Last week, we hosted our semi-annual Youth Connect session as part of the Chamber’s Emerging Entrepreneurship Program at the Capilano University Squamish Campus. This unique networking experience brings together the Entrepreneurship Class from Howe Sound Secondary and seasoned business mentors from across our community.
Youth Connect offers students the opportunity to pitch their business ideas, ask questions, and receive valuable feedback and guidance as they explore their entrepreneurial journeys. Thank you to all the mentors who joined us to support the next generation of Squamish innovators — we can’t wait to see these ideas come to life at the Youth Pitch in January. | | Stepping Up at a Sold Out Après 5! | | |
We closed out our final Après 5 of the season with a bang at Create Makerspace — our biggest Après yet, with more than 60 members joining us for an evening of creativity, connection, and community spirit. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore this incredible space, hear about the all of the amazing workshops and hands-on classes available, and even try out the pottery wheel.
A heartfelt thank-you to Oisín McHugh for beautifully capturing the mood and all those friendly faces, and to Oscar Radevsky and the amazing team at Create Makerspace for welcoming us so generously. What a way to wrap up the season - We look forward to seeing you all in January!
| | We Still Have 2 Spots Left! | | Get into the holiday spirit, advertise your business and give back by putting up a beautiful tree!
The Holiday Tree Display is a long-standing Squamish Chamber tradition that brings sparkle and community spirit to the Squamish Adventure Centre. Chamber members are invited to purchase and decorate a tree—a fun and creative way to showcase your brand while helping transform the Centre into a festive wonderland. Tree setup runs from November 24th to 27th, so gather your team, bring your holiday cheer, and help us kick off the season in true Squamish style! Best of all, proceeds from this year’s campaign will be donated to Squamish Community Christmas Care, helping support local families and neighbours in need during the holiday season. | | The Countdown is ON - Get Your Gala Tickets NOW! | | The Squamish Chamber Business Excellence Awards Presented by RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate are a celebrated signature event. With 12 award categories - including Business Leader of the Year, Emerging Entrepreneur, Bill Manson Citizen of the Year and others - the Squamish Chamber Business Excellence Awards highlight the diversity of talent and innovation that define the Squamish business community. From long-standing organizations to emerging enterprises, the awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work that sustains our local economy and strengthens our connections to one another. Beyond the awards themselves, this event is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, recognize our peers, and reflect on the challenges and successes of the past year. | | Join Us Behind the Scenes at the BEA's! | | We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make this year’s celebration unforgettable! From event support to guest experience roles, this is a great chance to get involved, connect with our business community, and be part of one of Squamish’s most exciting evenings. We also have a limited number of sponsorship opportunities still available for those looking to showcase their business and support this signature event. Click below to reach out and get involved. | | Avesta Strata Property Management | | |
We’re excited to highlight Avesta Strata & Property Management, a valued member of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce.
Locally rooted and community-focused, Avesta serves Squamish and the Sea-to-Sky corridor with a proactive, transparent, and relationship-driven approach to strata, rental, and maintenance management. A proud supporter and sponsor of the annual Ron Anderson Memorial Golf Tournament and Emerging Entrepreneurs Program Mentor, Avesta continues to show its commitment to the local community.
Visit their new office at 102–38142 Cleveland Avenue and meet the team helping property owners manage with clarity and confidence.
| | Advertise with the Chamber! | | Advertising with the Squamish Chamber of Commerce gives your business access to high‑value exposure in our local market. With options ranging from banner ads on our website to featured spots in our newsletter — a channel that consistently achieves open and click‑through rates above industry averages — you’ll build visibility, enhance your Google ranking and keep your brand top‑of‑mind among the Sea‑to‑Sky business community. | | Looking to sharpen your business skills without spending a dime? Community Futures offers a fantastic library of free online workshops designed to help you start, grow, and strengthen your business. From marketing and finance to leadership and digital tools, there’s something for every entrepreneur. All you need to do is sign up for a free account, and you’ll gain instant access to a wide range of expert-led sessions and practical resources to support your business journey. | | | | Transform your business with a robust ecommerce strategy. This workshop will guide you through the essentials of building an online store, from selecting and setting up the right sales platform to managing inventory and integrating secure payment systems. Learn how to create a seamless, engaging shopping experience that drives conversions and keeps customers coming back. Discover proven strategies to optimize your ecommerce operations for growth and long-term success. | | | Export Navigator is Here to Help B.C. Businesses Export | | Export Navigator is a free, government-funded program that helps B.C. businesses grow through exporting. Whether your business already exports or is exploring new markets for the first time, their Export Advisors provide personalized guidance to help you diversify and strengthen your business. | | |
Are you a B.C. -based business exporting to the U.S.? You could get reimbursement for 50% of your total eligible expenses incurred up to a maximum if $5,000 for CUSMA compliance costs.
