Victoria Rising

In 2013, Tessa McLoughlin, an Australian expat, was a newly single mom living in Squamish. She was ready for something better, and Victoria caught her eye, an island seaside university town, with an entrepreneurial upstart and artistic interests. So she upped and moved her young kids and started from scratch. She found it hard to grow a new network and keep up with it, and that led her to create KWENCH, a multi-purpose work-space for people looking for connection. KWENCH has been an overwhelming success, drawing plaudits and awards and bringing much-needed attention to our work-space needs and the importance of connectivity. “The sole purpose of KWENCH is to increase individual happiness because I believe that the happier we are as individuals, the more connected we are as individuals, the safer, the happier, and the more innovative our societies are.” Rise with us: victoriarising.ca

The City of Victoria BC recently ranked among the top 10 cities for young people to work, according to recent results from Youthful Cities' annual Urban Work Index. https://lnkd.in/gmQ6JvGT

Being on an island doesn’t mean we’re isolated. Downtown Victoria to downtown Vancouver is just 25 minutes by seaplane at Harbour Air or helicopter (90 minutes by BC Ferries). Direct flights by major airlines shoot off daily from YYJ Victoria International Airport operated by Victoria Airport Authority down the coast to Seattle, San Francisco and L.A., all in the same Pacific time zone. Rise with us at victoriarising.ca

"Condé Nast Traveler today announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with Victoria, B.C. recognized as the #1 Small City in the World for a second year in a row." https://lnkd.in/gB5ExfF7 City of Victoria BC

"A Victoria pizzeria has made it on this year’s list of top 100 pizza restaurants in the world, according to Italian-based website 50 Top Pizza." https://lnkd.in/gy4Q5VXS #victoriarising #risewithus Pizzeria Prima Strada

In our newest Riser video for Victoria Rising we feature Carla Sorrell and Will Sorrell, two creative industry leaders who left behind London, U.K.’s vibrant design scene and a hectic pace to design a new life in Victoria, where Carla had grown up. “It was scary because we were leaving our identity,” says Carla. But Victoria was the perfect home to pursue their careers and creative ideas. Today, Carla is the managing editor of Gray, an international design magazine, and Will is Canada’s national director of the Interior Design Show (IDS). They have also launched Design Victoria, an annual four-day festival with special exhibitions, open houses and events created by local designers and design businesses. “[Victoria] had changed a lot since I left 15 years before,” says Carla. “There [are now] a lot more reasons for young people to stay here and all kinds of interesting careers. There's a ton of artists, there's a ton of designers. The dynamic of what's happening here has changed a lot.” “The city is undergoing massive transformation at the moment,” says Will. And design, says Carla, is going to play a really big part in shaping it.

"The City of Victoria’s $2-million OUR DWTN revitalization program has landed the city a brace of awards. The city won the International Downtown Association’s award of excellence for urban place management and the Union of B.C. Municipalities community excellence award in service delivery." https://lnkd.in/gKwNxW9T #victoriarising City of Victoria BC Union of BC Municipalities

Victoria Rising's "People on the Rise" series showcases the individuals creating an exciting buzz in the creative capital where ideas shine, people thrive and entrepreneurs grow. Watch and read their stories to see what makes this region such a special place to live, work and thrive. Profiles feature doctors, entrepreneurs, innovators and artists. Watch: https://lnkd.in/g4WDGaYg #victoriarising #greatervictoria Open Ocean Robotics KWENCH FreshWorks Studio (now EY Design Studio)

It was blue skies and great conversations as over 70 members and stakeholders joined us for a SIPP and Victoria Rising Summer Patio Mixer on August 29 at CRAFT Beer Market. With a stunning view of Victoria’s harbour, the event brought new connections and exciting ideas for creating the region's future. Check out more photos from the event! Photos: Megan Rose Wilson

The sun shone and spirits were high at SIPP’s Summer Patio Mixer on August 29, hosted with our Victoria Rising talent and business attraction initiative. More than 70 members and stakeholders joined the SIPP team at CRAFT Beer Market overlooking Victoria’s vibrant harbour for a lively night of networking. “We’re hosting this mixer to celebrate you, our members and community partners, who are such vital parts of the success of SIPP,” Interim CEO Dallas Gislason told the crowd. “I say SIPP’s success, but it’s really Greater Victoria’s success in building a resilient, innovative, sustainable and equitable economy across our region. Because that’s what SIPP is all about — and we don’t do that alone. So thanks to all of you!” Stay tuned for more SIPP member events coming up this fall!