Voice of Business Newsletter

At the City Council meeting last week we were given the opportunity to make a presentation. Up for review were the budgets for the Fee for Service contracts regarding Economic Development and Tourism Development. It is part of a process that Council goes through every year in reviewing all their financial commitments.

Kelly Reid, Tourism Marketing Coordinator and Wayne Tebbutt, Economic Development Officer, gave an in-depth presentation of all the work that they do throughout the year. Lorraine Renyard reminded Council that the Penticton Chamber of Commerce has been managing these Fee for Service contracts on behalf of the City for over 10 years and we believe that we have been successful in fulfilling that commitment.

As proof of the good work we do, last year we received a five year contract signed by Council for us to continue to provide Economic Development and Tourism Development Services on behalf of the City. We believe that it means that we are respected for the work that we accomplish within the budget we are given. A five year plan allows us to set goals and plan ahead.

We were pleased to have Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, make an announcement in the Wine Country Visitor Centre last week. This exciting news, which was made on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, was the announcement of funding in the amount of $3 million over four years to support the infrastructure for the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council. It will address the industry's long-term human resource issues and help ensure that Canada continues to have a competitive and successful tourism industry, now and in the future.

Manager's Report by Lorraine Renyard

The 2008 Valley Wide Business after Hours is being planned for May 15 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.

This year it will be held at the beautiful Cove Lakeside Resort in Westbank. The Theme will be "A New Beginning" to mark the birth of the newest city in the Okanagan. Chamber Managers from throughout the Okanagan partner to organize this valley wide event including Oliver, Penticton, Summerland, Peachland, Westbank, Kelowna, Lake Country and Vernon. This event brings out anywhere from 450 - 600 people.

We are now accepting applications for booth space. If you are interested in purchasing a booth, click here.

Penticton & Wine Country Tourism

by Kelly Reid

On February 13th, the 2008/09 Penticton & Wine Country Tourism Advisory Council was elected at their Annual General Meeting.

Elected for two-year terms are Barb Hoolaeff of Above the Beach Bed & Breakfast, Cynthia Enns of Laughing Stock Vineyards, Gordon Ferguson of Ramada Inn & Suites Penticton, and Judy Sentes of Ironman Canada Race Society. Kena Cumming Cormier of Cormier Art Studio B & B was elected for a one-year term.

They join Beth Campbell of the Best Western Inn at Penticton, Colin Buckingham of Earl's Restaurant, Judy Poole from Fest of Ale, and Penticton Hospitality Association chair Barb Schneiderat on the committee.

Judy Poole was selected as chair and Beth Campbell was selected as vice-chair.

Picture BC is a website project showcasing the beauty and diversity of British Columbia to its citizens and the rest of the world. Interested photographers were asked to forward a digital file or weblink showcasing their seasonal Penticton & Wine Country portfolio by February 15th.

Michael Dinn & Heidi Noble of Joie Wines are proud to accompany Chef Angus An of Vancouver's Gastropod Restaurant to James Beard House in New York City on March 15th, 2008. Angus has been extended the high honour of being invited to present a special dinner at New York's famed institution of the culinary arts. As young winemakers at the forefront of a new wine region, Joie looks forward to being part of the opportunity to distinguish the culinary West Coast of Canada for an American audience.

The Festivals and Events Funding Assistance Project is funded by the Penticton & Wine Country Tourism Advisory Council and administered by the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. Each application will be reviewed on an individual basis and those that best meet the established criteria will be allocated a portion of the overall budget at the discretion of the PWCTAC. The deadline for application is February 28, 2008. To obtain an application form, please contact 490-2464 or tourism@penticton.org

Measuring Up Accessibility & Inclusion Project

Penticton has received a small grant from the province (Legacies 2010) to fund an accessibility and inclusion study. Allan Markin has been engaged for the next few months to conduct the study leading to the following outcomes:

� Development of a comprehensive profile of the community of Penticton, with a particular focus on persons with disabilities.

� Compilation of a community inventory regarding current levels of accessibility & inclusion services, including assets, gaps and additional needs.

� Engagement of community members to help build a vision to support increasing accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

� Preparation of a community action plan, incorporating goals and recommendations resulting from the study

To read more about the project and learn how you can participate, click here.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Budget '08 acts quickly on border costs: Canadian Chamber

Ottawa, February 27, 2008 -Yesterday recommendations made in a coalition report on reducing border costs led by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce were met in the 2008 federal budget only six days after the report was released.

"What makes this significant is how quickly the government took action in response to recommendations in this report," declared Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. "The security clampdown at the Canada-U.S. border with the layering of costs, requirements and delays has become a slow-moving disaster. We urgently need to find ways to reduce costs for legitimate cargo and travellers or jobs will be lost. The border is one area where you can actually do some good and help bring relief. Dealing with these issues, both in Canada and jointly with the U.S., is one of the top three priorities for the Canadian government," says Beatty.

"The Canadian Chamber is very pleased that once again we've caused the federal government to sit up and take notice with our coalition report, but more still needs to be done in the near-term to address the other recommendations. There are 10 million jobs between Canada and the United States that are border-dependent. We are fighting to keep all of those 10 million jobs, held by 10 million families, paying perhaps 10 million mortgages in North America," says Beatty.

BC Chamber of Commerce

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNVEILS A PRUDENCE BUDGET THAT INVESTS IN THE LONG TERM

The British Columbia Chamber of Commerce welcomed the federal Budget as a prudent approach that invests in the long term by ensuring sustainable tax cuts through paying down debt while targeting key sector initiatives to stimulate economic growth.

"Given the level of tax relief provided in the fall update it comes as no surprise that this Budget does not contain significant new spending or tax cut measures. With that said our members will welcome the focus on new economic opportunities, individuals and communities apparent in Budget 2008," continues Winter. "The Chamber movement have been the leading voice calling for a focus on the economy and while this Budget may seem somewhat understated in terms of spending and tax cuts when compared to the fall update this Budget represents prudent fiscal management that will serve the economy well as it looks to continue to build strong growth and new opportunities for all British Columbians and all Canadians."

Budget 2008 commits $10.2 billion in 2008 to debt repayment, an investment that will return $2 billion to Canadians through the federal government's tax back guarantee. In addition, BC will benefit from targeted investments in forestry, mining, aquaculture and immigration reform.

For further information contact:

John Winter, President & CEO

BC Chamber of Commerce

(604) 376-3577

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