Chamber Golf Tournament Postponed Until July 21, Only 10 Spots Remain |
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The Kelowna Chamber day of golf has been postponed until July. Originally scheduled for May 26, the day after the current public health restrictions are due to expire, has prompted the shift of the Parke Pacific Projects Day of Golf to July 21st at the recommendation of the Harvest Golf Club. A special thanks to our fantastic hole sponsors who are queued up and ready to welcome all participants.
Aside from the great team and individual prizes there are also four $10,000 hole in one prizes up for grabs. Only a few spots remain so book your spot now.
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In Case You Missed It: All Past Chamber Webinar Recordings Available On-Demand |
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Did you miss our BC Budget Briefing with Finance Minister Selina Robinson? On our website, you can catch the replay to hear directly from the Finance Minister as to where her Government’s priorities will be in both the short and long term, and what support will be there for local organizations that are facing significant challenges as a result of COVID-19.
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On Our Blog: How You Can Take Advantage of Search Engine Optimization |
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Understanding SEO and how it pertains to your business goals will help you take advantage of search and drive more traffic to your website or page. Large and small companies will benefit from optimizing their online presence. By incorporating some of our easy tips, you can increase your company's ranking, resulting in more traffic and online sales.
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Canadian Survey on Business Conditions Discussion
Tuesday May 4, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
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The Canadian Chamber has produced business insights throughout the pandemic in collaboration with Deloitte Canada. Join this event to explore the insights found during the first quarter of 2021, learn more about the CSBC from Statistics Canada and discuss potential research questions for the future.
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Current Taxi Offers Free Rides for Healthcare Heroes Until May 14th |
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The Kelowna Chamber salutes the community spirit of Chamber member Current Taxi which is bringing back its Health Care Hero program to provide support to those on their commute to and from work. From now until the 14th of this month, Interior (and Island) Health care workers will be able to redeem their complimentary rides to and from their place of work.
Since the inception of the program in Spring of 2020, Current Taxi has proudly provided over 475 rides for health care workers (heroes) on the front lines. For more info click the link below, or to get involved by buying a future ride for a healthcare hero by visiting their website here.
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Kelowna Hotel Motel Association Heart of Hospitality Awards 2020 |
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On Thursday, April 22, the Kelowna Hotel Motel Association held their fourth annual Heart of Hospitality Awards virtually. The awards were started in 2017 as a way to recognize industry professionals who "have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional experiences to Kelowna and area visitors."
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Kelowna Curling Club Transformed into Pickleball Centre |
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In a normal year, the Kelowna Curling Club would see an uptick in trade shows in the spring but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the club to think outside the rink.
The club recently transformed the curling rinks at its location on Recreation Avenue into 10 pickleball courts and four bocce courts. Read More about Chamber member Jock Tyre's new business plan on the link below.
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Local Cannabis Company Valens, Gets into US Market |
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"A Kelowna company has forged a path into the U.S. cannabinoid market. The Valens Company has acquired Florida’s Green Roads and an affiliated company for US$40 million, plus another $20 million in contingent consideration if the business achieves certain financial milestones." Read more on Castanet at the link below. |
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Tourism Kelowna Helps You Taste Your Way Through Kelowna |
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There are lots of patios open for you to try something new and find your new favourite spot, with over 80 restaurants listed on Tourism Kelowna's website it'll be hard to narrow down where to go first. Kelowna is a palate pleaser, to say the least.
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Statistics Canada Seeking 32,000 Census Employees This Spring |
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The census paints a portrait of Canada's population and the places where we live. Information from the census will ensure that your community has the data it needs for planning schools, daycare, housing, hospitals, emergency services, roads, public transportation, and employment skills training.
Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 census employees to count every person in Canada. Job start and end dates vary by position and location, but are between now and July 2021.
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The Chamber is Hiring: Communications & Member Relations Coordinator |
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The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is seeking a highly motivated Communications and Member Relations Coordinator who will bring their strong organizational and interpersonal skills to an energetic team that is focused on continuously creating value for our members and the communities we serve.
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Housing Support for Farm Workers |
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Council will recommend its support to the Agricultural Land Commission for a Temporary Farm Worker Housing Permit to house 60 seasonal farm workers on a property on the corner of Pooley Road and Rose Road. A total of 16 units are proposed and each worker will have their own room. The applicant owns and leases more than 880 acres throughout the Okanagan, where they grow apples, cherries, peaches, nectarines, and grapes.
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Costco Warehouse & Gas Bar Gets Go Ahead |
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Council has OK’d a development permit for a Costco warehouse and gas bar on vacant property located between Baron Road, Leckie Road and Springfield Road. Four access points are proposed for the warehouse, and another three for the gas bar. The gas bar is proposed to include 12 two-sided pumps.
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Patios on Bernard Expanding For Second Year on July 1, 2021 |
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Restaurants on Bernard have the go-ahead to expand their outdoor patios to help with current public health restrictions in a safe and meaningful way until the full ‘Meet me on Bernard’ program can be implemented July 1.
While the Chamber would have liked to have seen an earlier start to this program, we are pleased the City has tried to achieve balance by enabling restaurants to use parking stalls and the sidewalk furnishing area directly in front of participating businesses up until the major street closures. Repurposing public space has been a successful strategy in the short term to help small businesses deal with the current restrictions that prevent dining and gatherings inside until at least the end of this month.
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Kelowna City Council Approves 4% Tax Increase as part of 2021 Financial Plan |
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Council approved the 2021 Financial Plan - Final Budget, including a property tax increase of 4.04 per cent. Despite the economic challenges from the global pandemic, the City’s strong financial management and clear budgeting practices continue to allow the delivery of essential services residents expect while maintaining, expanding and building.
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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.
Check out our website to nominate your favorite mentor or business coach CLICK HERE.
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LISANNE BALLANTYNE | Tourism Kelowna
Lisanne is proud to serve as President and CEO of Tourism Kelowna, the lead destination marketing organization for the Central Okanagan that helps attract two million visitors and two billion dollars in economic impact to the region every year.
Born in Montreal, she graduated university and began her early career in Winnipeg in print and television media before moving to Alberta in 1995 for what would become a 25-year career in successful business and marketing leadership roles in economic development, the provincial government, Indigenous relations, the technology sector, arts and culture sectors and major event production.
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BRENDAN WILLIS | Raymond James Ltd.
Brendan has worked with Raymond James as a financial advisor for the last 15 years, half that time as branch manager in Kelowna. He has grown staff from 21 to 42 , and together, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities through their Christmas in November event.
He’s also volunteered as the President of the Kelowna Curling Club for the last five years and recently transitioned to governor at large for Curl BC. For the last few years his branch partnered with the KGH Foundation for their annual Homebase charity tournament as being presenting sponsor, and volunteering for the event as well. Lastly, as a cyclist he has raised money for local charities through various rides.
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Now is the Time To Apply for Government Grants! |
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The deadlines for Launch Online and the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant are September 30 and August 31, respectively. So buckle up and get granting!
1. Launch Online. This one was created to help BC entrepreneurs move their businesses online. You were likely on your way there anyway (right?!).
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Food & Liquor Serving Premises Get Updated Public Order |
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A updated public order for Food and Liquor Serving Premises was released on April 21, 2021.
Key changes in the order:
- Definition of patio has been clarified.
- Contact tracing section has been added back in.
- Conditions for a tasting room with a liquor manufacturer license having patrons inside for the purpose of tasting have been reformatted slightly.
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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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