How has the pandemic affected small business and what are they challenged with as they re-open?
There has been disruption to the local economy in varying degrees and business sectors. From what I am hearing and observing in the community, the challenges are consistent; availability of staff, increased regulations and protocols, rebuilding a customer/client base after closures, ensuring staff and customers are safe and comfortable in their environment.
How has your experience in the community prepared you to deal with crisis?
I’ll start out by saying, I don’t believe anything could have prepared us for the ongoing crisis we face. However, dealing with crisis in general, I have been very fortunate over the years to have developed a network of local leaders, business influencers and stakeholders in our community and this has often facilitated working together on projects and initiatives. During the crisis, those relationships allowed me to make connections and continue to provide me the opportunity to support local business.
How have the Chambers responded?
I’m very proud of the team at the Chamber, who continue to adapt to changes everyday, and who have each used their talents and expertise in responding to the crisis.
Keeping the community informed was critical and from the beginning, both Parksville and Qualicum Chambers focused on communicating with businesses and the community to provide up to date information from a variety of sources. Combining the resources of both Chambers has been a benefit to the region and we will continue to work together to support the business community.
We have developed a program and assembled a set of tools to assist businesses with re-opening and re-establishing. We are now leading the charge with a Support Local campaign partnering with local leaders to encourage the community to Think Local First.
Now more than ever we encourage you to join the Support Local movement.
Buy and Dine Local. Oceanside businesses and non profit organizations need our support.
Kim Burden, Executive Director says 'By shopping at our locally owned stores and using our locally owned service providers we support our local charities and events; we provide employment for local residents and taxes for the great services we receive from local government. It is locally owned businesses and not for profit organizations that make the Parksville-Qualicum Beach Region the spectacular place to Live, Work & Play that it is.'
Remember, we're all in this together and we want to continue to live in a vibrant and prosperous community.
Together...We can do it!
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the installation of a new Board of Directors at the Chamber Annual General Meeting on June 25 on a ZOOM call.
‘We already have a dedicated and committed group of volunteers on the team and we are so fortunate to have new and talented Directors interested in joining the Board. Their unique backgrounds and diverse experience will make them a great asset to the Chambers Board of Directors as we continue to work to represent the business community‘ commented Jean Maltesen, President of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce. ‘
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce announced the following:
Executive:
President – Jeannie Maltesen, Vancouver Island University
President Elect – Meghan Walker, Royal LePage
Vice-President – Brian McLean, Core Insurance Solutions
Treasurer – Charmaine Smith, Coastal Community Credit Union
Past President – Dave Willie, Black & White Event Rentals
