events, news & updates from your Chamber September 30 | 2019

Spotlight LAST CHANCE! Business Excellence Awards Nominees Luncheon Thurs, Oct 3, 2019 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Coast Capri Deadline: TODAY at 4:00 p.m. Buy Tickets Now TICKETS ON SALE! 32nd Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala Fri, Nov 1, 2019 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Delta Grand Who will be awarded the hardware in one of 13 categories, including the prestigious Business of the Year? Buckle up and get ready for a night of fun, friends and helping recognize excellence in our community! Buy Tickets Now . Kelowna Chamber makes an impact at Canadian Chamber AGM in Saint John Three days, 324 delegates, 76 policies, 35% of total policies from BC. The Kelowna Chamber journeyed across the country to represent policy resolutions developed with our members over the past year. Ten hours of policy sessions later, the Kelowna policies were adopted, along with resolutions from the Vernon Chamber & the Greater Westside Board of Trade. Nikki Csek, President of the Kelowna Chamber, called it “an impressive, intense process; we are thrilled our policies were supported by delegates from across the country.”  READ STORY

Stat of the Week

NEWS

City's decision to add new tax adds to problem of affordability On September 16, Kelowna City Council endorsed a staff recommendation to double the development cost charges on parks in the city effective Jan 1, 2020. We're certainly not against park development, but we have joined the Canadian Homebuilders' Association and the Urban Development Institute in opposing doubling this tax. As outlined at a Sept 17 press conference with Executive Director Dan Rogers, President Nikki Csek and Board Director Ray Wynsouw, we see this tax being passed on to the new home buyer which worsens the affordability crisis facing this community. More info is available on our website . If you would like to add your voice to this issue or any others, be sure to Raise Your Concern .

Having trouble attracting/retaining entry-level workers? The BC Chamber of Commerce is researching this issue and they want to hear from you. If this is an area of concern for you and your business, consider adding your voice. This is how change starts. This survey will only take 5 mins of your time. Take Survey .

Health Care Career Fair set for ORL on October 8 Interested in working in health care in Kelowna? Recruiters and advisors from several organizations including Interior Health, Okanagan College, KCR Community Resources, WorkBC and many more will be there, ready to meet with you. Free to attend but you can register online .

New look for Staples Kelowna including Innovative Studio space This month Staples entered the shared work space game in Kelowna, unveiling their bold and innovative Staples Studio. In choosing their third North American location (the other two are in Greater Toronto), Community Manager Matt Stewart said that Kelowna's dynamism and entrepreneurial identity played a huge part. With meeting spaces, tech tools, a podcast booth and a theatre, Staples is one place you might want to check out if you are looking for office space solutions for your small or home business. Learn more .

City's "Ask an expert' page a great resource for entrepreneurs Want to start a business in Kelowna but don't know where to start? The City of Kelowna's 'Ask an Expert' page on their website connects you with their senior experts or an expert from Valley First to find answers on everything from registering your business to obtaining funding. Check it out if you have or are thinking of starting a business. Learn more .

EVENTS

Full Calendar Register Now: Wed, Oct 2 - Breakfast: BC Chamber & UBCO 2040 Outlook Thurs, Oct 3 - Business Excellence Awards Nominees Luncheon Wed, Oct 16 - Okanagan College Series - All Candidates Electoral Breakfast Forum Thurs, Oct 17 - Commerce ConneX - The Bridge Youth& Family Services Fri, Nov 1 - Business Excellence Awards Gala & Ceremony Wed, Nov 13 - Okanagan College Series - Luncheon: Economic Outlook with Central 1's Chief Economist, Helmut Pastrick, Presented by ISCU Tues, Nov 19 - Commerce ConnEXPO 2019 - Buy, Sell, Show, Connect #CommerceConnex on Oct. 17 helps critical community organization celebrate 50 years Since 1969, not-for-profit The Bridge Youth & Family Services has been on the front lines helping the vulnerable members in our community. Join us on Oct. 17 to help the Bridge celebrate their 50th anniversary. Enjoy appies, bevvies and of course - tons of networking opportunities. Tix at the door or online. REGISTER NOW

Your Tickets to the #KelownaBizEx2019 Gala Await...

MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT

Job seekers get more help with new WorkBC Centre WorkBC (in partnership with WCG Services Inc) held their grand opening for their new centre at the Capri Centre Mall on Sept. 26. The 6,000 square-foot facility has 12 computers for job seekers to use at any time the facility is open, as well as meeting tables, private offices and a large workshop room. WorkBC also offers no-cost job postings, training and candidate matching services. Good luck to WCG Services Inc and WorkBC on this next chapter and thank you for continuing to bring this important service to the community. You can learn more about services offered on their website .

Welcome new members! A warm welcome to the following new members who joined the Chamber this month: Buzz Brite Cleaning Solutions Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) Pacific Apex Structures Slade Contracting Succor, Spark, and Spawn Traductions Danielle Cuillerier Fibrenew Kelowna Hyatt Place Kelowna Kelowna Sunrise Rotary

Plaqued!

Help us celebrate you! Have an important milestone coming up? Maybe you just feel more people should know about you and your business? We want to hear from you! Touch base with us on your story ideas and we could feature you in our next issue of ConneXions, on our blog and/or in our social media channels. Contact: matt@kelownachamber.org .

The next Chamber blog should be about... Social media tips for my business Select How to make my business/office more environmentally friendly Select "Hindsight" advice on early days of business Select Something else (email us your answer!) 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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