We’re very proud of this new video we produced for Forestry Friendly Communities. The animation explains the concept of carbon sequestration and explores how BC’s sustainably managed forests and wood products can be part of Canada’s climate change solution. Huge thanks to Anthony Chopin for video animation and Lisa Edward for art direction and illustration.

We had great fun working with the team at UBC Faculty of Forestry on the second video series we’ve produced for them. The new series is designed to show students what to expect for the Fall 2020 semester, and to explain how they’ll be inspired by the interactive and engaging education they’ll receive.

You can watch the full video series here or watch our highlight video above.

Do you want to tell your community about the changes you’ve made as a result of COVID-19? Video is a great way to do that. Contact us to learn more.

On May 6, Elettra Managing Partner and co-founder, Gwen Hardy, presented a webinar on How to Communicate During a Pandemic as part of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association’s “Members Helping Members” series.

With COVID-19 dominating the news cycle day in and day out, organizations have questions about how to adjust their communications strategies and whether they should be conducting proactive media relations at this time. 

Gwen tackles these questions and more, including how to better understand your audience during this crisis, how to leverage a potential decrease in the pace of your communications team and how to navigate the gradual reopening. 

Check out the full recording here.

 If you need help with your communications or would like to work through your reopening plans, the Elettra team is here to help. 

Since 2015, Elettra has helped Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) produce their annual report. As the manager and operator of Lynden Pindling International Airport – the largest airport in The Bahamas – NAD plays a key role in the tourism-oriented economy of this island nation. As such, their annual report is widely read by government officials, airport stakeholders, tourism industry partners and other Bahamians, representing an important communications opportunity for NAD.

Each annual report begins with a brainstorming session where a theme is chosen that encapsulates the spirit of the past financial year. The rest of the report – from the copy to the design to the photos used – are all crafted to reinforce that theme. Given the wide readership of the annual report, care is taken to ensure that the content is easy to understand and accessible to all readers – even if they are not in the aviation industry.

An organization’s mission, vision and values aren’t just some nice-sounding words created to fill space in annual reports and employee onboarding manuals, they play a fundamental role in shaping an organization’s strategy and communications. That’s why it’s critical for organizations to ensure that their mission, vision and values accurately reflect their organization even as it grows and evolves.

The John Howard Society of the Lower Mainland of BC (JHSLM) found that after expanding their focus from justice reform to also include services for people living with homelessness, addiction and developmental disabilities, their old mission and vision statements no longer expressed the full breadth of their activities. For that reason, they reached out to Elettra to help them update their mission, vision and values.

To achieve this, Elettra held a number of brainstorming sessions with JHSLM employees from all departments as well as their board of directors to identify the key points that would shape the new mission, vision and values. Their feedback was also sought throughout the entire process in order to ensure that everyone could identify with and be proud of the new mission, vision and values. Given that many of JHSLM’s clients come from marginalized communities, a great deal of care was taken to ensure that the language used recognized clients’ autonomy, resilience and value as people.

At the end of this collaborative process, JHSLM was able to implement its new mission, vision and values and have them be embraced by the entire organization.

“The work Elettra did with us has really had a positive and ongoing impact on us and the way we communicate. We refer to our mission, vision and values much more than ever before and they have become the cornerstones that they always should have been.”

- Mark Miller, CEO of JHSLM

Mission:

We strengthen communities by supporting people experiencing barriers so they can achieve greater independence. 

Vision:

A safe, healthy and inclusive community for all.

Values:

INCLUSIVE

We create an environment where everyone can feel welcome and respected.

ACCOUNTABLE

We are responsive, take responsibility for our actions, and honour our commitments.

PERSON-CENTRED

We adapt our approach to the individual and use empathy and compassion in all of our interactions.

COLLABORATIVE

We engage and work closely with others – both within and outside our organization.

DETERMINED

We are passionate, do not shy away from tough challenges, and respond to setbacks with a renewed drive to succeed. 

Our client ,Tiger Bay, presented their vision for a complete community in South Britannia this past weekend. We invited neighbouring communities to the site for an information session and to introduce the vision for a complete, outdoor-adventure inspired community.

The proposed project will unfold in phases over the course of 25 years, with many benefits for the community and the region. This walkable, close-to-nature community includes residences, a world-class surf park, shops and services, small-scale tourism accommodation, and parks and trails for all to enjoy.

