This Friday: Federal Opposition Leader Erin O'Toole Joins Regional Townhall
Friday, June 25 | 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM | Virtual
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This is your last chance to register for this special event as the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce joins the Greater Westside Board of Trade and other Okanagan Chambers in hosting the Honourable Erin O'Toole for a regional townhall on Friday. The leader of the Conservative Party of Canada will share his vision for Canada’s future focused on rebuilding our economy and safely getting Canadians back to work in every sector and in every region of our country.
This is your opportunity to have your voice heard directly by the Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada and hear what his priorities indicate for Okanagan organizations that are facing significant challenges as a result of COVID-19.
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MEMBER NOTICE: Kelowna Chamber Quarterly Membership Meeting
Thursday, June 24 | 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM | Virtual
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Join us for our first Quarterly Membership Meeting on Thursday June 24 at Noon, when the new Board provides members an update on their priorities and the focus of the Board Committees for the rest of their term. You'll also hear from our special guest speaker Airport Director at YLW Sam Samaddar who will speak on the future of YLW and Canada's Aviation Industry.
Registration is required though it is complimentary for Chamber members.
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Recovery starts with Professional Development
Register for New Building Resilience to Thrive - Business Foundations
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Resiliency starts with a plan. Register today for the new Building Resilience to Thrive - Business Foundations course
This 6-week course (one hour per week) runs each Wednesday from 11am to noon starting July 7 and will examine the fundamental building blocks of great businesses: strategy, marketing, people, and processes. You will learn how to build a resilient business using case studies, contemporary research, and practical experience. Award-winning professor Dr. Mark Colgate will be returning to teach this series.
Space is limited, so don’t wait. Learn more and register today. Reduced rate for small businesses and their teams and special discount rate for Chamber members.
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JULY OC SPEAKER SERIES: What 5G brings - Transforming Business and City Services
Wednesday, July 7 | 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM | Virtual
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5G in the Okanagan Valley offers a business landscape of the future with an ecosystem of connected intelligent devices capable of overhauling business processes and accelerating innovation.
Now is the time for businesses to know what's coming, what's already here and how to leverage 5G. Rogers for Business has been leading the way with cooperation across government, the telecommunications sector and broader industry. Hosted by Rogers for Business this session’s speakers and subject matter experts will offer insight into what those new technologies could be and how we are starting to see them come to life today.
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Maximizing Your Investment - Membership 101 (Members only)
Friday, June 25 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Virtual
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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 June 25 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.
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER AD |
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Recording Available: Business Smarts Webinar - Scotiabank Women Initiative TM
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The Scotiabank Women Initiative TM is a comprehensive program helping women take their businesses to the next level, through Access to Capital, Mentorship, and Education.
The recording from last week's engaging event is now available on the Kelowna Chamber's website. This interactive workshop geared to women business owners worked participants through the beginning stages of an integrated financial plan.
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COMING NEXT MONTH: Business Smarts: Goal Setting & KPIs for Success
Presented by 2M Performance - Tuesday, August 17 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Virtual
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Are you the owner of a small or medium sized business that produces a great product or service, but aren’t sure how to move on to the next step of development? Are you aware that performance measurement can help you to set clear and measurable goals, but are confused about KPIs, OKRs, metrics, Critical Success Factors, Goals, Targets and Initiatives?
If so, then please join us for Business Smarts with 2M Performance Measurement Specialist Robert Scott to find out why the largest and most successful companies use this essential skill to guarantee success and profitability.
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Interior Health Hosts Neighbourhood Drop-In Immunization Clinic in Kelowna |
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Interior Health is hosting a neighbourhood drop-in clinic in Kelowna June 22-24 for anyone who has not yet received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. No advance appointments are necessary for this clinic. People who live or work in the area will be able to walk-up, register and receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Location: Kelowna Secondary School, 1079 Raymer Ave
- Time: Tuesday, June 22 to Thursday, June 24 from 1:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Who: People aged 12+ (born in 2009 or earlier) who have not yet received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Updates to Public Order for Food & Liquor Servicing Establishments as well as Gatherings & Events |
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As a part of phase 2 of BC's restart plan, updated orders are now available for food and liquor serving establishments, as well as gatherings and events.
Some key changes to the order for Food & Liquor Establishments to note:
- No person may sell liquor between midnight (24:00 hour) and 9:00 am on the following day
- Unless a full meal service is provided, premises which are licensed to serve liquor must close between 1:00 am and 9:00 am and all patrons must vacate the premises.
