What Does The Chamber of Commerce Do?
You probably have heard this question asked and you may have wondered about it yourself. It is a legitimate question. A lot of people - including many to whom the Chamber is very important - have no real concept of exactly what the Chamber of Commerce is, who it serves, how it works, or what it is for.
There are, in fact, many misconceptions about the Chamber. For example, there are those who believe the Chamber simply gathers statistics, prints nice brochures, attends grand openings, answers business and tourist inquiries and promotes Bowen Island as a great place in which to live and work, retire, find cultural & recreational activity and generally enjoy the good life.
They are right of course - up to a point. We do all of those things, and proudly so, for they are all important. But, they are not why the Chamber exists. They are fringe benefits, the things we do as a matter of routine because they need to be done and we are particularly good at doing them.
However, the primary functions of the Chamber go far deeper. We stimulate prosperity by promoting tourism, identifying business opportunities, and encouraging new and existing business. An action-oriented organization dedicated to making Bowen a strong and vibrant community in which to live and prosper and a ready resource to assist you with every phase of your business development through the experience of our 100+ members and helpful staff. Through the Community & Visitor Information Centre and this website we are the gateway to valuable information about our community and on all aspects of business such as legal and labour updates, government programs and the community. We are a non-profit business association, composed of individuals, professionals, large and small businesses, and organizations, established in 1978 with a board of 11 volunteers, to promote economic prosperity and community pride in Bowen.
The Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce acts as a catalyst - the vehicle through which all sectors of business can work together for the common good of the total community. A better community means better business, and we are always working for a better community.
Whether you are visiting, living on, moving to, or starting a business on Bowen, this website will assist your search for more information. It will provide you with details on our member businesses and services, a broad community overview and information on how to become a member of the Chamber. If you come to Bowen Island, please stop by the Info Centre for more information and guidance to make your visit a pleasant experience. We'll be happy to see you - and we're just steps away from the ferry landing.
Sincerely,
