Connecting. Advocating. Recognizing. Educating.
The Chilliwack Chamber team has been hard at work over the last few months, and we’re excited to share a snapshot of everything we’ve been up to. Guided by our four core pillars—Connect, Advocate, Recognize, and Educate—we’ve continued to build momentum, strengthen relationships, and support a thriving business community here in Chilliwack.
Here’s what we’ve been working on:
CONNECT
Building relationships and strengthening our business community.
Over the last quarter, we hosted a variety of networking and community-building events, including Chamber Connections at UFV, Hofstede’s Country Barn, and the Fairfield Marriott. These gatherings continue to be an incredible way for members to meet, collaborate, and spark new opportunities.
Our Emerging Leaders Group also brought the energy—hosting a fun and lively night at The Axe House Chilliwack, where new and seasoned professionals connected in a relaxed, adventurous setting.
ADVOCATE
Ensuring your business voice is heard at every level.
Our Policy Team has been busy amplifying member perspectives and strengthening local relationships. This fall, they hosted “Setting the Table for Collaboration and Dialogue,” a powerful gathering that brought together First Nations leaders, City leadership, and community partners. The conversations were inspiring, forward-thinking, and rooted in shared community values.
The team also reviewed the City of Chilliwack’s proposed 2026 budget, providing thoughtful feedback and recommendations on behalf of our membership.
Beyond Chilliwack, our Chamber CEO attended the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM & Conference, where policies from across the country were debated, prioritized, and voted on. These national policies shape the Chamber network’s advocacy for 2026—and we’re proud to bring Chilliwack’s voice forward at the national level.
RECOGNIZE
Honouring the people and businesses that make Chilliwack exceptional.
Our Women’s Leadership Collective celebrated the season by hosting a festive and heartwarming Holiday Gifting Party, recognizing six outstanding women-owned businesses making an impact in our community.
We also officially launched our Judging Panels for the highly anticipated 2026 Business Excellence Awards. Preparations are underway, and we can’t wait to celebrate Chilliwack’s business leaders in the year ahead.
EDUCATE
Providing tools, training, and learning opportunities to support your success.
This quarter, the Women’s Leadership Collective hosted a series of Financial Literacy Workshops, helping women in business build confidence and capability in key financial skills.
The Chamber continued to coordinate First Aid certification courses for our members—making it as easy as possible to stay current with WorkSafeBC requirements.
Our Peer Mentoring Group, led by a Chamber member, brought together eight women-owned businesses looking to connect, grow, and learn from one another. The pilot was a tremendous success, and we’re excited to announce two additional peer mentoring groups launching in January, each led by established local women in business.
Through our Professional Possibilities initiative, staff attended three school meetings to explore ways to connect businesses with students in 2026—helping build stronger connections between employers and Chilliwack’s future workforce.
On September 30th, we hosted our annual Orange Shirt Day recognition event, featuring speaker Linda Kay, who shared powerful insights into the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
We partnered with the BC Chamber and WorkBC to run an AI Training Program, through which over 20 members accessed a $5,000 training grant. (If you’re still interested in joining the program, please contact Jo for details.)
We delivered multiple Small Business Week workshops, offering practical support and fresh learning opportunities for owners and entrepreneurs.
And finally, we continued to champion The Chilliwack Farm Story, an important local initiative focused on educating our community about agriculture and farming right here at home—highlighting the essential role agriculture plays in shaping our economy, identity, and future.
STAY CONNECTED
So much has been happening—and even more is ahead as we move into 2026!
Stay connected by following us on our social channels and keeping an eye on upcoming events, workshops, and member opportunities. Your Chamber is here to support you, advocate for you, and celebrate your success.
Thank you for being part of the Chilliwack Chamber community.
Together, we continue to build a vibrant, resilient, and innovative local economy.