The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance
P.O. Box 76, Station 'A' V9R 5K4 Nanaimo, BC, Canada

The Vancouver Island Coast Economic Development Association (VICEDA) is embarking on a project to boost investment attraction opportunities in the tech sector through an @ICET_BC supported regional marketing and collaboration initiative. http://ow.ly/qu3z50DkfKm

January was an amazing month for #IslandGood as they welcomed 19 new licensees, including our first licensee from Port Hardy, Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish Inc.! As well, the City of Langford and City of Campbell River Economic Development committed to supporting Island Good in their communities! Welcome to #IslandGood Jenny Marie's Cracker Company, Bloom Botanicals, Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt, V2V Blackhops Brewing Co. Salt Life Soaps, City Centre Grille & Langford Lanes, Independent Concrete Ltd., Shelter Point Distillery, Marion Machine LLC, Saman Rezapour Photography, Serious Coffee Millstream Village, RavenSong Soap, Bees Wax Works, Cloth Castle, Goldstream Distillery, Radix Concrete Pumping Ltd., Langford Original and First Impressions. For a full list of #IslandGood licensees see https://islandgood.ca/current-licensees/.

Cori Lynn's Floral Designs is our newest #VIEA member. Cori Lynn opened her own flower shop in Powell River in 1988. She chose to sell her shop when her sons were born so she could spend as many moments with them as possible. Since 1997 she has been in leadership roles with the Powell River, Nanaimo, Red Deer, and New Westminster Chamber of Commerce as well as President of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. Always longing to return to her passion of designing flowers, she decided to see if there was a desire for her style of design on Vancouver Island. The response has been outstanding and she is thrilled to be able to broaden her design services. Thanks for your support for VIEA and our initiatives Cori Lynn's Floral Designs!

In 2018, the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) using its new designation as Foreign Trade Zone - Vancouver Island (FTZVI), Canada’s 12th Foreign Trade Zone, developed four business cases to attract Foreign Direct Investment. The business case for Seaweed Aquaculture rose to the top of this list and was quickly pursued by a team of experts and investors to form Cascadia Seaweed Corporation, partnering with with Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood LP, to bring Vancouver Island seaweed to rapidly expanding global markets.

Business Recovery Grants are available now to support the future of BC's businesses. Apply now if your small or medium-sized business needs financial support. Learn more: gov.bc.ca/businessrecoverygrant

Black Press is home to some of the oldest, most established newspapers in B.C. and Alberta. In print and online, their urban, suburban and rural newspapers provide clients a superior blend of localized news coverage and unmatched integrated marketing solutions. They are this week's featured #VIEA member! To learn more, visit: http://ow.ly/m9jm50CSEmO

Happy New Year from the #VIEA team! We hope 2021 brings you and your business a great deal of success!

Mazzei Electric, a Nanaimo electrical contractor has been recognized as a winner at the 2020 Builders Code Champion Awards. Learn more here: http://ow.ly/XeTx50CSDDo via. Vancouver Island Free Daily

The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance was happy to have the opportunity to share their perspective with Minister Joly regarding regional economic priorities and opportunities that can only be enhanced with the creation of a new Regional Development Agency serving the province of BC.

For 25 years from Victoria to Campbell River & Port Hardy, Black & White Event Rentals is your best source for Vancouver Island tent rentals, tables, chairs, dishes and glassware for beautiful weddings and special events! They are this week's featured #VIEA member! To learn more, visit: http://ow.ly/G2oZ50COvr6

Happy Holidays from the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance! Wishing you all the best in the new year!

Nanaimo-based Tilray, a medical and adult-use cannabis company, has merged with an Ontario-based company to create the world’s largest cannabis company. Read more here: http://ow.ly/szRp50COtUn via. Vancouver Island Free Daily

Did you know becoming a member of #VIEA will give you shared access to information and data on economic development activities in your region? To learn more and become a member today, visit: http://ow.ly/5Mls50CsG3H HA Photography

Whether your interest is food security, reducing carbon footprint, or a simple desire to have good local products, Island Good is pointing the way! Learn more about #VIEA's initiative: http://ow.ly/iem550CjceO

Array Web + Creative is a family of innovative & curious thinkers in love with web & design. Whether you’re looking to brand your new business, build a rich & dynamic website, improve your Google rankings or just order some business cards they'll get it done! They are this week's featured #VIEA member! Learn more: https://viea.ca/author/array-web-and-creative/

Many of the regions where salmon farming operations play a significant role in supporting local vendors are in the northern and western regions of Vancouver Island that have been experiencing declines in employment. George Hanson, President of #VIEA. Read the full story: http://ow.ly/5B7450CjbfJ via. The Fish Site

We are excited to announce The Kindness Factory as a new #IslandGood Licensee! Based in Victoria, The Kindness Factory produces 3-layer masks, built by hand to ensure quality workmanship. Welcome to Island Good! To learn more, visit: http://ow.ly/i1j450CkgCh

The Clean Cart uses far-UV light and is the first of its kind in Canada.

