e-news business update for the Central Okanagan November 28th, 2011

Big Decision 2

New TV Series Provides Investment and Advice for Canadian Entrepreneurs

Stars of Canada's top-rated entertainment program Dragons Den are hitting the road to help struggling companies get back on track by offering their expertise - and their own money.

Producers of the exciting new series, The Big Decision are currently searching for Canadian companies to participate in the show, which will give business owners an opportunity to receive no-nonsense advice and an investment from Canada's most successful and respected entrepreneurs.

Find out more . . .

Westbank Chamber Offers

Internet and Other Services

Through the Community Access Program website, the Westbank Chamber of Commerce makes the following services available at no charge:

Creation of a 5 page website
Marketing assistance
Business card and brochure design
Set up of your business on Facebook and Twitter

Visit www.westbankcap.com

Westbank Chamber Seeking Volunteers

The Westbank & District Chamber of Commerce is looking to engage the local business community in events, committees and on its Board of Directors.

If you have what it takes' - some time and a desire to make a difference - please contact the Chamber at (250) 768-3378 or email admin@westbankchamber.com

Water Park Toys' Water Cannon Represents New Wave in Aquatic Toys

Kelowna-based Water Park Toys, a developer of innovative, interactive and educational aquatic toys has just returned from two major trade events where it received great response to the launch of the Water Cannon, the first in a line of interactive children's aquatic toys being developed by the company.

The Water Cannon is much simpler to install than most aquatic play products, is easy for children to operate and can be used in a wide range of settings from backyard pools to community aquatic centers. Unlike traditional aquatic toys, it can be installed or retrofitted to a new or existing pool or aquatic facility in minutes and simply fastens to the ground with four fasteners. It sprays water up to 25 feet in different directions and comes with interchangeable themes faces.

The product received excellent response from attendees at the International Pool and Spa Expo in Las Vegas and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo in Orlando this month.

More information. . .

Central Okanagan Business Services Guide

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Peachland Chamber Recognizes 2011 Business Excellence Winners

Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners
recognized through the Peachland Business Excellence Awards on November 19th:

Business of the Year

Happy Cow Cafe and Catering

Business Person of the Year

Walter Huber - Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery

Excellence in a Service Business

Karen's Place - Hair and Body Works

Excellence in a Trades Business

DJ Plumbing and Heating

Excellence in Professional Services

Peachland Dental Centre

Excellence in a Retail Business

The Lanai Ladies Boutique

Excellence in Tourism/Hospitality

Peachland Visitor Centre

Excellence in Restaurant/Food Services

Rocky J's Beach Hut

Community Booster

Treegroup

A Rising Star

Pack-N-Stack

Thank you to all the sponsors of this event:

Gold Sponsors: TNI, Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Dunamis Projects, Valley First, Treegroup, Effective Printing Inc.

Bronze Sponsors: Jasmine Jewellers,Rocky J's Beach Hut, Johnston Meier Insurance, PostNet, Westside Curb Appeal, The Waterfront Grill.

There are still two weeks remaining for entrepreneurs to nominate themselves for a Small Business BC Successful You Award. Last year's nominees and finalists received over $200,000 in media exposure, and you will be recognized as one of BC's BEST!

The nomination and voting period is open until November 30, 2011. Take five minutes and nominate your business by visiting the Successful You Awards Contest and nominate your business in up to six award categories.

Government of Canada Invests in Canadian Business Innovation

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Ministry of Industry announced this month an $80 million investment over three years to help accelerate the adoption of information and communications technologies by small and medium-sized businesses. This is a pilot initiative starting in fiscal year 2011-2012 designed to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies by more than 600 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in any sector or location across Canada.

The program has three goals: supporting and increasing the adoption of digital technologies in SMEs in all sectors of the economy, raising awareness of the productivity benefits and importance of these technologies, and improving our understanding of the link between digital technologies and productivity by gathering data from participating firms. The awareness-raising and data-gathering aspects of the program will help a greater number of Canadian firms benefit from lessons learned by pilot participants during the program's three years.

Firms interested in adopting digital technology into their operations such as production lines, workflow processes, or supply chain or customer management systems may be eligible to receive advisory services and/or a financial contribution of up to $99,999 through the pilot program.

Read the press release....

WTF! "What The Fast" claims the Jump:Start Title

It's official: the overall winner of Accelerate Okanagan's Jump:Start Challenge - WTFast (What The Fast), a Kelowna-based start-up whose product speeds up massively multiplayer online games. The announcement followed the final "Pitch-Off" sessions in Kelowna on November 16 and in Vancouver on November 17 before an invitation-only audience of top-tier investors.

WTFast will receive $10,000 in prizes, including free enrolment for one year in Accelerate Okanagan's Venture Acceleration Program which helps high potential technology companies accelerate their growth. The company also receives one year of free office space at Accelerate Okanagan's Kelowna or Penticton innovation centres.