If you’ve exported in the last 12 months and incurred costs after April 1, 2025 — you may be eligible for the CUSMA Compliance Advisory Services Initiative:
· Open to registered businesses in B.C.
· 50% reimbursement of up to $5,000
· Costs must be incurred on or after April 1, 2025
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Budget 2025 Community Session | |
Join MP Patrick Weiler for a community briefing following the release of Budget 2025.
MP Weiler will provide an overview of the budget, highlight measures that directly affect West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country, and speak to how federal investments will support local priorities—whether on affordability, housing, climate resilience, transportation, innovation, or community wellbeing.
There will also be time for budget-related questions from attendees. This is an opportunity to hear directly from your federal representative about what this budget means for our region and how it will shape the year ahead.
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| Panel Series: Accessibility in Squamish | | |
Join us for a powerful and practical conversation about accessibility in Squamish. This panel brings together local voices from local folks with disabilities who will share their lived experiences navigating public spaces, workplaces, and local businesses. We’ll also explore the new accessibility standards coming under the Accessible BC Act, what changes are on the horizon for businesses, and how you can start preparing now.
Whether you run a retail shop, restaurant, office, or event venue, this session will offer tangible steps you can take to reduce barriers, improve customer experience, and create a more inclusive workplace.
Come ready to listen, learn, and be part of a growing movement toward a more accessible Squamish.
Speakers:
Miles Randell
Reedan Thiessen
Madeline Sloan
Moderator: Trish Kelly of Untapped Accessibility
| | | | Meet Panel Speaker Miles Randell | |
Miles Randell is a post traumatic stress injury survivor. In 2018 he was deemed “disabled” and “no longer medically suitable for work” after 30 years of work as a paramedic, search and rescue volunteer and pro ski patroller.
Miles and his PADS service dog Meeka have been able to overcome this diagnosis, heal, and create a healthy and supportive workplace that gives back to the community.
An advocate for post traumatic stress injuries and other disabilities, Miles’ perspective on invisible disabilities is an interesting view on accessibility.
| | | Squamish Non-Profit Governance Workshop & Networking Social | | Join fellow non-profit leaders, board members, and senior staff from across Squamish for an engaging evening of learning, discussion, and connection led by Greg Tooke—the Board Chair of Squamish Helping Hands Society. | |
- Arrive & Network: Light refreshments and time to connect with peers.
Governance Training:
- Roles and responsibilities of boards and management
- Strategy vs. operations — knowing where the line is
- Fundamentals of strategic planning
- Approaches to handling board/staff conflict
- Open Q&A — bring your governance challenges and learn from one another
- Networking Social: Continue conversations and strengthen community ties.
| This session is designed for board members and senior staff in Squamish’s non-profit and community sectors. Come ready to share experiences, ask questions, and leave with practical insights to strengthen your organization’s governance and teamwork. | | Red Cross Psychological First Aid | |
This course is designed for anyone seeking a certification in Psychological First Aid.
This more substantive and flexible curriculum helps you gain a deeper understanding of the Red Cross Look, Listen, Link, Live model – this means having awareness that there is a problem, listening to yourself or others, and linking to resources in your community so you can live fully. You’ll also learn Psychological First Aid using the principle of Do No Harm, which refers to the unintentional harm that may be caused to those who are meant to benefit from your intervention.
This course is provided as a blended online and in-person classroom format (90 minutes online and seven hours in class). The time spent in class gives you and your fellow learners the opportunity to connect with the instructor, who will help you adapt the course to your needs and local context.
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Where: PearlSpace Squamish
When: Saturday, November 22nd
Time: 4:00pm
| | The holiday season is a time for giving — and together, we can help make sure every family in Squamish feels the warmth of community this Christmas. Squamish Community Christmas Care is a volunteer-driven initiative that provides hampers filled with food, toys, and essentials to local families in need during the holidays. | | |
There are three ways Squamish businesses can get involved:
- Join the Battle of the Businesses – Rally your team, have some fun, and help raise funds for this incredible cause.
- Host a Donation Box – Set out a collection box at your business for non-perishable food or toys.
- Make a Direct Donation – Contribute directly to Squamish Community Christmas Care to support their annual hamper program.
| | Thank you to our annual sponsors | | The Squamish Chamber operates on the unceded lands of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation (Squamish) on whose territory we are grateful to work, live and play. | | |
| Squamish Chamber of Commerce | 102-38551 Logger's Lane | Squamish, BC V8B 0H2 CA |
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