CHAMBER NEWS

The Gibsons & District Chamber of Commerce, Sechelt & District Chamber of Commerce, and Pender Harbour & District Chamber of Commerce have collaborated and agreed to start the process of becoming a single Sunshine Coast Chamber of Commerce. 

Over the last few months, the Board of Directors and Executive Directors have recognized that the Sunshine Coast Business Sector will be much stronger and have more effective representation of a single Chamber of Commerce, rather than three separate Chambers. There are significant advantages to a consolidated Chamber, including: 

• Power in numbers. A larger singular voice for the business community will advocate and have stronger influence with Municipal, Provincial, and Federal Governments. 

• Increased exposure and cost effectiveness for entire Sunshine Coast membership through our online directory, social media channels, marketing and advertising, sponsorship, events, and new partnerships and collaborations. 

• Stronger resources and financial footing from more efficient operating costs that lead to savings in office and overhead costs; enabling more activity to be focused on member support and services. 

Our goal is to have one consolidated Sunshine Coast Chamber of Commerce by January 2024. Over these next few months we will keep you updated on our progress. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. 
 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

• An appointed Director representative from each of the three Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors will lead the committee. An appointed Facilitator will lead the project.

• Each Chamber will bring their membership, assets, and liabilities. This brings the new Chamber to a combined count of over 500 businesses and organizations with an upside to engage near 1,000 businesses here on the Sunshine Coast. It will also result in operational cost savings including insurance, bookkeeping, and communications. 

•  We believe merged events will provide an even greater value for both participants and sponsors. We plan to hold events in a variety of communities to ensure we don’t lose that local connection. All Chambers have focused on the importance of supporting local business, and a merged Chamber will amplify the #KeepItCoastal messaging with an even stronger voice. 

• Your membership will reach even further. Your business will have access to a larger network of potential customers and vendors, stronger advocacy clout, greater business resources, and an increased regional audience to support business growth. 

5. How does this merger progress now? 

• The committee will continue to meet over the summer and fall to address  specific details around regulatory, governance, operations, finance, and communications.

The Visitor Information Kiosk has already had a busy summer! With around 1100 visitors stopping at the park and asking for information and/or taking a break before their vacation begins! We’ve seen many visitors using the Sunshine Coast as a gateway to Powell River and the Island - spending a few days on the Coast before making their way through. 

There has been a wide variety of visitors - from families to single travelers, from vacations for pure relaxation to extreme adventure. Overall, our most popular question is, “What can we do while we’re here?” Our Kiosk attendant points them in the direction of hiking trails, beaches, events, restaurants, shops, and other sights to see up and down the Sunshine Coast. We’ve been lucky to have so much sun for visitors to enjoy the full extent of our beautiful Coast! 

Ballot two is well on its way for the Health, Wellness, and Lifestyle category! Voting is open from July 21 until August 3 at 11:59pm. Cast your votes at scbrc.ca/coastyourvote 

We have already seen a 50% increase in voting over last year! Let's continue to celebrate and support our vibrant local business community here on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, each and every local business, small or large, adds something unique, different, and one of a kind, and only together can they create the exciting, livable coastal community we are proud to call home. 

Upcoming ballot dates: 

Ballot 3: Services - Voting begins August 4 to August 17

Ballot 4: Food and Drink - Voting begins August 18 to August 31

Small businesses throughout BC will soon have access to new funding to support increased costs due to crime and vandalism - and to prevent further crime. 

Starting in fall 2023, the Province will support small businesses in recovering expenses incurred after experiencing property damage due to crime and vandalism, and to recoup expenses after taking measures to prevent vandalism. 

The new 10.5 million “Securing Small Business Rebate Program” will be available on an application basis and retroactive to Jan 1, 2023. Businesses can apply up to $2000 per business for the cost of repairs, and up to $1000 for vandalism prevention. 

Prevention measures eligible for funding could include security cameras or gates. Those costs of broken glass and graffiti cleaning are eligible under the criteria too. 

Information on how businesses can apply for funding is expected to be made available in the fall and communicated through the Chamber of Commerce to ensure business owners can get funding as soon as possible. 

Entreprenpeurs and companies will soon have access to new resources to help them grow and protect their ideas and products with the launch of BC's Intellectual Property (IP) Stratagy. 

This program will enhance the IP knowledge for startups and small to medium sized enterprises to make it easier for people to understand and navigate the complicated financial and legal sides of intellectual property. 

We love celebrating and supporting our members! If you have an event or news item you'd like shared with the community, send us an email at staff@gibsonschamber.com. If you'd like to host an After Hours or Lunch & Learn Event, let us know and we'll help set it up!

If you are a Pender Harbour & District Chamber of Commerce member, send your noteworthy events and news to chamber@penderharbour.ca 

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