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CHAMBER CHAT: Annual luncheon celebrates Nanaimo's success

NANAIMO – Chamber marks 125th anniversary this year.

By Kim Smythe

After some challenging times, Nanaimo is witnessing a series of wins that together have the potential to create a highly valuable critical mass of success. Transforming that critical mass into attitude-shifting energy and momentum underscores the objective of Celebrate Success, planned for the 125th annual general meeting luncheon for the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.

You can feel a stronger pulse running through the veins of the Nanaimo business community these days. Success stories are being shared on the street, in coffee shops and among friends on social media much more often. Our recent Business Achievement Awards pointed out how many local businesses are reporting recent successes.

The chamber of commerce wants to bring some of these into the spotlight with Celebrate Success on April 10 in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Kevin Evans, former CBC TV news anchor, will host the event with his unique roving-mike, open-panel-style discussion.

He’ll profile a selection of community partners and the outstanding successes they have noted in the past year. Others from the community will be featured with their own dynamic stories. The chamber believes that sharing success stories with the community will have a catalytic effect that leads to future success stories.

We’re definitely entering a different era as far as economic opportunity, energy and entrepreneurialism is concerned. This event will be a marker for turning the corner toward a very promising future. The event promises to be high-energy and fast-paced with much pride and spirit to share.

And there will be birthday cake!

Recovery Speaks: Do you have employees? Are you a business manager? Spend two hours with us at Recovery Speaks.

Stats say that 81 per cent of employers encounter issues with addiction or substance abuse by their staff that result in significant human resources issues.

Learn how to deal with the impact on staff performance, labour relations, physical and emotional health, your legal responsibilities, and more. The event is set for April 26, 6-8 p.m., at the Shaw Auditorium in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Featured speaker is Neil Berger, from Cedars at Cobble Hill. For tickets, please call 250-756-1191.

Kim Smythe is CEO for Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.