TRACEY CLARKE
COMOX VALLEY – At the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, we believe that a thriving economy is built on connection—between industries, between people, and between ideas. Over the past year, our work has been guided by a shared vision: to strengthen the local economy by bringing together organizations with unique strengths and perspectives.
This approach has been exemplified through our collaboration with the Chamber’s Leader’s Circle—our corporate partners who share our commitment to advancing the Comox Valley through innovation, education, and community engagement. Together with Excel Career College, Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community, and Compass Magazine, we’ve built bridges across sectors that support local businesses, enhance workforce readiness, and celebrate the diverse character of our region.
Our partnership with Excel Career College continues to demonstrate how education and industry can align to meet the workforce needs of today—and tomorrow. Together, we’ve advanced fully funded programs that open new doors for local professionals.
The AI in Aquaculture program, funded through Canada’s Digital Supercluster, connects one of the Valley’s largest economic sectors with cutting-edge technology. Participants learn to apply artificial intelligence in real-world aquaculture settings—helping modernize the industry while keeping jobs and innovation rooted here at home.
Excel Career College has also delivered Community Workforce Response Grant–funded training for insurance professionals, addressing labour shortages and providing local residents with the skills to enter or advance within the financial services sector. Initiatives like these not only strengthen our workforce—they strengthen the entire economic ecosystem.
The Chamber’s events are about more than networking—they are catalysts for ideas, investment, and collaboration. Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community has been an invaluable partner in bringing these moments to life.
From the Economic Outlook Breakfast, where local leaders and economists share insights that shape business decisions for the year ahead, to the Employer Symposium, which explores emerging trends like AI, remote work, and inclusive hiring practices, Crown Isle’s world-class facilities and hospitality create an environment where business leaders can connect meaningfully. These gatherings are where vision meets opportunity—and where community leadership takes root.
Great partnerships also extend the reach of our message. Compass Magazine, produced by Kiki’s Communications, helps the Chamber share stories of business resilience, innovation, and community spirit with a broader audience. Through thoughtful editorial features and creative storytelling, Compass has become an important platform for showcasing the people and organizations that make the Comox Valley such a dynamic place to live and do business.
What makes the Comox Valley’s economy resilient is not just the diversity of its industries—it’s the willingness of its leaders to collaborate. When education, business, and media come together under a shared purpose, the result is a more connected, informed, and empowered community.
As we look ahead, the Chamber remains focused on deepening these partnerships and creating new ones—continuing to build a local economy where innovation, collaboration, and community thrive side by side.
Tracey Clarke is the Executive Director of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce
