Business Skills Training

Join us in any or all of these FREE events! We have FOUR 2 hour Workshops planned between January 30th and March 5th as well as FOUR 1 hour Lunch 'N Learns starting January 31st running through February 28th. Take a peek and call us or email us to register for any/all of these sessions. Remember: There is no charge to attend and for the Lunch 'n Learn's we also include: LUNCH! All events held at the Chamber of Commerce (Visitor Center) Board Room. Workshops held on either Wednesday or Thursday evenings run from 6:30pm through to 8:30pm (or later) and Lunch 'n Learns occur on Fridays @12:00nn through to 1:00pm. Contact us at: jennifer@albernichamber.ca or via phone at 250.724.6535. Remember you MUST pre-register for all events: Here is our upcoming schedule!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30TH - WORKSHOP. 6:30pm - 8:30pm. This workshop will feature local Mortgage Broker Ms. Rabinder Dhillon. Rabinder offers these courses at ADSS and other places to great reviews. She knows her stuff! This will be a very worthwhile evening for you to consider. 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31ST - LUNCH 'N LEARN: 12:00nn to 1:00pm. This one hour session will feature Ms. Christine Miller - Sales Representative and Mr. Randy Beres - Director of Sales for Prices' Alarms. Mr. Beres is a former graduate of ADSS (1980) and is thrilled to be visiting us for this session. Security must be considered in any/all business ventures. Both Christine and Randy will offer you ideas on what best to plan for with your current or future business. 

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH - WORKSHOP: 6:30PM - 8:30PM. This workshop will feature Chamber Director Mr. Michael Moore. Mike is a highly respected online security analyst who understands the inner workings of Internet threats. This should be on everyone's list to attend. 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH - LUNCH 'N LEARN: 12:00nn - 1:00pm. This luncheon will feature Mr. Bill Collette - CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. Bill is doing three of these sessions this winter with this first one surrounding one of the major fears that business owners have today. It's called....NETWORKING. Yup it's more frightening than meeting with your bank manager but should it be? Let's have a great discussion over Lunch which of course is INCLUDED! 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST - LUNCH 'N LEARN: 12:00nn - 1:00pm. Bill Collette is back for this one too. Today he'll lead some discussions on COMMUNICATIONS. How should we communicate? What about email ediquette? Is there any? How to reach out to your customers. Should you? Lots to discuss in this one hour session. Lunch of course is on us! 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH - LUNCH 'N LEARN: 12:00nn - 1:00pm. Bill is back for the third of his sessions and the last Lunch  'n Learns of our winter program. Today's topic is called: BY THE NUMBERS. Do you know your sales from yesterday? What's your prediction for tomorrow? Next year same day? Do you know your hydro costs, annual tax bill, cost of goods, do you understand the full aspect of payroll? Tons to talk about in this session. Lunch is once again on us! 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4TH AND THURSDAY, MARCH 5TH - WORKSHOP(S). 6:30pm to 8:30pm BOTH EVENINGS. This is a TWO SESSION workshop! We're thrilled to welcome Ms. Glenda Beagle to Port Alberni in early March. Ms. Beagle offers high intensity workshops aimed at MARKETING. She specializes in the small bricks/mortar businesses. Glenda is traveling to Vancouver Island from Alberta and is confirmed for these events. She normally charges out at more than $100.00 pp but for you there is N/C! Please remember that this workshop covers TWO EVENINGS. PLEASE SIGN UP KNOWING THAT you will be committing to both evenings. There is a max capacity of 18 for these special events. Here is what one person says about Glenda:

"Glenda is a master of her craft! Don’t walk to hear her speak, RUN! Her insights are spot on. She has shifted her mindset and is reaping the rewards of no longer coming from a place of desperation but one of inspiration! Allow Glenda to share with you what she learned so that you too can take your business beyond your wildest dreams!"

-Tracy S - Shartlesville, PA

To get updates and information subscribe to to our e-newsletter or contact the Chamber at 250-724-6535.

These sessions are made possible by a grant from the Province of British Columbia.


Sessions offered during Fall 2018 and Winter 2019:

Critical Insurance for Business
Speakers: Ramon Solinas of Solinas & Associates & Bob Collette (retired insurance adjuster)

Financial Management
Speaker: Rob Anderson of Anderson & Associates Chartered Accountants

The Mental Work of Business Ownership
Speaker: Gayle Stephen-Player, owner of Gayle's Fashions

Managing Staff Relations
Speaker: Kryssie Thomson of Smile Inside Out Consulting

Funding Opportunities in the Valley
Speaker: Deb Haggard, business owner and former Business Advisor with Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot

Curb Appeal for Your Business
Speakers: Jan and Karen Lavertu, owners of Home Hardware

Designing Great Content for Social Media
Speaker: Suzanne Jolly or North Island College

Look Better: Product Promotional Photography
Speaker: Darran Chaisson of Darran Chaisson Photography

Social Media for Your Business
Speaker: Karinne Magnussen of KM-Creative

Export Navigator: Expanding Your Market
Speaker: Darrell Goertzen of Venture Connect & Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot

CRA for Business: What You Need to Know
Speaker: Catherine May of the Canada Revenue Agency

Corporate Social Responsibility in the Alberni Valley Business Community
Speaker: Genevieve Huneault of Social Root Consulting

The Art of Your Presence
Speaker: Naomi Nicholson of Secluded Wellness Centre

Succession Planning: It's Never Too Early
Speaker: Darrell Goertzen of Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot


Thank you to everyone who attended our previous sessions and to our wonderful speakers that shared their expertise with us. Many thanks to our partners who have helped us with this project: Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, North Island College, and the Young Professionals of the Alberni Valley.