Nanaimo Chamber

List of Spirit of Christmas Light Up display – Vote on your Favourite!

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Spirit of Christmas

Vote for Your Favourite Christmas Light Display

A sure sign of the holidays is the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce’s SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS Lights Display Contest. Homes and businesses participate in this decorating ‘competition’ to attract the attention of the community and claim bragging rights for their creativity!

Click here to see the map of all the beautifully decorating homes and businesses for the Spirit of Christmas, then vote for your favourite!  Look back at the voting link to see which displays are getting the most votes.

Nanaimo Chamber

Thank you for making Business Expo a Success!

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THANK YOU FOR MAKING BUSINESS EXPO A SUCCESS
A huge thank you to all the Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Participants who came out for yesterday’s #NanaimoBusinessExpo. Hundreds of people walked through the Expo at Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Harris Kia took over the lobby with a selection of new vehicles to showcase. Coastal Community Credit Union hosted an entertaining Awards Ceremony in the evening. New connections and relationships were formed by many.
Nanaimo Chamber

Tax Legislation Official letter to PM

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September 27, 2017

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau;

Minister of Small Business Bardish Chagger;

Minister of Finance Bill Morneau;

Member of Parliament Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo Ladysmith;

Member of Parliament Gord Johns, Courtenay-Alberni;

Re: Opposition to Proposed Upcoming Federal Tax Legislation Changes

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce wishes to register its disappointment in the lack of meaningful consultation prior to committing to major changes outlined in tax legislation currently tabled in the House or awaiting legislative language and activity at the Committee level.

Belief in the philosophy and the very culture of entrepreneurship in Canada is at stake. At issue are the accepted, legitimate, and legal mechanics that have for decades defined the sacrosanct relationship between government and small business. If the federal government continues down this path, what we risk compromising is small business’s ability to “do what we do”: meaningfully fund the local soccer team, hockey team, rotary clubs, hospital, hospice, soup kitchen and food bank. Thus, these changes not only threaten the “golden goose” of Canada’s economy, but are also poised to undermine small business’s role as cornerstones of Canada’s communities.

 

We echo others with our respectful request that the Minister consider:

1) extending the unreasonably short consultation period beyond 75 days (noting that the last such changes of this magnitude, forty years ago, involved a two-year consultation period); and

2) referring the entire conversation on tax modernization and simplification to a non-partisan Royal Commission and give this issue the attention it deserves;

3) including stakeholder input involving the 70+ organizations like ours that belong to the Canadian Business Taxpayers Fairness Coalition in future recommendations.

 

We are writing confident in the support of 90% of our membership of 700 who qualify as ‘small businesses’ — the backbone of our community!

 

KIM SMYTHE, CEO & President per

GREG PHILLIPS, KELLY WHITTON,
Co-Chairs on behalf of the unanimous support of the Board of Directors for this action.

 

Nanaimo Chamber

Proposed Federal Tax Changes – Deadline Oct 2nd for feedback

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5MinsforBiz

TaxAttackonSmallBiz

template letter_August 25

Watch the Video Meeting with Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce

Businesses across Canada are speaking out against proposed federal tax changes that seriously threaten the future of small businesses, the medical and dental professions, farmers, and family businesses. The government has set a deadline of October 2, 2017 for feedback.

We’re inviting businesses throughout the region to provide us with case statements of how these changes might affect their businesses and their lives. We’ll be sharing this with Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Sheila Malcolmson, and the NDP’s Critic for Small Business & Tourism, Gord Johns Member of Parliament for Courtenay-Alberni. We are also working in concert with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce who have an action plan in place targeting the Minister of Finance.

Here are links to white papers outlining the issues (prepared by MNP) for more information, a link to a news segment on Global television, a link to the video of our round table event with Sheila Malcolmson on September 6, a PDF of a Canadian Chamber statement, the Nanaimo Chamber media release issued September 8 and a template letter you can use to submit your concerns to your local MP, or submit to the Chamber to use in our communications with the federal government through our MP and to the Canadian Chamber to bolster their efforts on behalf of thousands of Canadian businesses.

