Kelowna Businesses React to Provincial Vaccine Verification Cards
Chamber calls for Province to delay implementation so businesses can better prepare.
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A modest majority of businesses in the Kelowna area appear supportive of a vaccine verification card announced by the Province on Monday, but opposition to the plan exists and there remain many important questions to be answered. The Kelowna Chamber surveyed its 1,000 members on the issue over the last few days. 25% of members responded and the majority (57%) stated they were supportive of some sort of vaccine verification system for non-essential activities if it meant getting back to normal business levels but more than a third (36%) were opposed.
“Our members have strong feelings on this subject,” says Jeffrey Robinson, President of the Kelowna Chamber. “The common ground seems to be a desire to return to normal, but there are fundamental differences over whether requiring some private businesses to refuse service to unvaccinated customers is consistent with that goal.”...
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Regional Restrictions Expanded to the Interior Health Region |
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Late last week the Province announced that regional restrictions will be expanded to the entire Interior Health region following the continued and ongoing rise in COVID-19 cases. Restrictions now in effect will remain in place until the end of September and Interior Health experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates. These restrictions include:
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Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces for people 12 years and older. (Now a province-wide order)
- Organized indoor gatherings (e.g. weddings, funerals, seated events) are limited to 50 people, and outdoors gatherings are limited to 100 people, both requiring a COVID-19 safety plan.
- The previous specific orders for central Okanagan food and liquor establishments remain in place.
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BREAK into New Global Markets Online with ICE
Limited Space Remaining for Sept. 7/8 workshop
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World Trade Centre Vancouver is making an online e-commerce workshop available to businesses in the Okanagan. The Kelowna Chamber is pleased to be working with WTCV to present Integrated e-Commerce Essentials (ICE) on Sept. 7th and 8th, a workshop that helps businesses discover, learn, and create an integrated online strategy to drive global sales. All those who have gone through this two half-day workshop stated that they are better equipped for e-commerce following the workshop and would recommend ICE to other SMEs.
Did we mention that Full Bursaries are available for Chamber members. Click the link below to register or contact the Kelowna Chamber to learn more. Email: hello@kelownachamber.org
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HOLD THE DATES: All Candidate Forums for Upcoming Election
Tuesday, September 14 & Wednesday, September 15
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With an election around the corner, the Kelowna Chamber is ramping up for two all-candidates forums to take place mid-September. Save the dates below to watch the candidates forum and hear their priorities for the next parliament.
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Tues. Sept.14 6:00pm - Kelowna Lake Country
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Wed. Sept. 15 6:00pm - Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola
Keep your eyes peeled for more detailed information on these events and candidate profiles which will be available on our website shortly.
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September Business Smarts: Boost Your Business with Happiness
Tuesday, September 21 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Virtual
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Join us for this motivational and interactive online 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. Happy employees create happy, loyal customers. Each participant will receive a worksheet and the Arrive At Happy Resource Kit.
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Okanagan College Speaker Series - How to Invite The World
Tuesday, September 28 | 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM | Coast Capri Hotel
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Former Tourism Vancouver President & CEO Rick Antonson (now a resident of the Okanagan) 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 and we suspect vaccine cards may be required.
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Kelowna Chamber Seeks Communications & Business Development Specialists |
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The Kelowna Chamber is actively seeking both a Communications & Marketing Lead, as well as a Business Development Specialist to join our team. These new team members will bring their strong organizational and interpersonal skills to an energetic team that is focused on continuously creating value for our members and the communities we serve.
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER ADVERTISEMENT |
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NEWS & UPDATES IN OUR NETWORK |
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Canadian Chamber Outlines Recommendations for Federal Election Readiness |
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Canadians everywhere want to look past the pandemic and know what comes next. While they can expect many spending announcements, lofty promises of jobs and boutique tax cuts during this election, what they’re looking for has been missing so far. Conspicuously absent in the election to date is a serious, sustainable and bold plan to grow our economy, despite the fact the economy is the number one concern for Canadians. The Canadian Chamber recently launched its election platform entitled "What it takes to grow." |
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BC Craft Farmers Releases Feedback on Farmgate Cannabis Survey |
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In 2020, the Kelowna Chamber sponsored a Cannabis policy at the BC Policy AGM, “Enabling BC’s Cannabis Economy” which passed. The selling of farmgate cannabis is not only a win, but a great leap forward for the industry. With the support of the BC Craft Farmers Co-op, the Province is considering authorizing a farm‐gate sales program to allow federally licensed cannabis nurseries and cultivators to sell their cannabis products from a retail store located at their production site. Results from a recent member and supporter survey released last week by the BC Craft Farmers Co-op (BCCFC) suggests the provincial government’s slow craft cannabis policy roll-out is holding back significant economic development and job creation.
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Navigating Next Steps: Accelerate Okanagan Provides Guidance for Small Business
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Innovation is key to economic recovery and developing strong and resilient businesses in the Okanagan. Thanks to Accelerate Okanagan's government funded Advisor Access program you can get help to identify changes you can make today so you can better deal with the changing economy and digital landscape. Connect with an Advisor to discuss topics like; digital strategy setting, improving online offerings, access to grants, funding, and resources and general business coaching. |
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As wildland (and city) firefighters and first responders work tirelessly to contain and fight the forest fires throughout our province, the Kelowna Chamber wants to send our sincerest thanks to those on the front lines that continue to keep our communities, homes, and businesses safe. If yourself or someone you know needs support, please visit the province's emergency information site for resources, alert updates, and more.
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER ADVERTISEMENT |
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Regional Recovery Guide Available for Thompson Okanagan Businesses
Comprehensive Guide online through OkanaganWeGotThis.com
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The Kelowna Chamber is extremely pleased to showcase the new 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 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.
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Finishing the Fight Against COVID-19
Canadian Chamber Blog
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Lockdown restrictions did not affect all businesses in the same way. Just as workers and Canadians are living different realities in this pandemic, so too are our various economic sectors. Businesses are getting back on their feet at different rates, which is why the next government must not approach recovery as a black and white scenario.
We need to provide the right kind of support to the hardest-hit sectors and the hundreds of thousands of Canadians they employ, and that includes recognizing they will require a longer runway for recovery. A one-size-fits-all approach for sectors like tourism, travel and hospitality will not work. What’s needed now is targeted help.
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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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