This Thursday We Celebrate Excellence, Achievement & Resilience! |
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It's been a challenging year but we also have so much to be grateful for and celebrate. Join us this Thursday at 5pm for our virtual 2020 Business Excellence Awards presented by Farris LLP and Interior Savings.
Register in advance and you'll have a chance to WIN one of five $500 Wine Experience Packages from Summerhill Winery!
Our virtual Awards program will feature video profiles of this year's winners, a special greeting from the Kelowna Business Leader of the Year, Laurel Douglas, and a special performance from local musician and song writer Joshua Smith!
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Kelowna Chamber Announces 2020 Business Leader of the Year |
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Late last week, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce announced that Laurel Douglas has been named Business Leader of the Year for 2020. This prestigious award recognizes and celebrates Douglas, a longtime Kelowna non-profit and community leader, who has supported many businesses, community organizations and has served as a mentor and resource for many individuals over the years. Be sure to join in on our Business Excellence Awards to hear a message from Laurel!
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Business Leader of the Year Award is presented by: |
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Empower Your Brand Through Positioning so Customers Choose YOU! |
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Positioning Your Brand To Be The First, The Best or The Only is a smart and motivating way to learn the key fundamentals needed to get crystal clear about what your brand stands for, what problems you solve, and most importantly, what makes you The First, The Best, or The Only.
This Wednesday, join best-selling author, TV host, and TedX speaker Isabelle Mercier to learn how to position yourself as a brand that customers want and love, and get the tools to empower your ideal customer to choose YOU! This virtual learning opportunity is happening Wednesday November 25, from 12:00 Noon to 1:00pm. There is no cost to attend this event, but registration is required.
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Membership 101: Maximizing Your Membership Investment (members only)
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Join us this Friday November 27 from 9:00am to 10:00am for Membership 101. The event is open to any and all members of the Chamber as a refresher of your membership benefits, and info on ways to leverage your investment in Canada's largest business network! Members of your team are also welcome to attend.
This monthly member meet and greet is a great way to learn more about your Chamber membership while connecting with other local businesses.
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Something Keeping You Up at Night? |
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If you're a member of the Chamber we want to hear from you. The Chamber's annual member policy forum is set for the morning of December 3rd. Do you have an issue with the city, the province, or the federal government that you think should be addressed? If you're a member of the Kelowna Chamber and want to talk about transportation or taxes or affordable housing just let us know and you could join us for our online member policy forum. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Calling all Policy Wonks. We are your voice with government and the first step is for us to hear from you.
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RETAIN AND REWARD YOUR TEAM WITH CANADA'S #1 GROUP HEALTH PLAN |
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COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES |
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BC Announces New COVID-19 Directives |
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Last week, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced new orders applicable to the entire province until December 7 at midnight, unless otherwise extended.
Mask Requirements
Face coverings are now mandatory in all public indoor settings and workplace, which includes stores, grocery stores, shopping centres, and community centres, as well as restaurants and bars when not seated at a table. The order for mandatory masks was effective as of November 19. Employers are expected to enforce mask-wearing for both employees and customers, and can refuse service to a customer or entry to the business if they fail to comply. In workplaces, masks will be required to be worn in all shared areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained including elevators, kitchens, hallways, and meeting rooms with more than four people. More information on the new mask requirements can be found HERE.
COVID-19 Safety Plans in the Workplace
The province-wide orders also include updated guidance for workplaces, with employers being asked to keep their staff working from home where possible. The province is also asking employers to review their COVID-19 Safety Plans. Employers are being strongly encouraged to make every effort to provide work from home options and to put a halt to plans to return staff to offices. CLICK HERE to review the WorkSafeBC COVID-19 Safety Plan information.
We continue to closely monitor the ongoing conditions of the COVID-19 virus and its associated economic impact for our members.
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UPDATE: Canada Updates Emergency Rent Subsidy Program |
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The federal government has revamped and update the commercial rent subsidy program and the CERS is now open to receive applications from qualifying organizations. Organizations can now apply directly for the subsidy for the period from September 27 to October 24, 2020 through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) either through your My Business Account or through a Represent a Client portal. Applications for the second CERS period (October 25 to November 21, 2020) will open on November 30.
The CRA has also launched a CERS online calculator and application form that are designed almost identically to those of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS). The calculator guides applicants through a step-by-step process that allows them to determine the subsidy amount they can claim, based on the information they enter. The CERS web pages include detailed information about eligibility requirements, how payment periods are structured, and how the subsidy is calculated.
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Open Letter: Canada Needs Coherent & Consistent Approach to COVID-19 |
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Last week, Canada’s leading business organizations issued a join letter to Canada’s premiers urging them to work together to provide coherent and consistent direction and guidelines across all levels of government in the fight against COVID-19.
