More than 140 businesses registered for industry speed dating events in the Comox Valley and Campbell River last week, with more than 225 people attending throughout the two days.

The Campbell River Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Island Construction Association, Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Island Economic Alliance and the North Island Hospitals Project of the Vancouver Island Health Authority hosted the events Monday and Tuesday. In Campbell River, more than 64 businesses registered while the Comox Valley event attracted more than 75 businesses.

The idea was to provide an opportunity for local businesses to interact with each of the three consortiums bidding on the North Island Hospitals Project to promote their companies and services.

鈥淲e were delighted to hear participants鈥� feedback at the event as to how streamlined and well managed the process has been thus far,鈥� said Dianne Hawkins, president/CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. "We look forward to our continued partnerships over the next few years as the project becomes a reality in our two communities."

"The Industry Speed Dating sessions held this week in Campbell River and Courtenay proved to be an excellent way for our members to connect with the North Island Hospitals Project proponents,鈥� said VICA CEO Greg Baynton. "We were impressed with the high level of engagement from the proponent teams and their genuine interest in discovering the professionalism and experience available on the North Island. We heard nothing but good things from our members."

鈥淭his was an exciting event that showcased the capacity of services, labour and goods available in Campbell River, the Comox Valley and the entire North Island,鈥� said Colleen Evans, president/CEO of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce. 鈥淭hese events provide a unique opportunity for local businesses to demonstrate what they can offer and increase the potential to benefit economically from this project.鈥�

The project will be constructing two new state-of-the-art hospitals with a total cost of $600 million: $334 million for the Comox Valley hospital and $266 million for the Campbell River facility. The Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District will be contributing 40 per cent to the overall project, approximately $240 million.

"As the North Island Hospitals Project progresses, we will continue to provide opportunities for the North Island business community to be engaged,鈥� said Tom Sparrow, NIHP chief project officer. "The Industry Speed Dating Events are a great example of how we are working in partnership to connect the local businesses and companies with this project."

For more information or to register your business on the major projects portal so that the bid proponents can continue to determine local business capacities throughout the procurement process, visit http://cr.majorprojects.ca/.

For information on the hospitals project or upcoming events, visit http://www.viha.ca/about_viha/building_for_health/nihp.htm.