AV Chamber of Commerce

• Awesome Building to call (2nd home)
• I started in March 2013
• Today we have 2 FT staff, 2 PT.
• We need more!

Sitting pretty

• No time to sit around
• Since 2013 we have initiated several local projects
• Summary follows

Sunset Market

• Wednesday nights - Victoria Quay - Clutesi Marina
• Now run mostly by Hupacasath First Nation but initiated by AVCOC as a first project of mine
• Beautiful waterfront setting with vendors, people, music and....BEARS

Way-Finding Signs

• Two of these in town
• Features A - Z things to do
• Visitor Center/Harbour Quay
• Supported by the Business Community through annual advertising
• More Signs being considered.

#tryhomefirst

• 4th year & building
• 98 X $100.00 Gift Cards
• Chamber buys 98 X $25.00 gift Cards
• Total distribution of $12,250.00 this year (2016 season)
• Top prizes: $2500., $2000., $1500., $1000., & $500. + 23 X $100. winners
• Program is delivered by surprise

Adventure map

• Developed in 2014
• ~ 80 Businesses participate.
• 95% Sales success rate for map concept
• Two sided with a total of > 130 graphics Business/Activities
• 20000 distributed yearly

Food Guide

• Developed 2016
• > 50 local Eateries
• Pocket Sized - Good Quality paper
• 20000 copies distributed annually
• Plans to develop Food Guide Website in 2017 or 2018

No. 7 Challenge

• Chamber initiative 2016
• Race the Train - 10km Habour Quay to McLean Mill
• > 200 participants, significant local business support
• Morphed to.....

The Tri-Conic Challenge

• www.triconic.ca
• 3 Day Staged Triathlon
• Run the Train
• Bike the Boat
• Swim the Plane
• Canada 150

VIRA Island Series

• Back in Port Alberni
• 10k Race
• Sunday, April 2, 2017
• 500 + Registrants expected
• Chamber revenue potential

Blue Fish Gallery

• 2013 Retail Sales
• 2016 Retail Sales > $70,000.
• Excellent First Impression
• Not a major funding opportunity for Chamber but significant value for Visitor and local Business

Circus 2016

• Chamber initiative
• American Crown Circus
• Today they are in Africa
• Mid July 2016
• Chamber Revenue opportunity
• Great event for Port Alberni and Visitors in 2016

Tourism Tofino

• Beautiful display
• Assists us in assisting West Coast Visitors
• Easy to find material for Visitors in our Center
• Strong partnership opportunities

Bali Travel Opportunity

• Partnership with Indus Travel/Twin Travel
• May 2017
• Chamber earns ~ $300. per booking
• Some Chambers earn tens of thousands in these programs

Ambassador Program

• Nearly 50 volunteers
• MV Frances Barkley
• Cathedral Grove
• McLean Mill
• Alberni Pacific Railway
• Mobile Visitor Centre

Mobile Visitor Center

• 2014- 2016
• 2017 ???
• Very useful program
• 30000 people in 2016
• All over AV including Campgrounds, Harbour Quay, McLean Mill, Stamp Falls etc.

Carved Logs

• First one at AVCOC
• This one at Harbour Quay
• Others now being developed

Backdrops

• 3 of these developed
• External Marketing
• Fishing Shows
• Heritage Shows
• Tri-Conic Challenge

dINNER mEETINGS

• 9 PER YEAR
• Usually a sell-out 45-65 people
• ~ Guest Speakers
• From Pat Deakin "That was another terrific Chamber dinner last night. Congratulations! Exciting to hear so many first timers!"

Website

• Mobile development 2016
• Now the go-to site for Visitors, for events
• www.albernichamber.ca/visitor-info

Cathedral Grove

• Chamber takes big stand on traffic issues
• Highway 4 Improvements forthcoming
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc1YcoypRNI

Excellence Awards

• Port Alberni's Biggest Annual Event
• 18 + Awards
• 240 guests
• 2017 Title Sponsor - West Coast Home Hardware
• Ask about 150-50-10

Tourism Training

• Chamber initiative
• 300 Front Line People
• Social Media, Cultural Awareness, WORLDHOST, AV Tourism

Member Spotlight

• New for 2017
• One feature per day 5-6 days per week, 52 weeks
• Tremendous on line engagement
• www.facebook.com/albernichamber

Volunteer roles

• Chair - McLean Mill Society
• Port Alberni Junior Hockey Society
• West Coast Aquatics Governance
• Chair - Tri-Conic Challenge Committee
• Arrowsmith Rotary
• Chamber Rep - Transportation Committee
• Chamber Rep- Rebranding Committee

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