BC ANNOUNCES SWEEPING NEW RESTRICTIONS |
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The B.C. government has announced substantial new restrictions in an attempt to cut down covid-19 transmission. As of midnight:
- All food and liquor-serving premises must only provide take-out or delivery service. Dine-in service is prohibited, except for outdoor patios.
- People who are dining on patios should do so with their immediate household or core bubble only.
- Gyms and fitness centres are restricted to individual or one-on-one activities only including one-on-one personal training.
“COVID-19 continues to create challenges for people and businesses throughout B.C., and we are grateful for the sacrifices people continue to make to keep one another safe,” Premier John Horgan said Monday.
The province has not introduced any ban on travel but it continues to be limited to essential travel, work or medical reasons only. READ MORE.
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KELOWNA CHAMBER REACTS TO NEW RESTRICTIONS |
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The Kelowna Chamber says it’s time to rally behind the many businesses, particularly those pubs and restaurants that are going to be significantly hard hit as a result of the latest health orders from the province.
We understand that swift action is needed to curb the dangerous trend upwards, but government needs to find a way to provide more time for businesses to prepare for such sweeping orders which in this case came into effect with less than 12 hours notice.
The Chamber continues to call on the Province to establish clear criteria in each region of the Province that would guide whether restrictions are put in place (or lifted). In doing so, businesses would be able to monitor that data and adjust their plans accordingly if case numbers start to rise. In the absence of clear criteria in decision making, greater advance notice should be provided.
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OFFER ENDS TODAY: 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 today so explore the opportunity now.
A limited number of major bursaries valued at close to $4,500 are available to Okanagan based companies (members of the Kelowna Chamber)!
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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Registration Opens to the Public this Week - Stay Tuned. |
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The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor Parke Pacific Projects Ltd., invite you to register for one of the valley’s most anticipated business events of the year, the 36th annual golf tournament (okay day of golf) on Wednesday May 26, 2021.
This event is an annual sell out. If you played in 2020 and wish to secure your foursome call the Chamber office now before official registration goes live or simply email us at hello@kelownachamber.org and let us know you want in.
We are also looking for a few more sponsors to join us for this great day enjoying the outdoors, getting the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes, and doing some good will along the win in supporting the community. To explore the unique branding and promotional opportunities still available contact sales@kelonwachamber.org.
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DID YOU MISS THE MAYOR'S STATE OF THE CITY PRESENTATION? |
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We know there's a lot going on in Zoom-land these days. As such, all of our past virtual events can be found on our website for you to view at your leisure. Did you miss our AGM, our Okanagan College Speaker Series with Mayor Colin Basran, or our Associa Business Smarts Online on Cybersecurity last week?
You can catch up by clicking the link below.
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER SPONSORED AD |
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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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ANDRE BROSSEAU | Innov8 Digital Solutions
Andre Brosseau is President of Innov8 Digital Solutions in Kelowna. Innov8 is one of Canada’s largest privately held providers of business technology. Andre graduated from the University of Alberta in 1991 with a Commerce degree, believes in shopping local and started his career in Edmonton with Minolta. He partnered with Digitex in 1999 and moved to Kelowna when his wife’s health encouraged him to focus on family and keep the Kelowna small operation going. Now growing in the community by acquiring five companies locally, Innov8 has moved into Alberta.
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MELISSA HUNT | Childhood Connections
Melissa Hunt has been Executive Director of Childhood Connections – Okanagan Family & Childcare Society for three years. She supports the organization as it continues to offer high quality referral services, training, early childhood developmental support and guidance to families and childcare providers in the Central Okanagan. She chairs three community tables to do with early childhood education, literacy, and poverty reduction. The tables’ grassroots work helps ensure community members and agencies work together. She is passionate about early years education and ending the stigma around mental health.
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CERTIFIED CHAMBER MEMBER SPONSORED AD |
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EVENTS & PROGRAMS IN OUR NETWORK |
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LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES! |
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Are you a woman who had a healthy business prior to Covid-19?
When you access funds through WEC, the program includes free wrap-around support, including advisory services, training and Peer Mentoring Circles for RRRF clients.
