Two Steps Forward Now One Step Back: New Mask Rules for Central Okanagan |
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The province took the unprecedented step of imposing new and tighter restrictions for central Okanagan communities (only) last Wednesday. If you live in Lake Country. Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation Territory, and Peachland - these new orders apply to you.
The Chamber is also calling on the public to be patient and mindful of the stress on businesses as we all collectively navigate this new environment. To those businesses being impacted, please don't hesitate to reach out to the team at the Chamber if you need support. Read the full special message from the Kelowna Chamber by clicking the link below.
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IN-PERSON EVENT SET FOR SEPT: OC Speaker Series - How to Invite The World
Tuesday, September 28 | 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM | Coast Capri Hotel
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Former Tourism Vancouver President & CEO Rick Antonson (now a resident of the Okanagan, and a fan of the valley’s “reds, whites, and greens...”) reflects on his life experiences from the launching of BC’s bid for the 2010 Olympics to expanding a convention facility, and how to “invite the world” to visit your city. Limited seating for this "in-person" event.
He’ll be candid about mistakes made and lessons learned. And he will muse about the future opportunities for Kelowna businesses in the post-pandemic tourism decade with an eye to 2030. He reminds us, “Writers need readers,” so this full time author will also talk about his most recent book: Walking With Ghosts in Papua New Guinea, and the ties of culture, business and a destination’s reputation.
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August Business Smarts - Goal Setting & KPIs for Success
Tuesday, August 17 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Virtual
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Are you a manager or owner of a small business that produces a great product or service, and is eager to move to the next level?
Join us for Business Smarts Tuesday August 17 as Robert Scott of 2M Performance Measurement discusses why the largest and most successful companies use performance management strategies as an essential method to drive success and profitability.
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Maximizing Your Investment - Membership 101 (Members only)
Friday, August 27 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Virtual
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As a member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce there are many opportunities for you and your business to grow with the Chamber.
Whether you are a new member or have been with us for awhile, you're free to join us on Friday August 27 at 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM for a (virtual) briefing for you and your team on how you can get the most out of your investment in membership with the Kelowna Chamber.
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September Business Smarts: Boost Your Business with Happiness
Tuesday, September 21 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Virtual
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Join us for this motivational and interactive session and bring every leader on your team. You will learn from Tia Graham, the Founder of Arrive At Happy and be inspired by the science of happiness. You will take away powerful strategies to increase your well-being and professional success.
This session will include a leadership framework on exactly how to grow your revenues by creating a thriving culture. Happy employees create happy, loyal customers. You will walk away with tactics that you can implement immediately following the session. Each participant will receive a worksheet and the Arrive At Happy Resource Kit.
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Help Us Celebrate ALL of BDO's Top 40 Over 40 Recipients |
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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.
The program has now completed. We thank all participants for their support. Please take a moment to take a look at the full list of 40 incredible individuals and celebrate their accomplishments and community contributions at the link below.
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We are Prepping for In-Person Events this Fall
Seeking Hosts for the Kelowna Commerce Connex Event Series
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As we’ve moved to Step 3 of the BC Restart Plan - with short term mask restrictions - the Kelowna Chamber is now seeking interested members who would like to host one of our business connections social events in the fall and into 2022.
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NEWS & EVENTS IN OUR NETWORK |
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Kelowna to Host 2026 BC Summer Games |
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Last week, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, Melanie Mark announced that the City of Kelowna will host the 2026 BC Summer Games. Kelowna has an extensive history of hosting major sporting events, including three BC Summer Games in 2008, 1994, and 1980, and more recently, the 2019 55+ BC Games and Skate Canada International. BC Games host communities benefit from direct economic impact and sport development legacies as well as the opportunity to engage volunteers and residents in a celebration of community pride. The Games will be organized and staged by a community Board of Directors and supported by up to 3,000 volunteers.
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Tell the City of Kelowna your Ideas for the Future of Events in the City |
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Events can be important to community pride, animating public spaces, honouring history, building community and deliver economic impact. As events begin again, the City of Kelowna is setting out to develop its first-ever Events Strategy for Kelowna. Now until September 7 you can provide your feedback using their survey at the link below. The survey will help to inform further development of Kelowna's Event Strategy and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
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CRA Presentation for Persons with Disabilities
Thursday, August 5 | 1:30 PM | Virtual
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Benefits and credits are available to you! If you live with a disability or have a dependent with a disability, there are benefits and tax credits available to you and the people who support you. Some of the benefits and credits to which you may be eligible for are the Disability tax credit, medical expenses, Canada caregiver credit, and the Child disability benefit.
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BREAK into New Global Markets Online with ICE |
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This is an ideal time to extend your company's reach through the export of goods and services online. The Kelowna Chamber is pleased to be working with World Trade Centre Vancouver to present Integrated e-Commerce Essentials (ICE), a two day workshop that helps businesses discover, learn, and create an integrated online strategy to drive global sales.
Discover, learn, and create an integrated online strategy to drive your global sales. Full Bursaries are available for Chamber members. Contact the Kelowna Chamber to learn more.
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Financial Fitness Webinar Series from the Women's Enterprise Centre
Series Dates: August 10, 17, 24 | 10:00 AM | Virtual
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This summer, the Women's Enterprise Centre is offering a series of webinars to help you organize, understand and manage your business financials.
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ADDITIONAL COVID-19 UPDATES |
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Federal Government extends COVID-19 Benefits and Business Supports |
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Late last week, the government announced the extension of crucial COVID-19 support measures for Canadians and Canadian businesses in recognition that uneven economic reopening across regions and sectors means workers and businesses continue to need support. These extensions include:
- Extending the eligibility period for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Lockdown Support until October 23, 2021, and increasing the rate of support employers and organizations can receive during the period between August 29 and September 25, 2021.
- Extending the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) until October 23, 2021.
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Canadian Chamber Webinar: Help for the Hospitality and Tourism Industry |
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Tourism is a key contributor to Canada’s economy. It’s a sector that has been hit hard by COVID-19. Many businesses have been closed for months, their employees (including many summer students) out of work, which has affected many families and communities across Canada.
According to Statistics Canada, the tourism sector generated an estimated $104.4 billion in revenues in 2019, supported approximately one in 10 jobs in communities across Canada and contributed an estimated $45.1 billion in gross domestic product. The Canadian Chamber recently hosted a webinar with panelists representing various tourism and hospitality sectors. Listening to the webinar will give you new insights into the challenges the industry faces over the coming months.
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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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