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Monthly Survey Question 
The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce wants to know what you think!
Click here to view this month's survey question regarding the Christmas Shopping Season.
Thanks to all those who responded to last month's survey question.
Here are the stats from last month's survey:
While Highway 97 was temporarily closed due to the potential danger
of a rock slide, how had the closure impacted your business?
Negatively 33%
Positively 13%
No Change 53% |
President's Report by Jason Cox
The President's position with the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce has always carried a distinction and a respect in the community, I am grateful to you for the opportunity to carry on that reputation.
I also know the position carries with it a great deal of responsibility, and entails considerable work. I happily accept the responsibility and I will fulfill the duties keenly.
I thank you for your support and will do all in my power to justify your confidence.
Looking ahead, however, we face many challenges from an uncertain economy and I think that now is the time for us to make sure our voices are heard by decision makers. I propose that we establish new chamber advisory panels on federal provincial and local issues.
I believe now is the time for us to embrace and expand our role as an advocate for business and for the community as a whole.
If you or anyone you know has an interest in the issues and would like to be a member of these panels we will create, please let us know.
I would like to express my esteem for the man who so ably filled this office last year.
It was not an easy task to guide the Chamber through what you heard was a very busy year. Randy Kowalchuk's unfailing good judgment and ability to draw on his positive relationships helped our organization reach new heights of success.
In addition to thanking him heartily for his tenure on the board, I have to say that we look forward to a long and close association going forward. We can always profit from Randy's direction and advice.
It has been my good fortune to have had the opportunity to work with him. I consider him a friend and mentor. |
Past President's Report by Randy Kowalchuk 
This past year has been a good year for the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. I would like to start by thanking the great board I had the pleasure of working with this year. David Newman, Peter Benson, Jo-Anne Canal, Bob Van Balkom, Cliff Bristow, Colin Buckingham, Deb O'Mara, Colin Basran
Donna Lomas and Sally Pierce.
Throughout the year I spent a fair amount of time with the Executive and I would like to thank them for their assistance and expertise: Chris Browne, Jason Cox and Cary Schneiderat.
Thank you to the retiring Directors: Dan Albas, Bob Van Balkom, Cliff Bristow and Jo-Anne Canal. Every one of the Directors should be congratulated for all that was accomplished in the past year.
During my years on the Board I had the pleasure of working with many Presidents. I would like to thank Chris Browne, Judy Poole, Joe Morelli, Paul McCann and Mark Grimm.
This year was the culmination of several successful events.
Finance Minister Flaherty was in Penticton to speak to a sold out Chamber lunch meeting. Thanks to the Penticton Herald and Neil Jamieson of Underwriter's Insurance for their sponsorship.
The Michael Campbell luncheon had almost 200 people in attendance. The partnerships with Judy Poole of Raymond James and Community Futures helped to make this happen.
Some of the Ministers we had visit our Board meetings to discuss our issues were:
The Honourable Rick Thorpe, MLA
Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety,
Speaker of the House, Bill Barisoff,
The Leader of the Opposition, Carole James,
Colin Hansen, BC's Minister of Finance,
The Honourable Hedy Fry.
Bill Smith, Ministry of Transportation came to a Board meeting to give us a presentation on the highway upgrade. The closure of this highway created issues for our community that were not easily solved. However, many businesses were quick to respond. For example Pacific Coastal Airlines and Southern Skies Aviation added many extra flights to get people to Kelowna.
This year we organized four all Candidates Forums. The Municipal meetings had the highest attendance we have seen in many years. Congratulations to the new Council that was elected. We are looking forward to working with them throughout the next 3 years.
We lobbied your local Government on many issues this year. Some of these issues were: Wakefest, South Okanagan Events Centre, Skilled Labour Shortage, Minimum Wage Increase, Secondary Suites and the Community Market.
We attended the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meetings to ensure that we had a say in the issues that need to be presented to our Provincial and Federal Governments.
