SM Spotlight Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
If there’s one thing The Greate
r Victoria Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) knows how to do, it’s how to build good business.
“This is a landmark year for (us) because its our 155th anniversary … it’s big because it demonstrates the ongoing relevance of the chamber–that it’s managed to stay at the forefront of business and the economy in the region for so long,” said Catherine Holt, the CEO and official spokesperson of The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, who interestingly enough, is the great, great, great niece of one of the original chamber presidents.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1863, only one year after the City of Victoria itself was founded–and it has played a significant role in evolution of the region ever since.
From the establishment of Tourism Victoria to the South Island Prosperity Project, the chamber has been involved in building the community and economy in various ways.
“I’m going to say (we were) one of the first non-government organizations established in the city,” Holt said.
With around 1,400 members, The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce focuses on three main areas.
First, advocacy. The chamber speaks publicly in the media on behalf of its members on many public policy issues including community safety, climate change, improving the economy, local governance and much more.
“We are 100 percent membership funded, as far as our ongoing operations are concerned … so that (gives us) the advantage of being able to speak freely about what our members think,” Holt said.
Second, connections. The chamber hosts many events designed to be informative and allow members to meet and socialize. Last year it averaged more than one event a week.
“It’s a very lively social scene … (last year) about 6,000 people attended those events.”
Third, its marketing opportunities and products discounts. The chamber has a very popular business directory which allows members to appear very high in online search engine outcomes, as well as a weekly newsletter that reaches 4,000 readers.
It provides a host of savings
opportunities as well, including group health, home and tenant insurance, gas, and courier discounts to name a few.
With such strong roots, The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is not without its struggles.
“The ongoing challenge is to ensure you have relevancy, profile and are sufficiently attractive and interesting to businesses (so) that they want to join and stay as members,” she said.
Holt said she has a highly-capable director of operations which allows her to focus her efforts externally, being the voice and face of the chamber, which is what she loves most about what she does.
“I get to hear the fascinating inside stories … every single business has a fascinating story behind it,” Holt said.
This year, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce aims to take itself to the next level of membership and drive their numbers up.
“It’s a noisy world. It’s hard to get people’s attention and get them focused on the range of benefits that they get from a chamber membership.
