Introducing tiered membership

This spring, the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce introduced a new way for members to participate more fully in chamber events: a tiered membership structure.

Members may participate at four different levels of support and participation. Early results have produced major sponsors for some high profile chamber events. We are pleased to welcome Diamond Sponsors for 2011: Island Savings for the 2011 Crystal Awards; The Smith Manoeuvre for the annual Golf Classic; Peninsula Co-op for Starry Night Dinner & Auction. At the Executive Sponsor level, Horizon Power will sponsor the Tour of Industry for mayors and councils.

Congratulations Island Savings Crystal Awards Finalists. It’s been another banner year for Saanich Peninsula business, judging from the calibre of 2011 Crystal Awards applications. The judging committee pored over a stack of applications that represented a diverse cross-section of Peninsula business success stories. The judging committee’s deliberations were rigorous and difficult.

The Peninsula Chamber is pleased to announce the Crystal Awards finalists for 2011 (listed in alphabetical order):

Business of the Year, 1 – 10 Employees

Finalists: Melinda’s Biscotti Company Inc.

Wendy L. Everson Law

Business of the Year, 11–30 Employees

Finalists: Beacon Law Centre

Truffles Catering

Business of the Year, 31+ Employees

Finalists: The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa

Sidney Senior Care

Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year,

Finalists: Mary Winspear Centre

Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society

Contribution to the Community

Finalists: Panorama Recreation Centre

Salon J Hair Studios

Environmental Responsiveness

Finalists: BC Hazmat Management Ltd.

Sidney Bottle Depot

Entrepreneurial Spirit

Finalists: 5252 Motorsports Ltd.

Melinda’s Biscotti Company Inc.

New Business

Finalists: Lolly Gobble Sweet Shop

Wendy L. Everson Law

Tourism Excellence

Finalists: Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre

Oceanside RV Resort

Employer of the Year

Finalists: Deep Cove Market

The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa

High Tech or Scientific Innovation

Finalists: Applied Bio-nomics Ltd.

Novaera Fuels Ltd.

Land-based Business of the Year

Finalists: Michell Brothers Farms

Smyth Market Gardens

Newsmaker of the Year (for 2010)

Finalists: Pronautic Custom Interiors

Victoria Costumes

This year, the Peninsula Chamber added a new dimension to the awards. The Business Hall of Fame will recognize long-term contributions to the business community by individual business people and civic officials. The chamber is pleased to announce the first inductee (posthumous) into the Business Hall of Fame: Jennie Butchart, founder of The Butchart Gardens.

The Peninsula Chamber gratefully acknowledges Island Savings support of this year’s Crystal Awards. Thanks and appreciation also go to the individual sponsors in each of the awards categories. Awards recipients will be announced at the Island Savings Crystal Awards Gala on April 13 at The Butchart Gardens. Dave Cowen, General Manager of the Butchart Gardens, is the guest speaker. The event is sold out.

All Candidates Meeting

The Peninsula Chamber, the Peninsula News Review and Mary Winspear Centre, with support provided by the Canadian Federation of University Women-Saanich Peninsula, will co-host an all candidates meeting, on Wednesday, April 20, at Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.

Federal candidates standing for election in the Saanich-Gulf Islands constituency will be in attendance. Stephen Andrew, A Vancouver Island News, will moderate the proceedings.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. the meeting will startpromptly at 7 p.m.

Eileen Leddy is executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at eleddy@peninsulachamber.ca.

 

Peninsula News Review