Summary Paper – Department of Finance Proposed Changes for Canadian Entrepreneurs

http://www.mnp.ca/en/posts/department-of-finance-proposed-changes-for-canadian-entrepreneurs

Income Sprinkling: How the Proposed Legislation Impacts You and Your Business

http://www.mnp.ca/en/posts/income-sprinkling

Tax Rule Changes: Impacts on Passive Investments, You and Your Business

http://www.mnp.ca/en/posts/tax-rule-changes-impacts-on-passive-investments-you-and-your-business

Global News:

http://globalnews.ca/video/3723450/prime-minister-trudeau-wont-back-down-on-controversial-tax-changes

 

 

 

Nanaimo Chamber

She Started it – Tech Women Founders Journey

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Aug 10_Press Release_She Started It Nanaimo

“She Started It” Screening – Tech Women Founders Journey

She Started It follows five young women over two years as they pitch VCs, build teams, bring products to market, fail and start again. The film takes viewers on a global roller coaster ride from San Francisco to Vietnam. Brought to you by island Women in Science and Technology | VIU | Innovation Island | Nanaimo Chamber Discussion & refreshments

 Chamber members use the code: CHMBR
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=o6corpsab&oeidk=a07eeg43m5z16128040

 Wednesday, September 6, 2017 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM PDT

Add to Calendar

Vancouver Island University, Building 356 Room 109 

Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5

Nanaimo Chamber

Membership Luncheon September 13th – Coast Hotel Guest Speaker – Alison Duddy

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Join us for a networking luncheon.

Guest Speaker:

Canadian Wheelchair Curling Champion silver & gold medalist, Alison Duddy, is an inspirational speaker with unique insight and perspective on the issue of accessibility for people with disabilities. Alison works with municipalities and businesses to address accessibility issues, provoke interest and improve awareness. Become motivated to be a community advocate for accessibility!

11 am networking
12 noon speakers and luncheon
1 pm adjourn

Sponsored by:

Registration online

Nanaimo Chamber

Business Expo Brings Success

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Title and Awards Sponsor

October brings us the real onset of autumn, the understanding that we’re beyond back to school and back to business, and the promise that the approaching season is among the busiest for many businesses. That’s part of the reason why October is Small Business Month in BC. an occasion celebrated to recognize the important contributions entrepreneurs make to our economy in local communities throughout BC.

As we all know, small businesses are not only the backbone of many of our organizations, but are the life blood of the B.C. economy. Small businesses represent 98% of all businesses in B.C. and employ over 1 million British Columbians.

One of the ways we celebrate Small Business Month in Nanaimo is with the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo held on October 5th. This year we celebrate our tenth annual Expo and plan to take over the Vancouver Island Conference Centre with around 120 exhibitors representing businesses  throughout the mid-Island region.

Business Expo began as a way for Nanaimo businesses to meet each other and network in an environment with their products and services on display. Consumers started to notice it was a great place to find new products and services so they began showing up in increasing numbers creating a successful environment for all parties.

Beyond the trade show format, two panels will focus on “How to Sell to Government” (Thursday morning from 11 – 12) and “Access to Financing” (Thursday afternoon at 2 pm). Panelists in the morning session will come from all levels of government procurement offices but will also include businesses accustomed to selling to government providing insider information on how to increase your chances of success. The ‘finance’ panel will include traditional funders, start-up funders and private funding sources to help businesses both big and small capitalize on their dreams.

For the second year, we’re welcoming Public Works “Small Business Info Expo” with 20 exhibitors from government and related agencies providing information on funding, support programs and other assistance for small business.

At the end of the Business Expo day, an After-Party and Awards Reception is held for networking, to honour the best booths, and give away draw prizes from exhibitors including the London Drugs electronics package – a prize with a value in excess of $2,000.

Business Expo is a great way to kick off Small Business Month in BC and find out what’s happening with business in Nanaimo now – and it’s all free! See you there.

