The Parksville & Community Conference Centre was alive with energy and excitement, from the opening reception to the parade of nominees and the presentation of the awards themselves, it truly was an evening to remember.   

The Awards night was not only a chance to recognize and celebrate the successes of the all the nominees, but a great opportunity to meet with the many contributors of the community.   

The evening’s emcee, Gord Tupper of CHEK News brought his enthusiasm and experience to the podium as he presided over the ceremonies and introduced each of the 21 nominees in the seven categories.   And the envelope, please…

Chamber members can now receive hotel discounts in Canada and around the world for unlimited business and leisure travel.

The BC Chamber of Commerce member hotel discount program is provided for the exclusive access of our members and their employees.

Savings may be as much as 50%, and average 10-20% below market rates. Call the Chamber office for your user name and password to use this link.

Happy travels and happy savings!

On behalf of the 2011 Fantasy Auction committee, we would like to thank all of our sponsors for their generous contributions to our 27th Annual Fantasy Auction Dinner and Dance, held October 22nd, 2011. Once again this year, our auction was a great success, thanks to these donors, guests and our committee of hard-working volunteers.

In addition to the year-round operation of the Visitor Centre, funds raised will be contributed to the future economic and community development initiatives of the membership and the community. During the past year, we are proud to have sponsored the Community Awards, 2 business scholarships for Ballenas Secondary School students, the highly successful Summer by the Sea Street Market, and continue to support business in our area. The Chamber of Commerce plays an active role in communicating the positions and views of the business community on policy to government at the municipal, regional, provincial and national level.

Thank you again for showing your support of the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce and for allowing us to generate the resources we need to be the active voice of business in today’s ever-changing economy.

Our second annual Parksville-Qualicum Beach and area wedding guide is hot off the press and already heading out to bridal shows around B.C.  It's also available online at issuu.com.  This is a quality publication that will help you with everything you need to plan your wedding in our community!

Thank you to the sponsors and donors of prizes for our annual Chamber of Commerce golf tournament.  A great day was had by all, and we appreciate your generous support.  Thank you, also, for the hospitality, Pheasant Glen Golf Resort.

Putting Contest - Quality Foods
Long Drive - Team W at RE/MAX First Realty
KP - Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre
Hole Sponsor - J.E. Anderson & Associates
Hole Sponsor - Scotiabank
Hole Sponsor - Tim Hortons
Hole Sponsor - Keith Anderson, BMO Nesbitt Burns
Hole Sponsor - Thrifty Foods
Hole Sponsor - Quality Resort Bayside
Hole Sponsor - Ron Cantelon, M.L.A.

A new Executive and Board of Directors was elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce on April 14, 2011. Working on behalf of the membership for 2011 & 2012 will be_:

President - Rudi Widdershoven

1st Vice President - Peter Morrison

2nd Vice President - Doug Riederer

Secretary/Treasurer - Robynne Shaw

Director - Shawna Broekhuizen

Director - Bruce Cownden

Director - Jason Granger

Director - Lisa Leger

Director - Al McLean

Director - Arlene Sandeman-Allan

Directors Rhiannon Whitney and Dave Willie will be completing their 2-year term.

The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that they have been selected as the umbrella organization to provide the Services of a Business Energy Advisor to businesses with current BC Hydro costs under $50,000.00/year on the Central/North Vancouver Island, Powell River and the Sunshine Coast. 

Brian Pasquill has been engaged by the Chamber to deliver the program.

Conservation and sustainability have been a primary interest of Brian’s and he has strong technical skills in this area.  Brian has strong relationships in the public and private sectors within the energy management and renewable energy industries.  His skills and knowledge of energy conservation, small business, alternative energies, and incentive/grant programs lend themselves very well to the delivery of this program. In addition Brian brings an understanding of entrepreneurial activities and the needs and requirements of small businesses.

It’s an age-old cycle: you need experience to get the job, but you need the job to get the experience. Now, thanks to the new $3-million Youth Skills BC (YSBC) Workplace Pilot Program, this gap will close for many B.C. youth, providing them with the opportunity to gain experience and new skills in the workplace and opening doors to rewarding careers and good wages.

Kim Burden, Executive Director                                       
For Immediate Release

Parksville, BC – On March 4, 2011, the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce will honour the outstanding members of our community. All residents, employees and businesses of the Parksville District were eligible for nomination.  

