WELCOME TO SMALL BUSINESS WEEK IN CANADA
Show local some extra love this week.
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Kelowna Chamber Celebrates Small Business Week |
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October 17-23 is Small Business Week in Canada and the Kelowna Chamber is saluting the resilience of its members and the efforts of all those that drive our economy by owning, managing, or working for a Small Business.
The goal is to provide entrepreneurs (and prospective entrepreneurs) with opportunities to learn, network, share ideas and socialize with their peers. This year, the business community is experiencing a second year of the pandemic. Showing our local small businesses a little extra love and saying thanks are all at the forefront of small business week. The Kelowna Chamber is involved in a number of initiatives this week, many of which are included in this newsletter.
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Small Biz Week: Let's Connect During Business Walks |
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Your Chamber is joining the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) and other community partners to undertake our Annual Business Walks.
A few teams from the Chamber will be out and engaging the business community today (Tuesday Oct. 19). These teams will be identifiable as Business Walk Volunteers and they’ll be following all public health orders while asking businesses about employee retention and recruitment, general business challenges, and future expectations.
The Business Walks will help us get a sense of how our local businesses are doing and shape government initiatives aimed at helping.
In case you don’t get a chance to engage our teams in person we still want to hear from you. A short (less than 6 minutes) survey has been developed by the COEDC and is open at the link below.
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Small Biz Week: Last Chance to Register for Wednesday's Luncheon
B.C.'s Natural Resources Key to Economic Recovery. In-Person Event
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Join us tomorrow as we welcome Tim McMillan, President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, for an insightful discussion on the resource industry’s role in Canada’s economic recovery. Exporting natural gas to markets in China, India, and elsewhere means in there are opportunities for Canadian natural gas to make a better world.
This in-person luncheon will have limited seating - register now to secure your spot. (Proof of full vaccination will be required). Check in by 11:45 am - event starts promptly at noon.
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Small Biz Week: Nominate Your Favourite Biz for a Business Excellence Award
Chamber seeking nominations - Show local some love by nominating them today!
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Small businesses have faced many challenges over the past year and a half and we think they deserve some recognition for showing true grit during these challenging times. Our 34th Annual Business Excellence Awards will celebrate that resiliency but we need your help.
Small Biz Week provides you a great opportunity to take a moment and show how much you appreciate the efforts of your favourite local business by nominating them for one of our sixteen different awards from Young Entrepreneur of the Year to Agriculture Excellence to Marketing Campaign of the Year . Show local some love by clicking on the link below and spend a minute to nominate someone today!
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER ADVERTISEMENT |
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Business Smarts Webinar: Get More Done with Less - Addressing Labour Shortages
Tues. Oct. 26 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Virtual
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It’s a popular saying but does your team really know how to accomplish it? Join us for our October edition of Business Smarts as Aqurus Solutions provides insights to help you learn how your business can streamline and automate business processes to drive growth and success. Automation and technology applications are a key strategies in addressing labour challenges.
Kelowna Chamber member Aqurus will share a number of case studies where small and mid-sized businesses have adapted their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to improve efficiency.
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Quarterly Membership Meeting - Thurs. Oct 28 @ Noon
Guest Speaker: Ingrid Jarrett, President, BC Hotel Association - Virtual Event
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Join us for our next Quarterly Membership Meeting on Oct. 28 as the Board Committee Chairs provide an update of their committees' activities to-date. This initiative is meant to provide another opportunity for members to engage directly with your elected Directors.
Participants will also have a chance to hear from BC Hotel Association President & CEO, Government Relations, Ingrid Jarrett who will take questions from those attending.
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The BC Chamber of Commerce Collective Perspective Survey
BC's largest and most comprehensive business survey
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The Kelowna Chamber is pleased to be supporting the BC Chamber of Commerce in its efforts to gauge the economic environment in BC with the launch of the Annual Collective Perspective survey.
This is BC’s most comprehensive economic snapshot, and it will capture insight from every sector, business size, and region in the province.
The results will:
- Identify evolving trends – and roadblocks
- Inform our advocacy efforts
- Brief government on the business climate in preparation for the 2022 budget
As a bonus, you can submit your contact details at the end of the survey for a chance to win one of three $250 VISA Gift Cards!!
