Dear Readers,

As a valued subscriber to our ConneXions Newsletter, we are pleased to let you know that we will be accepting nominations for the 2017 Business Excellence Awards very soon! We are excited to bring back some popular categories and introduce new ones. Stay tuned for more details.

Last week, we were pleased to host an intimate gathering inclusive of both men and women to our WE FOR SHE: Accelerating Diversity event. Thanks to Danielle Hofer and Laurel Douglas of the Women's Enterprise Centre and Stephanie Baziuk, Kelowna Chamber Program Director, for initiating the event (pictured left). The gathering focused on diversity, unconscious bias, leadership and understanding the need for gender equality in the workplace. Speakers included Lois Nahirney, Chair of the Premier's Women's Economic Council; Vandana Juneja, Senior Director of Cataylst Canada; Tina Strehlke, Programs Director, The Minerva Foundation; and local Renee Wasylik, CEO of Troika Developments and member of the Premier's Women's Economic Council.

Please continue to read below for our upcoming events, promoting your business at the Valley Wide Business Expo, our Member News and much more.

Warmest Regards,

The Kelowna Chamber Team

Interested in promoting your business across the Valley? 

We are pleased to announce that this year's Valley Wide Business After Hours will be hosted by the Vernon Chamber of Commerce and held at the beautiful Predator Ridge Resort.

Join hundreds of business leaders from across the Valley, from Osoyoos to Vernon, for this casual networking event. The event features a business expo component with over 100 exhibitors as well as appetizers and beverages from local wineries and breweries.

Apply and register for an exhibitor booth  here .

Don't want to purchase a booth, but would like to attend? Purchase an individual ticket  here.

Mark your calendars!  The 2017 Provincial General Election is on Tuesday, May 9th. Do you know all the voting options available to you? You can vote in a district office, by mail, or in-person at advance voting and on General Voting Day. Find out more about your voting options .

Stay informed!  See the final list of nominated candidates for the 2017 Provincial General Election posted  here . 

Attend a Candidates Forum!  We will be hosting a  Pre-Election Candidates  Forum April 26th, from 11:15 am - 12:30 pm. 

After months of collaboration and development, the B.C. government procurement transformation team is pleased to announce the launch of BC Bid Resources, an online resource for vendors on how to do business with government. The first phase of the website includes approximately 50 pages of step-by-step information and guidance about B.C. government's procurement processes, and it will continue to be built out over the coming months.

 

The new BC Bid Resources website is designed to help you:

*  Decide whether or not to respond to an opportunity

*  Write submissions

*  Understand what can and cannot be done when you are awarded a contract

*  Get feedback on your submissions

*  Learn what to expect when it is your first time responding to opportunities

*  Register for learning and development sessions.

 Visit their website here.