Respectfully conducting our Business within the Unceded Territory of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations

So nice to see this event back! Friday, November 11th at 11:00am (ceremony starts at 10:45am) GLENWOOD CENTRE. We advise that seating will be at a premium. Best to arrive early.

Following the ceremony community members are invited to a short service at Greenwood Cemetery, including the Field of Honour, the Vietnam Veterans gravesite, and the Hupacasath First Nation cemetery.

After the ceremony the lounge at Branch 293 will be open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. The bar will also be open.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!

ELEVEN HUNDRED (UMBRELLAS)

On Saturday, October 29th at the McLean Mill National Historic Site an absolutely wonderful community event was held in somewhat inclement weather. An event for the enjoyment of all! We at AVCOC through our McLean Mill operations express our thanks to the team of volunteers led by Xavier from SD70 and Debra H. Executive Director of ADAPS. This event was set up as FUNDRAISER for ADAPS. Well done!

Visit ADAPS here

Community Highlights!

It's the end of an era. For more FIFTY YEARS the team at Solda's Family Restaurant have been providing excellent quality meals for visitors and residents of Port Alberni. We at the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE wish Ivo and his family a wonderful retirement, a well-deserved one! Congrats on the sale of your business Ivo.

In Mid-October the team at ALBERNI VALLEY TOURISM were advised of the final step in our quest to collect the Municipal Regional District Tax (MRDT) here in Port Alberni. This tax otherwise known as a HOTEL TAX has been a pet project of the Chamber of Commerce for many years. The tax will be in place in all area hotels, motels, B&B's and even our short-term rental Airbnbs. Paid for by visitors to the area the tax will have no financial burden on any local resident. In fact, the opposite is more likely. AVT will receive the funds via the Provincial Government and through its board of directors the organization will determine how best to market our beautiful valley to the world.

Elliot Drew rejoins AVCOC

The AVCOC hired Elliot Drew in early 2021 via a grant application that we were successful in attaining (partnership with the City). Elliot's role over the following 9 months was to assist both the Chamber and City is helping our local businesses understand the many funding opportunities that existed during the pandemic responses. With his help and commitment many of our businesses gained additional support from the various funders at all levels of government. The contract ended in early January of 2022. Following that Elliot went back to the familiar settings for him at the AV News. Then in September of 2022 we again approached Elliot when it was determined that we needed to reposition ourselves in our McLean Mill operations. We are thrilled to confirm that Elliot started back with the Chamber in mid-October as Director of Operations & Opportunities at the McLean Mill National Historic Site.

McLean Mill

The Stanley of BEER

One Bronze, one Silver, TWO GOLD. What more can we say about beer in Port Alberni. Well done all of you @DOGMOUNTAIN @TWINCITY

Need we say more? (other than.... NOW OPEN! at your nearest Naesgaard's Farm and Market)

"This is the stuff ferry tales are made of"

Not a spelling error! This was a quote found HERE. Enjoy the read, pack your bags!

Coming early 2023!

It's not a walk in the park; it's a run in the forest

Join us at AVCOC with partner organization RIDGE VIEW HEALTH & PERFORMANCE as we rebrand our 'Paper Chase' run to the McLean Mill 10k. This run is part of the Island Series - 8 runs on Vancouver Island over the first four months of 2023. Distances range from 5km to a 1/2 marathon. Our run - the McLean Mill 10k will raise funds for Kid's Sport here in Port Alberni

A direct and compelling headline