September 25, 2019
Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria!
Thank you to Export Development Canada (EDC) for sponsoring the third annual 5 Chamber Business Mixer last Thursday. It was great to meet more than 200 people from the region.

One of the many highlights was news that EDC will be opening an office in Greater Victoria. EDC is a federal Crown corporation that serves Canadian exporters and encourages foreign investment.
New hotel will use car elevator to save space
The new hotel proposed for downtown Victoria will include a novel way to provide parking for 36 vehicles, reports VicNews.com. The heritage Ducks Building in the 1300-block of Broad Street will use a two-car elevator to minimize space needed to access underground parking.

The hotel is a Chard Development project. Though the operator has not been announced, Chard has said it will be a well-known international chain. The University of Victoria owns the property and has agreed to a 99-year lease. Tourism numbers show a high demand for more hotel rooms downtown, with a steady increase in rates and near peak occupancy over the summer months.
Chard Development: member since 1983
Orange Shirt Day supports reconciliation and economic resurgence
Reconciliation and the need to enable First Nations to participate more fully in the local economy was one of the themes at the recent all-candidates listening session hosted by The Chamber and our community partners.

The City of Victoria made the case to federal candidates that First Nations are having a cultural and economic resurgence that is benefiting all Canadians.

One way to continue raising awareness about the need for reconciliation is Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30. The University of Victoria as well as local school districts including Greater Victoria School District SD61 are participating .

Songhees Nation is selling shirts for $20 , in a variety of sizes, at the Songhees Wellness Centre's Gift Gallery.
City of Victoria: member since 1962
University of Victoria: member since 1976
Greater Victoria School District SD61: member since 2019
Songhees Nation: member since 2017
Small Business Month
Attracting and Retaining Workers Panel

The No. 1 issue we hear across all sectors is the challenge of finding staff and keeping them. Employers are looking for solutions today to this ever-growing problem of almost zero unemployment.
 
Join our panel of experts as we look at successful strategies, trends for the future and the changing culture of employment in this region.

Thu, Oct 10 | 11:30 am
Hotel Grand Pacific
463 Belleville St.
Member Networking Breakfast
Tue, Oct 1 | 7:30-9 am
Cedar Hill Golf Course
1400 Derby Rd.
SOLD OUT
Prodigy Group October Mingle 
Thu, Oct 10 | 5-7 pm
301-3450 Uptown Shopping Centre
October Business Mixer
Thu, Oct 17 | 5-7 pm
1601 Blanshard St.
Get a Job!
Or more importantly, get an employee! We’ve heard from our members that getting qualified staff is one of their biggest challenges. To help, we’re launching a Job Board to assist you in finding that new team member that can help your business grow.

What’s unique about our Job Board is that only Chamber members can post. And who wouldn’t want to work for a Chamber member? To celebrate our launch, until the end of 2019, members can post for free.

As part of our Job Board launch, The Chamber will be attending the Work Experience and Career Fair at the University of Victoria from Oct. 1 & 2.

For more information in getting your job posted on The Chamber’s job board, or for attending the Work Experience and Career fair, contact Thomas Zeran , Membership & Marketing Coordinator for more details!
Will your company use our new job board?
Yes
No
Province moves forward on new site for HandyDART
Convenient and reliable transit is key for expanding the viable range for commuters in Greater Victoria. To ensure transit is accessible, the system needs an adequate number of buses and those buses require a place to park when not in service. That’s the impetus of BC’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, which designated provincially owned property in View Royal as arterial highway. The move will allow the ministry to build an expanded HandyDART facility by 2023.

The system has outgrown the current location on Glanford Avenue, and moving will allow that site to be used as a space for BC Transit ’s conventional fleet.
BC Transit: member since 1999
Sat, Nov 2 | 6-10:30 pm
Hotel Grand Pacific
463 Belleville St.
This black-tie evening includes cocktails, chef stations, a silent and live auction, dancing and an interactive photo booth.
Here's a sneak peek at a few auction items:
Attend the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce's top events of the year with two tickets to YYJ Eats, The Business Awards, and the 38th Annual Dinner Auction Gala.

