The Tofino Business Association is a major contributor to the betterment of our community

through its philanthropy and hands-on support of worthwhile initiatives and causes.

From its inception the TBA and its member companies have felt a responsibility to return something tangible, something meaningful to the community in which they operate.

In 2004 and 2005 the TBA was more than pleased to donate to many worthy causes, including the Tofino General Hospital Fund and the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre Association and the Tofino Mudflats Committee, the Tonquin Foundation and the Pacific Rim Whalefest.

The TBA has an ongoing commitment to provide yearly scholarships to graduates of the Ucluelet Secondary School and TBA members serve on a variety of Boards including the West Coast Forestry Society and the Pacific Rim Tourism Association.

The TBA is working hand-in-hand with the Tofino & Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and the District of Tofino on new signage at the Tofino Visitor's Centre and is working closely with the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce on a similar project at the Pacific Rim Visitors Centre.

In the summer of 2005 the TBA was pleased to assume a behind-the-scenes role, in the support of the Tonquin Foundation and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in the successful organization of Tofino and area's first annual Westcoast Maritime Festival and by means of the sponsorship of the TBA and its member companies, youth and other deserving individuals were afforded an opportunity to sail upon a tallship.

Most recently the TBA and its members were delighted to host marathon swimmer Rob Dyke and his team on the Tofino and area leg of his remarkable swim around Vancouver Island to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Red Cross Programs of Boating and Water Safety.

As the TBA enters its second decade its commitment to community service and enhancement will remain a cornerstone of its mandate.

Business Needs Survey

Working with the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders, the TBA will be involved in a business needs survey, the purpose of which is to identify areas where local businesses feel that more work is needed for us to reach a healthy capacity and sustainable economic development and where local business minded organizations can pool resources and work together.

Such areas may include better training for those in the hospitality industry, training for bookkeeping and accounting staff, better staff accommodations, impartial collection and reporting of business and economic statistics.

Expanded Student Cooperative Education

Working with the Ucluelet Secondary School and other stakeholders, the TBA hopes to better establish a local “for credit” work program for high school students who are interested in careers that local businesses may have to offer.

Support of a Tofino-Oriented Tourism Organization

The TBA will continue to work with the Tofino & Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and the District of Tofino to explore and develop a tourism- focused organization that solely concentrates on the delivery of visitor services in this community and other matters related to the promotion of and management of tourism in this area.

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Tofino's Heritage Trail

It is one of the TBA's future aims and objectives to establish an interpretive heritage walk/trail through the community of Tofino, utilizing historic materials from our area's rich, diverse and vibrant past.

This work began some years ago with the installation at the Meares Island Lookout of a ship's anchor from the 1853 wreck of the British ship Lord Western and an accompanying bronze, interpretive plaque.

More recently, a similarly interpreted anchor from a mid-19 th century sealing vessel was installed by the TBA in Centennial Park .

Since 2003 the TBA has funded the conservation of a late-18 th century anchor, believed to be associated with the “Holy Grail” of British Columbia 's shipwrecks, the Tonquin , with a view to having it put on permanent public display early in 2006.