The Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce is finalizing its preparations for an annual event aimed at reminding area residents and business owners alike all the products and services available here at the lake and across the Cowichan Valley.
The third annual Community Connections: A Business Showcase will be held Oct. 15 at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The event will feature a whole host of local businesses from Country Grocer to That Cat Hotel, and community groups such as the Kaatza Art Group, CICV Radio, and the Lake Cowichan Food Bank — to name just a few.
“The chamber’s hope is actually showcasing and promoting business in our area, that is the main goal,” said Katherine Worsley, coordinator of the Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce. “Our showcase has been put together and it is part of a kickoff for Small Business Week in October.”
Small Business Week is an annual celebration of entrepreneurship created by the Business Development Bank of Canada in 1981. It started two years earlier at DBC business centres in the lower Fraser Valley and was such a hit the bank decided to make it an annual event.
“Each year, more than 10,000 business people come together at hundreds of events across Canada to celebrate entrepreneurship, learn and network with other entrepreneurs,” states a message on BDC’s website. “Great things happen when entrepreneurs get together. Come share ideas, find business opportunities and enjoy yourself.”
The showcase in Lake Cowichan is open to the public and admission is free.
Worsley said many of the businesses and groups participating have attended since the beginning, and their continued presence is a sign they’ve found it a beneficial venue.
There will also be a number of new participants such as Scarlett’s Second Hand Boutique, Laketown Ranch and Island Mini Donuts, which will have its van parked outside.
Small Business Week runs from Oct. 17 to 22, and the chamber’s decision to hold their event just before was deliberate.
“We decided to do it at the beginning of small business week because Duncan has theirs at the end… So we’ve bookended Small Business Week in the Cowichan Valley,” said Worsley.
“I just want to invite everyone to come on out and we’ll see you all on the 15th of October.”