Mission Statement

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce strives to enhance the quality of life in our community by providing opportunities for businesses to succeed.

Why Be A Member

Connections

Events that connect you with clients, partners, and prospects.

In 2018, the Chamber welcomed 1,400 at monthly luncheons, 800 at Business-After-Business networking mixers, 400 at the annual Christmas luncheon, 100+ golfers at the Members’ Open, and produced 5 other major events to provide a platform for business and community connections.

Visibility

Expand your reach through unique marketing channels.

The Chamber offers a wide variety of channels for members to raise awareness and communicate directly with others in the business community. From event sponsorship to promotional options like our weekly e-blasts, NewsLine e-newsletter, the annual Business Handbook and event sponsorships, Chamber members have a direct line to local business leaders.

Learning

Opportunities for professional development.

The Chamber produces an educational series called ‘Good Morning Mastery’ which leverages the expertise of the Chamber’s network. 10 sessions on a variety of business topics are scheduled for 2019 in addition to quarterly workshops and our Speakers Series.

 

Benefits

Member-exclusive rates, discounts, and special offers.

The Chamber continues to enhance and expand its benefits portfolio with member-exclusive rates, discounts, and special offers to increase your purchasing power and provide additional value for your investment. Our Group Health Insurance plan is even applicable to businesses with staff as small as one full time person.

Advocacy

A voice with all levels of government.

In the past year, the Chamber created a Civic Leadership Speakers Series, brought member feedback on several issues to Council including cannabis legalization, downtown issues, ‘Tent City’, and lobbied vigorously to remove the Speculation Tax from Nanaimo.

 

Community

Providing a platform to be part of your community.

This summer the Chamber launched the inaugural Commercial Street Night Market welcoming about 50,000 people to the city centre, sold-out another Nanaimo Business Expo, and produced the Nanaimo Business Awards. We also played a significant role in the municipal elections through an awareness and education campaign called ‘VOTE SMART’.

Credibilty

Raise your reputation through Chamber affiliation.

The Chamber continues to provide a platform for business leaders to increase positive perception and raise their reputation with consumers and partners by affiliating their brand with the Chamber of Commerce.

What the Chamber does for you

Nanaimo’s Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role advocating and lobbying with each level of government to gain the greatest benefits possible, to agree on policy proposals most favourable to our communities, and to provide a forum for developing and organizing those ideas.  It is one of the most important roles your Chamber plays – fighting for the success of our business community through government advocacy.

The Chamber also collaborates with community organizations  such as VIU, NPA, YYC, the NHA, Tourism Nanaimo and Community Futures to accomplish its many goals. The Chamber is pleased to have partnered with Futurepreneur Canada, British Columbia Restaurant & Food Services Association, and Canadian Manufactures & Exporters Association.

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber has served the business community of Nanaimo and area for the past 128 years. We feel very confident that we have gone beyond a local Chamber’s mandate by becoming involved in projects that give value to our community.

Our Team

Kim Smythe

President & Chief Executive Officer

Kim has focused his career in the marketing communications, public and government relations, and event management industries. Raising a family in Nanaimo over the past 25 years and staying active in many local non-profit organizations, cultural groups and charities on a professional and personal basis has rewarded Kim with special relationships following diverse threads through the community.

Involved with the Chamber in a volunteer capacity for many years, he was nominated to the Board in 2013. Shortly after that, through a set of coincidences, he was ‘head-hunted’ for the Chief Executive position. And the rest is history as they say.

Emily Tait

Emily Tait

Events Coordinator
Leah Kitsul

Leah Kitsul

Communications & Member Services
Lindsey Innes

Lindsey Innes

Sales & Marketing
Wiggles

Wiggles

Office Dog & Barketing Assistant

We are the voice of Business

The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization comprised of businesses, professionals, residents and community groups working collectively to ensure a healthy economic base and positive socio-economic structure that benefits Nanaimo. The Nanaimo Chamber receives no government funding and relies solely on membership dues and other fundraising events to support its activities. This independence from government funding frees the Chamber to be a strong, independent advocate on behalf of the business community, so we truly are the Voice of Business.

Chambers not only connect members to members within the local chamber, but through affiliation with the BC and Canadian Chambers, members experience the power and influence of a network of 420 Chambers across the country, with 192,000 businesses of all sizes, in all sectors of the economy, and in all regions of the country.