August 17 | 2021
CHAMBER UPDATES & EVENTS
A SIGN OF THE TIMES - ANOTHER PANDEMIC ELECTION
As expected, the Prime Minister made the trip on Sunday to visit Governor General Mary Simon and dissolved parliament setting Election Day for Monday September 20.

The Kelowna Chamber is working on holding an all-candidates forum for both central Okanagan ridings (Kelowna-Lake Country and Central Okanagan - Similkameen - Nicola) the week prior to election day. More details to follow.

We'll also have features on each of the candidates on our website to better inform you of their priorities for Canada and specifically for the central Okanagan.

Our partners at the Canadian Chamber have also released a three pillar plan on where the next parliament should place its priorities "What it takes tp grow", to help us recover from the pandemic. Read the plan by clicking the link.
Last Chance to Join us for Today's Business Smarts
9am-10am
Goal Setting & Performance Management
Key Indicators of Success

Join us this morning for Business Smarts with Robert Scott of 2M Performance Management. In this one hour virtual seminar you will learn how to:
  • Set goals that are clear, measurable, and realistic.
  • Establish measures that indicate whether or not you are going to achieve your stated goals.
  • Use a variety of business tools that will enable you to analyze and display the data you gather.
  • Cut waste and focus only on activities that are essential to success.
  • Engage your workforce in a way that drives their loyalty and enthusiasm.
Maximizing Your Investment - Membership 101 (Members only)
Friday, August 27 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Virtual
As a member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce there are many opportunities for you and your business to grow with the Chamber.

Whether you are a new member or have been with us for awhile, you're free to join us on Friday August 27 at 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM for a (virtual) briefing for you and your team on how you can get the most out of your investment in membership with the Kelowna Chamber. 
September Business Smarts Online: Boost Your Business with Happiness
Tuesday, September 21 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Virtual
Join us for this motivational and interactive session and bring every leader on your team. You will learn from Tia Graham, the Founder of Arrive At Happy and be inspired by the science of happiness. You will take away powerful strategies to increase your well-being and professional success.

Each participant will receive a worksheet and the Arrive At Happy Resource Kit.
Okanagan College Speaker Series: How to Invite The World with Rick Antonson
Tuesday, September 28 | 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM | Coast Capri Hotel
Former Tourism Vancouver President & CEO Rick Antonson (now a resident of the Okanagan, and a fan of the valley’s “reds, whites, and greens...”) reflects on his life experiences from the launching of BC’s bid for the 2010 Olympics to expanding a convention facility, and how to “invite the world” to visit your city. Limited seating for this "in-person" event. He’ll be candid about mistakes made and lessons learned.
NEWS & EVENTS IN OUR NETWORK
BREAK into New Global Markets Online with ICE
Tuesday, September 7 & Wednesday, September 8,
Up your export game with this two day workshop focused on helping small business increase your online strategy to gain new international customers. The Kelowna Chamber is working with World Trade Centre Vancouver to present Integrated e-Commerce Essentials (ICE), a workshop that helps businesses discover, learn, and create an integrated online strategy to drive global sales. Full Bursaries are available for Chamber members. Contact the Kelowna Chamber to learn more or register directly.
Women's Enterprise Centre Invites You to TAP into New Markets
Program starts Tuesday, September 21
The Women's Enterprise Centre is pleased to invite you to participate in the Women-Focused Cohort of the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) delivered by World Trade Centre Vancouver. TAP is designed to help small business owners reach their full export potential. World Trade Centre Vancouver has successfully delivered Canada's Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), in B.C. since 2017. For more info you can email danielle@womensenterprise.ca or register online.
The Employer’s Vaccination Dilemma
Interesting piece from Chamber member and employment lawyer Robert Smithson
Many B.C. employers are asking the question, “Can we compel unwilling employees to become fully vaccinated?” With rapidly-rising COVID-19 case counts among the unvaccinated, it’s no wonder employers want to compel their employees to get their two shots. But this is no easy question to answer.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Resource Guide for Small Business Recovery
Thompson | Okanagan Region
The Kelowna Chamber is extremely pleased to release a customized regional Recovery Guide for the Thompson Okanagan. This guide has been in the works for months and has involved both our team at the Kelowna Chamber and business leaders in the central Okanagan.

The Resource Guides were developed using data from the BC Chamber of Commerce Pulse Check Surveys and with information collected in focus groups and from consultations with different sectors and industries from all economic regions of British Columbia. The resources outlined in the Guides address core aspects of pandemic recovery including: Health and Safety, Government programming, sector-specific initiatives, and legal and regulatory requirements.
Have Your Say on BC’s Permanent Paid Sick Leave
British Columbians are invited to provide input into the development of made-in-BC permanent paid sick leave to support workers and protect workplaces. In addition to outreach to key stakeholders and Indigenous partners, a public consultation process is now open and can be accessed through government’s engagement site.
Surge in Participation Fuels Digital Marketing Bootcamp Expansion
The Province is helping small and medium-sized businesses adapt to the post-pandemic economy by giving more people the training they need to succeed. Given its success and high demand, the province is providing an additional $2.5 million to add 3,400 more seats to the bootcamp. This addition means that nearly 6,000 people and businesses will have the digital marketing skills they need to access other markets, connect with consumers, and drive their businesses forward.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS AT GLANCE
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KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org