REGIONAL CHAMBER WEBINAR: Selling Your Business? Increase Value, Explore Options, and Prepare for the Sale
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Wednesday March 10 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Chamber members can learn more about selling your business whether you are planning on doing so soon or may want to consider it in the future. The discussion will include insight into how to increase the value of your business and prepare for a sale. Leading the webinar is Rob Raybould, a business broker and business strategist with Business Finders Canada. Complimentary for Chamber members. For more information and to register email Heather Kalman
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REGIONAL CHAMBER WEBINAR: A Conversation with WorkSafeBC
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Join us for a special information session on Thursday March 11, 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM as we team up with WorkSafeBC to bring you this special OkWeGotThis regional workshop. Complimentary for Chamber members.
We welcome officials with WorkSafeBC Prevention Field Services who will provide information on what WorkSafeBC is currently doing in terms of COVID support, and provide an update on what to expect from WorkSafeBC’s high risk strategies and industry initiatives in 2021. And of course we'll have time for Q&A's.
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Mark the Date: Kelowna Chamber's AGM March 23
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The Kelowna Chamber's Annual General Meeting will be a virtual gathering for the second straight year. The meeting is open to all current members of the Chamberand guests, on Tuesday March 23 at 11:30 AM. A formal invitation to members will follow.
Join us as we review the challenges and highlights following a year of dealing with the pandemic. The AGM will also include a review of the organization's audited financial statements and we'll recognize our dedicated and hard working volunteers. The OC Speaker series with Mayor Basran will follow the AGM.
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A Conversation with Mayor Basran @ Noon on Tues. March 23
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Immediately following the Chamber's AGM at noon on March 23, please join us for our monthly Okanagan School of Business Speaker Series and welcome City of Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. The Mayor will provide an update on the city's current priorities and focus as it works with businesses and citizens to navigate our way through the challenges stemming from the pandemic. We'll also of course have some time set aside for Q&A's with the Mayor.
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Kelowna Chamber Announces New Board for 2021
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Chamber President Jeffrey Robinson announced last week the six new faces joining the Board of Directors for the Chamber for the coming year, following the conclusion of online voting.
The six new faces on the Board are:
- Patrick Bobyn, Pushor Mitchell LLP
- Treena Carson-Piva, Real Property Management
- Dennis Keenan, Rogers for Business
- Stewart Parke, Parke Pacific Projects
- Marina Warrender, KPMG LLP
- Chris Wills, Venture Commercial Realty
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March Business Smarts: Cybersecurity, Information Security, and Resilience
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Please join us for this Business Smarts session Wednesday March 24 from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM to learn concrete ways to make your company more secure and, as a bonus, reduce existing pain points.
The world is a dangerous place -- but we're not talking pandemic, we're talking cybersecurity and the growing risks like phishing that can damage or destroy your business. Did you know, though, that there are a few straightforward (and free or inexpensive) security measures that every professional and business can use to help keep them safe from most of the threats?
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Recover and Grow through Connecting with Skilled Student Talent
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Find out how your organization can benefit by bringing local students on board to support your business needs. The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is excited to be hosting the “Connect to Student Talent: Kelowna” webinar on Tuesday, March 30 at 11:30 AM.
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Expand Your Business Borders with One on One Support from a Export Advisor
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Available to businesses owned by Indigenous Peoples, youth, and women, Export Navigator offers free one-to-one access to an expert advisor who specializes in exporting. Export Navigator is a program that offers free expert guidance to BC businesses on exporting. No matter your size or current exporting status, Export Navigator will connect you with a helpful advisor to explain the export process. For more details contact the Chamber or meet your advisor visit the link below.
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Power Your Brand Through Exclusive Marketing Opportunities in 2021
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With close to 1,000 members, 50+ events annually, and access to one of BC’s fastest growing business communities, partnering with the Kelowna Chamber makes perfect sense. Kelowna Chamber members gain exclusive access to marketing opportunities that include senior-level audiences, benefit from enhanced visibility, get new business and welcome increased brand recognition.
If you’re seeking a unique and affordable way to connect with thousands of individuals and businesses, we offer unique opportunities around our many events, our signature programs, our advocacy initiatives, and various publications.
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On the Blog: How to Address Ransomware, Phishing, & Business Email Compromise
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You’ve almost certainly heard of ransomware, phishing, and business email compromise, and you probably have a general idea of what they are – enough to be worried -- but how well do you understand the risks these threats create and how to protect your organization? Read the blog to learn more, and join us at our Business Smarts on March 24 with author Garland Sharratt to take a deeper dive into these topics.
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BDO's Top 40 Over 40 program celebrates remarkable individuals in our community over the age of 40 as a means to showcase mentors, champions and role models who encourage and foster the future leaders of our community.
Partnering with the media in the valley, the Kelowna Chamber is highlighting new Honourees right through to July 2021. Check out our website to nominate your favorite mentor or business coach.