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER ADVERTISEMENT |
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NEWS & UPDATES IN OUR NETWORK |
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2040 Transportation Master Plan: Our Kelowna as We Move
Last chance to provide your feedback on the city’s Transportation network
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As part of the City of Kelowna’s final phase of public and stakeholder engagement they have a survey open to the public and the Chamber encourages our members to take the time to complete the survey. This is critically important so your voice is heard. The final 2040 Transportation Master Plan will be presented to Council for endorsement later this year.
Participate in City questionnaire open for public comments until October 24.
Visit getinvolved.kelowna.ca/tmp by Oct. 24th to learn more about the TMP. By completing the questionnaire, you can enter to win a $100 gift card.
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Enter to Win by Supporting & Shopping Local this Holiday Season! |
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Your customers could win a Christmas decoration/gift package valued at over $1,000 just for shopping local this holiday season. By simply adding your business to the Kelowna ReStore's list of local places to shop this winter, and encouraging your customers to shop local, they can bring in their receipts to the Kelowna ReStore located at 2092 Enterprise Way to enter to win. Contest starts November 1 and runs until November 25.
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The Art of Communicating in Challenging Times
Wed. Oct. 20 | 9:00AM - 10:00AM | Virtual
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In times of frequent change and crisis, clear communication is an essential soft skill for tourism professionals and leaders. With limited staff and resources, every interaction is an opportunity to establish, build, and maintain relationships with guests and team members.
Join the BC Tourism Resiliency Network and John Singleton, Okanagan College Expert Business Mentor, for a free 45 minute webinar on The Art of Communication Through Challenging Times. Learn how to develop communications skills for yourself and your team members, in order to minimize conflict and instead capitalize on interactions to build relationships.
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER ADVERTISEMENT |
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Supporting Employee Mental Health During Difficult Times
Thursday, October 21, 2021 | 1:30PM - 2:30PM | Virtual
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When employees struggle to manage difficult guests or personal situations outside of work, it can negatively impact their mental health in the workplace. As a manager, responding to employee concerns in a crisis can be very challenging. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to support them.
Join the BC Tourism Resiliency Network, go2HR, and the Canadian Mental Health Association for a free 45 minute webinar about how tourism business managers can support employees in difficult times.
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Building Your Network: Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 | 10:00AM - 11:00AM | Virtual
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The number of small to medium-sized enterprises led by women is on the rise. But as of today, only 11% of Canadian SMEs doing business internationally are owned by women.
If you are a woman entrepreneur interested in exploring the potential of new markets, you are likely aware of the obstacles in your path. With the right contacts and advisors, you can overcome many of those challenges, accelerate your global expansion and position yourself for sustainable success.
In EDC’s new webinar, Building Your Network: Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs, you will hear how you can build a strong, reliable network of strategic partners that will support your business as you expand into international markets.
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Getting Down to Business: Canadian Chamber Sends Mandate Letters to Frame the Government's Agenda |
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Recently, the Canadian Chamber released 21 mandate letters — one for each key ministerial portfolio responsible for economic issues. And, they're asking the next Cabinet to look past ideology and work with the business community as a partner to the greater benefit of Canada.
The letters outline specific steps each minister can take to help businesses lead the recovery from COVID-19 and set the stage for sustainable long-term economic growth. With the new Cabinet announcements coming up on October 26, and Parliament recalled for November 22, business and government must come together, and fast, as partners to ensure every Canadian has a brighter future, a certainty they don’t have today.
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Recently our team chatted with proud Chamber member and supporter, Pulp Fiction Coffee House to learn more about their business, and what they're looking forward to in the future.
What is something you wish you knew when you first began?
It takes longer than 3 years to get a business off the ground.
What is something people might not know about ?
That under our 3600 sq. PFCH umbrella there is also an Antique area and a rare book area (Britannia Antiques & Robbie Rare Books).
What are you looking forward to/planning for the future?
Becoming more focused and efficient.
Drop by Pulp Fiction at 1598 Pandosy during Small Business Week and tell them the Chamber sent you. Enjoy the great java, tasty treats, and of course, the good conversation.
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Business 1-800 Line for Help with Vaccine Card Verification System |
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Some events, services and businesses are required to check a person's proof of vaccination for access to their venue or space. The requirements are made by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO). If your business is required to check for PoV but you are facing some challenges, the province has set up a specific help line and additional communication tools to assist you. The call-in number is 1-833-838-2323, and you can find more information at the link provided.
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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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