South Britannia will also be home to a full-size surf park, powered by Wavegarden. The world-class, state-of-the-art facility will offer surf training waves for all ages and abilities, welcoming residents and visitors alike. Don’t fret! The surf park will be in the initial phase of the proposed project. 

For the past two years, we’ve had the best time traveling to various BC coastal communities to shoot and produce videos for our client, Forestry Friendly Communities (FFC).

With Forestry Friendly Communities, our mandate is to tell interesting and positive stories (primarily through video) about the forest industry and the benefits it brings to communities. While the videos cover a wide range of themes/topics, including wood remanufacturing, jobs, and education; the most rewarding stories to tell are about forestry families!

We are so grateful to have met three wonderful forestry families based out of Campbell River. Did you know? People who work in forestry are just the best!  

Watch our 2019 forestry family videos below. And check out FFC's website or Facebook page to see more awesome videos about BC’ sustainable forest industry!

It all started in 1977 with one truck. Meet the Thompson family of Ironside Contracting in Campbell River, BC.

Meet Bill & Otto Schulte, a father and son from Campbell River, BC.

Meet Lisa Perrault and Bob Craven, a wonderful couple from Campbell River, BC.

It’s Forestry Proud time again! This year, our Forestry Friendly Communities crew hit the road to throw the Forestry Proud annual event in beautiful Campbell River (seriously, how is it possible that it’s ALWAYS sunny and gorgeous when we’re in CR??).

What is Forestry Proud Day, you ask?

It’s an annual celebration of forestry on Vancouver Island and the South Coast of British Columbia. It was started in 2018 as a way to gather a group together to celebrate pride in forestry. Each year, the event visits a different forestry community and pays homage to the dedicated folks in the sector who work hard to support their families and their communities.  

The event centrepiece is a flag raising with the local Mayor, but we also host a BBQ, and offer fun activities like a photo booth, a prize wheel and quiz, door prize draw, and special displays - this year from Vancouver Island University’s Forestry Program and Sylvan Vale Nursery.

Toques for Tuition is also an important part of the event. It’s a fundraiser we started to help raise money for scholarships for students pursuing forestry education or trades training. Toques are also available for purchase online here, or, if you know a forestry student, they can apply for scholarship here.

Huge thanks the Mayor of Campbell River, Andy Adams, and to his team in the Mayor’s Office.

Hands up to Wei Wai Kum Elder, Sheryl Thompson, for the welcome blessing.

Thanks to our suppliers, 44th Element Films, All in One Party Shop, Island Life Photographics, Four Frames Photoboth, Associated Tire (for the amazing burgers, rather than tires), and Jim at Spirit Square.

Also big shout out to our FFC Ambassador, Mr. Steve Lackey…we could not have done this event without you!

Home page of Sheinin & Company’s new website.

We recently launched a new website for our client, Sheinin & Company, a tax-specialty firm in downtown Vancouver.

We started working with Sheinin & Company back in 2017 and assisted the company through its relaunch and rebrand. Since then, a fresh new website has always been next on the to-do list! 

We’re so pleased with how this website turned out. Not only does it incorporate Sheinin & Company’s brand, but it also encompasses the West Coast / Vancouver feel that they were going for and many key features that can be found in their bright and vibrant office today!

Check out the full website here:  https://sheininco.com/

Elettra regularly organizes tenant appreciation events for our commercial property management clients. These events are a great way for property managers to show gratitude to their tenants. These events foster a sense of community and allow tenants to get to know each other.

If you’re considering hosting an event for your tenants, here’s our primer on how to get started.

Choose a theme

A theme is a great way to tie an event together. We love brainstorming and coming up with fun and creative ideas. Event theme will often correspond with a time of year or holiday. 

Most recently, we organized an event called Winterfest (Canadian style). Tenants were invited to enjoy classic Canadian treats, including Cabane a Sucre (maple sugar rolled on ice), Beaver Tails, and hot chocolate. Oh, and I must not forget the Canadian-themed photo booth and props!  

Photobooth fun at the WinterFest tenant event!

And repeat

It will depend on your budget, but seasonally is optimal. An event is a fun way to launch into or say goodbye to a season.

