Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce

Supporting and Growing Local Businesses since 1984

The Gabriola Island Chamber Story

The Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce was established in 1984. The Chamber members are a diverse group of entrepreneurs and family-owned enterprises. Members work together for the common good of our island community by providing services, support, and networking opportunities for business to succeed.

The Chamber is managed by a volunteer Council which is elected by its members. These Councillors sit on a wide variety of committees to ensure that the Gabriola business community is represented in the decisions made for our island. The Chamber also employs two professional contract staff. The work of the Chamber is carried out by staff, volunteer committees, and task forces.

The Gabriola Island Chamber relies on membership dues and fundraising events to support its activities. Destination BC provides operational funding for the Visitor Centre.

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Expanding into Economic Development

In 2016, the Gabriola Chamber began the exploration and creation of a local economic development plan. The grassroots initiative envisioned sustainable economic growth rooted in island values and presented actions towards building local resiliency through collaboration.

With the support of Island Coastal Economic Trust and Community Futures Central Vancouver Island, the Gabriola Economic Readiness Plan was developed through wide community engagement and facilitated sessions with residents, business owners, and local organizations.

In 2017, the Community Economic Development initiative was underway when the Gabriola Chamber saw an opportunity to hold a Service Agreement with the Regional District of Nanaimo for Tourism and Economic Development.

With the Service Agreement in place, the Chamber applied for and was awarded funding from the BC Rural Dividend for implementation of the Economic Readiness Plan.

In March 2018, the Economic Development Advisory Group was formed as the advising body for the Community Economic Development Officer.

The Economic Development Advisory Group is an integral part of the Community Economic Development initiative as they represent the whole of the population. Their input, direction and advisement encourage positive community, environmental and social impacts as well as build a resilient, robust and sustainable local economy. In May of 2018, Julie Sperber was hired as the Community Economic Development Officer.

In the past 3 years the Chamber has:

helped launch 5 new island businesses.
supported over 40 individuals with their businesses through one-on-one services.
assisted in the development of 8 business plans for local enterprise.
hosted 16 events for networking, learning and business development.
distributed over 100 links for business information, funding opportunities, resources and supports.
contributed over $16,000 in funding directly to local entrepreneurs through 3 initiatives in response to COVID-19.
The Chamber has shared resources and supported local businesses in navigating information, challenges, and programs.

Julie Sperber

Executive Director

Julie Sperber is passionate about local economies being vibrant, sustainable and reflecting the unique community values, strengths and challenges that exist in each place.

She has been directly involved in the Gabriola economy as a business owner for over 10 years. Her local entrepreneurial pursuits ranged from studio jeweller to coffee roaster to restauranteur. She is a natural connector and outside the box thinker and has been positively engaged in the community since she arrived in 2007.

Julie’s favourite part of the job is that the work is focused on increasing positive impacts island-wide.

Danna Briscoe

Office Administrator

Danna Briscoe is proud to be a part of the community on Gabriola Island. She has an extensive background in customer service and a marketing education. Her strongest skills are problem-solving and effective communication. She believes in building a sustainable economy, supporting local businesses, environmental justice and eco-conscious practices.

The Chamber Administrator offers support in organizational management, communication, and community development in consultation with the Membership Committee and the Executive Director.

Volunteer Team

With the help of our team of dedicated volunteers and funding from Destination BC, the Gabriola Chamber runs the island’s Visitor Centre in the heart of the village core.

We love our volunteers! If you or someone you know has a love and passion for our beautiful island; likes interacting with and meeting people; and enjoys sharing knowledge about Gabriola, then helping at the Gabriola Visitor Centre is the perfect volunteer position for you.

Contact Julie and let her know!

Meet Brock Poesiat, New Board Director

Brock Poesiat works remotely as a software developer and began volunteering with the Chamber of Commerce as a Board Director in February, 2023.

Meet Catherine Hallam, New Board Director

Board Member

Catherine opened Free Spirit Gallery Shop & Studio in 2021, fulfilling a lifelong dream to create a space where both emerging and established artists could be celebrated. She joined the Chamber of Commerce as a board member in order to represent other local retail businesses on the island. As the Isle of the Arts it is great to be able to encourage visitors and residents to shop local and support local arts.

Paula Brent, she/her

Consultant

Paula works as a Marketing & Communications consultant with a variety of local businesses and organizations, including GIRO, GHCF, the Haven, GICC, and GaLTT. Prior to starting her freelance business, Violet Moon Marketing, she worked in various digital marketing capacities for MEC and the Haven.

She graduated from Western University in Ontario with a BA in Media and Public Interest with a focus on social justice and activism. Her passion for the outdoors brought her to MEC, where she worked for 7 years in different roles across Canada.

Paula enjoys working with the Chamber of Commerce, including Gabriola Tourism, because it allows her to connect with and make connections between local business, organizations, community members, and visitors to the island. Sharing her passion and creativity in this way lights her up!

Paula embodies Love Local on Gabriola by volunteering, buying local, working with local orgs and businesses, and caring for the land, water, plants, animals, and her people neighbours. She believes celebrating and honouring our interconnectedness is what makes Gabriola a great community to live in.