The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce respectfully acknowledges that we conduct business on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of hupačasatḥ and c̓išaaʔatḥ.

Dear Chamber Network,

October has been full of excitement here at the Chamber and across the Alberni Valley! We started off with a Chamber Breakfast learning about the Reducing Poverty through Early Intervention and Occupational Rehabilitation Initiative (RPI) with Wolfgang Zimmerman at Smitty's Restaurant. This initiative supports individuals with physical or mental health impairments and their employers in the return-to-work journey. Participants can connect with a Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) for tailored support throughout the process. Bill Brown from WorkBC was also a special guest at this event and shared employer support available at the AV Employment Centre.

We’re in the final stretch for the 2024 Business Excellence Awards, and nominations are still open—don’t miss your chance to celebrate the best in our community. We're excited to welcome Ron Paulson, Chris Fenton, and Chris Washington to the judging panel so far. Judging starts on October 28th and we hope to announce the finalists by November 8th.

Next week, we’re shining a spotlight on Small Business Week, a time to show our support for the heart of the Alberni Valley's economy. At the end of the month, we’re excited to welcome our members, the 4VI Social Enterprise Group, to the Alberni Valley with their roadshow on October 29th at the Italian Hall.

We’re thrilled that McLean Mill is buzzing as a filming location for One Mile Productions! This project is bringing a significant boost to our local economy, with $2-3 million being spent in the Alberni Valley. While the site remains closed for filming, we hope to resume public access by November 1st. We’re excited our beautiful region is being showcased not just with One Mile, but also for Stolen Child which is also being filmed in the Alberni Valley.

As we begin our budgeting and planning for 2025, we ask that you take 2 minutes to fill out our membership survey—we’d love to hear your feedback on what is most valuable to you.

Sincerely,

Jolleen Dick

Chief Executive Officer

Welcome New Members!

Located at 1-3855 9th Ave Port Alberni, Habour Pharmacy is a locally owned pharmacy. Providing prescription and OTC medications, blister packaging, minor ailment prescribing & much more!

Have you entered the 2024 Business Excellence Awards?

Due to a technical issue with our system, we’ve extended the deadline for award entries! You now have until October 23 at 11:59 PM to submit your entry and be part of the Business Excellence Awards! Don’t miss your chance to be recognized for your hard work and contributions!

If you created an account to enter yourself or someone on their behalf, you can now access the entry portal. It was previously disabled unless there was a formal nomination submitted. Our sincere apologies for the difficult this has caused.

Thank you to those that submitted their entries already.

For entry and sponsorship details, visit: https://albernicc.awardify.io

Final Voting Day tomorrow October 19th.

The 2024 BC Provincial Election is scheduled for October 19, 2024. You can vote at a district electoral office, by mail, or on Election Day. This election is the first under the Modernized Election Act, designed to streamline the voting process.

1,001,331 people have already voted in the BC Election via Advance Polls. Look up where you can vote here: https://wheretovote.elections.bc.ca/

Candidates for the Mid-Island Pacific Rim are:

BC Conservatives - Adam Hayduk

BC NDP - Josie Osborne

BC Greens - Ross Reid

Your voice matters – make it heard!

2024 Small Business Week Summit, October 21-25!

The BC Chamber of Commerce Small Business Week Summit is back! Join us as we celebrate small businesses like yours, which are the backbone of the provincial economy. The Summit is a unique opportunity for you to engage directly with subject matter experts and thought leaders, gain valuable insights and access to useful resources.

Join us over Zoom for a week of insightful virtual sessions that will equip you to conquer today's business challenges and harness opportunities. Click here to register for a session(s) - we look forward to seeing you there!

4VI Group and 4TVI will be here in the Alberni Valley to explore how sustainable tourism can drive positive impact for our Island’s future. 🌊

What: 4VI Group & 4TVI Vancouver Island Roadshow

When: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Where: Italian Hall, 4065 6th Ave, Port Alberni, BC

Why: As part of our mission to harness tourism for the social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefit of Vancouver Island, 4TVI is proud to bring insights and resources on sustainability to Alberni Valley.

What to Expect:

●    Updates from the 4TVI Team

●    Workshops from Rising Tides, Go2HR, and ITBC

●    Resources on stewardship and sustainability

●    Networking with local leaders

RSVP to secure your spot today: email us events@4vigroup.com

Winter weather and storm preparedness

Hazardous winter conditions such as snow, rain, extreme cold, freezing rain, and floods can affect your safety in many different ways. Start by having a conversation at home. Talk about how you’ll communicate with each other and what you’ll do to stay safe and warm during a power outage.

Emergency planning doesn’t have to be complicated.

Get started at: PreparedBC.ca/EmergencyPlan

Membership Survey - Please help us plan for 2025!

Questions? Comments?

Reach out to Chamber CEO, Jolleen Dick, with any feedback, questions, or comments.