Sidney’s thriving business community is bolstered by four external associations that bring business owners together in a coordinated effort to promote the town as a destination for shopping, professional services, industry, community events, and recreation in a stunning natural setting.
Area Business Networks
The Sidney Business Improvement Area Society is a non-profit, membership organization that markets and promotes Sidney to attract more footsteps and promote economic growth to the town. Members include all businesses in the Sidney BIA District, which falls between the waterfront and the Pat Bay Highway. The Sidney BIA works closely with members, community partners and the Town of Sidney to market Sidney as a vibrant, interesting and friendly destination. In addition, the Sidney BIA supports members by negotiating a number of leveraged marketing opportunities, offering free or low cost professional development workshops and providing networking opportunities throughout the year. Businesses outside the improvement area district can access member benefits through associate memberships.
For more information about the Sidney Business Improvement Area, contact Morgan Shaw, Executive Director, by phone at 250-893-0093 or email morgan@sidneybia.ca.
The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business on the peninsula. As the peninsula’s senior business organization, the Chamber leads by supporting economic development and business interests, and by building strategic relationships between the business community and its stakeholders. The Chamber serves over 300 members, offering a variety of tangible benefits that include cost-savings measures, marketing, tourism and public relations opportunities, and workshops, training and seminars. The Chamber’s affairs are governed by a volunteer board of directors, elected by the membership.
Meeting since 1992, the Sidney Breakfast Club brings together people from the region’s manufacturing, industrial, engineering, and technology sectors. The club meets at 7 am on the second Thursday of every month at the Dakota Cafe, located at 101-1852 Canso Road, adjacent to the Victoria International Airport. Visit the Sidney Breakfast Club’s event page for more information about their breakfast meetings.
The Sidney Event Advisory Group brings a collaborative effort to cultural events that attract more and more visitors to Sidney each year, providing valuable promotional initiatives to local businesses through both social media and conventional news platforms. With 14 existing members, the SEAG seeks to streamline existing events and attract new ones in order to establish Sidney as a cultural hub for both residents and visitors.
Popular events such as the Family Day LEGO Festival, the Sidney Fine Arts Festival and Halloween Treat Street enhance the town’s quality of life and drive significant economic growth. By connecting businesses and community groups, the SEAG enables stakeholders to share resources and take advantage of powerful marketing strategies that put Sidney on the map as an exciting family destination where businesses can thrive.
For more information, contact Morgan Shaw, Executive Director and Event Liaison/Facilitator, by phone at 250-893-0093, or email morgan@sidneybia.ca.
The Sidney Event Advisory Group meets every month to discuss, plan and coordinate upcoming events in Sidney. This busy group is comprised of the following members:
- ArtSea
- BC Aviation Museum
- Mary Winspear Centre
- McTavish Academy of Art
- Panorama Recreation Centre
- Peninsula Celebrations Society
- Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
- Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
- SHOAL Centre (Beacon Community Services)
- Sidney & Peninsula Literary Society
- Sidney Business Improvement Area Society
- Sidney Museum & Archives
- Sidney Sister Cities Association
- Sidney Street Market
- Sidney/North Saanich Vancouver Island Regional Library
- Town of Sidney
- Torque Masters Car Club
The South Island Prosperity Project works with companies that want to grow in, or relocate to, the South Vancouver Island region. Formed in 2016, SIPP’s mission is to facilitate and promote development of a strong, diversified economy on South Vancouver Island, creating a more collaborative region and a vibrant place to work.
For more information, contact SIPP by phone at 1-778-265-8128 or email admin@southislandprosperity.ca.