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Okanagan Young Professionals Monthly Coffee Chat |
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We get it, it's hard to network in a pandemic! Meet new people at OYP's virtual Coffee Social for young professionals in the Okanagan. Connect with new friends and other young professionals Wednesday March 31 from 8:00 - 9:00 AM, powered by the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC).
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KF Aerospace Breaks Ground on New Centre of Excellence |
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A big congrats to our friends at KF Aerospace following the official ground-breaking ceremony for their future Centre of Excellence located on Lapointe Drive at Kelowna International Airport (YLW).
The occasion coincided with KF Aerospace’s 51st anniversary and the Centre’s directors and builders were joined by local officials, including Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. YLW Director Sam Samaddar also lent a hand with the ceremonial shovel turning. Construction on the 60,000 sq. ft., world-class facility is underway and will open in 2022.
The vision of Founder and CEO of KF Aerospace, Barry Lapointe is unparalleled, and the Centre for Excellence will showcase the rich history the Okanagan has had with the aerospace industry.
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Congratulations to our Appointee to the Board, Maxine DeHart |
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This month, Advisor to our Board, Maxine DeHart's column celebrates its 23rd Anniversary with the Kelowna Capital News. If you haven't yet read the column 'Straight from DeHart', we encourage you to tune in to learn more about what's going on in our community. Congratulations Maxine!
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WestJet Adds Flights at YLW |
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Some additional positive news on the aviation side as WestJet unveiled late last week a series of investments that will support BC’s safe restart of its visitor economy. They announced the addition of 11 new routes across western Canada almost all of which include destinations in BC including routes to and from Kelowna. These new routes will commence in late June and include YLW to both Saskatoon and Regina twice weekly.
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Congrats to our AGM Sandhill Winery Basket Winners! |
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We had a number of gift baskets from Sandhill Winery that we gave away at our virtual AGM. We wanted to send a special congrats to Natalie Corbett from Accent Inns who was the lucky winner of one of these baskets!
If you missed the AGM you can watch the highlights on our You Tube Channel. For the details of the meeting including a summary of reports just call the Chamber office.
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COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES |
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Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts to Remain Unchanged Through to June |
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On March 3, the federal government announced the wage and rent subsidy amounts will remain unchanged through to June.
The wage subsidy, the rent subsidy, and Lockdown Support are legislated to be available until June 2021. Proposed program details, from March 14 to June 5, 2021, for the three measures can be found at the link below.
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Province Hikes Fines to Further Enforce COVID-19 Public Safety |
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Fines for promoting and attending gatherings that contravene the provincial health officer’s (PHO) order just got more expensive. Effective immediately, an amendment to the Violation Ticket Administration and Fine Regulation raises the fine for promoting and for attending a non-compliant gathering or event from $230 to $575. The current fine for those who organize or host a prohibited event remains the same at $2,300.
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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 Tanvir Gill, 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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TANVIR GILL | FH&P Lawyers LLP
What is your position / title and company, and what do you do there?
I am a lawyer with FH&P Lawyers LLP and I practice mainly in the areas of Business Law, Commercial & Residential Real Estate and Wills & Estates with the firm.
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 grew up in Surrey B.C. but began thinking about moving to Kelowna around 2014. I spent a short time in Kamloops but moved to Kelowna officially in 2018 when I completed law school. Although having my family in the City made it an easy decision, I found Kelowna attractive because it was and still is a quickly growing City with booming agricultural, wine, technology, small business and construction industries. As a younger lawyer with an interest in real estate and corporate law, I knew I could learn and develop a practice in a City like Kelowna.
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What do you enjoy most about your Ambassador role with the Kelowna Chamber?
As an ambassador, I was able to learn what the Chamber offers to the community and business owners. I enjoy connecting with new members of the Chamber to learn about their individual businesses and to see how the Chamber can help them with their current and future needs. As someone new to Kelowna, becoming an ambassador was a great way to get involved in the community.
What are you looking forward to / planning for the future?
I am looking forward to the day that we can all enjoy travelling and the opportunity to gather with family and friends again. If anything, I think Covid forced many people to think through their priorities and objectives. I like that Kelowna continues to grow, we are seeing that with what our current real estate climate looks like. I’m excited to grow my practice in the Okanagan!
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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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