MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release, May 27, 2022
BUSINESS WALKS RETURN TO SUMMERLAND WITH NEW PARTNERS
Summerland, B.C.: Business Walks are back for 2022 after a long hiatus and this time it is bringing 6 local agencies together to help in taking the “pulse” of the business community. Partners from the District of Summerland, Accelerate Okanagan, Community Futures, Work BC and OK College will join the Board and staff of the Summerland Chamber to complete this year’s event.
The Business Walk involves visiting businesses across the community in person, door-to-door, to get input on how their business is performing, get their impression of the business climate in the district, and identify both areas of strength and potential issues or obstacles.
The annual Summerland Business Walk is an initiative that started back in 2014 and follows the blueprint of the ‘Business Walks Program’ undertaken by Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Organizations across the Province of British Columbia. This consistency provides the opportunity to measure one community against another with the sharing of data. Previous Business Walk reports from 2015 & 2016 can be found on the Chambers website.
Led by the Summerland Chamber’s Business Recovery Advisor, Kristin Parsons, a team of volunteers will hit the streets each day between 9am-4pm on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd armed with a 15-question survey designed to gather information on the current trends, struggles and successes of the business community.
“We are excited that our partners can come together to reach out to the Summerland business community in a positive and proactive way. As we work together we can learn how we can better meet the needs of our businesses and collaborate to ensure all businesses are supported.” Says Luke Johnson, Chamber President.
In addition to completing the questionnaire the Business Walk is an outreach opportunity allowing business operators to talk about their operations, products and services and in some cases provide mini tours. The information gathered during the Business Walk is shared with the partners, public, and elected officials giving Summerland businesses a strong voice.
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About Summerland Chamber of Commerce
Established in 1908, the Summerland Chamber of Commerce operates as a not-for-profit corporation representing the over 700 businesses in the community. The Chamber works collaboratively with stakeholder businesses, organizations and all three levels of government to fulfill its mandate.
For more information contact:
Luke Johnson, Chamber President
