Kelowna Chamber Hosts BC Government, Thompson-Okanagan Chambers
Reps from Kelowna and 11 other BC Chambers meet with BC gov officials at the Coast Capri on July 23.
On July 23 we hosted senior officials from twelve BC Government ministries, as well as 11 Chambers from the Thompson-Okanagan for a day-long consultation session.  

The format was a departure from  past years when recommendations adopted at the BC Chamber annual conference were forwarded to government with a request for written responses; a process that could take months to complete. These new regional face-to-face discussions are meant to get to the heart of the issue faster...  Read the full story .
 Chamber News
2019 Business Excellence Awards 
Nominations Now Closed
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for the 2019 Business Excellence Awards! We had excellent participation and will now be sending out packages with further information and instructions to all the nominees next week. 

SAVE THE DATE! Make sure to join us at the Nominees Luncheon on Oct. 3 and be the first to find out who will emerge as finalists for the glamorous Business Excellence Awards Gala later in the fall. Learn more.
Creative Sector Economic Impact Study
Kelowna's Creative Sector doubles in size from 2009-2018
A new assessment of Kelowna's creative sector demonstrates major growth since it was last studied in 2010 and an economic impact of approximately $339 million dollars annually. Some highlights:
  • 3,168 full-time employees work in the creative sector, up from 1,279 in 2009
  • 60% of those working in the creative sector are self-employed
  • There are 626 creative sector establishments in 2018, up from 342 in 2009
  • The creative sector saw an income growth of 43% from 2009-2018
The full Kelowna Creative Economic Impact Study is available for review at  kelowna.ca/culture .  You can give your feedback on the study via an  online survey  by August 5 .
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Exclusive Chamber Benefit
How are your payment processing fees?
First Data - our partner in offering member exclusive deals - is guaranteeing the lowest price plan for processing your point-of-sale payments. From now until Aug 31, if you send us your latest merchant services statement and First Data can't beat your current fees, they'll send you a $1,000 Mastercard gift card. To participate or inquire, please email your statement or questions to:  craig@kelownachamber.org.
Law for Non Profits
BC Gov proposes 36 amendments to the Societies Act
The provincial government through the Ministry of Finance has announced amendments to the Societies Act, the act the governs non-profit societies incorporated in British Columbia. A breakdown on the proposed amendments and how it might affect you can be found here.
Member Spotlight
Christine Patton wants you to discover the Power Within
Christine Patton
Christine Patton is a Kelowna-based performance coach, inspirational speaker and author who helps clients discover their best selves through her company Power Within. 

1. What is something you wish you knew when you first began?
I believe that all businesses are designed to help someone. There are endless ways to be unique, special and effective in one's offering. Therefore, I am not a rule follower, and am open to new ways of being and delivering effective solutions to people. History can only teach so much, so I don't spend time wishing I'd done something different. Bring on the new and let's have an adventure!...  Read the full story.
Welcome new members to the Chamber!
A warm welcome to the new members who joined the Kelowna Chamber in July! Make sure to check them out in our official Kelowna Chamber business directory:
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Upcoming Chamber Events
Commerce ConneX @ Gallagher's Canyon 
Thursday, Aug 15 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club
The chefs at Gallagher's Canyon Bar & Grill are ready to tee up some delicious eats for Commerce ConneX on August 15. Golfing is available at a discounted rate earlier in the afternoon, but all are invited to come to the clubhouse for some networking and fun on what's likely to be a beautiful summer day. Hope to see you there! 

Visit our website here for more upcoming events. 
ConneXions moving days

Thank you to everyone who gave us feedback on our newsletter via our recent survey. Based on that feedback, we will now be distributing ConneXions every two weeks on Monday mornings. You can expect the next edition on Monday, August 19. 
Connect with us