This is Chamber of Commerce Week 2013.  Chamber Week brings awareness to the important work these organizations do to stimulate local economies, promote their community, and engage in multi-level advocacy which benefits the entire province.  No other business organization can match this incredible network that stretches across the country. With the recently released Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness for 2013, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has identified the main factors which are holding back Canada’s economic progress and ability to compete globally. Chambers of Commerce around the province, including the BC Chamber, have been very active recently in this area, and are a big part of the solution. The network of Chambers of Commerce across BC is the most influential business organization in the province.  As the key representatives of their business community to government, Chambers actively listen to business needs and continually articulate them to government at all levels. Chambers of Commerce support businesses through benefit programs, services and education.  Being community based means that Chambers are funded entirely by their members, events and sponsorship.  This community investment is what drives Chambers of Commerce to directly support and stimulate local economies, and work collaboratively to create vibrant communities around the province.
Good on Jim Lawson for staying in touch with the Russian hockey people that visited during the U-17 Challenge, the result of which is a Russian Goodwill Hockey Tour of Vancouver Island. Basing themselves in Port Alberni, the Russian 35 and over team will play in Port Alberni April 6th and they will play in Parksville, Duncan and Campbell River. This will be great hockey and the goodwill aspect will help to strengthen our ties with Russia.
We are a couple of weeks away from the deadline for nominations for the annual Community Excellence Awards April 18th at the Barclay Hotel. The easiest way to nominate a person or business is to log on to our website (avcoc.com) where you will find all the information about categories and the nomination form. To reserve a seat or table for the awards dinner just call our office (724 6535).
Thought for the Week:
“There is such a thing as too much couth.” S.J. Perelman
FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK
SUBMITTED BY MIKE CARTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ALBERNI VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE