February 16 | 2020
WELCOME TO BC CHAMBER WEEK
Voting For New Chamber Board of Directors Begins This Week
The nominations are in for the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce's 2021 Board of Directors. Thirteen positions are open that will be filled in the election period that begins tomorrow and runs through March 1, 2021. 

Jeffrey Robinson has been re-elected as President by acclamation as has Vice-President Dan Price and Pamela Pearson who returns as Secretary. Nikki Csek will remain on the Board as Past President.

Electronic voting will be conducted by the Chamber to fill the open Director at Large positions and is open to all members. Members will receive their link to vote via a direct email to the person we have listed as the primary contact. If you did not receive an email link, please first check your Junk Mail folder and then contact Dicky at dicky@kelownachamber.org .
Membership 101: Maximizing Your Membership Investment
Join us Friday February 25 from 9:00am to 10:00am for Membership 101. The event is open to any and all members of the Chamber as an introduction or refresher of your membership benefits. Members of your team are also welcome to attend.

Our monthly member meet and greet is online and a great way to learn more about your Chamber membership while connecting with other local businesses.
Chamber Adds Key Staff to Provide Increased Services to Members & Community
Pandemic notwithstanding, the Kelowna Chamber continues to provide top-level business support services to our members and the community. To do this, we employ top-level staff, and we have added two outstanding new staff members to our ranks. Joining us are Michelle Ratcliffe and Shane Osborne. We want you to get to know them, and invite you to get in touch via phone, email, or LinkedIn or any of the Chamber’s social media channels. Here’s a bit more about who they are:
Michelle Ratcliffe, Stakeholder Relations Manager

Michelle’s primary focus will be delivering value to the business community, taking a collaborative approach to working with institutions and businesses in the valley. As general manager of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, Michelle drove strategy and collaboration that elevated the resort economy and fostered business resilience. In 2020 Michelle earned a certificate in Sustainable Tourism from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, deepening her ability to bring a triple bottom line lens to both the visitor economy and the broader business community. She currently serves as chair of the board for Arts Whistler, an inspired organization integrating arts into the fabric of the Whistler community. michelle@kelownachamber.org
Shane Osborne, Business Development Manager
Shane comes to the Kelowna Chamber from the Better Business Bureau where he was Business Development Manager for the Okanagan Valley. Before that, he was Manager of Accreditation Services for the BBB in southern Alberta/East Kootenays. Shane also held regional and national roles with Starbucks Coffee and Landmark Cinemas of Canada. He describes himself as passionate about helping businesses elevate their brand while growing and nurturing their consumer base. He sees the marketplace as a home for economic growth when businesses are aligned with a trusted brand such as the Chamber. He plans to tailor Chamber membership to the business to make the best fit possible, maximizing membership value. shane@kelownachamber.org
Help Us Celebrate Remarkable Individuals in our Community Over the Age of 40
BDO's Top 40 Over 40 program celebrates and showcases mentors, community leaders, and role models who encourage and foster the future leaders of our community. Partnering with BDO, the Kelowna Chamber will be highlighting new Honourees between February and July 2021. Nominate someone today by clicking the link below.
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NEWS & EVENTS IN OUR NETWORK
Survey Extended: How Can We Help Your Business Adopt New Technology?
The BC Chamber network and Innovate BC have partnered on a survey of BC businesses to better understand the challenges Kelowna businesses face in adopting new technology and scaling your business. We want to hear from you – how can new technology help your business during the COVID pandemic?

Your feedback will be shared directly with government to inform potential future government programs to support businesses during COVID recovery and beyond. Tell us what we can do to help Kelowna businesses adopt new technology.
Okanagan College Foundation Hosts Virtual Student Awards Celebration
Recently, more than 200 donors and students logged onto Zoom to celebrate the impact of community support that helped Okanagan College students thrive under the extraordinary circumstances thrown at them by the pandemic. During the event, Michael Making was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Gerry Frederick Memorial Award.
Cannabis Act Review: Ancillary Businesses
On the second anniversary of the legalization of recreational cannabis for adult use, the Canadian Chamber's National Cannabis Working Group is launching an industry-led review of the Cannabis Act to provide recommendations on how the government should improve Canada’s federal legislative and regulatory frameworks for cannabis. Join in on the conversation February 17, from 10:00 - 11:30am.
Industrial Revolution 4.0 Webinar: C2C2C Corridors and Infrastructure
Canada is a resource-rich, interconnected country united by complex and stable trade-enabling and transportation infrastructure networks. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted vulnerabilities not only in our corridor system, but also in our communities, particularly in indigenous groups. Don't miss the conversation February 22 from 10:00am - 11:00am to explore how a long-term national economic strategy can help our post-COVID economic recovery while still respecting the key objective of addressing climate change and reconciliation.
Next Week: Develop & Strategize New Approaches to Engage Your Customers
Don't miss your chance to position your business for long-term success, invest in your team and your future, by signing up for Building Resilience to Thrive Program, offered in partnership with the BC Chamber of Commerce.

