Vancouver Island Economic Alliance

On May 8, Connect Money Impact comes to Campbell River, hosted by Scale Institute at the Maritime Heritage Centre. This event brings together social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and ecosystem builders to explore: -How do we build sustainable investment strategies in ocean, energy, and tourism? -What systems do entrepreneurs need to succeed in uncertain times? -How can local networks strengthen economic resilience and deepen collective impact? CMI is a space for real conversations, practical learning, and meaningful connections. Join others working at the intersection of money and impact—and leave with new ideas, relationships, and momentum. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gBeTC22S

On March 6-7, VIEA was honoured to speak on two panels at 2025 Virtual Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) Forum! We shared insights on Island Good and the Vision 2050 project, highlighting the power of local economies and sustainable growth. A huge thank you to Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) for the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and champion Vancouver Island and the rural island's future! Missed the forum? Watch the recap here: https://lnkd.in/gC9HcAZu #IslandGood #VIEA #TheFutureIsLocal #RIEPForum #LocalMatters

🌊 APPLY NOW 📅 Applications for the 2025 Ocean Idea Challenge are open until April 9th. Sign up for one of our three virtual information sessions and take the first step toward making your idea a reality. The Ocean Idea Challenge is where bold, sustainable ocean innovations come to life! This isn’t just about winning up to $7,000—it’s about turning your idea into real impact. The blue economy is growing fast, and now’s your chance to be part of it. What to Expect in the Information Sessions: March 13 (English), March 20 (French), April 8 (English) ✅ Meet Challenge Director Natasha Legay  ✅ A walkthrough of the application process & eligibility ✅ Expert tips to help you stand out ✅ Insights into customer discovery & industry connections ✅ Live Q&A to get your questions answered Visit our website to download the application package and get started on your application today: https://lnkd.in/eZDYVTRE ____________________________________________________________________ 📅 POSTULEZ MAINTENANT 🌊Les candidatures pour le Défi Idée pour l'Océan 2025 sont ouvertes jusqu'au 9 avril. Êtes-vous prêt à faire de votre idée la prochaine innovation océanique majeure ? Rejoignez-nous pour une séance d'information sur le Défi Idée pour l'Océan, où les innovations ambitieuses et durables dans le domaine des océans se concrétisent! Il ne s'agit pas seulement de décrocher jusqu'à 7 000 dollars, mais surtout de faire en sorte que votre idée ait un impact réel. L'économie bleue se développe rapidement, et c'est l'occasion pour vous d'en faire partie : ✅Une présentation du processus de candidature et de l'éligibilité ✅Des conseils d'experts pour vous aider à vous démarquer ✅Des informations sur la découverte de clients et la mise en contact avec des acteurs du secteur ✅Des questions-réponses en direct pour obtenir des réponses à vos questions ✅Inscrivez-vous à l'une de nos trois séances d'information virtuelles et faites le premier pas vers la réalisation de votre idée ! Pour en savoir plus, télécharger le dossier de candidature et commencer à remplir le formulaire dès aujourd'hui : https://lnkd.in/eZDYVTRE

Vision 2050: Shaping the Future of Vancouver Island Vision 2050 is an exciting project aimed at building a diverse, sustainable, and self-reliant economy for Vancouver Island and the rural islands by 2050. 🌱 Launched at the 2024 VIEA Summit, Vision 2050 brought together community members, organizations, and businesses to co-create a prosperous future. Through the Vision 2050 Open Space Workshop, we’ve identified key priorities such as: ✨ Equitable economic development ✨ Collaborative governance ✨ Local food security ✨ Thriving business ecosystems ✨ Sustainable resource management Our community’s vision is clear: It’s time to move beyond short-term solutions and build interconnected systems that support both people and the environment for generations to come. 📖 Read the full report from the Vision 2050 kick-off workshop here: https://lnkd.in/gG-kCDrz 💬 Comment below what you think is needed for a diverse, sustainable, and self-reliant economy on Vancouver Island by 2050 and for generations to come. Let's continue this important conversation! Thank you to Ashka Wirk of Wirk Consulting for leading the discussion and for the informative report. 📷credit Dirk Heydemann #Vision2050 #VancouverIsland #Sustainability #CommunityCollaboration #FutureFocused #VIEA

