September 29 | 2020
CHAMBER EVENTS & UPDATES
Help us Celebrate this Year's Top 40 Under 40 Honourees THIS WEEK!
Our inspiring Top 40 Under 40 Honourees are forces to be reckoned with and their contributions to the community deserve to be recognized. 

Join us this Wednesday September 30 from 12:00 Noon as we celebrate alongside our Honourees and pay tribute to their outstanding achievements. Whether you're under 40 or over 40 you are sure to be motivated by these local innovators and humanitarians.
Join us as we Announce the Finalists for the 2020 Business Excellence Awards
The nominations are in for our 2020 Business Excellence Awards, and it's time to start celebrating the very best in Kelowna business.

This year, we'll be kicking off the festivities with a virtual Finalists Announcement on Wednesday October 14 at 12:00 Noon. We encourage you to join us, and invite colleagues and members of our community to help us honour our 2020 nominees, and hear the finalists announced before our Business Excellence Awards celebration in November.
SAVE THE DATE: Three Online Election Forums with Your Local Candidates
As BC's snap election draws closer, the Kelowna Chamber will be gathering local candidates for the upcoming election in three back-to-back-to-back forums on Tuesday October 20, 2020.

The tentative schedule is as follows:
  • Kelowna - West (9:00am)
  • Kelowna - Mission(12:00 Noon)
  • Kelowna - Lake Country (3:00pm)

Please stay tuned for more information, coming soon on our website.
Forging The Way Forward: How Entrepreneurs Are Adapting to the Pandemic
In this unprecedented context, entrepreneurs have once again shown courage, innovation and ability to adapt. This year for BDC Small Business Week, we are taking the time to recognize their resilience, trying to understand what has changed for Canadian businesses and look to build for the future in these uncertain times.

Join us as we welcome Michael Denham, President and CEO of BDC, Wednesday October 21 at 12:00 Noon, as he highlights how this crisis is changing consumer habits and what the entrepreneurs are doing to adapt and position themselves in this new context.
Elevating Your Business Through Inclusivity: Okanagan Speaker Series
Over the past several months, the way that we work has dramatically changed. Employers have been adapting their business models to fit a “new normal” of remote work, shifting consumer demands, and increased flexibility for staff. In many ways, the crisis has shifted our organizations and our concepts of work to align perfectly with the principles of accessibility.

In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, join us Tuesday October 27 at 12:00 Noon as we speak with accessibility experts about removing barriers and how hiring people with disabilities can help your business create new opportunities and adapt to the pressures of COVID-19.
Membership 101: Maximizing Your Membership Investment (members only)
Join us Wednesday October 28 from 9:00am to 10:00am for Membership 101. The event is open to any and all members of the Chamber as a refresher of your membership benefits, and members of your team are also welcome to attend.

Our monthly member meet and greet is online and a great way to learn more about your Chamber membership while connecting with other local businesses.
UPDATES & EVENTS IN OUR NETWORK
One Day Left to Pay Commercial Taxes without Penalty
Commercial property owners (Class 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8) are reminded that the final tax payment date is September 30 to avoid the 10 per cent penalty. Penalty deadlines for residential and commercial property taxes were extended this year to provide property owners with some extra time, given the financial challenges many face due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City recommends paying property taxes through your financial institution. Those who participate in the pre-authorized withdrawal system (PAWS) are responsible for making their final payment, as it is not automatically processed.
Canadian Chamber Future of Transportation Webinar Series: Air Travel
As one of the first industries to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the air transportation sector, including airports, airlines, and others in that ecosystem, will undoubtedly be one of the last to fully recover. Industry leaders are finding new and innovative ways to instill consumer confidence and start returning to pre-pandemic levels. Join the Canadian Chamber Wednesday September 30 at 10:00am to discuss how Canada’s air transport sector can continue to demonstrate leadership in this regard.
Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada 2020 Learning Series
Beginning in September 2020, WEOC will be presenting a series of learning sessions that will bring area experts together with those who work to support women entrepreneurs in Canada. Topics focus on areas of interest include intellectual property, free trade, digital marketing and financial planning. The first session is on Wednesday September 30 at 11:00am.
Westbank First Nation Captures National Economic Development Award
Photo: CCAB Business Recovery Forum livestream / Castanet
Last week, the Westbank First Nation were presented with the Aboriginal Economic Development Corporation Award during the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business' Business Recovery Forum. The award is given out to a recipient that embodies tenacity, vision, and courage to support their community's economic development; increasing the prosperity, wealth creation, rising levels of employment and business development within their entire community. The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the Westbank First Nation on winning this prestigious award!
Featured in Forbes: Local Agency Meticulosity Talks Inbound Video Marketing
Local agency and proud Kelowna Chamber member Meticulosity, features end-to-end digital and inbound marketing services from content development to DevOps.

Late last week, the agency was recognized by Forbes in an interview with CEO, Dave Ward, as they dug into the company's integration of inbound video marketing into client development and internal marketing strategies. Throughout the article, the local agency explores how digital marketing through video allows businesses to pivot, capture the right clients, and do so in a simple way that amplifies the effectiveness of your marketing strategy.
MEET YOUR AMBASSADORS
Get to know the Kelowna Chamber's Board of Directors and Ambassadors in our new newsletter segment. This new bi-weekly update will introduce you to the people behind-the-scenes at the Chamber, and get to know more about them, why they got involved with the Chamber, and what they love about serving our business community.

This week we want to introduce you to Todd Chapman, our wonderful Ambassador, and man behind CMIT Solutions here in Kelowna!
TODD CHAPMAN | CMIT Solutions

What is your position / title and company, and what do you do there?
I am the Owner and CEO Of CMIT Solutions Kelowna – Okanagan. I started this company last year after seeing a gap in the quality and affordability of I.T. services for small to medium-sized businesses in the Okanagan Valley.

How long have you been in the Okanagan? If you aren’t originally from the valley, what led you to call the Okanagan ‘home’? 
I have been living and working here for the past 6 years. My wife and I fell in love with the Okanagan on our first trip in 2000 while visiting family, we both said we would live here one day.

What do you enjoy most about your role with the Kelowna Chamber?
I really enjoy meeting new people, new business owners and supporting the business community. I am in awe of the entrepreneurs in this region, how innovative and interesting their business ideas are, as well as, their drive to be successful.
What are you looking forward to / planning for the future?
I am passionate about how we can use technology to elevate businesses by streamlining process and providing a better overall experience to the customer. One thing that the pandemic has made clear, is that we do not have to be confined to a physical office space to be productive. I foresee in the near future a hybrid workforce, creating a work-life balance between home and office. This can be achieved securely and seamlessly with the right IT partner.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS AT GLANCE



  • Tuesday October 20 - Hold the Date! Virtual Election Forum with local candidates. Stay tuned for specific times and ridings.

  • Wednesday October 21 - Special Small Business Week Event: A Conversation with BDC's President & CEO, Michael Denham. More information to come, stay tuned!


Need to add someone else in your organization to our mailing list? Drop us a line!