Ladysmith Chamber E-Newsletter ~ March 02, 2019

Investment Attraction?
There's an App for That!

On the heels of a recent economic development strategy, the Town of Ladysmith is championing a new approach to attract investment, supported with funding from ICET.

With participation from a broad set of local stakeholders including your Chamber of Commerce, the Ladysmith area is working to enhance access to information for potential investors. In combination with a robust website, the community will custom develop an innovative mobile app providing up to the minute information about emerging business opportunities.

"While investment attraction websites are a must to remain competitive, apps represent a new level of engagement for visitors and investors in search of a great place to invest and build a business," explained Amy Melmock, Manager of Economic Development Cowichan. READ MORE...


	Click for more photos.

CHAMBER WEEK 2019

Many thanks to everyone that celebrated Chamber Week with us!

The Business after Hours Mixer with the Ladysmith Museum (also celebrating Heritage Week) was a lot of fun. Networking with longtime, new and potential Chamber Members and not to mention the delicious Old Town Bakery Cake!

Great lunch and learn with Tammy Leslie, Palmer Leslie Chartered Professional Accountants on " New tax rules small business needs to know!" Tammy shared information about the new Health Care Tax for employers, the new CPP rules and the new speculation tax that will affect Nanaimo properties and much more.

March Business After
Hours Mixer

The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Waypoint Insurance invite you to join us for a Business After Hours Mixer.

Date: Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Time: 5:30pm to 7pm

Location: Waypoint Insurance ( 370 Trans-Canada Hwy, Ladysmith)

Cost: Free

Snacks and refreshments provided

RSVP by March 12, 2019 to 250-245-2112- or email

Read More...

Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce AGM

Join fellow Chamber Members, Directors and Staff as we celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, share plans for 2019 and recognize efforts contributing to the success of 2018.

DATE: Wednesday, April 03, 2019

LOCATION: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ladysmith Oyster Bay

TIME: 5:30pm to 7:30pm (doors open at 5:00)

Cost: $30 + GST

Catered by: In the Beantime

Menu: Basil Caesar Salad | Seafood Lasagna (Shrimp, Scallop, Crab) | Veggie Lasagna

Garlic Bread | Assorted Dessert Squares

Cash Bar

Guest Speakers: TBA

RSVP by Monday, April 01, 2019

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT CO-SPONSOR

Thank you to our Co-Sponsor

12th Annual Chamber Golf Classic

SAVE THE DATE!

JUNE 14, 2019

COTTONWOOD

***Early Bird Special! ***

Book your team of 4 by March 31st and receive 2 free 18 holes of golf at Cottonwood!

Thank you to our Biz Buzz Symposium + Expo Title Sponsor, LDCU

Welcome New Chamber Members

Join us in welcoming our NEW members of the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce! We encourage you to welcome these new members by patronizing their businesses and or visiting their websites.

Bees Wax Works is a company of traditional candle makers. We make pure Canadian beeswax candles by hand and in small batches, since 1994. Bees Wax Works is located at 300 Gill Road, Ladysmith. Website

Contact Jill Smith | Phone: (250) 526-0211

OnTrack Media is located on beautiful Vancouver Island, and tailor their services to: small businesses, community organizations, special events & projects, musicians, health& wellness practitioners. Let's Talk Multimedia for Your Business. Website
Contact: Dean Richards | Phone: (604) 815-3169

Sandpiper Glass, Garden & Landscape is a unique combination of three businesses under one roof. Visit our headquarters nestled in charming Mid Town Chemainus. If you can't drop in, give us a call or send an email. We'd be happy to provide a free quote or answer your questions. Located at 2891 Laurel Street, Chemainus. Phone: (250) 246-2421 | Website

Membership Renewal

Your 2019 Membership Renewal I nvoice has been mailed. Please contact our office if you did not receive yours or if you have any changes or updates to your Business Listing in the Directory on the Chambers Website.

Here are some of the incentives that come with your Chamber Membership

2019 BC Chamber Benefits

Make the Most of Your Chamber Membership

The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce greatly values your trust and confidence and sincerely appreciate your loyalty and support through your membership. We look forward to working with you again.

Book Your 2019 Chamber
Business Mixer!

Mixers are an ideal opportunity to gain exposure and publicity for your business. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, you are invited to host a monthly Mixer. As a host you will also benefit from a large, positive and business-oriented crowd. Read More...

2019 Chamber Mixer Dates

2019 Chamber Business Mixer Application

Digital Readiness Seminar

Register for this free workshop, a great resource for tourism-facing businesses of all types.

Date: March 13, 2019

Date/Time: March 13, 2019 | 6 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: Microtel Oyster Bay

Refreshments will be provided.

In the age of digital marketing, it's important to make sure that you are utilizing the tools available to you to reach your target customers. More people are researching travel, planning trips, and booking flights and activities online. There is an opportunity to reach them whether they're still learning about Cowichan as a region, or actively planning a trip here!

Our friends at Tourism Vancouver Island will be presenting a digital readiness seminar to Tourism Cowichan stakeholders on March 13, 2019. This seminar will help you identify realistic ways that you can engage in digital marketing and grow your business.

Whether you're already using online platforms like social media, a website, or newsletters - or want to learn how you can implement these tools, this seminar will allow you to learn and ask questions. Click here for more information and Registration

CVRD Cowichan Sports Tourism

Sport Event Grants Deadline, April 01

Grant funding up to $3000 per event is available to assist groups in hosting sports tournaments, championships, demonstrations and more. Monday April 1 is the deadline to apply for funding for events taking place from July 1-December 31, 2019. Check out all the details and application process at here .

Check out the CVRD website and click here to sign up for email lists including Bid Opportunities, news, events, alerts and more!

VIEA Business Match

Victoria Conference Centre

Lekwungen Territories, Victoria, BC

March 11 - 13, 2019

The VIEA Business Match is a partnership between the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) and ABM.

VIEA's mission is to create and present economic development opportunities to communities, First Nations, businesses and other key stakeholders on Vancouver Island. VIEA will use ABM's technology-facilitated business matching event to connect commercial interests on and off the Island to drive economic growth.

Town of Ladysmith

The next Council Meeting is on March 04 2019 at 7pm. Click here for the Regular Council meeting schedule. A full agenda package is prepared by 5:30 p.m. on the Thursday before the Council and Municipal Services Committee meetings and is available by clicking on the following links: Council Minutes and Agendas; Municipal Services Minutes and Agendas.
Ladysmith is among the fastest growing Municipalities in BC...Read More...
Spring Clean Up Week April 23 to 29, 2019. Read More...

Ladysmith Downtown Business Association

The LDBA AGM will be held on Thursday, March 14th, 2019. Location will be the new Plantitude, 431 1st Avenue.
Meeting starts at 6 pm, dinner at 6:45 pm. Everyone who attends will (1) need to be a paid-up member for 2019 and (2) be responsible for their own food & drink tab. Read More...