Events, news & updates from your Chamber November 25 | 2019

Spotlight TICKETS ON SALE! 2019-2020 Updates & Insights from Your MLAs Provincial matters: Let's talk! Western alienation! Affordable housing crisis! Challenges with provincial tax hikes! Pending pipelines and legal battles! Regional transportation infrastructure! Join us on Wednesday, December 11 th at the Coast to find out what's happening in Victoria. It’s our annual MLA Update with our three members of the legislative assembly.  Get tickets now . Save at the pump with ESSO DYK that your Chamber membership gives you access to an exclusive ESSO fuel-savings program? With savings of 3.5 cents/litre for your employees and even more savings for fleets, what are you waiting for? Email for more info. For more on all our Member exclusive benefits, head over to our website . Your Quarterback Employee Needs an Offensive Line We hope everyone had a great time at their Grey Cup parties this past weekend. But watching the game got us thinking... In this week's blog, we talk about your quarterback employee- or in other words- the person(s) driving the plays at your business or organization. What kinds of support do they need to be successful and "drive the ball down the field"? What kinds of barriers do they come up against that prevent them from making the play or scoring the touchdown? Make sure to read the full story in our blog entry (and let us know your feedback). READ BLOG

Stat of the Week - Courtesy of Helmut Pastrick

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NEWS

KGH Foundation officially turns on the lights at JoeAnna's House Last Thursday night- after two years of tireless fundraising, an ambitious construction schedule and a lot of hard work by so many at the KGH Foundation and in the community- the lights at JoeAnna's House were officially turned on. JoeAnna's House provides a important service that was sorely lacking in the community. Families who travel here for critical medical services will now have a comfortable place to stay while their family member is receiving the treatment they need. Congrats to all the folks that made this one possible! Learn more about JoeAnna's House .

Big White edges out the competition to take top award Locals know how awesome Big White is, but the ski resort located just east of Kelowna is picking up some national attention as well. Big White has officially has been named the winner of the prestigious 2019 Pursuit Attraction and Adventure Award, given by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. Congrats on a well-deserved win to the team at Big White! Read more (via OkanaganEdge) .

Policy Forum critical first step in advocacy process On the morning of November 15, members of the local business community joined Chamber board and staff members for a policy brainstorming session at the Coast Capri. The annual Chamber Policy Development Forum is a chance for multiple voices from the community to contribute their thoughts, concerns and ideas to what will eventually become the policies we bring forth to the BC and Canadian Chamber AGMs. Thanks again to all who attended and offered their insights into the challenges and opportunities local businesses face. To learn more about the policies we are currently advocating for, check out our website .

Renee Merrifield again one of Canada's 110 most powerful woman For the 3rd straight year, Troika CEO Renee Merrifield has been named one of Canada's 100 most powerful women by the Women's Executive Network. When asked about how she felt about being named again, Merrifield said she felt “humbled.” “The first time was surreal, winning took me by surprise,” she said. “Now, I am so proud to bring increased attention to our Okanagan Valley; to know that I am making a difference in our community, province and country; and to believe that I have not only ideas as an entrepreneur, but also strength and tenacity.” The Top 100 Awards span the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with the initial candidates selected by WXN’s Diversity Council. Read the full story (via Kelowna Cap News) .

EVENTS

Full Calendar Register Now: Fri, Nov 29 - Chamber Membership 101 Thurs, Dec 5 - Commerce ConneX - Country Christmas Celebration @ The Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel Wed, Dec 11 - Okanagan College Series - Luncheon: 2019-2020 Updates and Insights from Your MLAs Commerce ConneX - Country Christmas! Thursday, December 5 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The Best Western Plus Kelowna Yee-Hawwww! Get your boots and hat ready, it's time for a country-Christmas celebration at the Best Western Kelowna. Prizes for best-dressed, drinks and appies and a chance to make connections. THE Santa & Mrs. Claus will also be there so get ready to take photos. Buy Tickets Now . REGISTER NOW

MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT

Q&A with Matt Stewart, Community Builder, Staples Studio When stationary and office supply giant Staples decided to innovate by entering the shared workspace game in Canada, they opened two locations in the Greater Toronto Area. Based on that success, they conducted an exhaustive search for their third expansion, ultimately choosing Kelowna and tapping Matt Stewart to lead their community building. Now just a few months later, Matt and Staples Studios are off to the races, holding numerous workshops, guest speakers and more. We caught up with Matt to learn a little more. Why was Kelowna chosen to host the 3 rd - ever Staples Studio? Kelowna has one of the highest concentrations of entrepreneurs in the country. The wonderful work that Accelerate Okanagan has done over the past several years has been tremendous in promoting the entrepreneurial spirit of this city for the tech industry and this “entrepreneurial mind-set” has crossed over to all industries and age groups. We are seeing new entrepreneurs of all ages here in Staples [STUDIO] in Kelowna which is a testament to the great work being done here in this region.   What is something people might not know about Staples Studio? We are more than just a beautiful space with awesome free community events. Our members have access to some really cool amenities and technology. For example - we have a podcast booth - fully loaded with all the gear and programs you need to record a professional podcast, audiobook or voiceover. Our meeting rooms come with a Samsung Smart Board - which has been a huge hit with companies and Board of Directors doing strategic planning. Our event space called Spotlight can accommodate up to 50 people and the facilitators are loving the fact that they can record and livestream the workshops they host here .  What are you excited about for the future?   I am most excited about the building of community here at Staples [STUDIO]. Our city has done a wonderful job building community with two great examples being the Innovation Centre and the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Now we have a new hub called Staples [STUDIO] which is outside of the downtown core and is providing additional opportunities for new tribes and communities to be built. As Kelowna and the Okanagan continues to grow it is imperative to see community growth outside of the downtown core which is accessible to all. Our free parking certainly helps! Staples Studio is an innovative co-work space location at 430 - 2339 Highway 97 North in Kelowna. Thursday, Dec 5th is VIP Sales Day with 10% off in store purchases and photos with Santa from noon till 5 p.m. For more info, hit the button below or email studio.kelowna@staples.ca. CHECK OUT THE STUDIO

Plaqued!

Laurel Wagner Namaste Day Spa

Chantelle Hofferd and Lloyd Daser Hyatt Place

THANKS MATT! It’s with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to our current communications lead.  We’re awfully sad to see him go but are excited about his new opportunity that will keep him in Kelowna. Matt is leaving us to assume a new position with KF Aerospace (a proud Chamber member of course).  We wish Matt well in his position as Marketing & Communications Advisor and thank him for his great contribution to our communications over the past year as he helped us raise the bar in engaging our members through our various communications channels. Good luck with the new gig Matt!  Going forward if you have a questions about a communications matter just send a note to communications@kelownachamber.org.

2020 - who ya got? Go Lions Select Go Riders Select Go Bombers Select Go Ti-Cats Select Go Stamps Select Go Eskimos Select Go Als Select Go Redblacks Select

Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Drop us a line! Email: communications@kelownachamber.org .

KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org

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