The Community Awards, called the Glassies, sponsored by The Beach Club Resort, The Parksville Qualicum Beach News, Thrifty Foods, Vancouver Island University and CHEK News, honours individuals, associations and businesses that have made a significant contribution to the community in 2010. The gala awards ceremony sells out every year, and is held at the Parksville Community & Conference Centre.  

An independent nominations review panel was drawn from a wide cross-section of individuals across the district representing the business, community and civic perspectives. The review panel selected those nominees that truly met the motivation for the awards: a business, association or person who demonstrates a great capacity for caring, applying original ideas, accepting challenges, and taking risks while balancing the social needs of the community in their efforts. Over the past several months, nomination forms were distributed throughout the district and the review panel had the difficult task of choosing the following three nominees in each of these eight categories:
Volunteer
•    Kay Burgoyne
•    Aileen Fabris
•    Bruce Walton

Customer Service
•    Jonathan Michaels – Geeks on the Beach
•    Amanda Foucault – Tigh-Na-Mara Resort
•    Carol Dobson – PetMania

Community Builder
•    Laura Knickle – Building Learning Together
•    Rough Diamonds
•    Blain Sepos – Oceanside Tourism Association

Enviromental Sustainability
•    Super Craft Star
•    Canadian Electric
•    The Beach Club Resort

Entrepreneur
•    Bread and Honey Café
•    Smashing Glass & Anything Art Co.
•    Genesis Boxing

Business
•    Coastal Colour Printing
•    Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
•    Tigh-Na-Mara Resort

Youth of the Year
•    Regional District of Nanaimo Youth Recreation Strategic Planning Youth Steering Members ( Taylor Chestnut, Konnar Boorman, Alana la Charite
•    Fahlon Smith
•    Jasmine Smith

Citizen
•    Carrie Powell Davidson
•    Rose & Don Brittain
•    Tom Lewis

The Awards Ceremony, to be held March 4th at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre, will be emceed by Skye Ryan of CHEK News. Tickets for the event are available at the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce; 1275 East Island Highway.

For further information contact Kim Burden 250 248 3613.

Collaboration, communication and sharing are issues brought up by the majority of leaders interviewed during the VIEA Link Project. All levels of community, government and business people want to see more sharing of information and resources; enhancing regional networking. Most feel Vancouver Island is a large community that is fragmented and feel more collaboration will open the doors to a variety of different resources that will directly benefit many sectors.

Interviewees requested that VIEA continue to host regional dialogues and networking opportunities which bring all Island Businesses and Stakeholders together in an effort to promote regional commerce. VIEA has responded by launching the inaugural LINKING ISLAND BUSINESS to be held at the Parksville Community & Conference Centre on April 13th, 2011.

Linking Island Business’s main goal is to provide networking and business opportunities for Vancouver Island’s Business community and to generate awareness of all the successes and opportunities on Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island is experiencing tremendous growth and is nearing the one million mark in population stats and to support this growth, businesses are being started and are meeting the demands of this growth.  The individual communities are embracing and initiating economic development strategies that enhance diversification on the Island.
Regional Economic Development strategies have been identified by the Provincial Government and organizations such as Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. By combining resources the Island will benefit as a whole through the efforts of these initiatives.

Click here for sponsorship opportunities.

How?  

• Set up a display table at one of our general meetings.  Do you have a new product, service or staff person to introduce to the business community of the Parksville area? Or perhaps it has been a while since you formally reminded the business community of the consistent quality service and products available at your business? As an exhibitor/sponsor at a Chamber of Commerce Membership meeting you have the opportunity to fulfill either of these marketing strategies! A table is provided with covering and skirting - so all you need to bring is your promotional material, which can be elaborate or very simple. Hosting a business card draw is also a good idea to attract attendees to your display. During the meeting you also have the option to tell the membership about your business - a mini commercial. Being an exhibitor/sponsor at a membership meeting has many benefits - and the investment is very affordable at only $25.
• Buy a sponsor button in our weekly eflash – only $15/week.
• Buy a Member Spotlight  on our website – you can even add video!  Call Linda for more info.
• Display your rack cards or business cards in our Chamber of Commerce office / Visitor Info Centre for hand-out to new residents, visitors and new business operators in our area – it’s free with your membership!
• Host a Business After Business event.  A Business After Business is a fun networking opportunity for members and an ideal marketing opportunity for the host business. Held once a month, these events book up months in advance, so pick your date and call the office to reserve.
• Be a Table Sponsor at a meeting - Table Sponsorship includes the privilege of displaying literature on the dinner tables, addressing the membership for 3-5 minutes and also includes a display table. The value of being a table sponsor is that every single person will have your information in front of them and be able to hear directly from you.  With the display table, you will be able to further network on the opportunities and benefits they will receive by connecting with your business.
• Enhance your website listing with a up to four images (photos and/or company logo) at no extra charge.
• Submit news items for our Chamber Voice newsletters and newspaper columns.
• Attend Chamber of Commerce meetings & events and network, network, network!

