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"Mastering the One Page Plan"
Workshop
Thursday, May 31
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Coast Capri Hotel
Accelerate Okanagan invites you to attend this workshop May 31st, presented by Kevin Lawrence, a Gazelles International Certified Coach.
Based on the best-selling book, "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits" by Verne Harnish, this workshop will focus on business growth principles and strategic planning for the year ahead.
You will walk away with a solid start on the Gazelles' signature One-Page Strategic Plan, best practices and tools to strengthen your ability to execute and accelerate your growth, and an aligned, accountable and enthusiastic leadership team.
Registration required by May 28. Click here for details.
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International Gateway Kelowna Celebrates 10th Anniversary
International Gateway Kelowna (IGK), Kelowna's oldest private English as a Second Language (ESL) school, is celebrating its 10th anniversary on May 11, 2012.
IGK offers a wide range of ESL programs and summer camps and is the only Cambridge testing centre outside of the Lower Mainland. Over the past 10 years IGK has hosted over 5,000 students aged six to 79 from more than 30 countries!
It is estimated that international students spend at least $300 to $500 per person in the community every week on a year round basis on as tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, meals and entertainment, and other items. Many of these students volunteer in the community and participate in work placements and farmstays.
International students enhance the multicultural diversity and culture of the Kelowna area. As well, they help educate friends and family members in their countries of origin about the business, lifestyle and tourism opportunities in the Central Okanagan.
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Water Damage Restoration Training Course in Kelowna
May 23 - 25
Hazmasters, specialists in work safety training with branches across Canada, is holding a Water Damage Restoration Training (WRT) course in Kelowna May 23 to 25th, 2012.
This is an IICRC/CleanTrust certified course and holds the value of two Continuing Education Credits.
Click here for details. |
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Canadian Innovation Commercialization
Program (CICP)
Bridging the
Pre-commercialization Gap for Innovative Goods and Services
The Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP) is a new initiative designed to bolster innovation in Canada's business sector. It helps bridge the pre-commercialization gap for innovative products and services and get them from the lab to the marketplace.
The CICP targets innovations in four priority areas: Environment; Safety and Security; Health, and Enabling Technologies.
For more information, click here. |
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Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission Releases 2012 Economic Profile
Region Sees Highest Level of Business Retention Since 2007
2011 saw the highest business licence retention rate in the Central Okanagan Region for a five-year period at 85.3% for the period 2005 to 2011. This is among the wide range of demographic information available in the newly released 2012 Central Okanagan Profile produced by the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.
The Profile is a valuable tool for market research with users ranging from company site selectors looking to locate in the region to business students and individuals researching the marketplace. It includes information on post secondary education, labour force details, industry sector activity, major projects underway, and resources related to living in the Central Okanagan.
- The Kelowna CMA (Census Metropolitan Area, Central Okanagan) is the fastest growing CMA in British Columbia (2006-2011) and has the fourth fastest growing population in Canada;
- The District of Lake Country experienced the largest percentage population increase at 21.9% (2006-2011);
- CMHC forecasts Kelowna CMA (Central Okanagan) housing starts to increase 18% in 2012 with a projected median price point of $585,000 for a new single detached home;
- Apartment rental rates in 2011 recorded minimal change for the second straight year;
- Construction permits for industrial developments achieved a record in 2011 at over $20 million dollars;
- Residential permits continued a downward trend to reach a ten-year low in 2009, recovered moderately in 2010, but continued the downward movement in 2011;
- There are over 45 major projects identified by the BC Major Projects Inventory (proposed and construction started) in the Region;
- Employment growth in the Technology, Culture and Recreation sector increased 71% (2007-2011);
- Of firms with employees, the largest growth was in the Finance and Insurance sector which increased by 21%. This was followed by the Education sector at 14% (2007-2011);
- Over the same five year period, of firms with employees, declines were felt in the Management of Companies (-12%) and Manufacturing (-9%) sectors;
- Although significantly lower than the boom years of 2006 and 2007, the forecasted housing starts for 2012 are projected to be closer to 2002 levels;
- Tourism in the Central Okanagan region generates 7,100 direct tourism jobs, 11,300 indirect jobs and $218 million dollars in annual spending.
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June Event Focuses on Developing the
Alberta Connection with the Central Okanagan
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission's 2012 Strategic Plan outlines the connection to be made with Albertans and educating them on the opportunities in the Central Okanagan as a place to live and locate their businesses. The plan states:
"Real estate investment into the Okanagan between 2004 and 2008 from the Alberta marketplace created significant job creation and economic activity. Albertans have been distracted by HST, the cheaper US marketplace for housing and until recent months, a slowing oil economy. With improving oil markets and a continued quality of life and climate, the timing is right to re-engage in a strategic networked way positioning the Okanagan as a great place to do business, live and grow."
The COEDC is holding an event in June, 2012 aimed at furthering this strategic connection. Locals with contacts in Alberta are invited to meet with the Commission to determine how we can best "invite" their Albertan contacts to events in Calgary and Edmonton in the fall of this year. The local June event will be an evening wine and cheese designed to share the Commission's plans to inform the Alberta community about the opportunities to live, invest and work in the Okanagan.
If you are from Alberta living in the Kelowna area, or would like to work with the COEDC in inviting your Alberta contacts to the June event, please contact the Commission by email at [email protected] or by phone (250) 469-6280.
Please note, the Commission will not redistribute the developed contact list without previous consent.
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Local Toyota Dealership Lights Up with
Cost Saving LED Lighting
Local company S2 Innovative Products has helped Kelowna's Toyota dealership take steps to increase its bottom line and reduce its carbon footprint with the installation of new LED lighting for its outside parking lot.
The new LED lights use one fifth the wattage as the previous 1,000 watt fixtures and are expected to save the company from $10,000 to $12,000 year, says dealership owner Jack Kofoed.
Click on the video for the full story.
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Federal Hiring Credit for Small Business Extended
 The Economic Action Plan 2012 extends the temporary Hiring Credit for Small Business (HCSB) to make it more attractive to hire new workers.
The HCSB gives small businesses relief from the employer's share of employment insurance premiums paid in a year. It does this by crediting up to $1,000 on the payroll account, based on the increase in an employer's EI premiums paid in one year over those paid in the year before.
For more information, click here. |
 | | Central Okanagan Business Service Guide |
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