LIMITED TIME OFFER: TAP into New Markets with world class advisors & training. |
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Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Let us help you create a customized business and export plan to tap into international markets.
The Kelowna Chamber is excited to be partnering with World Trade Centre Vancouver on a special Okanagan Valley Cohort of TAP (Trade Accelerator Program) making this rare business accelerator program available to companies throughout the region. You are invited to participate in the Okanagan Cohort that begins April 6. Registration closes March 24 so explore the opportunity now.
A limited number of major bursaries valued at close to $4,500 are available to Okanagan based companies (and Chamber members)!
TAP provides companies with access to Canada's top exporting advisors, resources, and contacts, giving you the training and support you need to become successful international exporters. To explore more contact the Chamber now or click the link below to apply.
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Don't Miss the Kelowna Chamber's AGM Next Tuesday March 23 |
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The Annual General Meeting of the Kelowna Chamber will be a virtual gathering and is open to all current members of the Chamber, on Tuesday March 23 at 11:30 AM. Join us as we review 2020, introduce the new Board of Directors, and recognizes our dedicated and hard working volunteers.
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A Conversation with Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran |
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Immediately following the Chamber's AGM, please join us for our monthly Okanagan School of Business Speaker Series and welcome City of Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran at 12:00 Noon March 23. The Mayor will provide an update on the city's current priorities and focus as it works with businesses and citizens to navigate our way through the challenges stemming from the pandemic. We will also of course have some time set aside for Q&A's with the Mayor.
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March Business Smarts: Cybersecurity - Reducing Risk & Pain Points |
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How secure is your data? Risks are high and growing. Cyber threats can damage or destroy your business. Did you know that there are a few straightforward (and free or inexpensive) security measures that every professional and business can take to minimize most threats? Join us for our next Business Smarts session on Wed. March 24 @ 9 AM - 10 AM to learn concrete ways to make your company more secure.
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Talent Forward: Learn How To Access Top Local Student Talent |
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Are you stretched to the limit wondering how you can keep your business moving forward with limited resources? We might have the answer. A post-secondary student can help you innovate, save costs, and increase capacity. Our special online session entitled Talent Forward will show you how to tap into this bright young talent pool. Join us for this special info session Tues. March 30 @ 11:30 AM.
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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.
To learn more and nominate a deserving mentor or coach CLICK HERE.
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TRISHA MILTIMORE | Contagious Leadership Training
Trisha loves working and being an active part of the community. Trisha has spent 15 years in radio, part time on-air at Power 104 as well as the opening and running of the retail music store for over 5 yrs. As a Mom of 4 and working professional she also enjoys the support and connection of groups like KWIB and Women Enterprise Centre. Trisha’s work as a speaker and corporate trainer, via Contagious Leadership Training, has her working with business leaders, companies and organizations throughout the Okanagan.
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EVENTS & PROGRAMS IN OUR NETWORK |
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Join the Conversation to Position your Business for Long-Term Success |
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Next week is your last chance to strategize new approaches to engage your customers, invest in your team, and your future by signing up for Building Resilience to Thrive Program, offered in partnership with the BC Chamber of Commerce. Your investment is just $70 and if you are a member of the Kelowna Chamber you receive 50% off. The final cohort begins next week, on March 22.
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There’s Never Been a Better Time to Buy BC, Support Local Growers & Producers |
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The Buy BC program, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, helps to promote BC. food and beverages to ensure consumers can easily identify and enjoy local food products, while supporting farmers and businesses throughout BC.
The province’s farmers, fishers and food and beverage processors can now apply for the latest round of Buy BC funding to help promote their products and increase sales within BC. Applications to the 2021-22 Buy BC Partnership Program are open until April 7 at 4:30 PM.