I have spoken often in this space in the past about the benefits of managed growth. Since it is a new year, I thought I would put a new spin on the same subject.

One of the concerns I hear as I speak to my neighbours and friends is that growth is inconsistent with retaining our current need to improve the environment and the services that contribute to our current lifestyle.

As all of you know, Mayor Ed Mayne has decided to resign his position and run for higher office.  What an incredible start to 2011.  I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to Mayor Ed Mayne.  Your service to our community is greatly appreciated and I want to thank you for all the good you have done for Parksville.  I wish you luck and success in all your future endeavours.
With the departure of Mayor Mayne, it was left to our council to decide on either appointing a replacement, or holding a by-election.  While I always want to err on the side of ensuring that the will of the people is well-heard and adhered to, I feel the council did the right thing in appointing Chris Burger as acting Mayor.

Mayor Burger has served this community well for many years, and has demonstrated himself to be a man of intelligence, integrity, dedication and commitment.  It is my privilege to take this opportunity to express my support for Mayor Burger, and to express my willingness and enthusiasm to work with the mayor to the benefit of Parksville.

Let me begin by saying how honoured I am to have an opportunity to address the people of Oceanside each month.  This forum has provided me an opportunity to express the will of the business community on a number of issues.  I want to thank the Oceanside Star for being such a strong and valuable partner to the Chamber.

As this year comes to a close, I find myself looking back.  As with every year, I find joy, kindness, triumph, innovation, love, laughter and music.  As with every other year, I find sadness, tragedy, struggles, hardship and fear.  After sifting through it all, I find myself very optimistic about the future of Parksville.

I know there have been many differing opinions over the past few months, and some of the debate has become quite heated.  It demonstrates our passion and commitment for our community.  Few other places have this level of involvement from the citizens, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

These are pivotal times for our community, our province, our country and our planet.  As our societies, economies and governments emerge from their infancy, it is incumbent upon each of us to make sure that we stake our claim on how we see the future.  In Parksville, we are doing just that, and I am proud to be a part of it.

I recently attended an OCP Community Advisory Committee meeting, and I was so pleased to hear views emerge from a variety of positions.  I believe that the broadest possible spectrum of views are represented in that committee, yet every member of the committee behaved in a professional and respectful manner that leaves me filled with optimism and enthusiasm for this process going forward.  We are united by our common interest, to help shape the best community possible.

2011 is going to be a great year for Parksville as we begin to shape a future.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a joyous and prosperous New Year.

Gary Child
President
Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce

The tree is up, the outside lights are on and I have even managed to do some shopping. As we head full tilt into the festive season, and brace ourselves for another festive onslaught, it can be a good time of year to pause and enjoy some perspective on how far we’ve come. Perhaps take a moment to pat yourself on the back for a job well done, and then turn your thoughts to things other than work, such as friends and family, and Christmas giving.

Reflection starts at home and I would be remiss if I did not start by giving our Board of Directors my sincere thanks for their faith and support.

To the fine group of Chamber staffers I work with, their patience and ability to both educate me, and learn from me, has made such a difference, a difference that has translated into a fun and efficient workplace.

To The City of Parksville, a pat on the back for getting the boardwalk started (hopefully there is a phase II & III), installing some excellent signage; beautifying the entrance to the Visitor Centre with the treed boulevard of Exit 46 and doing a spectacular job of maintaining our parks and streets.
To the residents of Parksville who have finally become involved in the decision making process. Well done. Respectful open communication is the only way we can work together to accomplish all the things that get talked about but rarely acted on.

To all the great volunteers in our community that enhance our quality of life. Thank You. Without you it wouldn’t be Parksville.

To the business community that gives and gives and gives; without you our community would not have the great events; sports teams and social organizations that are the lifeblood of this community.

During this Christmas season, May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season, which is peace
The gladness of the season, which is hope
And the heart of the season, which is love

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year.

Kim Burden

Executive Director