– Kim Smythe is CEO of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at ceo@nanaimochamber.bc.ca.
NANAIMO – The Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and its partners have invited community members to volunteer on a ‘Business Walk’ team conducting friendly door-to-door business surveys. These Business Walks have been postponed until February simply due to how busy the business community has been (good news!) right now, and Christmas preparations for a lot of storefront operators right now.
A “Business Walk” is an event dedicated to taking the pulse of the local business community through face-to-face interviews. Business Walk volunteers will form the teams going from business to business to ask a few set questions of the owner or manager.
Partners include the NEDC, DNBIA, Community Futures and Nanaimo Youth Services Association among others. Service clubs, professional associations, community boards, other groups and individual volunteers are especially helpful when it comes to conducting a community’s Business Walk. They also get to share in the intelligence gathered. Stay tuned for updates and come take a walk with us!
Christmas is approaching far too quickly. With the season, we get a mix of highly busy times in our business and social lives as we try to wrap up the year, and leave time to get those once-a-year visits in with friends and family. We’re giving you an exceptional opportunity to do that with our 23rd annual Christmas Luncheon and Auction on December 7 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
This year’s theme? Your Favourite Christmas Movie. Come dressed as a favorite character or bring a memento that reminds you of yours. Or not!
The chef is pulling out all the stops for an old-fashioned Christmas menu. There are over $30,000 worth of auction items so you could virtually do all your Christmas shopping right there. From vacations in Ucluelet and Victoria, helicopter rides, snorkelling with seals, golf packages, tons of mixed merchandise and so much more.
This time of year also signals the opening of nominations for 2017’s Business Achievement Awards. The Chamber recognizes the entire business community for their efforts and achievements this past year.
Last year, some 400-people celebrated the nominees and winners in an ‘Oscar night’ style of Awards event in the Port Theatre. Jazz in the lobby and a 10-piece band on stage welcomed winners, their families, and friends at a fantastic evening celebration.
Plan to be part of the Awards on Friday, March 3. For now, please consider nominating your favourite business, nominate your boss, nominate yourself for fame and fortune (well, maybe just the first part)! Details online at www.nanaimochamber.bc.ca.
Because the goodwill of those we serve is the foundation of our success, it’s a real pleasure at this holiday time to say “thank you” as we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a new year filled with happiness and success!