I would like to thank all of you for the part you play every day to ensure that Penticton continues to be a great place to live and do business. |
Manager's Report by Lorraine Renyard
The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the Annual Business Excellence Awards being held on Saturday January 31, 2009. The awards recognize businesses and persons in Penticton and area that have achieved excellence in the community through their own abilities, efforts and initiatives. Award selection is based upon criteria listed in the synopsis of each award category.
The categories are: Community Booster Award, Hospitality/Tourism Business Award, Home Based Business Award, Industrial Business Award, Retail/Service Business Award, New Business Award, Young Citizen of the Year, Young Entrepreneur, Business of the Year, and Business Leader of the Year.
Nomination forms have been distributed to businesses all over town. If you haven't received one and would like to, please contact the Chamber office at 250-492-4103 or go to our website www.penticton.org.
We are excited to announce that this year's Gala Evening is themed around "Excellence Rocks", featuring many rock songs and bands from past and present. This formal evening includes a sit down dinner, silent auction, awards presentations and entertainment. Tickets are $55 each or $400 for a reserved table of 8.
Items are now being accepted for the Silent Auction portion of the evening. This will be your opportunity to showcase your business to others at the largest annual celebration held by the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on tickets, nomination forms, sponsorship opportunities and silent auction donations, please call the Chamber office at 250-492-4103. |
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BBB Warns of Copycat Rental Ad Scam
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about  a rental scam that has targeted the good name of a local business in online classified ads.
An ad placed on vancouver.craiglist.ca and vancouver.kijiji.ca falsely lists a house for rent in the West end of Vancouver asking $1300 for first month's rent and a security deposit of $600. The ads are allegedly placed by a homeowner claiming that they will be leaving to do missionary work in Africa. The ad instructs interested renters to make a payment of $1900 and to pick up the keys from Gold Team Management.
The actual residence is legitimately for rent, as posted by Gold Team Management Services Ltd., a reputable real estate management service. The scheme is that the scammers uses the company's name and property to make a copycat listing that undercuts the price of the real property.
Gold Team Management has had several people contact them about the keys for the false listing.
"Rental scams pop up fairly regularly, usually trying to bilk a deposit from unsuspecting victims for a property that's not actually available to rent," says Lynda Pasacreta, BBB President and CEO. "In this case this is a legitimate rental property, but the listing is a spoof which requires the consumer to send out money to a person offshore."
BBB recommends that those looking for a place to rent try to get a referral from friends or family to ensure they're dealing with a legitimate landlord. Further, no money should change hands until the property has actually been rented.
If an offer seems too good to be true, and especially if it involves sending money to a third party, it's probably not legitimate.
For more consumer tips on how to prevent frauds and scams go to: www.bbb.org |
| AGM & Christmas Mixer
The Annual General Meeting was held in conjunction with the Christmas Mixer at the South Okanagan Events Centre this year and was a great success!
Members were given the opportunity to get their last minute voting done at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre and then groups were taken on a fantastic tour of the SOEC including the Vees dressing room!
Gathering at the SOEC's Vault Restaurant, 2008 President Randy Kowalchuk thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the Chamber in 2008.
Jason Cox now moves into the President's role for 2009. At the Board meeting the following week, Cary Schneiderat was elected President-Elect and Colin Buckingham was elected Vice President.
Congratulations to the 2009 Board of Directors and we look forward to another great year! |
| Canadian Chamber of Commerce
December 10, 2008
Chamber's Voice Heard: Put Economy First
Last week's Canadian Chamber of Commerce board meeting provided the perfect vehicle for the Chamber to push forward on directives to federal political parties who were (and still seem to be) embroiled in the drama on Parliament Hill - fall-out from a disappointing Speech from the Throne delivered one week earlier.
