Chamber members and their guests enjoyed some fun in the sun at last week's Backyard Bash sponsored by Brown Bros Property Management. Guests networked in the beautiful Fort Common, courtesy of Fort Properties, while enjoying refreshing drinks from Spinnakers Brewpub. See more photos here.

The District of Saanich is offering tips for keeping cool, as well as offering up rec centres as cooling stations.

The District of Oak Bay has issued tips to Beat the Heat, while the City of Langford, the City of Colwood, the Township of Esquimalt and the Town of View Royal have also made public statements showcasing water parks and fountains to help residents stay cool. And if you're downtown, City of Victoria has misting stations that can help keep you and your four-legged friends cool.

An initiative that could transform residential neighbourhoods in the City of Victoria is going to Public Hearing next week. The Missing Middle Housing Initiative is a proposal to spur housing density by allowing houseplexes and corner townhouses in areas that have traditionally been single-family homes.

The Aug. 4 public hearings are going ahead after what the city said has been an extensive 18-month community engagement process. Anyone interested in participating in the public hearing can do so in a number of ways.

Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, second from left, was part of a group of local dignitaries who welcomed the nine millionth cruise ship passengers to Ogden Point. Rosa and Jesus More, pictured front and centre above, arrived Friday from Seattle.

It was a milestone that marked the renewed vibrancy of Greater Victoria's cruise ship industry. Friday's arrival of the ninth millionth passenger to debark at Ogden Point was more than a photo-op — it was a metric that this important economic driver is back in a big way.

Cruise ships bring abut $143 million in economic activity every year, and are the lifeblood for many projects being undertaken by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. With the return of cruise, GVHA can start budgeting out community projects such as upgrades to the Broughton Street Wharf and the installation of shore power.

The world has changed quickly and employers require new skills to meet their potential. The Chamber has been a vocal advocate for micro-credentials as a way to provide people with the skills needed to do the work that's in demand.

"We're encouraged by the MicroStart Program, which is part of a collaboration between the South Island Prosperity Partnership and Royal Roads University and the University of Victoria," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "Innovation led by business is the best way to address challenges such as climate change and Royal Roads' Climate Adaptation Fundamentals Micro-Credential is focused on skills that integrate climate strategies into people's work."

In the coming weeks, The Chamber will be highlighting our inaugural Business Hall of Fame inductees starting with previous Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Bob Wright would say he was a simple “gumboot fisherman,” but the former President and CEO of the Oak Bay Marine Group built a sports-fishing empire.

In 1962, Wright built a small marina for pleasure boats in Oak Bay. Over the years, he grew the business to more than 1,000 employees in Canada, the U.S. and the Bahamas.

Wright passed away in 2013 at the age of 82. Beyond the sea, he supported the symphony, the art gallery and was part of the creation of the Gates of Harmonious Interest in Chinatown.

Learn about Wright's impact and legacy at the 2022 Business Hall of Fame gala.

We are thrilled to announce the return of our Annual Auction, taking place Nov. 6 – 13.

This is a major fundraising event for The Chamber, with all proceeds supporting our work as the largest and most influential advocate for businesses in the region. Last year, we received over 10,000 visitors to our auction platform for an action-packed week of bidding on fabulous gifts and memorable experiences.

Members can post Coupons and Discounts free of charge here.

Want to know what events are happening in the community? Check out The Chamber's Community Calendar to stay up to date with plays, seminars, grand openings and more.