BRUCE WILLIAMS
VICTORIA – More than 300 people gathered at the Royal BC Museum recently to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the founding of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 9, 1863.
The evening included exhibits highlighting the Chambers’ past, present and future.
“It’s a bit awe inspiring to know we’re carrying on a tradition of effective advocacy that dates back to 1863,” Chamber chair Kris Wirk said. “Our celebration at the Royal BC Museum and all of the activities planned for our 160th are an opportunity for The Chamber to support our members by building good business and great community for all.”
The Chamber was formed in the age of steamships and gold rushes when waves of new arrivals settled in the region seeking better lives for themselves and their families. The Chamber’s earliest efforts were to promote the region as a hub for culture, finance and shipping. It was a time for adventure as well as profound disruption. Many of those stories are included in The Chamber 1863 web project, a special endeavour that highlights the history of commerce and the many communities that contributed to the growth of commerce in our region. It can be experienced at Victoriachamber.ca/the-chamber-1863.
“It’s important to understand where you’ve been before you plan where you’re going. Looking back helps us move forward as we strive to be the region’s most diverse and influential business association,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “By understanding our history, and the lived experiences of the communities that contributed to growing business in our region, we are creating an inclusive economy that is adding resilience to our workforce.”
As part of our forward planning, the Greater Victoria Chamber 1863 Impact Award was announced in November and will provide local post-secondary students a total of $160,000 to help build the next generation of skilled workers. Find out more at Victoriachamber.ca/impact-award.
The anniversary evening marked the start of year-long celebrations and projects commemorating The Chamber’s 160 years of being the voice of business in Greater Victoria.
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