Voice of Business Newsletter

Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce

July 2007

In This Issue

July Survey

President's Message

Manager's Report

Economic Development

Celebrating A Century

Merchants Against Money Laundering

Payworks

JobWave

New Members

Monthly Survey Question Penticton Chamber

The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce wants to know what you think!

Click here to view this month's survey question.

Thanks to all those who responded to last month's survey question.

President's Message by Chris Browne

Secondary Suites

Every community eventually has to deal with the question regarding the legalization of Secondary Suites. The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce put the question to our members to see what they had to say.

Over 95% of our members who responded said that they would support the legalization of secondary suites. We hope to see our local government develop bylaws and regulations to assist in managing secondary suites.

For the first time home buyer, it may be just what it takes to get into today's housing market as the rent received from the suite can help pay the mortgage. A suite also may become the space that older children and seniors can move into allowing families to stay together longer - seniors certainly do like the sense of security of having someone close by. Basement units provide the tenant with the greatest ease of entry and often include access to a yard. Detached housing neighborhoods generally have easy access to schools, shopping recreation centres and other services.

Secondary suites can make up a valuable component of the affordable housing stock in the community. They expand the supply of lower cost rental housing without the need of government subsidies. This is a manageable way to increase the affordable housing stock and to take some pressure off subsidized housing.

Secondary suites also provide the opportunity for renters to live in a lower density residential neighborhood without significantly changing the form of detached housing neighborhoods. This allows municipalities to increase density and meet housing needs without drastically altering the character of the neighborhood. More people in these areas make better use of under-utilized infrastructure in neighborhoods that have undergone population declines or changes as family members grow up and leave home. It can go a long way to help develop more transit-supportive communities. By increasing density within established communities, pressure to build new developments at the community's edge is reduced and that land can remain intact for recreational purposes and agricultural economies.

Illegal suites are a part of our community now. It is best to acknowledge them and to no longer encourage a culture of non-compliance. A permissive policy will encourage compliance and ensure that secondary suites are built to code.

Manager's Report by Lorraine Renyard

Everyone is welcome to attend Brand Launch

Penticton & Wine Country Tourism will unveil their new brand 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 17^th on the front lawn at the Wine Country Visitor Centre. The unveiling will be followed by an open house in the upstairs boardroom.

The re-brand follows development of a five-year comprehensive destination marketing strategy for Penticton. The Penticton & Wine Country Tourism Advisory Council chose Strategex Consulting Group, the firm responsible for development of Penticton's tourism plan to develop the brand. The new brand identity is based on extensive consumer research and supports the new brand positioning which is: Penticton is the perfect holiday base from which to explore the abundance of wineries, farms, and culinary experiences of the scenic Okanagan Valley.

Located in the heart of BC's wine country, on the shores of two beautiful lakes, Penticton maintains its small town charm while offering visitors a vast array of sophisticated yet unpretentious wine and food experiences, outdoor adventures, or simply the opportunity to relax and enjoy the quintessential family beach vacation. The new brand will form the basis of future Penticton & Wine Country Tourism communication and marketing initiatives.

Randy Kowalchuk, Chair of the Tourism Advisory Council says "since the implementation of the 2% hotel tax we have seen a 15% increase in our visitor statistics and room revenues over the same period as last year. Now with the development of a new brand for Penticton we are excited to be moving forward with our new five year Marketing Plan. I would like to thank the committee members Colin Buckingham and Miranda Halladay for all their hard work on this project."

Strategex and staff of Penticton & Wine Country Tourism are to be congratulated on a job well done.

Economic Development Services

by Wayne Tebbutt

Export Opportunities in Beijing

Summer 2008

The Economic Development Department has been contacted by the Provincial Secretariat for the 2010 Olympics regarding trade show opportunities for our manufacturing community.

Provincial representatives are now beginning to meet with BC companies and screen them for possible attendance in the 24,000 square foot pavilion that will be hosted by our Province during the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Assistance in preparation for these events is free of charge to those selected.

Our companies must be export ready and able to sponsor their own travel and accommodation to the event in China. There will be showings between May and Sept of 2008, where different manufacturing sectors will be represented both in Beijing and other parts of Asia.

