Celebrating
40 Years of Welcome: 

Salt Spring Visitor Information Centre Celebration + Chamber Open House 

Thursday, September 10 | 5:00–7:00 pm
At the Salt Spring Visitor Information Centre
Below 121 Lower Ganges Rd - in parking lot across from Thriftys

In March 1986, the Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce opened the doors to a brand-new Visitor Information Centre. Staffed by passionate volunteers, the goal was simple: to welcome visitors, showcase everything Salt Spring had to offer, and support our local businesses.

Forty years later, that mission remains the same.

Join us as we celebrate 40 years of the Salt Spring Island Visitor Information Centre—a place that has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors, connected travellers with local businesses and services, answered countless questions, and served as Salt Spring's friendly first impression for generations of visitors.

Back in 1986, volunteers were described as "very dedicated and reliable," spending their own time learning about the island so they could help visitors discover everything Salt Spring has to offer. They were reminded that they were "selling B.C., not just the island," while providing warm, unbiased hospitality to everyone who walked through the door. Those same values continue to guide the Visitor Information Centre today.

This special evening is a celebration of everyone who has helped make the Visitor Information Centre what it is today. Whether you've volunteered at the VIC, worked as a summer student, served on the Chamber Board, been a Chamber member, partnered with us over the years, or simply sent visiting friends and family to the Visitor Information Centre, we'd love to celebrate with you.

Enjoy light refreshments, a cash bar and stories from the past 40 years, reconnect with familiar faces, and help us recognize the volunteers, students, staff, businesses, sponsors, and community members who have helped welcome the world to Salt Spring.

Celebrating Our Community Partners

The evening will also mark the official announcement of Ganges Village Market as the Official Sponsors of the Salt Spring Island Visitor Information Centre. Their generous support will help ensure this important community resource continues to welcome and assist visitors for years to come.

We'll also be offering a heartfelt public thank you to Mouat's Trading Co. for generously refreshing the Visitor Information Centre with its beautiful new coat of paint, helping our landmark building look its very best as it celebrates this milestone anniversary.

Chamber Open House

The celebration is also a chance to learn more about your Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the Chamber Board will be on hand to answer questions about Chamber membership and its benefits, the Official Salt Spring Island Visitor Guide and Map, Chamber Plan employee benefits and extended health coverage, upcoming initiatives, and ways to get involved in supporting our local business community.

Whether you're an existing member, thinking about joining, or simply curious about what the Chamber does, we'd love to chat.

As another busy summer season comes to a close, it's also the perfect opportunity for local business owners, employees, volunteers, and community partners to connect, catch up, and toast another successful summer together.

Bring Your Country Grocer Receipts!

Support the Visitor Information Centre by bringing along your Country Grocer receipts to the celebration.

We'll have the Visitor Information Centre's Save-a-Tape collection box available throughout the evening. Every receipt helps raise funds that directly support the Visitor Information Centre and the services it provides to both our community and the thousands of visitors we welcome each year.

We will also have light refreshments and a cash bar to help ring in this occaision. 

40 years. Thousands of visitors. Countless stories.

One very important community resource.

Everyone is welcome. The event is free to attend and will take place rain or shine. Donations in support of the Visitor Information Centre will also be gratefully accepted.

Come celebrate four decades of welcoming the world to Salt Spring Island 

— and help us look ahead to the next 40 years.