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Welcome to our new members
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Message from the President
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Summerland Chamber members travelled to Vernon in early May for the annual Valleywide Business Expo.
The event was held at Predator Ridge Resort and was organized jointly by Chambers in the Okanagan Valley.
More than 400 business leaders from Osoyoos to Vernon took part.
The casual networking event included a business expo component with more than 80 exhibitors ranging from real estate to website design. Valley wineries, breweries and cideries were also showcased.
Summerland was well represented by a number of our members:Bartlett Tree Experts, Morpheus Graphix, Nailed It! Projects, Open Skies Media, Hunter's Hill, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, and Will Enns.
As well as mysefl, also in attendance from Summerland were Chamber Board members Marion Christian, Nick Ibuki, Spencer Brown and Councillor Erin Trainer.
The Valleywide Business Expo offers Chamber members a chance to mix and mingle and gives business owners an opportunity to showcase their products and services to an engaged audience.
Erick Thompson, President
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L: Patrick Murphy of Hunter's Hill R.: An aerial view of the Vallyewide Business Expo at Predator Ridge.
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Message from the Executive Director
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Recently I had the opportunity to talk to one of our Summerland business members about their experiences attending an international trade show with the goal of exporting their locally made products. The words exhilarating and frustrating probably summed it up best.
For BC businesses, export opportunities are tremendous but business owners have identified the confusing export landscape, limited awareness of the existing supports and service gaps as some of the very real challenges to success in the export arena.
To respond, Small Business BC has created a project called The Export Navigator Pilot. In the Okanagan region this service is being delivered by Business Service Advisors based at Community Futures North Okanagan in Vernon. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop about the pilot two weeks ago where one of the Advisors from the Vernon office explained how the program works.
The Export Navigator offers businesses access to community-based export specialists who will provide a personalized, step-by-step approach to exporting at every stage of the export process.
The best part is that businesses can determine where they already are on the export path and get support at the point that makes sense for them. As well, the Business Advisors work with international experts located in the various markets. They know who a small business needs to be connected to at any particular point and can make the appropriate referrals so a business can succeed.
I am looking forward to seeing how this pilot will help our business members who are interested in export. Please contact me to learn more about the program.
Christine Petkau, Executive Director
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Chamber
Events
Business After Business
June 20
Network over appies and wine from Bottleneck Drive as you make business connections.
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This initiative is part of an effort to showcase local tourism products and experiences and demonstrate that
#BCTourismMatters.
The tourism industry is a powerful force in British Columbia: our approximately 19.7-million overnight visitors each year contribute $15.7 billion in revenue annually to the provincial economy. Tourism touches every part of our province and has become a leading business sector. The BC visitor economy comprises nearly 19,000 tourism-related businesses that employ more than 127,500 people.
In the Summerland Visitor Centre we are celebrating with treats and refreshing drinks, as well as a photo booth!
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South Okanagan communities join together to promote area
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Start Here Okanagan is an online guide to jobs, resources, and the communities of the South Okanagan region of British Columbia.
The platform focuses on both attracting new businesses to the area by focusing on lifestyle and the resources available, but also by supporting existing businesses by attracting new skilled labour.
Visit the new website to see how Start Here can help you plan your move to the South Okanagan, your next career development step, or how your business can recruit great talent.
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Sign-up now for one-on-one mentoring
If you’re new in business, you know it’s a challenge to stay on top of everything and find balance in your life. The
Women's Enterprise Centre's mentors are experienced business owners who have been there and can share their hard-earned knowledge and experience.
This
One-to-One mentoring program is designed to help you build confidence, improve your business knowledge, increase productivity and offer you emotional support.
Over 95% of the Mentees whi have joined this program are still in business after 5 years, and 29% have hired new staff since working with their mentor.
Thinking of applying? Find out if you need a
Business Advisor or a Mentor, or see if you are
eligible for a Mentor.
Act quickly as
applications for One-to-One Mentoring are only being accepted until June 2.
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Get your business on the map
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All you have to do is
submit your location and a few other details to promote your business through Google or Google Maps through the Send Feedback link.
It is also helpful if you know that a business no longer exists that you let Google know.
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Training tools for your business
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Learn business skills 5 minutes at a time: Primer is new app from Google that provides a fast, easy way to learn new business and digital marketing skills. You can take our interactive lessons whenever you have 5 minutes free.
Women's Enterprise Centre offers 7 webinars this June: The WEC has six of their most popular webinars – and one new one – to kickstart your summer!
Startup Basics - Business Model Canvas. This extensive session from Accelerate Okanagan will walk you through the nine elements of the business model canvas and get you thinking about all aspects of your business or business idea.
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Okanagan Valley in top 3 of world's best wine regions. USA Today has named the Okanagan Valley the world’s second best wine region to visit bested only by Alentejo in south-central area of Portugal.
Only 3 weeks left to apply for the 2017 #StartupCanAwards! Nominations are now open for the awards celebrating outstanding achievement in Canada’s entrepreneurship and innovation community. Apply or nominate someone before June 16.
Thompson Okanagan Region seeks to join Biosphere Destinations Worldwide:The BIOSPHERE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM seal. sets the criteria for achieving sustainable behavior in the international tourist businesses. Read more.
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Do you know about the Chamber Plan?
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The Chambers Plan is the largest provider of benefits in Canada for small business.
Because the plan allows members to access the large national pool, it offers a flexible, stable and affordable plan.
Brown Benefits is the exclusive representative of The Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan for The South Okanagan and Nicola Valleys. Contact them to
learn more.
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Looking for ways to boost the profile your business in the community?
Contact our Membership Department to discuss your options including:
- enhanced listings
- web ads
- hosting a Business After Business, or
- tips on marketing.
E-mail: membership@summerlandchamber.com.
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Every Tuesday
MLA Dan Ashton's office is open Tuesdays for drop-ins from 9 am - 12 pm at 10122B Main St.
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June 15
Connect 2017 - A Forum for Immigrant Job Seekers & Employers at Okanagan College, Penticton
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Email
us to submit an event to the Calendar.
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Looking to travel for business or work?
Take advantage of your Chamber benefits with Park'N Fly offering free days and discounted fees.
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Summerland Chamber of Commerce | 250-494-2686 | summerlandchamber.com
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