This is an excellent opportunity for world wide exposure at very little cost to the company.

We are asking that you contact Wayne Tebbutt or Susie Latham in the Chamber office and show your interest. One-on-one meetings with provincial representatives will follow. The EDS contact number is 493-3323 or email wtebbutt@penticton.org

Celebrating a Century

Penticton will celebrate its 100^th Anniversary in 2008 and we invite everyone to join in the year long celebration. The official signing date of the incorporation of the City of Penticton was December 31^st, 1908.

Our theme for 2008 is 'Celebrating a Century'

A Centennial Advisory Committee has been appointed by City Council and it has been hard at work for over a year. Sharon Amos is Chair and the committee includes Councillors Joanne Grimaldi, Randy Manuel and Garry Litke, as well as representatives from a broad cross section of the community. The offices are located in the Westminster Centre and Andrina Iliffe, the Centennial assistant, is there Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please visit our website at www.penticton.ca/centennial for regular updates. We can also be reached at 490-2391 if you have an idea to offer or would like to volunteer.

We encourage you to participate in every way you can, but especially by keeping up to date on the many things happening throughout the year. Activities include: City Council re-enacting the meeting of the day in 1908 (in period costume), a Heart Health Fair in February, a Centennial Ball in April, a Heritage Festival in June, a Cultural Festival in July, a Heritage Trail, Time capsules, a Centennial Quilt, a Centennial Song, coin and other keepsakes, a Centennial Book or books, Symposiums, Conferences, Reunions - and the list goes on. We are hoping that all Festivals and events throughout 2008 will adopt a Centennial theme and help Penticton party.

We encourage you to host a meeting or conference with a Centennial theme in 2008, and to invite friends and family to come and help celebrate Penticton's Centennial. Let's celebrate the past while looking forward to an exciting and dynamic future.

Merchants Against Money Laundering

Why people Launder Money:

Avoid prosecution
Tax evasion
Appear legitimate

How to Report a Suspicious Transaction:

Go to FINTRAC'S website www.fintrac.gc.ca and submit a report online.
You may also report directly to law enforcement by faxing information to the Integrated Proceeds of Crime Section within the RCMP (fax: 604-264-2304)
The Criminal code ensures that there is no liability sustained by anyone reporting information that they believe may be relevant to money laundering. (462.47 CC)

For more information, please contact Al Sismey at Community Policing, 770-4721.

Payworks

Our experienced and knowledgeable staff are there to help sort through issues and to provide valuable, reliable advice, service and support. Our friendly Customer Service Representatives know your payroll and they know you too! They'll work with you to quickly solve any problems, provide resources and answer any payroll questions you might have.

For more information please contact your Payworks Customer Service Representative at 1.866.788.3500.

JobWave

JobWave is one of Canada's most successful employment programs. To date, JobWave has helped income assistance recipients achieve over 57,000 job placements. The newest phase of the program recently marked an important one-year milestone - 2,500 job openings filled! Most importantly, however, JobWave is about changing people's lives; people just like Terry.

With the help of the JobWave team, Terry found full-time employment as a painter and now earns well over the minimum wage at $14.00/hr. When he started the JobWave program, Terry had been on and off income assistance for years and lacked the self-confidence to pursue employment.

Terry truly appreciates the support he received from JobWave to prepare for employment. This included one-on-one coaching appointments and weekly touch back sessions, job leads, the resource room and a number of workshops on goal setting, time management and career exploration. He credits the team at JobWave with keeping his spirits up, believing in him and helping him realize that he could get and keep a job.

Terry's job has made a huge difference to his family and to Terry's attitude and temperament. His words say it all: "I can provide for my family - I know what I am doing is exactly what I should be doing. I love it! Having this job makes me a happier and better person."

JobWave is delivered by WCG International HR Solutions under the framework of the BC Employment Program. Other WCG programs include Triumph Vocational Services, an employment program for people with disabilities.

To hire through JobWave, please contact your Penticton Area Employment Solutions Representative today! Call Don Strang at 276-1002 (this is a local call - 276 is a new Penticton prefix).