It sounds expensive

We’ve worked with a wide range of budgets. It’s really up to the client on how big or small they want to go. Tenant appreciation events might seem like a big out-of-pocket expense in the short-term but maintaining good tenant relationships are important in the long-term.

Occasionally bring the event to your tenants

Sometimes it’s nice to surprise tenants in their office. One way to do this is to get a mobile coffee cart and visit each office with freshly baked pastries and hot coffee? Or keep it even simpler and deliver a basket of goodies to each office. Tenants will appreciate even the smallest acts of kindness.

Don’t forget to let everyone know

It’s really important to start promoting your event a couple weeks in advance. With the event theme in mind, create an eye-catching collateral design. Next, develop posters, invitations, and digital graphics for email, TV and elevator screens, touchscreen directories, etc.  Try and communicate your event at every touchpoint possible.

Every Tuesday in March, thousands of Vancouverites await their chance to take on the best hike in downtown Vancouver, the Harbour Centre Urban Grind.  

The Urban Grind is a 633-step stair climbing challenge that takes participants to the top of the Vancouver Lookout. At the top, 'Grinders' are rewarded with a stunning view of Vancouver, DJ entertainment, and a refreshing Steamworks beer. Additionally, every participant received a $5 Food Court voucher to redeem at any of the Food Court vendors downstairs. 

On the last night, participants are invited to pick up a chip-timer and set a personal record or compete for the fastest time. Outstandingly, the fastest male and female completed the circuit in under four and a half minutes and won the grand prize of two tickets for the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, BC. 

Anyone who used the hashtag #urbangrindyvr on social media had a chance to win some weekly prizes.

Check out Harbour Centre’s new Urban Grind Instagram page @urbangrindyvr and watch this year’s event video here: https://www.facebook.com/HarbourCentreMall/videos/833933216960000/

We love working with Harbour Centre and the Vancouver Lookout on this annual event. It’s one you don’t want to miss!

Elettra had the honour of working with Tsleil-Waututh Nation on the Nation’s most recent annual report. The theme of the report was the legacy of Leonard George, late Chief of the Nation and inspiration to countless people locally, nationally, and internationally.

Elettra provided project management, copywriting and design services. Our Art Director, Lisa Edward, conceived of the stunning timeline that graces the cover and inside front leaf. We are very proud of this work!

Today we helped GWL Realty Advisors mark the groundbreaking of 1500 Robson with an industry and media event. Winter outdoor events are always a fun challenge. Many thanks to our tenting (and heater) supplier and to our special guests, pups Hazel and Trink! Here’s the key news:

The 128-unit building will bring much needed rental housing to the West End; Groundbreaking ceremony attended by Mayor Kennedy Stewart

GWL Realty Advisors , joined by Mayor Kennedy Stewart, formally broke ground today on a 21-storey market rental tower at 1500 Robson Street. Located at the corner of Robson and Nicola in the West End, the new building will add 128 purpose-built rental units to a neighbourhood experiencing extremely low rental vacancy rates. GWL Realty Advisors is developing the project on behalf of the project owner, the London Life Insurance Company. 

“We are proud to be increasing the supply and diversity of rental housing in the West End of Vancouver,” says Ralf Dost, President, GWL Realty Advisors. “This new development will provide the neighbourhood with desperately needed rental units – especially those suitable for families – in a professionally managed building with great amenities. This project represents the type of community building we want to undertake in the City of Vancouver and for our investment clients”.

In response to the shortage of family-oriented rental housing, a third of the building will be made up of two- and three-bedroom units suitable for families. 

 The Lower Robson neighbourhood has some of the highest land costs in the city and new developments have tended to take the form of luxury condominiums. However, this new building at 1500 Robson breaks with this trend by being a purpose-built market rental tower from an institutional developer that intends to hold and manage the building on a long-term basis. 

By increasing density in a highly walkable neighbourhood like the West End, this development will help reduce car dependency as residents will be able to live, work, shop and play within the downtown peninsula. 

 “Developments like this one at 1500 Robson are adding much-needed supply to the downtown rental market,” says Mayor Kennedy Stewart. “In order to alleviate the housing shortage in our city, we need more of all types of housing – especially purpose-built rental. By incorporating larger units suitable for families into the design, this new tower at 1500 Robson will also help diversify the housing mix in the Lower Robson neighbourhood”.