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photo: Canadian Chamber of Commerce |
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UPDATES & EVENTS IN OUR NETWORK |
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Diversity & Inclusion at the Forefront: International Day of Persons with Disabilities |
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Accessibility has been top of mind for many employers as we work to create a new normal for business. ASL interpreters at every news conference, and new levels of transparency and empathy between employers and employees are just some of the ways we've seen our society shift towards inclusion during the current crisis.
On Thursday December 3, Presidents Group invites you to dedicate some time to learning more about how to be inclusive and accessible. The Day of Learning includes our two recently launched webinars and a session looking at employee mental health by Canadian Mental Health Association of BC.
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Mayor Basran Hits the Hot Seat in Support of Youth Addiction Treatment |
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Mayor Colin Basran will have a choice to make on December 8, burning questions or burning hot wings. The virtual event, Community Hot Seat with Mayor Basran, will see Virgin Radio’s BMac and Karly test Kelowna’s mayor with questions submitted by the public in a fun fundraising effort over the lunch hour.
Presented by JCI Kelowna, proceeds from the event will go to support The Bridge Youth & Family Services campaign to build a Youth Recovery House for the Okanagan. Tickets start at $25, giving the audience a chance to submit their burning question for Mayor Basran.
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Stats Canada: Canadian Survey on Business Conditions Released |
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November 13, Statistics Canada released the results from a third wave of Canadian business surveying. The purpose of this survey is to measure the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in Canada. As the pandemic continues to disrupt our economy, it is essential to have data to fully understand the extent of this impact.
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BDC Survey: How Entrepreneurs Are Adapting to the Pandemic |
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The coronavirus pandemic has led to one of the largest economic crises in history. The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) surveyed 1,000 entrepreneurs and 2,000 consumers in Canada to gain a better understanding of how this crisis is changing the habits of Canadians and what Canada’s entrepreneurs are doing to adapt and position themselves in this new context.
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Hospitality and Alcohol Industry Survival and Competitiveness through COVID-19 |
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Canadian restaurants, pubs and bars have been devastated by the impacts of COVID-19, with more of these businesses closing their doors permanently every day. During this virtual event on Monday November 30 at 8:00am, industry leaders will come together to discuss what the industry is doing to survive the pandemic and what Canada can do mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on restaurants and bars while improving the competitiveness of breweries, wineries, distilleries and all of the agricultural and other supply chain members that contribute to this industry.
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MEET YOUR CHAMBER AMBASSADORS |
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Get to know the Kelowna Chamber's Board of Directors and Ambassadors in our new newsletter segment. This new bi-weekly update will introduce you to the people behind-the-scenes at the Chamber, and get to know more about them, why they got involved with the Chamber, and what they love about serving our business community. This week we want to introduce you to Justina LeeStolz, a wonderful member of our Ambassador Team. If you would like to learn more about our Ambassador program, and getting involved with the Chamber please EMAIL US.
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JUSTINA LEESTOLZ | Justina LeeStolz Personal Real Estate Corporation
What is your position / title and company, and what do you do there?
I am the solo-preneur/CEO/director-of-shenanigans/bosswoman (whatever label you want to put on it) of Justina LeeStolz Personal Real Estate Corporation and I hang my license under the Century 21 umbrella. My primary role as a real estate advisor and REALTOR® is to provide professional real estate services (localized knowledge, systems, processes, checklists, contract writing etc.) to those folks who are looking to work with a trusted advisor and guide on their real estate journey, whether that is selling their property, buying their first home or another investment property!
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 different cities all up and down the Okanagan valley and feel super fortunate that my parents decided to make this oasis our home when I was just a baby. I've travelled the world and there's nothing quite like coming home to this valley after being abroad, there is just something really special about this place.
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What do you enjoy most about your role with the Kelowna Chamber?
My favorite part of being a Chamber Ambassador and a member of the Chamber is the ability to create familiarity and friendships with the various folks who attend chamber events and really put an effort into connecting one-on-one, getting to know each others' businesses and then finding ways to support and grow each others' success.
What are you looking forward to / planning for the future?
I'm what some people might call "an overly ambitious dreamer" and I've always got a dozen things rotating on the plate. The future for me holds a lot more real estate, both in my Realtor capacity and my own investing adventures, the continued growth of my passion project the #100AwesomePeople project as both a podcast and eventually a book, and I can't help but want to tack on a lot more hiking, camping, volleyball and dance when you live in this valley. In an ideal world, I'd have a few extra hours a day to dedicate to my creative passions around playing the saxophone, guitar and piano and way more creative writing and DIY woodworking projects!!
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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 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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