Your investment is just $70 and if you are a member of the Kelowna Chamber you receive 50% off. The next cohort begins February 24, 2021.
Community Engagement Session: Recruitment & Retention in Childcare
This interactive workshop, organized by Childhood Connections, will review the current state of childcare as well as the Community Childcare Planning Report conducted earlier this year. There will be a recap on the first session, which saw passion and innovative ideas to fix the childcare crisis as well as some new directions to pursue.

In part 2 of this workshop, Tuesday March 2 at 7:00pm, the group will build on these ideas and continue with facilitator-led breakout rooms. Questions on different ways to support recruitment and retention of ECEs are encouraged.
Kelowna Hotel Motel Association Elects New President & Board
The Kelowna Hotel Motel Association (KHMA) has elected their board of directors for 2021. They are Natalie Corbett, President (Accent Inns); Dale Sivucha, Past President (Coast Capri); Cedric Younge, Vice President (Hyatt Place); Emma Whanstall, Secretary (Hotel Zed) and Heather Schaub, returning Treasurer (Casa Loma Resort). Directors returning are Christa Park, Royal Anne Hotel; Edan Fay, The Royal Kelowna and Rick Andre, Kanata Kelowna. Daniel Ruel of the Fairfield Inn is a new director on the board. The KHMA acts as a liaison to facilitate develop and support the business initiatives affecting the accommodation sector in Kelowna.  
Photo: Facebook - Kelowna Hotel Motel Association
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COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES
Canada United Reopens February 16th with Grants of Up To $5,000 Available
Over $14 million has been contributed to the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund by the federal government, RBC and Canada United partners to support COVID-19 recovery efforts. We have provided relief to over 2,000 small businesses across the country.

Applications will be accepted again starting today, February 16, 2021 at 10:00am.

Grants of up to $5,000 are still available for small businesses to cover expenses related to personal protective equipment (PPE), renovations to accommodate re-opening guidelines and developing or improving website and e-commerce capabilities.
Updated PHO Public Order: Gatherings and Events
An updated version of the public order for Gatherings and Events was released on February 10, 2021 by the Public Health Officer.

Key changes in the order include acknowledging concerns of virus variants now present in Canada and the province and potential effects as a result of gathering, and new language around constitutionally-protected interests such as freedoms guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and more.
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MEET YOUR CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS & AMBASSADORS
Get to know the Kelowna Chamber's Board of Directors and 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 Justin O'Connor, an insightful member of our Board of Directors. If you would like to learn more about our Ambassador program and get involved please EMAIL US.
JUSTIN O'CONNOR | Sotheby's International Realty Canada

What is your position / title and company, and what do you do there?
I'm Justin O’Connor, Senior Vice President, Sales, and I launched the Sotheby’s International Realty Canada office in Kelowna where my team and I sell luxury residential real estate.

How long have you been in the Okanagan? If you aren’t originally from the valley, what led you to call the Okanagan ‘home’? 
Raised on a ranch an hour outside of Kelowna, I had a desire to further my education to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in a larger market. After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Okanagan University College in Kelowna, I moved to the Lower Mainland and worked as a financial planner with RBC Dominion Securities. In 2011, I returned to the valley and purchased Okanagan HOME Magazine and obtained my real estate license. I missed the sense of community, the beauty and opportunity of this region. This truly is one of the best places to live in Canada, if not North America. I strive to do my part to give back to this community that I love.
What do you enjoy most about your role with the Kelowna Chamber?
I enjoy working with such a professional and talented group of people who are involved with the Kelowna Chamber. I appreciate how much the board of directors, committee members, staff, and executives care about our community and strive to add value to Chamber Members. The Chamber is a great organization and I’m proud to be part of it. 

What are you looking forward to / planning for the future?
I’m looking forward to a time when this pandemic is behind us and we can get back to being around our friends. 
 
We are celebrating our ten year anniversary for my “Ride To Reach” motorcycle charity ride this year so I’m excited about that. I always enjoy seeing new country on my motorcycle and giving back to my community.
 
I’m also looking forward to seeing what 2021 has in store for my team and me. I’m proud to represent Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Kelowna and fortunate to have so many great clients that we really enjoy working with. 
 
I wish everyone all the best in 2021.
NEW MEMBERS & MEMBER MILESTONES
Welcome to our New Chamber Members!
Congratulations to our Members Celebrating Milestones this Month!
UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS AT GLANCE
Need to add someone in your organization to our mailing list?
Drop us a line!
KELOWNA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | kelownachamber.org