Join VIEA's Board of Directors! The VIEA board has four openings for new directors and welcomes recommendations and nominations from its membership.   The VIEA board, with up to 15 directors, uses a matrix of criteria for nominee selection designed to ensure a representative balance of gender, diversity, region, sector and Indigenous representation. Director terms are for three years and the Board meets 8 times annually with the majority having a virtual option.   The 2025 VIEA AGM is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17th.   For more details about the VIEA Board opportunity and to submit an expression of interest go to https://lnkd.in/gP4_3dtZ. Please submit expressions of interest now until April 11th, 2025. 📷credit Dirk Heydemann

🚛 Strengthening Our Island Supply Chain! VIEA member Snuneymuxw First Nation has launched a new trucking company, Sarlequun Transport Inc., dedicated to serving Vancouver Island and the rural islands—an exciting step toward enhancing local supply chain resilience! As highlighted in VIEA’s recent Supply Chain Study, reliable transportation is essential to ensuring goods move efficiently across the Island. This new venture by Snuneymuxw First Nation supports the study’s recommendations to build local capacity. By investing in transportation infrastructure and creating local jobs, this new trucking company will not only help local businesses thrive but also strengthen the economic independence of our region. Congratulations to Snuneymuxw First Nation on this milestone! ➡️Read more about the launch here: https://lnkd.in/gkCXxTkM ➡️Learn more about VIEA’s supply chain project here: https://lnkd.in/gYdyeSnU #VancouverIsland #EconomicDevelopment #SupplyChain #IndigenousBusiness #IslandGood

🎧 Ever thought about how much cool stuff is made right here on the Island? It’s more than just seafood—think crackers, mattresses, and so much more! If you’re curious about supporting local and what it means to buy Island Good check out the 'This is Vancouver Island' CBC podcast with Kathryn Marlow. You'll hear from Julie Sperber, CEO of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance as she dives into the Island Good program and why choosing Island-made products matters. Listen now and get inspired to shop Island Good! 👉https://lnkd.in/g2TCwTwW #IslandGood #BuyLocal #VancouverIsland #ShopLocal #SupportIslandMakers

Happy International Women’s Day! 🎉✨ Today, we celebrate the incredible social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. 💜 A special shoutout to the inspiring women on the VIEA Board of Directors, Committees, and among our members and supporters—your dedication to building a sustainable, diversified economy on Vancouver Island and the rural islands makes a lasting impact. Thank you for all that you do! 👏 📷credit Dirk Heydemann #IWD2024 #WomenInBusiness #VancouverIsland #EmpoweringWomen

Amid these uncertain times, staying informed is essential. The BC Government has launched a new Tariff Info page—your one‐stop resource for tariff updates. Be sure to sign up for notifications! For businesses looking to expand into new export markets, consider the BC Export Navigator program. Two dedicated Export Advisors on Vancouver Island are available to provide direct support through the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation’s International Trade Division: • For the Capital Region: Jason Seed – jason@exportnavigator.ca • For the rest of the Island (north of the Malahat) and rural areas: Brady Calancie – brady@exportnavigator.ca The journey ahead will not be easy, but British Columbia's resilient economy, abundant natural resources, and strategic initiatives position us well to weather the storm and emerge stronger. Additional resources for workers and businesses are available in the comments. 🔗👇 #Tariffs #Nanaimo #EconomicDevelopment #InvestmentOpportunities #BusinessGrowth #CommunityDevelopment #Finance #Investing #Business #Localbusinesses #Supportlocal

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