THE CHAMBER
THE CHAMBER
Our History
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1926
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce was founded as the Qualicum Beach Board of Trade on December 8th, 1926 and included the villages of Qualicum Beach, Dashwood, Hilliers, Coombs, Errington and Parksville. The thirty original members included a baker, two butchers, four merchants, a clerk, a real estate agent, a physician, seven farmers, three hoteliers, a contractor and two carpenters, a plumber, a mill owner, an ice manufacturer, a garage owner, a transporter, a retired gentleman and a settler.
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1927
The Chamber received official Ministerial approval on January 27th, 1927. For 16 years, until the incorporation of the village, the Board of Trade functioned as the voice and, in many cases, the decision maker of the village. The Board of Trade took the initiative, which led to the incorporation of the village. The President of the Board of Trade, H.J Welch, was also the first Chairman of the Village Commission.
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1949
On November 8th 1949 the members voted to change the name to the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce. On January 23rd 1979 the members allowed an application for the change of boundaries of the Board to exclude the Town of Parksville, allowing Parksville to form its own Chamber of Commerce. The Qualicum Beach and Parksville & District Chambers of Commerce still work closely together and along with the respective municipal governments that were instrumental in forming the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association incorporated March 17th 1993.
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Today
Today the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce has over 150 members and represents all sectors of business in the community. Our goal is to ensure that the town of Qualicum Beach and surrounding area has a growing successful economy. As the Voice of business the Chambers mission is achieved through the hard work and dedication of our members, Board of Directors and Staff, who work in partnership with the community.
The Voice of Business
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce is a membership based volunteer driven, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to lead and serve the Qualicum Beach business community. Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce promotes ethical business practices, enhances the environment for business growth and job creation, and facilitates strong relationships between community, educational, business and governmental organizations. Working in partnership with the community and with business, our mission is to be the Voice of Business in the Qualicum Beach region.
We will be the leading organization driving economic sustainability in our community.
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering a positive business environment by providing it’s members with leadership, advocacy and services of value.
Chamber Initiatives
Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce Community Awards
Year End Report
Advocacy
BC’s Proposed Speculation Tax
Please see the attached letter which was sent to the Honourable Carole James, Minister of Finance and the Honourable Michelle Stilwell.
Our Staff
CEO
Kim Burden
kim@parksvillechamber.com
250-248-3613
Membership and Community Coordinator
Susan Payne
members@qualicum.bc.ca
Office: 250-752-0960
Visitor Centre
Office: 250.752.9532
Visitor Centre Manager
Susan Payne