Actively Engaged for Kimberley Business Since 1923 January 2011
Leadership-Advocacy-Benefits
The Kimberley & District Chamber of Commerce performs a leadership role in the promotion, development, growth and prosperity of businesses in our community. As well, we offer value based benefits and services, and contribute positively to our community in many ways.
Contact us to find out how you can become involved. Call us at (250) 427-3666 today!
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Chamber Strategic Plan 2011
Highlights & Priority Areas
 | l. to r. : Paddy Weston - City Rep.; Schaun Goodeve - Past President; Jenny Beatty - Director; Becky Pelkonen-2nd Vice President; Allyson Blake-1st Vice President; Craig Campbell; Ted Funston-Treasurer. Missing: Doug Schneider
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Your new board of directors met on January 7 at Northstar Mountain Village to review past success and focus on priority areas for your Chamber in 2011. In addition to ongoing business advocacy on items such as HST Mitigation, Minimum Wage and local issues, your board will focus on the following five areas for 2011:
1. Shop Local-Buy Local
The Chamber will work with community partners to drive business
to our members and all businesses
2. Marketing Support
The Chamber will model best practices in Events, relationships
and sponsorships
3. Member Education
The Chamber will support the growth and prosperity of local
businesses by helping to facilitate the education of entrepreneurs
by partnering with key players such as the College of the Rockies
4. Increase Chamber Awareness
The Chamber will work to improve communications to both its members and the entire business community
5. Solidify Relationship with City of Kimberley
The Chamber recognizes that a solid working relationship with The City of Kimberley is critical to the creation
of a prosperous business environment.
We are actively recruiting members of the business community to work with us on ad hoc task groups on these and many other initiatives. The Chamber is your vehicle for change! Come on board with us.
Call 250-427-3666 Today!
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The Chamber Supports LEES-SparkYouth Centre
 | | Calvin & Dana show off their Cuckoo for Cats creation |
Dana Horwood and Calvin Romane have created a Cuckoo Clock-Cat House that
will be the envy and joy of the felines at the East Kootenay SPCA.
Their project goal was to build cat stands for the EKSPCA as a completely
altruistic contribution to the well being of the guests awaiting adoption at the
centre. An important aspect of their project involved the creation a community
partnership to strengthen their community spirit. The Chamber is honoured to
have been invited to support this wonderful initiative and is looking for more
ways to support young people in our community.
There has been a great response to the Cuckoo Clock-Cat House and Dana and
Calvin are considering making more smaller scale copies of them.
Best of Luck to you both!
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Spirit of Kimberley Community Organization ShowcaseThursday February 10 at our fabulous new Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre! 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Admission is free! Enter to win an amazing Community Event prize package filled with tickets for two to most of our Community Events in 2011! Community Organizations will showcase their programs, events and volunteer opportunities. Come Show your Heart! Get involved in your community in a meaningful way, make new friends and learn new skills. 5:00 pm Doors open to the public 6:00 pm Welcoming Remarks 6:30 pm Bruce Kirkby salutes Kimberley Volunteers: "We are Kimberley-Stories from the Heart" 7:00 pm Join us for light refreshments, meet & mingle Organizations!
There is still room to participate in the showcase and the Educational Seminars: Attracting & Retaining Volunteers; Grant Writing; Governance. Only $20. Call 250-427-3666 Sponsored by: Columbia Basin Trust, City of Kimberley and Kimberley & District Chamber of Commerce |
 February 2011 Mingle
Thursday February 17, 2011
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Hosted by Burrito Grill
160 Howard Street
Beverages & Business Cards
Join us the third Thursday (some exceptions) of each month for an informal and informative evening where you can meet and mingle with local business people and community leaders. New members are introduced and invited to "blow your own horn". Beverages and appetizers are provided by local business sponsors and different businesses will host the event at their location each month. Call us at 250-427-3666 to find out how you can participate as a sponsor or showcase your business location.
Beverages and Business Cards runs from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm so plan to stop in after work and take advantage of this great networking and educational opportunity.
All business people and guests are welcome!
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Education to Go!