B.C. salmon farmers are hoping for greater inclusion in the province’s post-pandemic economic recovery plan. Read more about how #VIEA is weighing in on the topic: http://ow.ly/ChaB50CkkwL via. Vancouver Island Free Daily

Celebrate the flavours of the Island with a Fall picnic, hosted by Tourism Vancouver Island, featuring all Island Good products! Learn more here: http://ow.ly/hPRS50CkfZ5

This year, the Summit will feature keynote presentations from 'Tech Humanist' Kate O'Neill - Author & Keynote Speaker and Dr.Justin Bull, a lecturer at the UBC Sauder School of Business, as well as 1 on 1 meetings, a virtual trade show, panel sessions and more! To learn more and register, visit: http://ow.ly/TWBv50Bt29B

As you know, this year the #VISummit will be taking place virtually. That's why we are currently working on the release of the #VISummit2020 AttendeeHub app! Learn more in our latest newsletter: http://ow.ly/Rn6y50BLmLT

Did you know Alkan Air has been providing aviation services for customers in Canada for 40 years? Established in 1977, Alkan Air Ltd - Nanaimo, BC provides remote site and corporate charters, bulk fuel transport, private and commercial flight training. FBO facilities and air ambulance services. They are this week's featured #VIEA member. Learn more about them here: http://ow.ly/qouu50CdL3q

3 Questions with Gaby Wickstrom - Mayor of Port McNeill : 1. What excites you about the annual State of the Island Economic Summit and what conversation are you most looking forward to having at this year’s Summit? Wickstrom: I am most looking forward to the sessions dealing with overcoming, assessing possibilities and anything to do with business as we know it in this COVID age. I want to be able to help people in our region think outside their boxes and figure out how to r...emain viable despite the challenges they are facing. I am also interested in how municipalities can improve processes in order to attract more development. 2. What do you wish other people knew about VIEA and what role do you see VIEA playing in helping to advance the Island region through economic recovery and beyond? Wickstrom: I want people to know that VIEA isn’t a fluff organization. They have always sought out initiatives that benefit the Island. During COVID they stepped up and provided many information sessions for their stakeholders. 3. What advice do you have for other leaders on Vancouver Island as we look ahead to 2021? Wickstrom: Don’t operate our of fear. Be ready to pivot and adapt at a moments notice. An obstacle is an opportunity to be extraordinary. https://bit.ly/30bQtMd Attend the State of the Island Economic Summit Oct 27-29: https://cvent.me/xqeKdr?RefId=Facebook

Island Good brand is expanding! A warm welcome to our new licensees joining the #IslandGood family. Live Edge Design, Order Retriever, Wildflowers & Co, and Margot Page - Enamelling on Steel. #VancouverIsland #VIEA2020 #VIEconomy #ShopLocal #BuyLocal

A 'must-read' annual report in BC, perhaps even in Canada, the 'State of the Island' Report presents an in-depth understanding of the Vancouver Island economy. Did you know the 6th annual report will be released at the digital #VISummit next month? To view the report archives, visit: http://ow.ly/FY3z50ByKkA #VancouverIsland #VIEconomy #VIAlliance #VISummit2020 #EconomicSummit #VIEA2020

#VIEA is very excited to announce Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada's Ocean Supercluster, as a keynote speaker at the upcoming virtual #VISummit later this month, October 27-29! Learn more in our latest newsletter: http://ow.ly/uTat50BIBNT

Join us at the #VISummit later this October for a session on 'Indigenomics and Reconciliation'! Learn more below and register today!

With demand for local products at an all time high, we need to find a solution for the issues of distribution and access to markets that have long inhibited potential for Island food producers. Join expert panelists at the upcoming #VISummit as they speak to the challenges and emerging opportunities! Learn more in our latest newsletter: http://ow.ly/yATM50BHaTQ

Did you know international education is one of Vancouver Island, and BC’s, largest export products? Join a panel of experts at the upcoming #VISummit as they speak to the challenges, the opportunities and how and why universities play a key role in our economic and societal recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic: http://ow.ly/5BWl50BEyWs

Every dollar you spend on local food stays on the Island! #IslandGood brand helps shoppers easily identify local growers, producers, processors, manufacturers, retailers and grocers. It's all good... when it's Island Good! Pepper's Foods, Walcan Seafood, Blue Grouse Estate Winery. #VancouverIsland #VIEA2020 #VIEconomy #ShopLocal #BuyLocal Island Good

The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance's virtual Economic Summit (Oct 27-29) features panel discussions on topics affecting our economy. This year, seaweed is a... cool trend with a hot return. Cascadia Seaweed, BC Salmon Farmers Association and the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance weigh in on how Islanders are benefiting and where the opportunities are for growth. More info on the Summit’s agenda: https://tinyurl.com/yylp6vkw Photo by Marc-Antoine Déry on Unsplash.

Did you know the upcoming #VISummit, taking place virtually from October 27-29, will feature a panel session on ‘Seaweed & Finfish Aquaculture’? Learn more in our latest newsletter: http://ow.ly/4DU350BDjB7

Tourism Vancouver Island, a #VIEA member, announced that Vancouver Island had been granted the use of the Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Tourism stakeholders in the Vancouver Island region can apply to register as a safety business and use the stamp. To learn more, visit: http://ow.ly/aoya50BvemR. #VancouverIsland #VIEconomy #VIAlliance #VITourism

#VIEA President George Hanson applauds the Stronger BC Plan's immediate term supports, but argues that we need to "take advantage of this unique disruption to thoroughly rethink our priorities and initiate substantial change to go beyond recovery and transform our economy towards a vital and sustainable future." Read more in Douglas magazine: http://ow.ly/NPz250BAKRv

Happy Friday! We are thrilled to announce our latest #IslandGood licensee Cure Artisan Meat and Cheese. Thanks to Community Futures Cowichan and Cowichan Valley Regional District for supporting #IslandGood in their community. #VancouverIsland #VIEA #VIEA2020 #VIEconomy #VIAlliance #BuyLocal