UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
the latest from your Chamber
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From your Chamber and Local Partnerships
- Message from Chamber President Tammy Leslie
- Exciting news for the Ladysmith Chamber
- 'Shop Local’ Christmas poster and brochure
- Chamber / LDBA Christmas Social Recap
- 2022 Chamber Membership Renewals
- Holiday Hours
Welcome New Chamber Members
- Norgaard Kratofil Professional Group
- Kestrall Marketing
- Four One One Apparel
From Local Partnerships
- BC Chamber 2021 Collective Perspective Survey Report
- Seeking Tourism & Hospitality Front-Line Workers to Reward “With Thanks”
- Cowichan Employer Resource Guide
Upcoming Events
- Late Night Shopping
- Ladysmith Fire Rescue "Santa Claus Parade"
- LRCA Holiday Storybook Stroll
- Ladysmith Art Gallery "Holiday Celebrations"
- Ladysmith Museum "Magic of the Season
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Message From Chamber President Tammy Leslie |
As another year comes to a close we at the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce have been working hard to help businesses deal with the effects of the pandemic. Who knew we would still be dealing with the pandemic a year later but here we are.
As part of these efforts we obtained a grant from ICET to hire an economic development coordinator, Millie Stirling, who has been working hard to determine our best course of action to support you through these trying times. She presented her report on her activities to date at the Christmas lunch on December 1st.
The Chamber was successful in obtaining a grant from the federal government via the BC chamber for shop local campaigns. We have partnered with the LDBA, Arts Council and Festival of Lights to enhance the Old Time Christmas and late night shopping events, increase our social media presence, and to add to our walking tour app to create a Downtown Christmas light walking tour etc. Watch for our "Shop Local" and "Locals Love Ladysmith" Initiatives coming soon.
We are busy providing training and learning opportunities, please watch out for emails and social media posts for future events as they develop.
It has become increasingly evident that obtaining and retaining employees is becoming one of the biggest challenges for businesses in these trying times. We are attending meetings with other business groups to discuss what possible solutions there may be to this ongoing and increasing issue. This will be one of our focuses for the coming year.
One of the Chamber’s biggest challenges this year was the replacement of our long time Executive Director, Mark Drysdale. We have hired Millie Stirling to be our ED starting next summer once her Economic development position is finished. Jacquie Chellew has been appointed our interim ED until then. She has been with the Chamber as support to Mark for many years and so is highly qualified to cover this position in the interim.
We wish you all the best for the holiday season and hope you have a prosperous new year!
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Exciting news for the Ladysmith Chamber! |
Through the hard work of our team at the Ladysmith Chamber, and in close collaboration with the LDBA, we were able to submit an application for the BC Chambers ‘Shop Local BC’ Initiative. We are excited to announce that we have received our full funding ask of almost $60,000! |
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'Shop Local’ Christmas poster and brochure |
Through the BC Chambers ‘Shop Local BC’ Initiative, the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce has created a ‘Shop Local’ Christmas poster and brochure for our local stores and businesses, highlighting how supporting local businesses helps the community and makes a meaningful difference. They will be available for FREE to any local businesses who wish to display them. They will be distributed to local business over the next few days. If you are missed email marketing@ladysmithcofc.com to get yours! |
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Chamber / LDBA Christmas Social Recap |
Wednesday, December 1st at Cottonwood Golf Course
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for our 1st live event of the year! We welcomed new and Chamber Members, new Directors and out of town guests. As always, the team at Cottonwood put on a fantastic meal.
Much appreciation to our engaging Guest Speakers Dave Devana, CEO Nanaimo Airport and to Millie Stirling, the Ladysmith Chambers Economic Recovery Coordinator. For those who missed the Social, below are the presentations from our Guest Speakers.
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Dave Devana, CEO Nanaimo Airport
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Millie Stirling, Economic Recovery Coordinator
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2022 Chamber Membership Renewals |
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce values your trust and confidence and sincerely appreciates your loyalty and support through your Membership.
Normally in December the team at the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is busy sending out invoices for the subsequent year’s membership fees. With the past year of continued uncertainty we are going to hold off sending these out until the New Year again.
Last year we offered some options to help sting out of payment for those who were particularly hard hit. The following options will continue to be available this year.
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Chamber | Visitor Centre Holiday Hours |
The Chamber Office & Visitor Centre will be closing over the Holidays beginning Monday, Dec 20, 2021 and will open in the New Year on Monday, January 03, 2022.
Have a safe and happy holiday season.
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Welcome New Chamber Members!
We are stronger together.
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The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is delighted to introduce our newest members. We continually strive to connect you to one another and to the community at large. Please welcome them by visiting their website, sending them an email or stopping by to introduce yourself. The personal touch will help our chamber continue to grow and thrive. |
Norgaard Kratofil Professional Group has been working with businesses and individuals since 2011. Our leadership team has decades of international, national and specialized tax, accounting and business advisory experience.
