Thursday July 17, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted 12:44 pm | Updated 5 pm]
Business notes by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
John Wilson has officially stepped into his new role as CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, effective July 15, 2025.
Wilson hosted a two-part open house yesterday at the Chamber office on Courtney Street in downtown Victoria, a 3:00 to 4:30 pm session and another after that.
The weather was hot (30°C) and the air conditioning didn’t hold too well for the strong turnout of members and guests in the second-floor suite of offices and reception area.
Wilson’s remarks to the loosely assembled crowd were brief. He modestly said that he is “just a transportation guy” compared to former CEO Bruce Williams who was a former media broadcaster.
It was a casual opportunity for people to mingle. Every contact can be valuable as is the base with business networking.
Wilson’s profile:
However, the business skill set of John Wilson is likely to take the Chamber and its approximately 1,500 members in some new strategic directions.
He runs a large family-owned transportation company and is highly involved in the team sports sector.
Last fall he ran for the MLA seat in Esquimalt-Colwood as a BC Conservative candidate in the October 28, 2024 provincial election.
Esquimalt-Colwood MLA Darlene Rotchford attended yesterday’s event and was formally introduced by Wilson. Jeff Bray, CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, also attended.
Wilson chaired the Victoria Chamber board during the pandemic.
Reinventing the Chamber:
One of Wilson’s biggest challenges might be to streamline and make more effective the running of the Chamber, its staffing and services for members.
When so much information is available online and business services are available from many sources (including advertising and events upon which the Chamber relies for revenues), the Chamber may need to reinvent itself instead of coasting on the old model that all businesses have the same interests, resources and goals.
===== RELATED:
- John Wilson starts July 2025 as Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO (May 22, 2025)
- John Wilson brings business experience & community connection to Esquimalt-Colwood campaign (October 2, 2024)
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