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Dear Readers,
Welcome to our final
Connections
edition of 2015! We have loads of great info within, so please read all the way to the end!
Our
2016 Membership Renewal
is well underway! We remind and encourage you to pay your membership dues before 2016 to be entered into our draw for a $500 donation to your charity of choice. What a wonderful opportunity to give back this season! If you have already paid, Thank You; you have been entered. Please watch for your membership package in the mail containing your updated decals and event vouchers.
Please be advised that the
Kelowna Chamber will be closed fo
r
the holidays
from noon on Thursday, Dec. 24
until 8:30 am Monday, Jan.
4, 2016, when we reopen.
We've found that very few people do business at the Chamber during the holiday season, so it will give us all some time to spend with our families and recharge for an exciting 2016.
Wishing you and yours all the best this season,
The Kelowna Chamber Team
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WEC Mentorship Program
Don't go at it alone with your business woes & 'woo!'s
If you are new to business, you know it's a challenge to stay o
n top of everything and find balance in your life. Women's Enterprise Centre's Mentoring Program is designed to help you build confidence, improve your business knowledge, increase productivity and offer you emotional support. A mentor can help you get on the track to success!
 How does it work? Peer Mentoring Groups offer new ideas and feedback on your current business challenges with a solution-based approach.
The group will meet a total of six times and decides the focus of each discussion based on the interests and needs of its members (e.g. work/life balance, marketing, networking skills, cash flow management).
Eligible mentees are:
*In the first three years of operating their business
*Actively operating a business in BC and generating revenue
*Female and over the age of 19
Read More
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Technology in BC is Thriving
Funding, Strategy and 1st Annual Summit
Last week we were pleased to hear of the Provincial government's announcement of a $100-million venture capital fund for B.C.'s technology sector. This, paired with the BC Jobs Plan, will provide entrepreneurs and start-up tech companies needed access to capital funding, enabling them to become future job-creators and thus strengthening ours and fellow communities in our province.
This fund is the foundational piece to the
strategy that was developed in response to feedback from the tech sector about what was needed to encourage success and growth.
The full strategy will be released at the first #BCTECH Summit (January 18 - 19, 2016 in Vancouver) . The Summit will mark
British Columbia's biggest ever technology business conference, and
bring together entrepreneurs, investors, industry, researchers, students, government and members of the public to build on existing networks and make new connections.
For more info on the summit or to register, go to
bctechsummit.ca. Early Bird Discount ends December 18th.
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Trades Employers Funding Announcement
New Support offered to construction employers
LNG Canada has announced $1 million in private funding to support employers sponsoring apprentices and foundation (pre-apprentice) trades students in programs from Carpentry to Welding.
The LNG Canada Trades Training Fund,
Association, will support
which is a
dministered by the BC Construction
training in all construction trades, although priority may be given to 15 high demand trades in B.C. identified by LNG Canada, ten of which are currently offered at Okanagan College.
Along with tuition, the funding can be applied to student fees, textbooks, software and other required materials, and examination fees. Employers who have committed to hiring a graduate, are seeking to upgrade training for existing employees, or who are sponsoring an apprentice may apply for the funding.
Read More
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Members Good News
Recognizing our Members' outstanding achievements
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Soil Mate took first place in the
ChangeUp 2015 Pitch Competition
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Members
Edgecombe Builders, Bellamy Homes, Troika, Sawchuk Development, Fortune Marketing and Sticks + Stones Design
have been named Finalists for the
2016 Tommie Awards
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Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites recently became the first organization to become
ecobase Certified
-Members
CIBC, Deloitte, KPMG, Raymond James, Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank & Telus for making 2016's List of
Canada's Top 100 Employers
-Jared Franczak of
Vantage West Realty was honoured with the 2015
Top Sales Award by completing 600% more transactions than the industry average
Congrats to all!
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Generous Members Treat KCC Staff
Thanks to Cora & Cactus Club
The Kelowna Chamber staff have been feeling like royalty this past month after some special members have reached out and show us what they're made of!
 Special thanks go out to Cora Breakfast for hosting us for a bountiful and delicious breakfast & Cactus Club - Banks Road for hosting us for an exquisite 5 course dinner.
The reviews couldn't have been better!
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Chamber Luncheon:
A Candid Discussion with our MPs & MLAs
Join us for a 3-course lunch at the Capri where our provincial & federal representatives will share their priorities for 2016.
Friday January 8th
11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Coast Capri Hotel
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AM Business Smarts:
Work Wiser: Emotional Resilience for Improved Performance
A perfect seminar to kick of 2016, Executive Coach Bill Schuilenberg will teach you how to build resiliency to live stronger and work wiser.
Tuesday January 19th
8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Kelowna Chamber
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Business After Hours:
Back - by popular demand!
This is one opportunity you do not want to miss.
$
20 gets you: transportation to & from, afternoon lift ticket, ski or snowboard equipment rentals, a lesson if you wish AND an apres ski networking event at Big White Resort's newest lodge!
Thursday January 21st
11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Big White Ski Resort
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Chamber Luncheon
featuring
Chair, Eagle Spirit Energy
Calvin Helin, named one of Canada's most powerful business people for 2016, will share the benefits of his vision and mission with us.
Wednesday January 20th
11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Coast Capri Hotel
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Chamber Luncheon
featuring
Dr. Martha Piper, President and Vice Chancellor of UBC will grace our stage with her welcoming and collaborative approach on her pursuit to make a lasting difference during UBC's centennial year.
Wednesday January 28th
11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location TBC
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Check out ALL Chamber & Community Event Listings:
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Click on each to learn more
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Syrian Refugee Resettlement to BC
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