On October 19 College of the Rockies President Dr. Nick Rubidge and members of his staff presented Kimberley business leaders with an update on activities at our local college. He highlighted the fact that the College has contributed over 13 million dollars to our regional economy and that they want to ensure that they are answering the needs of our business community. In addition to the many academic and trades programs available, there is a valuable resource tailor-made for busy entrepreneurs. Ed2Go is a collection of a wide variety of short-term online courses that will provide business people with the skills they need to succeed. Take advantage of our slower "shoulder season" and take a course. All of these affordable (mostly around $129), convenient and fun courses include an expert instructor and lessons supplemented by interactive quizzes, assignments, tutorials and online discussions. Best yet, you can "test drive" the course with no obligation! Topics include: Business Communication and Leadership, Business Fundamentals, Business Software, General Business and Management and Project Management. There are 40 courses under business and management alone and dozens of other courses in sales and marketing and more! Click on the link below to get started!
Education to Go Portal
Funding Available!
WORKPLACE TRAINING FOR INNOVATION PROGRAM
Best News Yet! Did you know that small businesses and non profit organizations are eligible for up to $1500 per employee or $5000 per business/enterprise for skills training? Funding is available until January of 2011.
All that is required is that you complete a simple one page application, attach details of the course/s being taken and send it in at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the course. Just click on the link below:
Workplace Training Program Application
For additional information contact Mike Flowers at our local College of the Rockies Campus at 250-427-7116
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The New Chamber Member Business Directory
Now Available!
Another great reason to join your Chamber today!
The 2011 Kimberley & District Chamber of Commerce Member Business Directory is ready. While Kimberley businesses and the Chamber are very much tuned into the "Internet Age", we recognize that there are many people who prefer to use more traditional print media for information. The new Chamber Member Business Directory is printed in a handy, portable format that will provide exposure for our members and ready access by everyone. The directory is being distributed to local businesses, the City, the Library and other resource centers.
Member businesses are grouped according to sector such as Retail, Trades, Spas & Wellness, Professional Services, etc., and each business is assigned a code letter that will indicate its location - eg. B for Blarchmont, P for Platzl. In addition to member business listings, the directory includes a section for events and festivals. The result is a directory that will be valuable to local consumers, business people and visitors alike. Contact the Chamber today for your copy of the directory.
To be listed in the next printing of the directory you must be a Chamber Member - it is one of the many benefits of Chamber membership. You can apply for membership today by calling (250) 427-3666, by visiting our website at www.kimberleychamber.com or dropping into our office at 270 Kimberley Avenue.
Don't miss out on the next issue- Join Your Chamber Today!
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Chamber Benefit
of the Month
Chamber Group Insurance
The Chamber Group Insurance Plan is the Number One Chamber membership benefit for a very good reason: It Pays!Our plans provide excellent benefits for small businesses from 1 to 50. Options include medical, dental, disability, critical illness, overhead expense plans and Pay Direct Prescription Drug cards.Tailor-made plans to suit your needs. Call your local Chamber Plan Representative: Wayne Haddad at 250-426-4221 wayne.haddad@sunlife.com_______________________ |
NEW Member Benefit
Constant Contact is a great tool to communicate with your customers! As a Chamber Member you are eligible for great discounts on your new or any current Constant Contact accounts. Members can SAVE 20% WHEN YOU PREPAY FOR 6 MONTHS OR 25% IF YOU PREPAY FOR 12 MONTHS!
For a free Trial Account just click on the link below:
Constant Contact
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College of the Rockies
Click Here for Current Course Selection
Continuing Education
Your community source for skills upgrading, career enhancement, and pre-employment or special interest training. Our Winter 2011 courses are now on the web...check our course list to see if we have a course/ program that is right for you.
There are many new and exciting courses you can take this winter. The possibilities are endless. The Journey Starts Here!
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SKILLS TRAINING
Are you looking to add to or improve your small business skills in a quick and convenient manner? Then CFEK's business courses may be the answer you're looking for. Whether you've been in business for years or are about to start a new one, CFEK's affordable courses are packed with practical information aimed at entrepreneurs just like you. Topics range from advertising and marketing to website design, e-commerce, and business law. There's bound to be a course that will help you improve your bottom line!
Click here for CFEK Training & Events
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Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council
KRIC Website
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Women's Enterprise Centre
Centre Website
Great New courses for women entrepreneurs!
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Welcome New Members!
The Chamber is pleased to welcome the following new members in 2011:
SNAP East Kootenay, Mac Campbell Associates, Gasthaus am Platzl.
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