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Message from the President
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Summerland Mayor Peter Waterman recently invited me to join him on a series of business walks. We both agreed that as a follow-up to the larger business walks organized by the Summerland Chamber of Commerce, we would continue the momentum and focus on individual business owners.
Our first stop was Cherry Tree Quilts where owner Barb Gillespie is proving that quality service goes a long way to building a successful business. "You have to make your name and you have to be unique," says Gillespie. She says one of the keys to her success is that Cherry Tree Quilts is a destination business. People travel from around the Okanagan Valley to shop at her store. She also has a loyal contingent of local customers.
Gillespie says Summerland has the potential to become "a town that people spend the day in." She points to the Artisans of the Okanagan as a great example. The market brings together designers, artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their best work. It's proving to be a draw for locals and visitors alike.
If you'd like to share your business success story, or any suggestions, please contact Mayor Peter Waterman or myself.
Erick Thompson
President
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Message from the Executive Director
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It looks like summer has finally arrived and we're seeing evidence of it all over Summerland. Downtown, fruit stands, the markets, wineries and attractions are all very busy. Every year, the numbers of visitors in town and at all those locations go up. This is a direct result of the marketing that all of our tourism businesses are doing for themselves and that all of us are doing collectively for Summerland.
The Summerland Visitor Experiences Guide is a popular marketing tool and we are only 5 weeks away from our photo session for the 2017 guide. We will have a photographer in town on Aug 30-31 and will be taking pictures all over the community.
Summerland is first and foremost a welcoming community. Every year people from all over the world move here and become part of the diverse fabric of our town. If this describes you or someone you know, we'd love to have you as a model for the visitor guide. Between the Summerland Visitor Guide and the ads we purchase in other publications, these photos may be reproduced close to 200,000 times in 2017. You'll be a celebrity! Interested? Please give us a call.
Enjoy a beautiful August.
Christine Petkau
Executive Director
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Summerland Chamber of Commerce bursary awarded to Ella Weir
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On behalf of the the Summerland Chamber of Commerce, Director Marion Christian was delighted to award the Chamber bursary to Ella Weir at the Summerland Secondary School graduation ceremony held on Friday, June 30.
Ella's commitment to the community is evident through her volunteer work coaching youth soccer and helping at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens plant sales. Ella is enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce program at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. The Chamber bursary is awarded to a student who is going into post-secondary education in the field of business.
The Chamber is proud to be a part of a community that provides over $86,000 in awards and scholarships each year.
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Chamber hosts Economic Development workshop
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Last week, the Chamber hosted
'Economic Development Building Blocks', a workshop presented by the department that deals with regional and rural economic development within the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training.
Our community members, including Summerland businesses, local organizations, regional partners, the District of Summerland, Mayor and Council, discussed the area's Economic Development needs in a full day workshop.
Topics discussed included economic development best practices, business retention and expansion, and Summerland's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and how to build on these.
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TOTA and AtBC announce addition of a Regional Aboriginal Tourism Specialist
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Greg Hopf will be responsible for developing a cultural tourism strategy in alignment with TOTA's Embracing Our Potential and AtBC's The Next Phase plans. Embracing a rich history filled with traditional stories and beliefs, the endeavour is to develop economic opportunities and progress Aboriginal tourism business within the region.
Greg is from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and has extensive experience implementing both sport and cultural programs at a community level.
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Reading Room & more
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Applications open for B.C. Agrifood & Seafood Market Development Preparedness Program -
The program is designed to enhance the capacity of B.C.'s agrifood and seafood industry through
up to $400k in federal and provincial Growing Forward 2 funding. Applications accepted until March 31, 2017. Details
here.
Help Shape the Future of the BC Tech Labour Market
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Okanagan tech companies have an opportunity to shape the future of the BC tech labour market by providing input in a survey. For more information click here.
Doing Business with the Federal Government for Micro-enterprises
-On August 16, from 10-11 am, this free webinar will focus on how micro-enterprises can sell to the Government of Canada. Register
here
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First Data launches "Meet or Beat' promotion
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 For new sign-ups with
First Data, businesses will earn a $1,000 MasterCard gift card if First Data cannot meet or beat your current processing fees.
Offer available until December 31, 2016. Details available
here or contact a First Data Business Consultant at 1-888-265-4117.
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New members
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A warm welcome to our newest members.
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