- No person may consume liquor on the premises after 1:00 am
- Patrons must remain seated at their table, but can stand to play pool, billiards, snooker, or darts, or bowl with a maximum of five other people who are in the same party
- Music must continue to be no louder than background level (no amplified music)
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Some key changes to the order for Gatherings & Events to note:
- Fifty people can attend inside, seated event at banquet halls, and in addition to the rule for other inside events
- No self-serve food or liquor is permitted
- Fifty people can attend inside, seated events and follow other COVID-19 safety rules, however, participants must not congregate or sing, dance, or engage in karaoke
- No person may sell or serve liquor at an event after midnight. An event at which liquor is consumed must end by 1:00 am and all participants must vacate the place at which the event is held.
- Fifty people can attend outside gatherings
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Upcoming Deadline: Small & Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant |
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July 2, applications close for the small and medium sized business recovery grant. Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available to small and medium sized B.C. businesses impacted by COVID-19. An additional $5,000 to $15,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses.
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Canadian Business Leaders Demand Plan for Reopening Borders, Economy |
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Last week, Canadian Chamber President and CEO, Perrin Beatty, joined the Travel and Tourism Roundtable press conference at the Ottawa International Airport. Perrin reiterated Canada cannot afford to be left behind as other countries around the world begin to reopen.
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER AD |
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NEWS & EVENTS IN OUR NETWORK |
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Get to Know UBCO Co-op: Virtual Coffee & Co-op Chats
Wednesday, June 23 | 10:30am - 11:00am | Virtual
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Are you interested in how a student can make a difference in your organization but aren't sure where to start? The UBC Okanagan Co-op office welcomes you to join Paula Verholen, Co-op Partner Engagement Advisor, on Wednesday, June 23 for a drop-in coffee chat to learn more about UBC Okanagan Co-op students, and discuss your current and future hiring needs. This session will give an overview of the Co-op program and hiring process and is a great opportunity to connect over your upcoming projects and challenges, while also gaining access and insight into the various resources that can assist you in bringing a student on board. The team looks forward to sharing a virtual cup of tea or coffee with you!
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Wednesday June 23, 2021 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Virtual
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On Wednesday June 23, experts from five tourism support organizations will discuss visitor trends and share information on opportunities and available support for those in the tourism industry as we enter recovery and look towards resiliency for the future. Learn more and register on the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association website.
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Canadian Survey on Business Conditions Discussion
Friday, June 25 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Virtual
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The Canadian Chamber has produced business insights throughout the pandemic. They will both present their analysis of the Q2 results of the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions – an innovative Statistics Canada product of over 15,000 Canadian employers. Join the event to explore new insights and learn more about the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions from Statistics Canada.
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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.
The program is now closed for both nominations and applications. We thank all participants for their support – stay tuned for our Top 40 Honourees’ Profiles which will run through the week of July 26, 2021.
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BLAIR WILSON | Forbidden Spirits Distilling Co.
Blair began his career as a dish washer at the KEG while attending university. He articled at Clarkson Gordon where he obtained his CA designation before starting his own CA firm. This company went on to raise over $8MM on the TSX and expanded operations in Poland to include extensive real estate holdings. Blair returned to Canada to start a new software firm where his team introduced him to triathlon racing and shortly thereafter Blair competed in his first Ironman Canada and two years later finished his second. Blair and his family moved to Kelowna ten years ago and purchased a 20-acre apple orchard and RV Park. Four years ago, they expanded the property to include a distillery, tasting room, outdoor patio and outdoor picnic area and Forbidden Spirits Distilling Co. was born.
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SCOTT SIMPSON | RBC Royal Bank
Scott moved his career in an entirely new direction, and now thoroughly enjoys his time as a Commercial Account Manager with RBC. His industry focuses include working with the region's wineries, vineyards, and tree fruit growers. Scott says he has been fortunate enough to be a part of the Kelowna business community for over 23 years. Seventeen of those years have been in the banking or professional services sectors. For ten years his roles included leading corporate social responsibility and community engagement efforts which allowed him to be hands-on in the interconnectivity between the business community and the organizations, charities, events and initiatives that shape the fabric and health of the local region.
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS |
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Member Milestones
Congrats to All These Community Minded Organizations!
30 Years:
25 years:
20 years:
10 Years:
5 Years:
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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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