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

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

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Business Expo Brings Success

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{3236bfe566a0d68e2245ffbb9d220fc7554709fab7d664768e3da2edc73a1bc9} 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

  

 

 

 

 

 

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2017 Nanaimo Bathtub Street Fair – Thank you for atttending.

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

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CONGRATULATIONS TO 2017 WINNERS

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

 

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Mike DeJong – Feb 23rd – Your first chance to discuss the budget in public!

Join Finance Minister Mike deJong on Thursday, February 23 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre for breakfast. Minister deJong will be sharing his presentation at the legislature with Nanaimo businesses just two days after releasing BC’s Provincial Budget for 2017-18. This is the budget that the government will take into the provincial election this May and will be a major milestone for BC. Typically, budget details are kept under wraps until released on budget day. Minister deJong’s visit here will be his first chance to discuss the budget in detail in public. He will give the public presentation, then invite your questions and engage in open discussion on the fine points of interest to Nanaimo businesses and residents. Reserve your seat now!

 

7:30 Networking

 

8:00 Buffet Breakfast

 

8:15 Introduction of the Finance Minister

 

8:45 Q & A Session

 

9:15 Presentation concludes

 

(All times approximate)

 

Michael de Jong was re-elected in 2013 as the MLA for Abbotsford West, an area he has represented since first being elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in a 1994 by-election. Michael was reappointed as Minister of Finance on June 10, 2013. He currently chairs the Treasury Board and the Legislative Review Committee, and is a member of the Cabinet Working Group on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the Priorities and Planning Committee, and the Cabinet Working Group on Core Review. The six-term MLA previously served as Minister of Health, Attorney General, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services, and Minister of Forests. In addition, he also served as Government House Leader

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Get Set Nanaimo – Free Workshop – Business Emergency Plan

Bus_continuity_print – for more information

Free Workshop
Get Set Nanaimo
Emergencies big or small can make or break your business.

Understand the key components of a business emergency plan
Learn how to build employee readiness
Gather tips on securing data and disaster-proofing your business

These are just some of the questions that will be explored during this 3 hour interactive FREE workshop designed for business.

Join us along with leading experts who will share their experiences including:

Alison Bird, Seismologist – Natural Resource Canada
Aaron Sutherland – Insurance Bureau of Canada
Lisa Benini and Jenn Houtby-Ferguson – Business Continuity Specialists

 

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Consumer Protection BC Presentation – Feb Luncheon

As a business owner, could you be breaking consumer protection laws without even knowing it?
Do you know how bad feedback can ultimately be good for your business?

February 2017 Nanaimo Chamber Presentation
Consumer Protection BC is a provincial regulator that is responsible for the licensing and oversight over seven industries as well as the regulation of certain consumer transactions. The only organization of its kind, Consumer Protection BC is uniquely positioned to empower both consumers and businesses in their transactions under the province’s consumer protection laws.

In this presentation, Dan Stefanson, Vice President of Consumer Protection BC, will share case studies to educate you about BC’s consumer protection laws and illustrate how certain approaches to consumer transactions can help, or hurt, your business. His best practices tips will help you build customer loyalty and shed light on how to address complaints before they escalate to a regulatory body. In addition, Dan will offer insight into other dispute resolution options, including Consumer Protection BC’s own experience with online dispute resolution.

The 20 to 30-minute presentation will use creative visuals, interactive discussion, humour and storytelling to focus on key messages and will be formatted as follows:

  • Presenter Introduction
  • Fostering Topic Relevance for Attendees
  • Overview of Consumer Protection BC Authority and Operations
  • Case Studies – Providing Solutions for Consumers
  • Transaction Best Practices for Chamber Members to Build Customer Loyalty
  • Brief Introduction to our Experience with Online Dispute Resolution
  • Closing and Wrap-Up

A 15-minute (or as time allows) question and answer period will follow the formal presentation. In addition to copies of the presentation materials, Consumer Protection BC will provide copies of our Strategic Business Plan, Annual Report as well as general information brochures.

Dan Stefanson joined Consumer Protection BC, a provincial regulatory body, in 2014 as the vice president of strategic services. His work supports the establishment and measurement of the strategic direction of the organization.
As a vice president, he is responsible for a broad range of services that contribute to the efficient management and administration of Consumer Protection BC. This includes oversight of risk management, stakeholder relations, corporate communications and marketing, financial and administrative services as well as information technology.

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