Summerland Chamber Newsletter, April 2018
MEMBER NEWSLETTER
Welcome new members
Message from the President
I am really excited to be named president of the Summerland Chamber of Commerce. Volunteering as a director over the past year has been an amazing learning experience. Presently I am trying to get out and meet with as many members as I can to understand how the Chamber can work in a meaningful direction to enhance our business and tourism development services. If we haven’t already met, please feel free to poke me and introduce yourselves at any one of the many upcoming events around Summerland over the coming year.

I’d like to welcome our new board members Lauren Forsyth (Grasslands Nursery), Jason Goy (Phalanx Construction), Laurie Weir (Barn Owl Gifts) who join our current members Kari Harding (Rock Star District) as Vice President, Spencer Brown (Brown Benefits) as Treasurer, liaisons Linda Van Alphen (School District 67), and Toni Boot (Summerland Council).

Thank you to our outgoing members Erick Thompson as past president (ET2media), Marion Christian (Sumac Ridge Estate Winery), Julian Scholefield (Okanagan Crush Pad), Colin Powell (IGA).

Over the coming weeks we are working to fill the position of Executive Director. We continue to develop plans to further improve the amazing Festival of Lights, which has grown significantly over the years and requires careful, diligent planning to continue improve for the benefit of Summerland businesses.
I look forward to hearing from you, please feel free to contact me at any time by email: president@summerlandchamber.com

Nick Ibuki
President
The Pitch

Five award winning Summerland Secondary Entrepreneur Program Students will pitch their business plans to a panel of de-fanged Dragons.

When: May 22
7:00pm - 8:30pm

Where: Centre Stage Theatre

Cost: Free
Non perishable food items will be accepted.
Wireless Emergency Alert Test Scheduled

The wireless emergency alert system that went live in BC on April 6 is going to be tested on May 9, at 1:55 pm . This is not a subscription service – alerts get sent to all compatible phones that operate on the LTE network. This means that visitors with compatible phones will be receiving the emergency system test on May 9 as well. 
Currently, this system will only be used for tsunamis but on May 9 the test will be conducted across BC. More information can be found here . 


Join the Challenge for Bike to Work Week in Summerland! Happening from May 28 - June 3, try and ride your bike as often as you can, even if it's just a trip downtown to meet friends for a coffee!

Create a team and log your hours - there are some amazing prizes to be won!

This year held on Thursday, May 10 at The Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna, the  Valley Wide Business After Business  is an opportunity for you to mingle with other companies and extend your network in the Valley.

Business After Business: Tuesday, May 15

Join us at Heaven's Gate Estate Winery for a bit of networking, prizes, appies and delicious wine! Hear from our new members and learn what's new in the community.

Where: Heaven's Gate Estate Winery
When: Tuesday, May 15
5:00pm - 7:00pm
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Export Navigator Workshop / Market Expansion Information Session
May 1st @ 2:00pm
Summerland Chamber Boardroom

This session is aimed at the aspiring small or medium-sized business owner looking to expand into the international marketplace. Led by Community Futures North Okanagan, you will recieve information on various export factors such as market research, international product coding, distribution concerns and any agencies you might need to connect with.

The benefits of exporting are multi-tiered, including the diversifying of your customer base, increasing profitability and fostering innovation just to name a few. Join us to learn more! The workshop is free to attend.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) was selected from among a group of leading International Tourism Destinations as this year’s winner of the prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Award during the World Travel and Tourism Council Summit in Argentina. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognize and celebrate inspirational and world changing initiatives in tourism taking place all over the globe.
Vital Signs 2018

The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen is set to launch our 4th Vital Signs report in October of this year. Vital Signs is a community check-up that measures the vitality of our communities and identifies areas that we are doing well in and areas that need improvement.

Vital Signs gives a snapshot of our communities using statistical data and community feedback, compiled in a unique and easy to read report!

An important part of the Vital Signs research is gathering feedback from citizens on how their community is faring on the 11 different issue areas. Please take a few minutes to take the Vital Signs Survey and provide valuable feedback!


As an incentive for taking the survey you will be entered in to win a $100 GC to the store of your choice. We have a goal of 10% of the regions population completing the survey- for every 1000 respondents we will add a $100 GC for a total of 8 X $100 GC!
Office Space for rent - Great Highway Location

Large office – 10 x 13 ft – $450 per month
One office space is available for rent in the Summerland Visitor Centre. It has a large window with lots of natural light and includes the following:

  • Heat, Water, Electric, Internet
  • Separate Entrance
  • Common area for additional shelving
  • Basement storage area
  • Washroom Facilities
  • Coffee Area
  • Parking
  • Convenient access off the highway 
  • Cleaning of shared spaces
  • Use of Board room once a month

  Please call 250-494-2686 if you would like to discuss this opportunity.
Do you know about the Chamber's Plan?

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 . 
Help us provide the information you need. Please send us any suggestions or feedback you have on this newsletter, we would love to hear from you.

membership@summerlandchamber.com
Contact our membership department to discuss your benefits and marketing opportunities including:

- enhanced listings 
- web ads
- member to member e-blast
- and more!  
Summerland Chamber of Commerce | 250-494-2686 | summerlandchamber.com