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Women in the Workforce. This is Not a Women’s Issue; It Is an Economic Issue |
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COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect women in the workforce as employees and business-owners / entrepreneurs. Recently, the Canadian Chamber's Council for Women’s Advocacy released a statement calling on the government to immediately implement five recommendations aimed at supporting women and fostering economic growth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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United Way Distributes PPE to Local Charities Throughout the Valley |
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A year after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) is still prevalent especially for front-line community support workers and non-profit organizations. Today, the United Way Southern Interior BC team is hosting a Pushor Mitchell Day of Caring® for local charities in need. Packages of PPE will be provided to over 50 charities in Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon that include protective masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer.
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Tourism Kelowna Shares Results of their Fourth Stakeholder Impact Survey |
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Recently, Tourism Kelowna sent out their fourth stakeholder impact survey to gauge the economic impact COVID-19 continues to have on the tourism industry. Stakeholders shared that they are grateful that they have been able to stay open for most of the pandemic, for the support from the local community, and for the area that we live in that allows for great outdoor activities.
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COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES |
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Sale and Delivery of Packaged Liquor now Permanent in BC |
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Before the pandemic, food and liquor primary licensees (e.g., restaurants and pubs) were authorized to sell liquor only for consumption in their establishments unless they had a special endorsement on their license. The temporary authorization allowing liquor-primary and food-primary licensees to sell and deliver sealed, packaged liquor products alongside the purchase of a meal for off-site consumption is now permanent.
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New Liquor Restrictions Announced for St. Patrick's Day |
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Last Thursday, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced restrictions for liquor and food establishments on St. Patrick’s Day. The province will be amending the PHO order for food and liquor establishments, including liquor for both on and off-site consumption, to restrict alcohol sales in a similar fashion what they were on New Year’s Eve. Liquor sales will cease between the hours of 8:00 PM on March 17, ending at 9:00 AM on March 18.
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Canada United Reopens with Grants of Up To $5,000 Available |
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Over $14 million has been contributed to the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund by the federal government, RBC and Canada United partners to support COVID-19 recovery efforts. Grants of up to $5,000 are still available for small businesses to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE), renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving website and e-commerce capabilities.
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NEW MEMBERS & MEMBER MILESTONES |
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Welcome to our New Members! |
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Congratulations to our members who are celebrating milestones this month!
30 Years
25 Years
20 Years
10 Years
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MEET YOUR CHAMBER AMBASSADORS |
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Get to know the Kelowna Chamber Ambassadors. This bi-weekly update will introduce you to the people behind-the-scenes at the Chamber, and learn what they love about serving our business community. This week we want to introduce you to Patricia Livingstone, a wonderful member of our Ambassador team. If you would like to learn more about our Ambassador program and get involved please EMAIL US.
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PATRICIA LIVINGSTONE | Flex Structure
What is your position / title and company, and what do you do there?
I founded Flex Structure with the mission: To reduce green house gas emissions and construction waste by creating a building system that maximizes the productivity of manufacturing and the innovations in advanced composite materials. I am the President and a Director.
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 in the Okanagan for almost 19 years, since 2002 when I moved back to Canada from Houston Tx. I had been living in the US for about 10 years, mainly in Houston, but also in Omaha, Nebraska and Birmingham, Alabama. In the 80’s I lived in Calgary where I worked as a Chartered Accountant in Oil and Gas. I chose Kelowna as it was one of the warmest places in Canada and I started my Real Estate career in 2002.
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What do you enjoy most about your Ambassador role with the Kelowna Chamber?
I love being a volunteer ambassador for the Kelowna Chamber as it gives me the opportunity to get to know businesses in my community. Making business connections paid off when I was able to call on Norelco Cabinets for a van to deliver temp walls to the Kelowna Pandemic centre. I love to see people working together.
What are you looking forward to / planning for the future?
The temp walls came out of the Pandemic and was one of the researched materials for Modular Composite Structures. The Flex engineering team determined in early 2020 that the PVC was great for indoor, nonstructural use. Flex Structure is using stronger, sustainable, fibre reinforced pultruded material to provide the needed strength for buildings.
I am looking forward to obtaining the patent “Structural Modular Building Panel, Wall, and Building System" and commercializing the Canadian Utility Building (CUB).
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UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE |
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UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS AT GLANCE
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Need to add someone 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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