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TANJA HALSALL | Potentia HR
Tanja Halsall launched Potentia HR with the mission of helping people and organizations reach their potential through progressive people and culture practices. In addition to supporting businesses, Tanja works within the Faculty of Management at UBCO as an Adjunct Professor and previously was a Personal Development Coach and Instructor within the Masters of Management program. Tanja volunteers her time graciously; currently she is a Board Director with Accelerate Okanagan and is a member of their Executive Committee.
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Fiona Famulak Appointed President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce
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Lat week, the BC Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of Fiona Famulak as president and chief executive officer. Famulak brings to the role more than three decades of international experience working in both private and not-for-profit sectors.
We want to congratulate Fiona on her appointment, and look forward to working with her in growing the people who power the Okanagan.
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Congratulations to Jan Johnston on her Retirement from the City of Kelowna
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After 32 years with the City of Kelowna and 19 of those in the Mayor’s office, well-known city employee, Jan Johnston has retired and we at the Chamber wanted to acknowledge her dedication to public service and her valued assistance over multiple decades.... Jan states "that working for Mayors Gray, Shepherd, Basran and all the city councillors over the past 19 years has been an honour and a pleasure." Read more in last week's issue of Straight from DeHart, below.
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LAST COHORT: Position Your Team & Business for Long Term Success
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Don't miss your chance to develop and strategize new approaches to engage your customers. Invest in your team and your future, by signing up for Building Resilience to Thrive Program, offered in partnership with the BC Chamber of Commerce.
Your investment is just $70 and if you are a member of the Kelowna Chamber you receive 50% off. The final cohort begins March 22.
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Join Accelerate Okanagan for the Third Annual OKGN Angel Summit Finale
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Join in on the finale to find out who will take the $145,000 investment! The Finale is the culmination of a 10-week program that seeks to train new angel investors and improve access to capital for growing businesses. On March 18, the remaining six participating companies will make their final pitches to 29 investors, seeking their chance at a $145K investment.
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Women in Entrepreneurship: Support, Innovation and Creativity through Recovery, Reformation and Revitalization
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Innovation Canada knows the past year has been anything but business as usual. That’s why it’s hosting this upcoming webinar where you can join Canadian business ecosystem experts to hear their unique insight into what change has looked like and how innovation and creativity have inspired people to revisit the way they operate to foster resilience.
March 10 at 10:00 AM, join a panel of experts as they share tips and tricks for your business to navigate the government support landscape.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Take 5 Oil Continues to Celebrate Five Years in Kelowna
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Proud Kelowna Chamber member Take 5 Oil Change celebrates their 5th year of ownership in Kelowna by continuing to give back to the community. Through partnerships with other local businesses, they are pleased to offer all their customers these money saving deals, including free haircuts at Sports Clips, and great deals and discounts at these highly recommended restaurants: Chamber member Grizzly Bear Bistro & Bar(located near the Airport); Montana's; and White Spot. To learn more, visit the Take 5 store at 101-1675 Commerce Ave., or connect with owner Len Beaucage HERE.
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COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES
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BC Chamber Welcomes Announced Changes to the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant
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Changes are celebrated as grant becomes more available to qualifying businesses across British Columbia. The BC Chamber of Commerce applauds the B.C. government’s announcement to extend the deadline for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant and decrease the revenue loss threshold that will allow more businesses to access the grant.
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The B.C. government has extended the deadline for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program from March 31, 2021 to August 31, 2021, to ensure businesses have more time to apply for this much-needed funding.
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Previously, to access the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant, a business had to show that it experienced at least a 70 percent revenue loss at some point in March or April 2020. A business is now required to demonstrate only a 30 percent revenue loss in any one month between March 2020 to the point of application.
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Federal Gov't Announces Wage & Rent Subsidy Amounts to Remain Same til June
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Last Wednesday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, announced that the government intends to extend the current rate structures for these subsidies from March 14 to June 5, 2021. Specifically:
- the maximum wage subsidy rate for active employees would remain at 75 per cent;
- the maximum rent subsidy rate would remain at 65 per cent; and
- Lockdown Support would remain at 25 per cent and continue to be provided in addition to the rent subsidy, providing eligible hard hit businesses with rent support of up to 90 per cent.
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COVID-19 Resources for Your Business
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Visit the federal government’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website for information about supporting your employees and your business.
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Consult the Canadian Business Resilience Network, a partnership between our government and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to help your business prepare, persevere and prosper through this crisis.
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Keep #OkWeGotThis top of mind and bookmark Chamber's COVID (www.OKanaganWeGotThis.com)
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Contact your local financial institution. Since we know most small businesses have a relationship with their local financial institution already, we’ve worked with the financial sector to increase their lending capacity to support you in this challenging time. They are an excellent first resource.
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Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Drop us a line!
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KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org
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