Chamberlink is British Colum- bia’s electronic bulletin board, linking Chambers of Commerce via computer modem with 85 other chamber offices and with selected. government users. The purpose of Chamberlink is simply to share knowledge, mainly business knowledge. The old saying “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is very often the case. In any community, the local Chamber manager is often the one to make the contact needed. An example is perhaps the best way to illustrate the strength of Chamberlink. An entrepreneur wants to begin manufacturing greenhouses. This person resides in the rural com- munity of Chetwynd, a small one- industry town isolated from the nearest centre by more than a day’s drive. This typical small community has very little to offer this entre- preneur in terms of business infor- mation. The local Chamber of Com- merce is the only place he can tum. The local Chamber manager. has very little to offer except for some published information on government assistance programs and publications of how to start a business. However, the Chamber can pro- vide this entrepreneur with a prob- lem-solving “team” consisting of 85 of the most well-connected people in the province and some government research experts. The Chamber Manager dials her computer into the Chamberlink bulletin board and within five minutes has asked her “team” for assistance. The next day she receives six messages on Cham- berlink. The messages include names of greenhouse purchasers at the wholesale level; suppliers of parts; a greenhouse manufacturer look- ing to sell their business; a U.S. distributor, and a government ten- der opportunity for a greenhouse Supplier. These messages came from other Chamber managers who heard it “through the grapev- Tourism Commitiee at work on position paper by Denis Denischuk Tourism Committee chairman Our mandate is to undertake and examine tourism issues affecting our Peninsula community. We have had four meetings to date with 20 active Chamber members making up our exciting committee. One of our immediate tasks was the development of a position paper of the Chamber of Com- merce’s role in our delivery of tourism-related mnformation on the Peninsula. We are currently developing OUE position and strategy. Funding of our tourism-related activities is a concem of our general member- ship. Our directiomis that of a Cham- ber of “Commerce.” not a Cham- ber of “Tourism.” With that in mind we all realize the importance of tourism to our local economy in and around the Saanich Peninsula. Our committee has addressed Many concerns and ideas regard- ing the delivery of tourism-related activities. Let us share some of our thoughts and direction; 1. Our physical sites on Pat Bay Highway and at First Street in Sidney. Issues to deal with are upkeep, appear- ance, Signage, washrooms, fund- ing, etc. 2. We are working with numer- ous ministries such as highways, B.C. Fermies, the Airport, Canada Customs and many more in between. : 3. We are in the process of developing an inexpensive tear-off map that visitors can take with them to find attractions, points of interest, accommodations, restau- rants and local residences. 4. Looking at other ways to promote our Peninsula such as brochures for ferries, both B.C. and Washington State, and the distribu- tion systems required. 5. We are aware of the fact that tour vessels are interested in dock- ing here providing lots of potential for our community. We are very interested in hearing from all our membership on how we can deliver tourism-related activities with limited funds. Do call with your constructive comments. In closing I would like to thank my committee members for their involvement: Eve Lee-Thompson, Jim Nivison, Art Hess, Ira Whit- comb, Michael Bullock, Robin Cameron, Fran Leyland, Kathy Wiley, Dorothy Smith, Don Lane, Denis Paquette, Mike Keepence, - Ed Koenig, Ian Bouchard, Peter Dentro, Les and Debra Tait, Jim Kelley, Kelly Stephenson, Kate Caterrill, Gary Langstaff, Saville Hambleton and Marilyn Lee. TheReview Wednesday, February 5, 1992 — C7 f Chamberlink — A new communication tool for business ine.” There is no cost for this service at the Business Information Centre. Funding support for these services is provided by the provin- cial Ministry of Economic Devel- opment, Small Business and Trade. You do not need to be a Cham- ber member to access this service — it’s available for all businesses in the community. Phone the Chamber office at 656-3616 and check it out! New Sidney Superhostis CONGRATULATIONS TO Hotel Sidney’s SuperHosts 1992, who recently completed a SuperHost seminar held on-site, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Pictured from left fo right in the back row: Ted Wolfe, Denis Paquette, Rick Paquette, and front row, Karen Rogers, Albert Lai and Michelle Humber. Businesses interested in a SuperHost Seminar can leam more about it by calling the Chamber office at 656-3616. We can also book sessions for you in this off-season time. Cost of SuperHost training is $25 per person, payable to the Chamber. oy “fAe° Service Above Self NW Sidney SAANICH PENINSULA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE : @ BU _ aaa ——— NATIONAL CRUISE VACATION MONTH - bargains galore from “YOUR PENINSULA CRUISE © LENS & OSBORN ELECTRIC (1991) LTD. SINESS «SERVICE DIRECTORY _ SPECIALISTS” We are a member of the GIANT’S consortium and can offer “Sun Destination” sell-offs at great prices. Call for “this week’s special”! Brentwood Bay Sidney 555 DUPPLIN RD., VICTORIA, B.C. 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Bele (i q —< — To Book This Space In Next Month’s Directory CALL YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE at 656-1151 Before Feb. 21st J eSamds Funeral Chapels 656-2932 or 388-5155 Offer a complete choice of Professional Service. — TRADITIONAL — MEMORIAL — DIRECT CREMATION — FULL PRE-ARRANGEMENTS SERVICES Services from your church or in either of our chapels at 1803 QUADRA STREET, VICTORIA Or 317 GOLDSTREAM AVE., COLWOOD 2