Issuing a press release on Sunday evening as events were shaping up in Ottawa, the Chamber was able to lead the commentary on the developing situation. Following this, Monday saw a teleconference call that was participated in by chambers from across the country - who echoed the concerns of the Chamber and who, in concert with the board of directors, directed the next steps of issuing a release at the close of the board meeting, which outlined principles by which the Chamber and its network would expect any government to respond to this current economic crisis.
The Chamber also held a teleconference all with its association members to gauge their thoughts and support on the political and financial crisis.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the Chamber was able to release a survey to its members which we encouraged on members to complete and forward to their members. In the span of 48 hours, close to 5000 respondents participated in the survey - with the voice of business being heard loud and clear on the issues of political maneuvering and financial crisis. Click here for Climate Survey results.
The reaction time and the efforts of our chamber network paid off on this issue as the Chamber and its members were able to mobilize businesses across the country and have their voices heard on the issues of the week in the business community.
The Chamber and its network will now put their efforts behind making an impact on the deliverables in the federal budget, scheduled to come down January 27th. As in the past, the Canadian Chamber will provide analysis to members on the night of the budget. |
| Ambassador of the Month
Michelle Provencher has just joined our Ambassador Team. She is very much looking forward to greeting you at our upcoming fall and winter events!
Michelle is the owner of Cin Cin Events, wedding & event design, planners for the Okanagan.
At Cin Cin Events, Michelle approaches the planning process as a collaborative effort with her clients. Michelle starts by getting to know you and asking lots of insightful questions so she can fully understand your style, sensibilities, likes, dislikes, and passions. This serves as the basis for all creativity; this way, each detail reflects the host, thus giving great personalization and meaning to your event.
Cin Cin Events is a Better Business Bureau Accredited business, a member of the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, a Super Host business and a Certified Wedding Coordinator with Wedding Planners Institute of Canada.
In her spare time Michelle enjoys hikes with her dog Tugger, photography, golf, travelling, shopping for new items for her planning & design arsenal and of course entertaining.
Michelle has volunteered her time to organizations such as the SPCA, SOWINS Woman Front & Centre Awards Gala Committee, Penticton Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards Gala Committee and many other volunteer positions for various events in the community.
Michelle will definitely be an asset to our Ambassador team! |
Literacy Now 
In collaboration with the Literacy Now Task Group, and many community groups and individuals, our challenge is to address the goals, and implement the recommendations, identified in last year's region-wide survey of literacy programs and initiatives. Many of you will have contributed to, or read, the Tapestry of Stories, put together by my predecessor, Danielle Robinson.
The 5th edition of our newsletter The Buzz on Literacy is now available.
Please click here for the entire newsletter.
Caroline Pennelli
Literacy Now Coordinator |
| Crime Tip of the Month
Scam artists are always adding new twists and finding more victims. The adage that "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" applies today more than ever.
The best way to protect yourself is knowledge - know the danger signs and exercise caution at all times.
Over the next few months, we will be listing the Top 10 Scams identified by the Better Business Bureau and how you can ensure that you do not become a victim.
#6
Unscrupulous Moving Practices
Some moving companies tarnish the industry by using unscrupulous practices such as charging hidden fees or providing a low estimate and then at delivery subsequently charging more or holding your goods in storage until you pay.
Quick Tip: Have the moving company provide a detailed estimate in writing and ensure that the mover has an insurance underwriter. Check the company out first with the Better Business Bureau and the Canadian Association of Movers (www.mover.net)
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Silent MessagesHow to Peel the Layers in a Photograph
I've been thinking about images this week. Specifically, I've been thinking about all the non-human elements that can communicate meaning in photographs.
Watch people in art galleries and museums and you'll see that we tend to look longer at pictures that have people in them. We gather meaning from facial expression, body language and physical activity.
But these are not the only visual cues that carry meaning.
To create compelling images, use the following elements to reinforce, or contradict, your primary visual statement. (Reinforce your statement to deepen perception. Contradict it to elevate interest.)
Read more | |
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NEW MEMBERS
Rick Collins
Penticton BC
250-276-3440
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