Love Italian food? Enjoy a meal with a giftcard to the classic Victoria hotspot, Pagliacci's Restaurant.

Get your Footloose on with dancing lessons courtesy of Arthur Murray Dance Studio! Dance your heart out in four private lessons, two group classes and two practice party sessions.

Bee curious? Come for a hands-on tour of the honey farm with one of Country Bee Honey Farm's master beekeepers. This two- hour long tour for eight people also includes complimentary jars of honey for everyone!

Interested in having your item showcased at our auction? Email Sarah Gurnert or fill out our 2019 Auction Donation Form.
2020-21 Chamber Board Elections - Please Vote!
Each fall, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce holds an election for its Board of Directors .

Each board member is elected for a two-year term with staggered renewal dates. This year we are asking you to elect four board members.

For a list of nominees click here .

If you are The Chamber's main contact for your business and did not receive your ballot on Sept. 12, please contact us at 250 383-7191.

Voting will close at noon, Thursday, Oct. 3.
Join a Chamber Committee

Each year there are a few openings on our committees for new members. We are recruiting now for members who will be available starting on January 1, 2020 for at least a two-year term.

Here are our committees:
  • Ambassador Committee
  • Finance and Audit Committee
  • Prodigy Group
  • Public Policy and Advocacy Committee

The opportunity to apply for any of the above committees will be open until Oct. 11, 2019.

At the end of the application period, the chair of the committee will review your application. You will be contacted by email or phone.
TP the Town needs your help!
TP the Town Victoria is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 5 raising rolls of toilet paper across Greater Victoria for The Mustard Seed . New for 2019, TP the Town will also be collecting feminine hygiene products in addition to TP.

Toliet paper will be on sale for this one day event. All you have to do is purchase toilet paper and drop it off with our volunteers outside the stores!

The Prodigy Group , a committee of The Chamber, is all hands on deck for TP the Town, but nearly 120 volunteers are needed to make this event successful. Shifts are a brief three hours (10 am-1 pm or 1 pm-4 pm) at 22 grocery stores across Greater Victoria - including Chamber member Thrifty Foods . For more information on how to volunteer or donate, please contact andrew.wilson@prodigygroup.ca.
Thrifty Foods: member since 1981
The Mustard Seed : member since 1999
Business Leader's Luncheon
What's ahead for regional transportation?
Join our panel of experts as they discuss the future of how we travel and speak to specific projects planned for the region.
Thu, Nov 7 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St .
Climate change solutions require innovations led by business
Let’s be clear. Simply stopping what we’re doing is not the solution. We need to get on with the innovations needed to transition the global economy to ensure it is sustainable for future generations.

The Global Climate Strike set for Friday has succeeded in raising awareness about the serious concerns facing our planet, it’s critical that businesses aren’t hindered from responding to public expectations and leading the way on climate change solutions.

Governments can best help by providing incentives and investment, and through initiatives such as the United Nations Trees in Cities Challenge. The City of Victoria is contributing by planting 5,000 trees to provide a range of benefits to the community.

Listen to Chamber CEO Catherine Holt speak on CBC's On the Island about why it's natural for businesses to lead the way on climate change solutions.

How is your business contributing to climate change solutions? Let us know at communications@victoriachamber.ca and help The Chamber with our ongoing advocacy for businesses finding climate change solutions.
City of Victoria: member since 1962
Each week, The Chamber will profile one of the 14 different award categories, encouraging members to nominate a deserving Chamber member.
 
The  Sustainable Business Practices award recognizes a business that:
  • Demonstrates sustainable business practices in their own operations (aside from the product or service for sale);
  • Raises environmental awareness;
  • Demonstrates leadership and commitment to sustainable development and energy conservation and shows how these practices benefit the regional environment; and
  • Exhibits a commitment to the community.
Need some inspiration? Check out the videos of the 2019 Sustainable Business Practices finalists below. Thanks to Camosun College for sponsoring this award.
Need to get one of our snazzy Chamber name tags?
250-383-7191 
victoriachamber.ca