Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

Reminder - next week is the 2024 Chair's Holiday Reception! Join The Chamber and Chair Kris Wirk (Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants Inc.) for our last event of 2024 as we celebrate the past year, spread some holiday cheer, and look forward to 2025 with one last networking event. Festive attire is encouraged! 🎄 Only a few spots left so register now! >>> https://lnkd.in/gAVcEfDU This year we encourage our Chair's Holiday Reception guests to consider making a donation to Victoria Hospitals Foundation's "It's Time for Surgical Innovation" campaign, helping transform surgical care for Vancouver Island. Or you can bring an un-used book to support the Baby Bookworms Children's Library in the Pediatric Department at Victoria General Hospital. QR codes will be available at the event, or donate online here! https://lnkd.in/gidmAvwa Thank you to Canadian Western Bank for sponsoring the Chair's Holiday Reception, and to our Media Sponsors, Pattison Media’s The Zone at 91.3 and 100.3 The Q. 📆 When: Next week! Tuesday, Dec. 3, 4pm-6pm 📍 Where: Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel | 506 Pandora Ave

⛴️ Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning for our Business Leaders Breakfast with Nicolas Jimenez, CEO of BC Ferries - our last Business Leaders event of 2024! Guests started their morning with a delicious breakfast from the The Union Club of British Columbia and enjoyed engaging with Jimenez, who discussed the future plans of BC Ferries and took questions from the floor. A very big thank-you as well to the Wilson's Group of Companies and BC Ferries Connector Bus for sponsoring this event! 📸 See more photos from the Breakfast >>> https://lnkd.in/geKs49M8

The Chamber applauds last week’s announcement that the province is sending a delegation to the heart of Hollywood to encourage more productions in BC. The delegation is seeking investment in more major productions. BC is already one of North America’s largest motion-picture hubs. The industry supported more than 47,500 jobs and contributed $3.3 billion to the province’s GDP in 2022. Back in the 1970s, the Chamber was the first organization to promote our region to film makers. We played an integral role in attracting producers of the movie Five Easy Pieces. Eventually, this led to the creation of the Vancouver Island South Film And Media Commission. 📰 Read more in BizNews >>> https://lnkd.in/gj6HiquW

🛍️✨ A night of networking, discovery, and fun - thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2024 Marketplace Mixer! Guests had the opportunity to mingle with over 60 Chamber member exhibitors at the Songhees Wellness Centre, enjoy delicious bites from Songhees Events & Catering and drinks from Spinnakers Brewpub and Guesthouses, and even win some fantastic door prizes! A very big thank you as well to our 2024 Marketplace Mixer sponsors! Presenting sponsor TD Business Insurance, and supporting sponsors Times Colonist (Victoria), Global Convention Services Ltd., Township of Esquimalt, and Rogers Sports & Media's Ocean 98.5 and Jack 103.1. 📸 See more photos from the Marketplace Mixer >>> https://lnkd.in/gDnHApVQ

The bomb cyclone that swept through the region last week served as a good reminder to prepare for potential emergencies before winter. You can prepare by making sure you have a plan for your business and your home, and that everyone knows what to do and where to find emergency kits. These should include non-perishable food, water and supplies to be self-sufficient for up to one week. After a disaster-level event, your insurance provider can give you guidance on best practices for cleaning up and repairing damage. In 2025, The Chamber plans to work with members, specifically smaller businesses, to help them build a crisis communication strategy. This will be a straightforward guide that can be consulted to help ensure you are prepared to communicate with internal and external stakeholders after an emergency. To learn more and help us develop this initiative, email communications@victoriachamber.ca. 📰 Read more in BizNews >>> https://lnkd.in/gWRBmnCX

⛴️ Tomorrow is our Business Leaders Breakfast with BC Ferries CEO, Nicolas Jimenez - only a few tickets left! Join us to learn how BC Ferries is preparing for the future, investing in a secure supply chain, and focusing on being an environmentally sustainable operation. As well, questions and comments for Jimenez can be submitted upon registration! Last chance for tickets! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the business community and learn more about one of the world’s largest marine passenger systems. 🎟️ Get your tickets today >>> https://lnkd.in/gTZqredB 🚎 Thank you to the Wilson's Group of Companies and their BC Ferries Connector Bus for sponsoring this event! 🗓️ When: TOMORROW - Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 8am-9:30am 📍 Where: The Union Club of British Columbia 

Over the past two years, a new pastime emerged called “what will the Bank of Canada do next?” When inflation began surging in 2021, the era of low interest rates suddenly ended. Now, with inflation back to the 2% target and interest rates falling, understanding where the economy is going is still not a simple task. The hitchhiker’s guide to BoC watching in this easing cycle is the cheeky title of a new report released Wednesday by CIBC senior economist Ali Jaffery. In the update, Jaffery notes the different tactics used by the Bank of Canada compared to the US Federal Reserve to communicate their intent ahead of rate announcements. The strategies differ in how they spoon-feed market watchers, with the Canadian central bank preferring to let the data do the talking. This reflects the more cautious nature of Canadians, Jaffery says. As for what to expect from the Bank of Canada at their next rate announcement on Dec. 11, most economists see the most recent statistics as a harbinger of another rate cut. 📰 Read more in BizNews >>> https://lnkd.in/gfD3_yFx

We are excited to welcome our newest Chamber members the Pepler Group, Level Up Salon Suites, CTQ Consultants Ltd., and Gameplan Media! 🤝 Calling all businesses in Greater Victoria! 🚀 Discover exclusive benefits and resources when joining The Chamber. Learn more about our newest members and becoming a member on our website >>> https://lnkd.in/gJH_YhFA

BC’s recently elected Premier David Eby named his new cabinet this week, with several local MLAs taking chargeof key ministries. Lana Popham (Saanich South) — who had been serving as Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports — is now Minister of Agriculture and Food. Grace Lore (Victoria-Beacon Hill) continues as Minister of Children and Family Development. Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca, takes on the role of Minister of Forests, while Diana Gibson, newly elected MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, is now Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. The Chamber works to build good relationships with all levels of government, and having local elected officials in cabinet positions helps. They understand the issues facing our region and often the solutions required to address those challenges. One way we connect with decision-makers is through our Business Leaders events, such as next week’s breakfast with BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez. Over the next few months, we’ll be announcing a new slate of guest speakers, including prominent provincial politicians. Contact events@victoriachamber.ca to reserve your seat — and make sure to build Chamber events into your organization’s annual budget planning. 📰 Read more in BizNews >>> https://lnkd.in/gRpKSx3i

✨ Limited spots left for the 2024 Chair's Holiday Reception! Celebrate the past year and look forward to 2025 with us and Chamber Chair Kris Wirk (Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants Inc.). This lively year-end event is our opportunity to thank our members, partners, sponsors, committee members, and board members for your dedication, engagement, and support throughout 2024! Join us for holiday cheer, photo ops, community, and great company as we round out the year with one last networking event. Festive attire is encouraged! 🎄 Register now >>> https://lnkd.in/gAVcEfDU Thank you to Canadian Western Bank for sponsoring this event, and to our Media Sponsors, Pattison Media’s The Zone at 91-3 and 100.3 The Q. 📆 When: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 4pm-6pm 📍 Where: Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel | 506 Pandora Ave