Business owners from Vancouver Island were in Parksville Wednesday to share their successes in a tough economy.
A trade show was held at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre, put on by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. The VIEA is “a collaborative partnership spearheading regional economic development for the Vancouver Island region” (www.viea.ca).
VIEA director Dave Willie of Black and White Party Rentals in Parksville, says the trade show is one of hopefully more events that bring people together.
“We had that linking Island business project done by Wendy Maurer last year,” he explained. “the report showed people wanted more opportunities to link up as businesses.”
Sharing of information and ideas from the different regions of the Island can help create business links, said Willie.
“It’s an idea exchange (the trade show) and the best part of it is talking to others at their booths.”
The goals of VIEA, he said, include driving collaboration among it members to help open up opportunities. Some of those include the proposed upgrades to BC Hydro’s John Hart generating station near Campbell River — which could create jobs and require services from area bueinesses.
Another idea and topic of a seminar at the event, is the recent treaty signing by six First Nations on the west coast of the Island. That, Willie said, creates potential links to provide services to their communities.
And the final idea on tap at the event was information about exporting goods.
If successful, Willie said the VIEA woill look at holding more events like this. He added the members plan on discussing what went well at this year’s trade show, build on it and discuss ideas for next time.
