BRUCE WILLIAMS
VICTORIA – Nominations are rolling in for the 2022 Greater Victoria Chamber Business Awards and, from what we’ve seen already, the independent panel of judges will have some difficult decisions to make.
Every year, we hear amazing and inspirational stories of entrepreneurial excellence. The award show has evolved over the years but remains a milestone event for Greater Victoria’s business community.
The Business Awards were traditionally a gala event, where community leaders met over dinner and winners took the stage to speak directly to their peers and thank those who helped with their success.
Two years ago, we temporarily pivoted away from live events. The Chamber team worked with staff at CHEK News to transform our in-person gala into a television special. It was spectacular. The broadcast drew a large audience that more than doubled the following year with 80,000 views in 2021.
If you weren’t one of those viewers, I encourage you to check out the show at victoriachamber.ca under the Events tab. I also hope you’ll tune in this May us when the lights shine and the cameras roll once again.
And if you have been inspired by any business or entrepreneur who has excelled over the past year, please let us know. Maybe that person is yourself, or the business is your own? It’s quick and easy to nominate an individual or organization in 14 categories, including: Business Person of the Year, Outstanding Workplace and Business of the Year based on number of employees. The deadline to nominate is Jan. 24, so make sure to act before then. You just might make someone’s year, or your own.
As part of the annual awards, we also name a Chamber Member of the Year in advance of awards night. This year, we’re celebrating everything that Mary Lou Newbold of Mayfair Optometric Clinic does for The Chamber and Greater Victoria’s business community. Mary Lou is a steady presence at Chamber events and has helped countless people make connections that often lead to doing business together.
Winning an award is a significant feather in the cap, but it’s also a great way to share in stories of success with more than 127,000 impressions on social media highlighting the awards. Turning the Business Awards into a broadcast special has worked, but it’s not likely something we would have tried unless forced by circumstances.
We also know that our gala dinner was a well-loved event, so this year we’re hoping to also hold an in-person presentation of the Business Awards in early May.
We’re confident that this will give all of us time to feel good getting back to large, in-person events. I’m sure you miss them as much as I do.
And a reminder that for 2022, we’re planning a new gala spectacular. The Business Hall of Fame presented by RBC is now planned for Oct. 5 at the Victoria Conference Centre.
As readers of a business publication, I know you understand that business is integral to Greater Victoria’s community and has played a significant role in shaping our history. As community leaders, let’s make 2022 the year we help each other find success and celebrate those who demonstrate exceptional excellence at what they do.
Bruce Williams is CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Events
Thursday, February 3 |The Chamber Business Hall of Fame | 5:00 – 9:00pm | Victoria Conference Centre*
Monday, January 24 | Deadline for 2022 Business Awards Nominations |Give the Gift of Recognition this season
*Pre-registration and double-vaccination required to attend all in-person events
