation Event.
📍 Prince George Playhouse
🕓 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Enjoy snacks and refreshments, a little entertainment, a backstage tour, and a chance to connect with fellow CAC and Chamber members, volunteers, and community supporters. This is also our opportunity to celebrate the incredible contributions of our volunteers — the heart of our organization. 💙
✨ Capacity is limited — please RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your spot.
| | If you're interested in being part of this incredible event and showcasing your brand to northern BC’s business community, reach out to Colleen Sparrow at membership@pgchamber.bc.ca. Let’s build something great together! | | |
Hello and Hadih.
It’s an understatement to say it’s been a tough summer for local business.
Uncertainty around tariffs. Continued crime and violence -- particularly but not exclusively downtown – affecting business owners, employees, and customers.
And the fires.
Spotless Uniform on the Hart Highway gutted by an overnight fire and then – a month to the day later – Crossroads Brewing and Distillery downtown met the same fate.
That’s two multi-million dollar operations that employed dozens of local residents destroyed. Only once the lengthy insurance process is complete can the owners even consider the even lengthier process of rebuilding, should they choose to do so. That’s not a simple decision. It’s a significant investment in the future that has to be made with what’s best for the owners and the business in mind.
The tragic irony about last Friday’s Crossroads fire is that it happened literally hours after a community engagement forum at the Ramada hosted by the three local MLAs, joined by their BC Conservatives caucus colleagues, Kelowna MLA and jobs critic Gavin Dew and Surrey MLA and public safety critic Elenore Sturko. During the forum (and the walking tour through downtown that preceded it), the MLAs heard from local business owners, operators and workers about the constant crime and safety challenges they face and the real financial and emotional harm it has caused.
To be clear, I’m not saying the Crossroads fire was arson. I’m linking the two events because, while there was frank talk about the extent of the problems and what needs to change, the forum also featured the very best of the local business community – its strength and resilience, its focus on community and working together, its optimism in the face of adversity.
The two extremes exist together. As Gavin Dew rightly pointed out at the forum, we can all be angry and frustrated at what’s happening on our streets and show caring and compassion for the street population at the same time.
The destruction of two significant local businesses has put dozens out of work and has added more uncertainty to the Prince George economy. We’re here for our friends and neighbours and we soldier on, as we have before and we will again.
All the best to you and your business,
Neil
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- Trinity United & Knox Performance Centre
- Rolling Mix
- Prosperity Consulting INC.
| | UNBC - Gain Skills to manage high severity IT situations | | 40th Annual Business Excellence Awards: Finalist Announcement | | |
Join us for the big reveal! 🎉
We’re announcing the finalists for the 40th Annual Business Excellence Awards, and you won’t want to miss it.
📅 Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
🕦 Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
📍 Location: Knox Performance Centre
🎟️ Admission: Free – no RSVP needed
No boring lunch here—Baller Food Truck and White Goose will be parked outside, serving up delicious eats so you can grab lunch while supporting local businesses and cheering on our local finalists.
👉 Visit our event page on the Chamber website to see the full list of award categories and nominees for 2025!
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40th Annual Business Excellence Awards
– Tickets Now on Sale!
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Nominations for the 2025 Business Excellence Awards are now closed!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize and celebrate Prince George’s outstanding businesses and leaders.
Be sure to join us on November 1st for an unforgettable evening recognizing the best of the best—featuring keynote speaker The Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould as we mark the 40th anniversary of this milestone event.
🎟️ Ticket Prices
✅ Members: $160 + GST
✅ Future Members: $180 + GST
✅Table of 8: $1000+ GST
🌟 Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Showcase your business and support one of our community’s most anticipated events. Contact Colleen Sparrow at membership@pgchamber.bc.ca to learn more.
Let’s celebrate excellence together—get your nominations in before it’s too late and stay tuned for event updates!
| | A Huge Thank You to This Year’s Sponsors | | |
Rail Safety Week takes place September 15 to 21, 2025.
Interview with Shawn Will, CN's Chief Security Officer and Chief of Police
Q: What’s the importance of Rail Safety Week?
A: Rail Safety Week is an opportunity for all rail industry players and partners to raise awareness about the vital importance of safety near trains and tracks. Together with cities, towns, and Indigenous communities across North America, CN’s annual campaign mobilizes neighbouring communities to avoid dangerous behaviours around railway tracks and property to help prevent accidents and help save lives.
Q: How is the CN Police Service involved with local communities in promoting rail safety?
A: We tackle the issue on many fronts:
- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we’re active in communities right across CN’s network to promote safe behaviours around the railroad. Our activities include conducting enforcement initiatives at locations prone to incidents and delivering safety presentations at schools and to high-risk groups.
- Rail Safety Week brings the message to national prominence. CN Police officers and other CN employees partner with community leaders and law enforcement agencies to get the message out.
Q: Are rail-related accidents on the rise? What can we all do to help eliminate accidents?
A: In 2024 alone, there were 261 crossing and trespassing incidents reported in Canada resulting in 66 fatalities and 58 serious injuries. And we have seen disturbing spikes in deaths and serious injuries related to crossing and trespassing on railway property. We need everyone’s help to spread the word and increase public education about rail safety.
Q: Hundreds of communities have signed resolutions or expressed their support for Rail Safety Week. Why is this collaboration important?
A: Because rail safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage all communities from across CN’s network to show their support for rail safety through public engagement, coordinated policing and public crossing maintenance activities. And CN’s neighbours are showing up. Over 376 communities across the network signed Rail Safety Proclamations in 2024, recognizing the importance of the Week. We appreciate this support very much.
Of course, CN’s shared responsibility goes beyond resolutions and pledges. It’s all about constant communication to sensitize citizens about safe behaviours that help save lives. All incidents can be prevented, and we all play a role in making sure people know that.
CN Police 24/7 Emergency Number
1-800-465-9239
Please e-mail our CNPoliceTipLine for non-urgent requests or Public Inquiries for general information.
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Leadership Breakfast: New YXS CEO and President Geoff Ritchie
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Start your morning with insight and connection!
Join us for a Leadership Breakfast with Geoff Ritchie, the new CEO and President of the Prince George Airport Authority (YXS). Geoff will share his vision for the future of YXS, including upcoming priorities, opportunities for regional growth, and the airport’s role in supporting local business and community development.
About the Speaker
With more than 40 years of international aviation experience, Geoff has held leadership roles with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, and Kelowna International Airport (YLW). He has founded successful aviation companies, advised governments, and played a key role in Canada’s fastest COVID airport recovery.
As a major economic driver for Northern BC, YXS is vital to our region’s connectivity, tourism, and investment. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a warm breakfast, connect with community leaders, and hear firsthand where YXS is headed under Geoff’s leadership.
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We have one quick question for you! If you could take 10 seconds to answer a multiple-choice question, we would greatly appreciate it.
Your feedback helps us better serve our business community. Find the question below and let us know your thoughts!
New Question on: BEAs
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Last Month’s Poll Results Are In!
We asked: “Will you be attending 40th annual Business Excellence Award celebration on November 1st, 2025?”
Here’s what you told us:
🟢 50% said Yes
🔴 50% said No
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We’re thrilled to launch the first-ever edition of our Chamber magazine — Community Connection! Dive into stories, highlights, and everything Chamber-related by checking it out today.
The logo’s right here to the right — and you can read the full issue at the link below!
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Are you looking to showcase your business and connect with Prince George’s business community? The Chamber has openings for Business Showcase Collaborations events throughout 2025! These events are an excellent opportunity to increase visibility, engage with local leaders, and make valuable connections.
Available dates to select from are:
- September 23, 2025
- October 15, 2025
- December 11, 2025
If you’re interested in partnering with us on one of these dates, please reach out to Colleen Sparrow at membership@pgchamber.bc.ca for more information!
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Prince George Chamber of Commerce
102-1584 7th Ave, Prince George, BC
(250) 562-4710
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