Join us for an engaging day exploring how technology can drive business growth and community success.

📍 Location: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham

⏰ Time: Registration at 8:30 AM | Start at 9:00 AM | Ends at 4:00PM

🎟️ Tickets: Members $65 + GST | Non-Members $85 + GST

(Includes: Refreshments, Lunch, Snacks)

Learn from expert speakers on topics like cybersecurity, business fraud, and AI tools like ChatGPT, with plenty of networking opportunities.

Featured Sessions:

• Business Fraud: Constable Gary O’Brian, RCMP
• Cybersecurity: Ladysmith & District Credit Union IT Division
• ChatGPT 101: Jennifer Hufnagel, Hufnagel Consulting

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ladysmith & District Credit Union (Title Sponsor)

YCD (Nanaimo Airport), FMC Holdings Inc.and Microtel by Wyndham Oyster Bay.

Chamber week is an opportune time to recognize and celebrate the meaningful work undertaken by the chambers of commerce and boards of trade in communities across the province. These local business organizations are more than just community boosters. They are convenors, collaborators and catalysts for positive change and are integral to creating sustainable, healthy communities. 

Whether it’s advocating to local, provincial or federal governments for changes to public policy on matters that stretch far beyond taxation to include societal issues like housing, healthcare, and mental health and addictions, developing innovative programs and initiatives to support business, or leading charitable works that contribute to social well-being, local chambers of commerce and boards of trade are the trusted “boots on the ground“ that understand the unique needs of their communities.

The Chamber of Commerce extends its deepest gratitude to our 2025 Annual Sponsors for their unwavering support and dedication to our community. Your partnership plays a vital role in helping us achieve our mission of fostering local businesses and creating connections that matter.

A special thank you to:

✨Elite Sponsor: Ladysmith & District Credit Union

✨Platinum Sponsor: Nanaimo Airport (YCD)

✨Gold Sponsor: FMC Holdings Ltd.

Your contributions make our events, initiatives, and programs possible, and we’re thrilled to have you as an integral part of the Chamber’s success story.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our mission!

It is Membership Renewal time.  Thank you to all the businesses who have already completed their renewals!

We’ve made renewing your membership easy and convenient:

·    Online Renewals: Access our membership portal anytime to renew.

·    Personalized Support: Prefer an invoice? Email us, and we’ll send one directly to you.

·    In-Person Renewals: Starting January 6, 2025, visit our office to renew and connect with us in person.

·     

Your membership enables the Chamber to:

·    Advocate on behalf of local businesses.

·    Strengthen business and social networks.

·    Offer valuable learning opportunities and resources for success.

If you have questions about your membership or want to share suggestions to help the Chamber grow, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to Ladysmith’s vibrant business community. Together, we’ll achieve even greater success in 2025!

Here’s to an incredible year ahead!

The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to welcome our newest members! We remain committed to fostering connections among our members and within the broader community.

Take a moment to greet them—visit their website, send a friendly email, or drop by in person to introduce yourself. Your warm welcome and personal outreach will help our Chamber continue to flourish and strengthen our vibrant network.

Hecate Integrated Resources Ltd.

Sustainability, Community and Resilience

We specialize in natural resource management and have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the business including land use planning.

Contact:  Ione Brown

Click here to email

Property Sales Vancouver Island

Welcome to Property Sales – Vancouver and Vancouver Island: Your Gateway across the Georgia Strait!

Contact: Leslie McDonnell

Click here to email

Website

Rotaflow Controls Inc.

Fire & Utility

Western Canada’s specialists in commercial and industrial fire protection and utilities solutions.

Contact: Ron Emde

Click here to email

Website

2025 By-Election Information



Planning to run in the upcoming by-election? Don’t forget to book an appointment with the towns election staff to submit your nomination package!

The town staff will help review your paperwork to ensure its complete, saving you time and energy.

Nomination packages will only be accepted from 9:00 am on 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟒 until 4:00 pm on 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐4.

Book your appointment today by calling 250-245-6400.

VIU is offering an opportunity for one member to participate with their students in their CAPSTONE course in MARKETING to help develop a Strategic Marketing Plan for their charity or business.

TIME COMMITMENT:

The chosen member would be expected to participate as a guest judge on a board-level panel to assess student pitches in a case competition on both February 5th and February 10th (Monday and Wednesday from 2:30-4:00PM).

Students will visit at the business premises and iteratively the last week of February and throughout March.

The chosen member would be expected to judge the final pitch for the all the client strategic plans on April 7th from 2:30-4:00PM.

EXPECTED OUTCOME:

The client will receive a Strategic Marketing plan prepared by our 4th year students. This is more than just a promotions plan or media plan. Rather, it will look at products, pricing, promotions, market accessibility and distribution channels, market segments, financials, and short and long term business objectives. From this review a proposed marketing strategy will be developed. This could entail, growth and expansion, focus, realignment of resources, or new industry innovations applied and more.

REQUIREMENT:

Our Chamber can submit up to 3 businesses for consideration. If you feel your business could benefit and would be a good fit for this opportunity, please submit your business name and contact information by email or call us (250-245-2112) before January 20th. VIU will contact them and discuss the fit of the opportunity for them and then select one to work with this year.

*DEADLINE APPROACHING!* Updates to the Securing Small Business Rebate Program have made it easier for small businesses to access funding! Whether your property has been vandalized or if you’re implementing preventative measures, you can learn more about the program to see if you are eligible.

Apply by January 31, 2025