April News From Your Chamber

Actively Engaged for Kimberley Business Since 1923 April 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!

Third Annual Business Excellence Awards

Saturday April 9, 2011

Kimberley Conference & Athlete Training Centre

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS

Employee of the Year presented to Entrepreneur of the Year Environmental Stewardship Award presented

     Debbie Blais of the Kimberley                    presented to Katie Termette            to Togs by Dr. Ilona Hale from Wildsight
   Medical Clinic by Wendy Van                       of Green Earth Recycling            ( Sioban accepts on their behalf)
   Puymbroek of St Eugene Golf Resort by Isabelle Randall of RBC
     Casino

Business of the Year Award Community Booster Award Creative Professional Award presented

presented to Kyle Lomon of       presented to Gord Jenkins       to Maurice Frits and Jenny Broere of
            Black Bear Books & Video by                 by Mayor Jim Ogilvie of the             Go Kimberley-Kimberley Promotions by
           Nicole Koran of Kimberley Daily            City of Kimberley                                Maureen Gordon of Kootenay Business
           Bulletin                                                                                                                           Magazine - Koocanusa Publications

2011 Food and Beverage 2011 Professional Services 2011 retail Business

Food and Beverage Industry Award             Professional Services Award          Retail Business of the Year Award
presented to The Village Bistro by               presented to Joanne Kitt by presented to Adam & Josee McMillan
Dave Burkey of Overwaitea Foods Allyson Blake of Mountain Spirit    of Kimberley Home Hardware by
(Sioban accepts on their behalf)           Resort and Spa                                  Ted Funston of Kimberley Alpine Resort

              2011 tradesperson        2011 Youth Friendly
Tourism Excellence Award                        Tradesperson of the Year Award         Youth Friendly Business Award presented
presented to Brenda Birrell                        presented to Eric Theissen by                to Carly Marsh of Grubstake Pizza by
of Bootleg Sled Dog Races by                   David Bellm of David Bellm & Co             Jeff Johnson of B104 and the Drive
Heather Hornoi of Tourism Kimberley        Insurance

Thank you to our generous Sponsors:

SNAP East Kootenay

Kimberley Daily Bulletin

Kimberley Alpine Resort

Mountain Spirit Resort & Spa

Kootenay Business Magazine - Koocanusa Publications

St Eugene Golf Resort Casino

David Bellm & Co Insurance

B104 and The Drive

RBC Royal Bank

Tourism Kimberley

The City of Kimberley

Overwaitea Foods

Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook

Thank you all for your support and see you April 7, 2012 for our 4th Annual Business Excellence Awards

SHOP LOCAL-SHOP KIMBERLEY!

Our chamber Shop local committee has been very active. One of the first tasks was to create a readily identifiable logo for our program. The result is the attractive logo you see right here. It was designed by Maurice Frits of Kimberley Promotions. The logo will be used in many ways to promote awareness and to prompt shoppers to make local choices. More than ever our businesses deserve your support.

Our committee includes Chamber board members Jennifer Beatty and Allyson Blake, Maurice Frits and Jenny Broere from Kimberley Promotions-Locals Card, Tara Penner with Columbia Community Dollars and Sioban Staplin Chamber Executive Director.
The initiative will focus on Education and there is a survey out right now designed to obtain information about visitor shopping practices. Additional surveys will focus on local consumers and businesses. As well, Shop Local signs will be produced and distributed for businesses to display. Each sign will feature a "Shop Local Fact" and our logos. A card featuring our "Shop Local Top 10" will be distributed and we encourage all Kimberley business people and residents to take even small steps towards supporting our local economy. If you are interested in being part of this initiative please contact Sioban at 250-427-3666

May 2011 Mingle

Thursday May 19, 2011

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Location: Gasthaus am Platzl - Hosted by Peter Rathpoller

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!

2011 Federal Election Candidates Forum

Your Chamber of Commerce hosted the Federal Election Candidates Forum April 18, 2011 at McKim Theatre.
Candidates attending were: Betty Aitcheson - Liberal Party; Brent Bush - Independent; Bill Green - Green Party;
Mark Shmigelsky - New Democratic Party. Over 120 residents from Kimberley, Cranbrook and surrounding area were in attendance and the questions covered a wide range of issues.
Your Chamber recognizes the importance of these forums for our business community and we will be hosting provincial and municipal forums as those election dates draw near.

In This Issue

Business Excellence Awards

April Mingle

All Candidates Forum

Chamber Benefits

Constant Contact

College of the Rockies

CFEK Skills Training

KRIC