JULIE LAWLOR
Happy New Year from the WestShore Chamber! From yelling “Jumanji!” at midnight to very quietly making no resolutions, people are bringing in the new year very differently for 2021.
While many of us look forward with optimism to vaccine roll-out across the globe, we also know that we are not through the storm yet. News such as a variant of COVID-19 that is even more easily transmissible makes us nervous about what might happen next. We have become accustomed to a barrage of bad news.
As soon as the pandemic hit in Canada, chambers of commerce stepped up to act as a trusted and curated source of information to the business community. We were also an active conduit between the community and the provincial and federal governments, providing feedback on government programs so that, like the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and the Canada Emergency Business Account, they could be expanded and improved.
What some people still don’t realize is that communications and advocacy is the work that chambers do all of the time, year in and year out. It is only that the pandemic has highlighted this fact.
In 2021, chambers of commerce continue to be an invaluable resource for the community. If you are interested in finding out more about how we can support your business but are not sure if you want to commit to membership, here are the top 5 ways to connect with your local chamber:
- Have a stroll through their website (more on that below)
- Sign up for their e-news. Most chambers offer a newsletter which is open to all
- Suffering from death by e-mail? Follow your chamber of choice on social media
- Call your local chamber with your query. If we don’t have the answer we usually know someone who does, and will happily refer you
- Attend an event as a guest. At the WestShore Chamber we are happy to offer a “try before you buy” policy with no expectation or obligation
On southern Vancouver Island you are spoiled for choice, as there are six chambers of commerce in our region. To find out more about regional chambers and other non-profit and networking organisations that are here to help, please go to westshore.bc.ca and click on “Small Business Resources”.
Here’s to 2021!
Julie Lawlor is Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce.
