UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
the latest from your Chamber
In this Issue
From your Chamber
  • Chambers Pause to Acknowledge the Stolen Lives of 215 Indigenous Children from Kamloops Residential School
  • Ladysmith Chamber "Ice Cubed" series
  • The Chamber is seeking applications for an Economic Recovery Strategist

From Local Partnerships
  • Town of Ladysmith Survey: Share your vision for Ladysmith’s future!
  • The Arts need to hear from YOU!
  • HomeTown Tourist on Father's Day Weekend, June 19-20, 2021
  • Interested in a Vancouver Island Fulfillment Centre?
Resources for Members 
  • BC Chamber of Commerce launched the pan-provincial Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency
  • BC Chamber Network Passes Ground-Breaking DRIPA Policy Resolution at 2021 AGM
  • Policies Passed at BC Chamber AGM Will Help Businesses Compete, Innovate, and BE Inclusive in Post-Pandemic Era 
  • ICET: New Small Capitol Program Set to Drive Vitality into Downtown Areas
  • Tourism Digital Academy: Self-Guided, free for all BC-based tourism businesses
  • DBC partners with SBBC to provide free Business Education Opportunities
From your Chamber
Chambers Pause to Acknowledge the Stolen Lives of 215 Indigenous Children from Kamloops Residential School
We are heartbroken about the tragic story that broke in the community of Kamloops, on the traditional territory of the Secwépemc people. We sincerely hope that this leads to meaningful change. The Ladysmith Chamber alongside the BC Chamber of Commerce will support and advocate for that change in any way we can. Our thoughts are with our Stz'uminus neighbours and other First Nations across the country. We grieve with you for these lost children.
Ladysmith Chamber Membership Driven Sharing Sessions | "Ice Cubed" Series
Save the date! Wednesday, June 23rd

The Ladysmith Chamber held the the1st ‘ICE CUBED’ series on May 24th. It was a great hour….(and a half) of sharing, learning and networking! We are very excited about the energy that was shown at the event and hope you will join for our next session.

Save the Date!
2nd Ice Cubed series!
JUNE 23, 2021
Details coming soon!


Many thanks to the presenters at our 1st "Ice Cubed" series on May 26th: Kaylie McKinley, Employment Navigator, Kw'umut Lelum Child and Family Services, Chad Toronchuk, General Manager, Microtel by Wyndham Oyster Bay, Dave Devana, President / CEO, Nanaimo Airport and to the great group of Chamber Members who were in attendance.

Interested in becoming an ‘ICE CUBED’ Presenter?
Email Mark or call 250-245-2112

introduce + collaborate + engage x 3
The Chamber is hiring an Economic Recovery Strategist
The Chamber is seeking applications for the position of an Economic Recovery Strategist who will coordinate a year-long program with three primary purposes: (1) to conduct a Business Retention and Expansion Program to identify short and long term needs of the business community, (2) to provide Individual Business Support Services to help those businesses most in need stabilize and recover from the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, and (3) to lead a broad-based Community Economic Development Response designed to maximize economic recovery through a comprehensive shop local and destination marketing campaign.

The Ladysmith Chamber is extremely grateful to the Island Coastal Economic Trust for this latest round of support through the ICET Rural Business and Community Recovery Program

For more information or to submit a resume contact Chamber Executive Director, Mark Drysdale by email or call 250-245-2112
From Local Partners
Share your vision for Ladysmith’s future!

To help manage growth and change in a way that helps our community meet its goals, the Town of Ladysmith is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP). They have launched an online survey as part of the Official Community Plan review and are looking for your input.

Share your priorities, map the places that matter the most, and describe your ‘Ideal Ladysmith’ of the future.

The input you share will help shape the Plan!
The Arts need to hear from YOU!
For the first time ever, we are measuring the economic, social, cultural, and health impacts of arts across the Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands/Central Coast super-region.  

This survey (link below) is the most important part of this project, with additional information to be gathered from small focus groups. 

Please help Art by filling out the survey (it only takes about 15 minutes) and sharing it widely with your friends, family members and colleagues. 

We want to hear from everybody in your community – all kinds of businesses, all levels of government, chambers of commerce, artists, arts administrators, art patrons… truly everybody!

The survey will run from mid-May to mid-June, so don’t miss the chance to share your opinion.

At the end of the survey you can opt to join our contest to win one of five $100 prizes! Plus you get more chances to win by sharing this survey on Facebook and InstagramQuestions? Read our FAQs. 
HomeTown Tourist on Father's Day Weekend, June 19-20, 2021
TAKE 5 heads up this popular annual campaign that brings together activities and COVID-safe events with fun in mind. Lace-up your running shoes, grab your water bottle and camera and get ready to play HomeTown Tourist on Father's Day Weekend, June 19-20, 2021. Take in the virtual events and outdoor activities all in and around Ladysmith. Make sure you visit our website and follow us on Facebook for specials, discounts and the latest updates as more events come online at: take5.ca/hometowntourist We can’t wait for HomeTown Tourist Weekend to begin!
Interested in a Vancouver Island Fulfillment Centre?
Since receiving a grant from the Province to assist in making this project a reality The Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce is doing their due diligence and is working with MNP to assess the feasibility of a Micro-Fulfillment Centre located in the Parksville-Qualicum Region.
The Fulfillment Centre is envisioned to be a 20,000 to 30,000 square feet facility that will provide mid to northern Vancouver Island businesses with storage space, pick & pack capabilities, and low-cost delivery options as they continue to operate in an increasing online sales environment.
As part of the Feasibility Study, MNP is issuing a survey to Vancouver Island-based businesses to understand demand for such a facility and capture any concerns or additional feedback.
All participants will be entered into a prize draw, with an additional ‘early-bird’ draw for the first 250 respondents to submit a completed survey.
Resources for Members and more...
A Resource Guide
for Small Business Resiliency
Today, the BC Chamber of Commerce launched the pan-provincial Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency - a live resource to support businesses across the province in their navigation and recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic and BC’s Restart Plan.
 
In partnership with the provincial government’s Sector Labour Market Partnership Program (SLMP) and funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, the Resource Guide for Small Business Resiliency was created with information collected in focus groups and consultations from all economic regions across British Columbia, capturing the voice and needs of varying sectors and industries.
 
Resources outlined in the guide tackle all aspects of pandemic recovery including:
  • Health & safety;
  • Government programming;
  • Sector-specific initiatives;
  • Legal and regulatory requirements;
  • How to reopen, maintain, pivot, or expand your business; and,
  • Additional small business tools.
Download the resource guide today to help your business navigate the broad mix of available resources in a clear and efficient way. Follow these steps on the road to recovery.
BC Chamber Network Passes Ground-Breaking DRIPA Policy Resolution at 2021 AGM
At the 2021 Virtual AGM & Conference of the BC Chamber of Commerce on May 28-29, 2021, the Chamber network passed a ground-breaking policy resolution that calls for actionable steps to move forward B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) legislation.

The policy resolution, “Creating a comprehensive action plan to build a sustainable business relationship with Indigenous Peoples,” will seek to:
Policies Passed at BC Chamber AGM Will Help Businesses Compete, Innovate, and BE Inclusive in Post-Pandemic Era 
“Our highly engaged, grassroots policy development process is at the core of our annual advocacy efforts.” said Fiona Famulak, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce.
“We are confident that with the 60 policies passed, our advocacy efforts will remain sharply focused on helping to create a post-pandemic economy that is more competitive, innovative and inclusive than before the pandemic.”
NEW SMALL CAPITAL PROGRAM SET TO DRIVE VITALITY INTO DOWNTOWN AREAS

To help with long-term recovery in the region, Island Coastal Economic Trust partnered with Tourism Vancouver Island & Destination British Columbia to launch our new program, THRIVE!
.
This fully funded, small capital initiative will support projects that help drive vitality back into our downtowns, Main Streets and business area.
Tourism Digital Academy: Self-Guided
free for all BC-based tourism businesses
Building off the success of the Tourism Digital Academy, Destination BC is pleased to offer a self-guided version of the program to those who prefer the flexibility of working at their own pace. The self-guided option offers participants maximum flexibility as they complete a condensed version of the Tourism Digital Academy on their own time. This program is focused on providing practical, actionable guidance. From setting goals, to building a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, analytics and more – participants will leave the program with the confidence and knowledge to put their plans into action
DBC partners with SBBC to provide
FREE BUSINESS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to provide tourism stakeholders across the province with free access to Small Business BC’s webinars and online education to support COVID-19 recovery and help mitigate ongoing impacts. There is no charge to tourism stakeholders. Services are delivered online, by phone, email, webinar or in person (if available).

To access these resources completely free of charge, please register online via the links below using coupon code DBC3034. Learn more about the opportunities available below.

Examples of upcoming sessions include:
To see all available educational opportunities at Small Business BC, visit: https://smallbusinessbc.ca/education
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce works with many partners to create and improve business opportunities for our members
Proudly working with Provincial & local Chambers
(250) 245 - 2112
33 Roberts St
Hours:
Monday to Friday
10am - 4pm