COWICHAN VALLEY – August is a busy time for the Chamber. It’s year-end which means everything from counting inventory, to membership renewals, to launching speaker events for the upcoming fiscal year.
We are fortunate to be located in the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre. What a joy it is to come in everyday and hear accents of visitors from all over the world who have come to explore Cowichan and the Island. The Centre is on track to exceed visitor stats for the month of August, which is typically the busiest month of the year.
We also continue to attract new members and anticipate exceeding our goal of 450 members by the end of August. Businesses recognize the value of belonging to an organization with a key mandate to help grow their businesses. Everything we do at the Chamber addresses the value proposition, or as we call it, the VOI (Value of the Investment) members make when they join and support the Chamber.
Members particularly value the Chamber’s many networking, promotional and professional development opportunities. In addition to Lunch ‘n Learns, Business Mixers, and New Member Breakfasts, we launch our 2015/16 Luncheon Speaker series. This year the series includes Providence Farm, the Aerospace Industries Assn of Canada, Cowichan Sport Tourism, Steelhead LNG, Mike Corrigan President and CEO BC Ferries, and others. For the first time, we’ll offer bulk pricing for our luncheon “regulars”, those who purchase five or more lunches.
In July, we upgraded to a responsive website, making it easier for members to use and view the website on a mobile phone. The site receives about 300,000 hits annually, making it a valuable tool for online marketing. Members enjoy digital marketing opportunities on the website, in the weekly e-News and on social media.
Cowichan Valley was recently ranked among Vacay.ca’s 20 Best Places to Visit in Canada. Enrico Winery’s 2014 Tempest Ortega earned the Lieutenant Governor Award for Excellence in BC Wines. What an honour for Cowichan wineries – it is only the second time an Island wine has been selected! Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon personally presented the prestigious award at a celebration catered by Hilary’s Cheese and Wine Bar of Cowichan Bay.
The Valley’s vineyards, wineries, cidery, craft distilleries and breweries are gearing up for the Savour Cowichan Festival, 10 days of celebrating and show casing the Cowichan Valley’s remarkable cornucopia of locally produced food and drink. Over 40 artisanal food and beverage producers will be hosting more than 60 epicurean events throughout the region. Join us in the beautiful Cowichan Valley September 25 – October 4, 2015.
– Sonja Nagel is Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at manager@duncancc.bc.ca or 250-748-1111.
