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Popular Greater Victoria Picnics and Patios Campaign returns June 7 - 29

5/30/2022

VICTORIA, B.C. – With summer around the corner, what better way to enjoy the sunshine with friends and family than on the patio of a Greater Victoria restaurant, pub or bar? How about enjoying your meal for free when the Picnics and Patios campaign returns June 7!

BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, Destination Greater Victoria, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Victoria Business Association, City of Victoria, Used.ca and Sysco are collaborating to bring back Picnics and Patios. For the month of June from Tuesday to Thursday, representatives from these participating community organizations and regional personalities will visit restaurants, pubs and bars across Greater Victoria, surprising lucky patrons by paying for their meal. The whole region is invited to get involved and celebrate local cuisine with social media posts leading to great weekly prizes. The inaugural campaign was held in 2021 and it was an amazing success.

These restaurant partner organizations are asking locals and visitors to show support for Greater Victoria’s hospitality industry as we enjoy delicious food and drinks across the region. These businesses are pillars in our community, and are run by friends, families, and neighbours. Next time you are looking for a tasty way to support local businesses, consider one of the many incredible restaurants in Greater Victoria.

Quotes
“Following two years of reduced visitation from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, Greater Victoria’s visitor economy is experiencing a strong recovery in 2022. We need to maintain this momentum, and the Picnics and Patios Campaign is a great way to feature Destination Greater Victoria’s restaurant members – the chefs, servers, and small businesses in our community. Victoria also has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Canada and it is a major draw for visitation to the destination.” Paul Nursey, CEO – Destination Greater Victoria

“Last year’s Picnics and Patios Campaign was a great promotion at a very difficult time for many small businesses in our community. It was such as success that we heard many of these same businesses wanted to bring it back again this year. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is a strong supporter of restaurants, pubs and bars and the jobs they generate in our community. Picnics and Patios is a fun way to showcase these establishments and encourage visitors and residents to support our local entrepreneurs.” Bruce Williams, CEO – The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

“Downtown Victoria is the heart of activity in our region, and it contains many of the best and most popular culinary establishments in Greater Victoria. We want to encourage people to patronize downtown Victoria businesses. Supporting the Picnics and Patios Campaign was an easy decision. It creates a positive experience for people in downtown Victoria and builds on the successful contest we had last year.” Jeff Bray, Executive Director – Downtown Victoria Business Association

“The Greater Victoria culinary scene is known for its service and hospitality. The Picnics and Patios Campaign promotes these attributes. It conveys a welcoming atmosphere to anyone who is interested in one of our restaurants, pubs and bars. The reactions when diners realize their meal will be covered is priceless as well. It is gratifying to make customers happy at any time, but the Picnics and Patios Contest does this in a very special way.” Ian Tostenson, President & CEO – BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association

For more information, please check out the Picnics and Patios website here:
https://www.victoriachamber.ca/picnics-and-patios.html

“The Picnics and Patios Campaign was a hit in 2021. It was fun to accompany program sponsors to local patios in downtown Victoria and see the delight on people’s faces as they were surprised and treated to a meal on the spot. Picnics and Patios will create a great buzz again this summer and will continue to celebrate and support our amazing and hard-working restauranteurs as they continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.” Mayor Lisa Helps – City of Victoria

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community for all through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: BC Ferries, Big Wheel Burger, CHEK News, CIBC, Knappett Projects, Mike Geric Construction, MNP, PARC Retirement Living, RBC, Scotiabank, Seaspan, Spinnakers, TELUS Business, and the University of Victoria. Find out more at: https://www.victoriachamber.ca/

Destination Greater Victoria (Greater Victoria Visitors and Convention Bureau) is our region’s official, not-for-profit destination marketing organization working in partnership with nearly 1,000 businesses and municipalities in Greater Victoria.

MEDIA CONTACT: Matthew Holme
Manager of Corporate Communications and Destination Management, Destination Greater Victoria
Cell: 778-871-2545
matthew.holme@tourismvictoria.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Jim Zeeben
Communications and Project Manager, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Call: 250-360-3471
communications@victoriachamber.ca

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Chamber announces 2022 Greater Victoria Business Awards winners

5/7/2022

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VICTORIA, BC – The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Greater Victoria Business Awards.

The winners, listed below, distinguished themselves across 14 Business Award categories, including outstanding customer service, sustainable business practices, young entrepreneurship and business leadership.

“It was an inspiring evening with more than 300 members of our business community sharing stories of success,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “The winners and the finalists have gone above and beyond and everyone in Greater Victoria will benefit from the work done to show the path forward as our region’s economic recovery continues.”

The Chamber’s 2022 Greater Victoria Business Awards shine a light on hard-working businesses, businesspeople and community leaders. Finalists were chosen by an independent panel of prominent business leaders who served as judges.

The Chamber previously announced that Josh Handysides, CAO of Malahat Nation, will receive the Chamber’s Award of Distinction, while Mary Lou Newbold, CEO of Mayfair Optometric Clinic, is The Chamber’s 2022 Member of the Year.

The Award of Distinction is in recognition of the positive influence the honouree has had on the economy, business, and the overall community, signifying the achievement, resourcefulness and determination they have shown. The Chamber Member of the Year award recognizes an engaged, passionate, and committed individual who has taken an active role with the Chamber Board or a committee, fosters relationships with the community and advocates on behalf of business.

The Chamber's 2022 Business Awards were presented at a gala evening on Saturday, May 7 at the Fairmont Empress. An awards show is also being broadcast on CHEK TV at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.

About Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community for all through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Big Wheel Burger, BC Ferries, CHEK News, CIBC, Knappett Projects, Mike Geric Construction, MNP, PARC Retirement Living, RBC, Scotiabank, Seaspan Victoria Shipyards, Spinnakers, TELUS Business, and the University of Victoria. Find out more at victoriachamber.ca.

Media Contact:
Jim Zeeben, Communications and Project Manager
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
250 360-3471 | communications@victoriachamber.ca

2022 Greater Victoria Business Awards Finalists and Winners

Business of the Year (1-10 Employees)