May 26 | 2020
UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEK
Join us tomorrow, Wednesday May 26 @ 9:30 - 10:30 am as we uncover three primary areas where you may be rethinking your future operations; these could impact forecasting, staffing, IT investments, and risk management. We want to explore the possibilities, potential barriers and alternative solutions. We will then open it up to Q & A to any questions you may have.

Topics will include:
  • Business Modelling and the New Reality
  • Digital Solutions and Collaborating from Home
  • Business Continuity Plan – A Case Study

Guest Speakers:
  • Kristine Simpson, Partner, Not-for-Profit Leader, BDO
  • Ryan Berkholtz, Business Development Executive, Consulting for Not-for-Profit Organizations, BDO
  • John Asher, Senior Manager, West Region Lead Risk Advisory Services, BDO

No charge to participate but registration is required.
This Friday May 29 @ 9:00 - 10:00 am
New to the Chamber? Or maybe you are looking for a refresher on the details of your membership and what being part of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce can do for you. Join us for our monthly new member meet and greet, now online!

Membership 101 - Register Here
UPDATES
The Kelowna Chamber was busy over the weekend bringing more policy resolutions to the BC Chamber virtual AGM than many of its peers across the province.

A leader in developing policies relevant to its members, the Kelowna Chamber saw all nine of its policies receive support from the BC Chamber network.

The full news release is available below.
City Presents Proposal to Extend Patio Program Along Bernard Avenue
Yesterday, a proposal was presented to City Council for a Sidewalk Patio Permit Extension program that will turn Bernard Avenue into a pedestrian only zone from June 29 to Labour Day Monday in September. This move will allow businesses to expand onto city sidewalks, creating opportunity for businesses to grow their capacity and assist with distancing requirements.

Read the full story below (via AM 1150).
RELIEF & REOPENING RESOURCES
Now Available: The Business Resilience Service Hotline
The Canadian Business Resilience Network, in collaboration with the Government of Canada, has launched The Business Resilience Service (BRS) . This four-week hotline provides small- to medium-sized businesses, not-for-profits and charities the opportunity to connect with experienced business advisors from across Canada for guidance on which government relief programs will be most appropriate to support them and their recovery.
Applications Open: Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
Applications are now open for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses. The CECRA provides relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It offers unsecured, forgivable loans to eligible commercial property owners to reduce the rent owed by their impacted small business tenants, or meet operating expenses on commercial properties.
Now Available: A National Toolkit for Business Reopening
As you begin to think about re-opening your business and consider the operations and logistics of how best to approach opening safely, there are numerous challenges to consider and plan for.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Canadian Business Resilience Network (CBRN) has prepared a toolkit to provide guidance, or resources to access guidance, for anyone responsible for re-establishing operations.
TOP FORTY UNDER 40 - THIS WEEK'S HONOUREES
NAVJOT TAHKAR - Evergreen Building Maintenance Inc.

At a young age, Navjot Tahkar set out to inspire other youth to have confidence. Working as the Accounts Manager at the family business, Evergreen Building Maintenance Inc, she is grateful to be a part of a company that contributes to the community and local charities. A previous Miss Kelowna Lady of the Lake, and British Columbia Ambassador, she has been able to inspire youth to pursue post-secondary education and set their goals to plans.

She began volunteering at the age of 15 at Kelowna General Hospital and since has given back as a math tutor, field hockey coach, and science kids camp leader, and orientation leader at UBCO.
SARAH DOW-FLEISNER - School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Okanagan

Sarah Dow-Fleisner began her research career in 2007 at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Addiction Medicine, and later completed her graduate degree at Tufts University. Her experiences with adolescents in outpatient addiction treatment and at-risk young mothers led Sarah to pursue her doctoral degree.

In her current role as Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at UBCO, she is working on a number of projects, which includes providing mentorship to multiple undergraduate and graduate students. As a leader in the classroom, Sarah's goal is to provide a foundation from which students can take ownership of their learning and strive to become autonomous, life-long learners.
SHARE A STORY OF RESILIENCE
We want to hear your stories!
As a part of our #OK We Got This initiative, we are sharing good-news stories of businesses persevering and making a difference in this difficult time. If you know of a business making a difference we want to share that story across the valley.

Are you reopening and want to share the good news? Be sure to post your story to our Facebook page to share the announcement.
UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST
Webinar: Strategies for Business to Persevere & Recover with CWB
Today, May 26 @ 10:00am join the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Western Bank as they discuss tips and tricks on supporting your business and employees as we navigate this crisis together. This webinar is in partnership with Canadian Business Resiliency Network.
Webinar: EDC Presents Managing Your Cash Flow & Ramp Up for Business
Join the EDC live, this Thursday, May 28 @ 10:00am for a discussion on effective cash-flow management during a crisis. Cash-flow management is a key business success factor at any time, especially now. The webinar will show you the cash-flow strategies that will help your company weather the pandemic, as well as get ready for recovery and growth in the post-COVID-19 economy. 
UPCOMING EVENTS AT GLANCE

  • Tomorrow, Wed. May 27 - Business Smarts Online - BDO: Essential Considerations for Adapting to the New Normal @ 9:30am

  • Fri. May 29 - Maximizing your Membership Investment (members only) - @ 9:30am

  • Tues. June 16 - Okanagan School of Business Speaker Series - Rebuilding Tourism in BC @ 11:00am


AND SAVE THE DATE FOR:

  • Thurs. Sept. 17 - Chamber Annual Golf Classic @ The Harvest
Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Drop us a line!
KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org