Highlight #6 on our weekly countdown to the launch of our 2022 Nanaimo Business Awards is Island West Coast Development – winner of the Developer award!
A few things you may not know of Island West Coast Development:
- They are a family-owned business and have been operating in bother Langford and Nanaimo for over 36 years!
- They employ over 150 people across Vancouver Island!
- They have completed more than 45 automotive projects!
- They have managed the design and construction of over 1,500 multi residential units!
IWCD have been so grateful for the support of the community and everyone who voted for them to get into the top 5 of the Nanaimo Business Awards, and proud that their business shined bright for the judges in the final round!
Congratulations to this amazing business for a much-deserved win!
Keep your eyes here for more information on the 2022 Nanaimo Business Awards launching soon!
#5 on our weekly countdown to the launch of our 2022 Nanaimo Business Awards is Arrowsmith Media – winner of the Creative Services award!
Arrowsmith Media offers a full range of photo and video products, including aerial photography, for commercials, real estate, documentaries, and capturing community events. Established in 2015, this Nanaimo based business is certified for advanced drone operations by Transport Canada!
The team at Arrowsmith Media takes pride in partnering with non-profit organizations in Nanaimo to produce discounted and free videos for the community. They strive to limit their carbon footprint by using public transportation and purchasing quality used gear whenever possible. You may also see them taking pictures at the Nanaimo Chamber Monthly Networking Luncheons!
Check out their website and socials to get a feel of their work!
Once again, congratulations on your win Arrowsmith Media!
Stay tuned for more information on our 2022 Nanaimo Business Awards!
We are continuing our countdown to the launch of our 2022 Nanaimo Business Awards by highlighting the amazing 2021 winners!
Today’s highlight focuses on the winner of our Non-Profit Organization Award: Nanaimo Family Life Association. This deserving winner has a proud history of providing services that have touched individuals and families throughout all stages of life and across all backgrounds.
What is something that people might not know about your business?
“People may not know that Nanaimo Family Life Association has multiple programs designed to offer folks the opportunity to look to their own inner resources and to the community they are part of in order to reach the fullness of their potential.”
What are your plans for the future of your business?
“Nanaimo Family Life Association is looking toward a future where vulnerable older adults are an active and integral part of community life by offering programs and services designed to highlight the much-needed wisdom of our older citizens.”
What is your favourite part about doing business in Nanaimo?
“Our favourite part of working in Nanaimo is the support from the community that uplifts our work and informs our practices.”
Congratulations one more time to Nanaimo Family Life Association for their amazing win at last years Nanaimo Business Awards! Be on the lookout for the call for nominations for 2022’s Awards, taking place on October 2, 2022, via CHECK TV.
As we countdown to the launch of our 2022 Nanaimo Business Awards, we are highlighting 2021 winners.
Today’s highlight focuses on the winner of our Health + Wellness Award, Power Up Education. Power Up believes that every child should experience a healthy, happy childhood and offer a variety of highly effective and customized sexual health tutorials and workshops to provide a fun and relaxed atmosphere where people can increase their knowledge to achieve optimal sexual health.
What is something that people might not know about your business?
” We want to create a world where talking about sexual health education is as natural and habitual as brushing your teeth and combing your hair.”
What are your plans for the future of your business?
“We hope to expand on the content/resources for our K-& and Grade 8-12 Sexual Health Packages.”
What is your favourite part about doing business in Nanaimo?
“When my students recognize me in town (pool, the mall, and restaurants) and want to introduce me to their parents/caregivers.”
Congratulations one more time to Power Up Education for their amazing win at last years Nanaimo Business Awards!
Be on the lookout for the call for nominations for 2022’s Awards, taking place on October 2, 2022 via CHECK TV.
Reconciliation Day dedicated to “honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of Indigenous relations takes place” was the first of what the Chamber hopes will open a new era of inclusive economic opportunity. Reconciliation has a distinct connection to the future of Nanaimo’s business community.
Among demographic metrics measuring growth in entrepreneurialism, Canada’s young Indigenous population stands out. In fact, the term “Indige-preneur” has been coined because these startups are so prolific and display such a high rate of success. Our mid-Island community is no stranger to that and, in fact, all of Vancouver Island can boast a significant amount of Indigenous Economic Development. This, in turn, supports work forces from sectors as varied as forestry, resource development, processing, advanced manufacturing, fisheries, transportation, to hospitality and tourism, the arts, health care and on and on.
In Nanaimo, Petroglyph Development Group is the corporate arm of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. The Chamber is flattered by the opportunity to sit at the table of the new Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation with PDG, and on the new Board of Tourism Nanaimo with Snuneymuxw reps helping guide Nanaimo’s economic future in hospitality. Nanaimo’s new Marriot Hotel, and the recently announced Downtown to Downtown foot passenger ferry both realized their start with an equity investment by Snuneymuxw First Nations.
First Nations art expressed through carving, painting, dance, cultural celebrations, or public displays like the Noel Brown Welcome Pole raised at Maffeo Sutton Park last week are part of the local Indigenous economy. Recent stories about Ay Lelum — the Good House of Design showing its unique Coast Salish designs at world-famous New York Fashion week are a point of pride for the whole community!
The Nanaimo Chamber and Snuneymuxw have agreed on a draft MOU focused on supporting, facilitating and advocating for local Indigenous economic development. We’re also committed to work to meet the goals of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, especially Article #92 and by supporting UNDRIP, which the Nanaimo Chamber committed in writing to last year. This year, your Chamber is dedicated to bringing the joint agreement to a signing ceremony. You’ll all be invited to witness.
In light of the snap election call, the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce announced its one-night All Candidates Forum on September 15. The Chamber has been organizing such presentations over the years, and they’ve become a mainstay on the periodic election scene locally.
“These are special times, so we’ve planned a hybrid event – a mix of a limited live audience and live-streaming coming from the Shaw Auditorium at Vancouver Island Conference Centre,” according to Kim Smythe of the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. “We’ll invite questions in advance, and from the audience on-site, just as we usually do. We’re hoping all parties will accept our invitation and present their candidates for consideration in this forum. It’s really timed so that voters can use the event to help them make up their minds in the last week after a month of election promises.”
Information and details on registration for the live event, and access to the virtual event, will be posted on the Chamber’s website, social media channels and in local media.
Business Resource & Relocation Guide