Also Sponsored by

Gold Sponsors

  

 

 

 

 

 

Nanaimo Chamber

2017 Nanaimo Bathtub Street Fair – Thank you for atttending.

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NANAIMO – June 5, 2017

 

BATHTUB DAYS STREET FAIR IS BACK FOR 2017!

 

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the ever-popular downtown summer celebration known as ‘Bathtub Days Street Fair’ will continue during the 2017 Marine Festival.

Two days of festivities will take place on Commercial Street and in the Victoria Crescent area. Saturday morning’s “Sail Past on Wheels” parade will be one feature of the weekend’s celebration. The parade gets underway Saturday with a 10:30 am start time. The parade is one way that the celebrations can touch on all three of the recognized downtown neighbourhoods including the Old City Quarter, Victoria Crescent and Commercial Street.

Street closures will be in effect on Friday and Saturday, July 21 & 22. This will allow for vendors, entertainment on stage and street, special events and activities during the daytime hours. Specific plans are in the works with updates posted to the Chamber and Marine Festival websites

“Once we saw that this was an event that could have possibly been lost with the demise of the DNBIA, we began to take action to save it for 2017. It is too important of a community-wide, family celebration and a vital component of the Marine Festival overall. We’re working with Commercial Street merchants,  Victoria Crescent Association, the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society, and Old City Quarter Association to help make this all work.” stated Kim Smythe, Chamber President & CEO.

More details will be released as plans unfold. Preliminary vendor applications and early information are currently available at www.bathtubbing.com under ‘Downtown Street Fair’. Vendors and performers can also contact the Chamber at 250-756-1191. For specific information on Victoria Crescent activities, contact Jean Lemieux at 250-754-7877 or visit him at Sound Heritage.

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For more Vendor information contact Renee Bohun, Operations and Events, 250-756-1191 ext 2

Renee@nanaimochamber.bc.ca

vendor application:

2017_BathtubStreetFair_Food_Vendor_Application

2017_BathtubStreetFair_Vendor_Application

Nanaimo Chamber

CONGRATULATIONS TO 2017 WINNERS

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NANAIMO – MAY 5, 2017

2017 BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Nineteen excited businesses and non-profit organizations received top honours at Nanaimo’s 17th Annual Business & Achievement Awards in the Port Theatre Thursday night.

“Out of over 125 nominations, 57 finalists were chosen by an independent judging panel and the winners were the top-ranked among those finalists. Businesses did not have to be Chamber members to qualify. This was the largest group of nominees we’ve ever seen and the best-attended awards event we’ve held,” according to Kim Smythe, President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. “Thanks to our sponsors and volunteers for making this ‘Oscar-style event’ a night to remember for so many Nanaimo organizations.”

Best-of-the-best included:

Micro Business of the Year

NYLA Fresh Thread

 

Small and Medium Enterprise of the Year

Foley Dog Treat Company Inc.

 

Major Employer of the Year

Tilray

 

Restaurant of the Year

Baby Salsa Mexican Restaurant

 

Arts & Culture Business of the Year

Nanaimo Art Gallery

 

Professional Services Business of the Year

Primal Communications

 

Planning / Design Firm of the Year

Datum Point Studios

 

Developer / Builder of the Year

Alair Homes

 

Technology-Based Business of the Year

Resonance Software

 

Sustainability Excellence of the Year

Chatwin Engineering – Cowichan Tribes Partnership

 

Healthcare / Medical Service Business of the Year

Tilray

 

Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility

Nanaimo Precast Ltd.

 

Social Enterprise of the Year

Coco Café

 

Not For Profit Organization of the Year

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society

 

Inclusive Employer of the Year

London Drugs

 

Automotive Business of the Year

Tim’s Automotive Repair & Used Car Sales

 

Building Trades Business of the Year

Mazzei Electric

 

Retailer of the Year

McLean’s Specialty Foods

 

Young Entrepreneur

Catrina Elliot – Elite Image