VIEA Strategic Plan Launched!

VIEA is excited to share our new strategic plan! With six goals and objectives the plan aims to enhance VIEA’s role in fostering a thriving and sustainable economy in the region through collaboration, visibility, and impactful initiatives. Thank you to all our members and community partners that supported the development of VIEA’s Strategic Plan!

Link to Strategic Plan Here

Reflecting on a Year of Progress At the recent AGM Julie Sperber, VIEA President and CEO, provided a report reflecting on her first full year as CEO. The report offered valuable insights into the organization’s accomplishments, ongoing projects, and strategic plans for the future. Following are the highlights from the report…

Initiatives

• ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit – In 2023 the summit featured new and exciting elements, such as action labs, which provided hands-on learning experiences.
• Economic Dashboard – A noteworthy achievement this past year was the transition of the State of the Island Economic Report from a traditional printed format to an innovative digital dashboard. This shift not only modernized the report but also made it more accessible and interactive.
• Island Good – VIEA celebrated Island Good’s 5th anniversary with Island Good Days, an Island Good Market and an Island Good dinner at the Summit.
• Wood Industry – This Committee will be transitioning into a Resource Committee that has spurred positive governance changes for committee formats.
• Foreign Trade Zone – The Committee is working on new goals and direction to gain momentum in 2025.

Community Engagement

One of the major focal points in the past year was community engagement. The organization hosted several mix-and-mingle events, which saw impressive participation with over 130 attendees. These events were instrumental in fostering relationships and building a stronger community network.

Operational Enhancements

To improve operational efficiency, the organization transitioned its financial management to QuickBooks Online and associated tools. Additionally, a move to a new financial institution helped streamline online payment processing, enhancing the overall financial management.

Projects

• In partnership with ICET and with support from MNP, VIEA was part of a regional transportation study. The result of these engagements delivered a What We Heard Report and launched the Community Passenger Transportation Fund.
• VIEA is thrilled to be collaborating with the Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) on a study aimed at enhancing the regional supply chain. These efforts are pivotal in enhancing regional trade capabilities and economic growth.
• In collaboration with the Indigenous Economics Institute, VIEA is engaging in an Indigenous Data Project. This project aims to advance data collection and analysis capabilities, benefiting Indigenous communities and supporting informed decision-making.
• The completion of VIEA’s Strategic Plan. The strategic goals are focused on maximizing the impact and effectiveness of all of our initiatives as well as introducing new ways to integrate community needs and enhance economic resilience.

Looking ahead, VIEA will build on this solid foundation and with the Strategic Plan in place the organization is excited to work towards the organizational goals outlined in the Plan.

September 10 and 11, 2024
Alberni Athletic Hall
3727 Roger Street, Port Alberni, BC

Marking a pivotal moment for sustainable forestry practices and Indigenous stewardship of the land, the Indigenous Forestry Conference (IFC) aims to unite Indigenous leaders, forestry professionals, environmentalists, and policymakers to explore the integration of traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern forestry management practices.

A significant focus will be on closing the economic gap, emphasizing the need for First Nations’ access to capital to participate meaningfully in the forest sector and creating opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Learn More