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Kestrall Marketing is a marketing consultancy company created by Chelsea Kensall in 2021 to meet the needs of small businesses and non-profits for affordable, flexible marketing initiatives and guidance; and to provide marketing students with opportunities to gain experience and get involved in local marketing.
Phone: 604-442-0822
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Four One One is locally owned and operated clothing store for men and women. Our store is filled with seasonal trends for ages 16-40+.
They carry a of socks for both men and women, SAXX underwear for men and DUER pants for all. They have a great selection of Herschel bags and beanies, as well as brands like Levis, Brixton, RVCA, G-Shock and more.
Located at 411 B First Avenue, Ladysmith | Phone: (250) 912-0115
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BC Chamber 2021 Collective Perspective Survey Report |
Thank you to everyone who took our 2021 Collective Perspective Survey, the largest annual economic snapshot of B.C.’s business climate.
With your support, we collected over 1,300 responses, giving us deeper insight into who is behind BC businesses, how they’re feeling about the current environment, and their sentiment towards COVID-19, government efforts, the labour market, and climate change.
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Seeking Tourism & Hospitality Front-Line Workers to Reward “With Thanks” |
As another challenging year for Vancouver Island’s tourism industry comes to a close, Tourism Vancouver Island is celebrating the resiliency of the region’s tourism businesses by rewarding front-line workers for their hard work during tough times with a gesture of gratitude in the form of $75 VISA gift cards, “With Thanks.”
The gift cards will be delivered to unsuspecting employees throughout the holiday season, including Santa surprising some front-line workers in-person to better express heartfelt gratitude.
How To Nominate A Front-Line Worker:
Tourism businesses in the Vancouver Island region are asked to put forward a deserving front-line employee for recognition by sending their name, mailing address and a short note of nomination explaining how they have shown resilience to info@tourismvi.ca.
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Cowichan Employer Resource Guide |
Economic Development Cowichan has launched the Cowichan Employer Resource Guide
The Guide will provide an overview of tools that may help businesses adjust to the labour shortage, such as workforce diversity, the living wage, and automation, and will be updated regularly with new information and resources.
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Shopping in Downtown Ladysmith under the sparkling lights is magical. Open Late Friday Dec 17th.
The Ladysmith Chamber was proud to partner and support the Ladysmith Downtown Business Associations Late Night Shopping Initiative through the BC Chambers "Shop Local BC" Grant.
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Ladysmith Fire Rescue Santa Claus Parade |
The jolly old elf is coming to Ladysmith on Dec. 19 as part of the Ladysmith Fire/Rescue Santa Claus Parade. The fun starts at 5 pm with the parade departing from the Fire Hall on 6th Avenue.
Due to COVID-19, no stops are planned for this year to discourage the potential for large gatherings.
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LRCA Holiday Storybook Stroll |
Downtown Ladysmith storybook stroll is a great Christmas activity for families. 17 downtown Ladysmith businesses and organizations will be displaying picture book pages in their windows for readers, of all ages, to enjoy. There will be a new storybook every Wednesday for a total of four books for the month of December.
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Ladysmith Art Gallery Art Show |
The Arts Council of Ladysmith's online exhibitions will take you to our Gallery wherever you are. On your couch at home, at work or wherever you have internet access. The world is looking and enjoying. Be the first to seize an amazing painting or two from the Gallery. We ship world wide, ( Shipping charges apply). All Online Gallery works include 7% PST. Vancouver Island is known for its artists both famous and emerging. If you are a novice collector this is a place to start your collection or if you are a seasoned collector and support the arts, take a look and check in regularly. Enjoy!
The Ladysmith Waterfront Art Gallery and Gift Shop is open and ready to fulfill all of your art-related needs! Currently located at the former Davis Rd. School
Monday-Saturday from 11:00AM-4:00PM. Located at 444 Parkhill Terrace (off Davis Road)
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We invite you to visit "The Magic of The Season" now at the Ladysmith Museum. This whimsical world of handcrafted miniatures and dioramas by artist Carol Tysdal will delight the young and young at heart.
Discover how Ladysmith's Festival of Lights started, and admire some early Christmas baubles along with our permanent displays on forestry, mining, and community life.
Enjoy our make and take craft table, have a treat, check out the gift shop, and take some memorable selfies. With every corner a delight to the eye, this is the perfect place for your Christmas family photo.
Sponsored by the Ladysmith & District Credit Union, admission is free. Open Sat & Sun 10-4 pm and Tues-Fri evenings from 4 pm to 8 pm for those who would like to visit while viewing the thousands of lights adorning Ladysmith's downtown core in this year's Festival of Lights.
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The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce works with many partners to create and improve business opportunities for our Members |
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Proudly working with Provincial & local Chambers |
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(250) 245 - 2112
33 Roberts St
Hours:
Monday to Friday
10am - 4pm
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