Ambassador Program
Guiding Visitors.
Empowering Students.
The Chamber’s Ambassador Program is a cornerstone of our summer operations, connecting visitors and locals alike with all that Pender Island has to offer. Each year, a student joins our team to staff the Visitors Centre and local events such as the Farmers’ Market and Fall Fair—offering friendly guidance, travel suggestions, maps, and information about island businesses and attractions. Our ambassador also helps manage the community events calendar, maintain visitor materials, and create engaging digital and social media content that showcases island life. Looking ahead, we hope to expand this initiative by enlisting volunteers to serve as year-round ambassadors, helping promote our vibrant business community and welcoming everyone who comes to experience Pender Island.
Advocacy
Advocating for you.
Connecting us all.
Advocacy is at the heart of what we do at the Pender Island Chamber of Commerce. We listen to the concerns of local businesses and community service providers, bring those voices to the table, and work to ensure island priorities are heard by decision-makers at every level. Whether it’s transportation, housing, workforce challenges, or infrastructure, we aim to represent the unique needs of Pender Island in a way that fosters a sustainable local economy and vibrant community life. Our advocacy helps protect and strengthen the conditions that allow businesses to thrive—because when our local businesses succeed, our whole island benefits.
Business Directory
We Bring People Together.
Our Business Directory is your go-to resource for connecting with local businesses, services and organizations. Whether you’re a visitor planning your stay, a resident looking for trusted local expertise, or a business or service seeking partnerships and referrals, our directory makes it easy to find what you need. It highlights the incredible range of products, professionals, and services available right here on Pender Island, showcasing the diversity and talent within our business community while creating opportunities for connection, collaboration and local support.
See Business Directory.
Chamber Events
We Grow Together.
The Chamber hosts a variety of events throughout the year designed to connect, inform and support our members. From casual mixers that provide the perfect opportunity to network with fellow business owners, to our Annual General Meeting, where we review accomplishments and set priorities for the year, there’s something for everyone. We also bring in guest speakers on topics that matter to our local economy and business community, offer one-off training sessions based on member interest and help promote relevant sessions offered by others. These events not only build skills and knowledge but also foster a stronger, more connected business community on Pender Island.
Island Events Support
Local strength. Shared success.
The Chamber is proud to support the vibrancy of island life through sponsorships and community engagement. While our budget is modest, we make a meaningful impact by sponsoring local events and lending support to island organizations in other ways. This includes paid advertising, participating in community events, volunteering, forming partnerships, and promoting island events through our online event calendar and the Pender Island Tourism social media channels. Our goal is to help strengthen connections, celebrate local initiatives, and ensure island events thrive for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
Visitor Support
We Welcome the World.
The Chamber supports visitors and promotes regenerative tourism on the island. We operate the Pender Island Visitors Centre in partnership with the SGI Community Resource Centre and the SGI Neighbourhood House, and work with the Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership to promote the region. This work connects closely with our summer Ambassador Program, helping visitors plan their stay and learn about local businesses. We also host the 24/7 information kiosk at the Driftwood Centre, maintain the Welcome to Pender sign, and produce the Pender Island Visitors Guide and local maps, ensuring visitors have the information they need to enjoy all that Pender has to offer.