- Support and Promote Members: We support and promote our members and the broader business community.
- Keep our community connected: Keep our members informed through newsletters, e-blasts, social media, and more.
- Networking Events: Host breakfasts, luncheons and socials to keep our community connected, featuring guest speakers on relevant topics.
- Community & Business Excellence Awards: Celebrate local businesses with annual awards recognizing outstanding contribution (Save the date for Saturday November 8, 2025)
- Ambassador Program: Volunteer retirees help visitors learn about the Alberni Valley at key locations during the summer season
- Advocacy: Engage in areas affecting local employers, ensuring their voices are heard.
- Tourism and Visitor Services: The Chamber manages the community Visitor Information Centre and print marketing for tourism stakeholder members in partnership with the City of Port Alberni, Alberni Clayoquot-Regional District, Destination BC, Alberni Valley Tourism, Black Press Media and 4VI.
- McLean Mill Operations: Manage commercial activities at the McLean Mill National Historic Site, offering events, camping, tours, and more.
WHAT WE DO
Driving Business Success and Community Growth
Member Spotlight
Walk the Coast - Anita Sutherland
Walk the Coast began in 2003, when Chiropractor, Dr. Brent Manson, began researching comfort footwear options that were good for the body. He knew that he could help reduce his patients’ pain by recommending better footwear options. Discovering that there was a gap in local footwear solutions, he and his wife, Stacey, decided to open the store. Sarah Jones, a certified pedorthist, opened her own orthotic clinic from an office within Walk the Coast and became the stores primary shoe and fashion buyer/manager.
Most recently, Brent and Stacey sold Walk the Coast to long time residents, Mike and Anita Sutherland. The vision for the store remains the same almost 20 years later; still focused on quality footwear and casual apparel, supported by exceptional service.
Walk the Coast has become a sought-after shopping destination for locals as well as loyal customers from all over Vancouver Island and beyond. The store carries high quality, high comfort brands such as Blundstone, Birkenstock, Rieker, Clarks, Miz Mooz, Merrell, Keen, Columbia, Darn Tough, Smartwool, HUE and many more.