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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 City of Penticton's grant application for upgrades to the Community Centre pool.
Thanks to all those who responded to last month's survey question.
Here are the stats from last month's survey:
Do you believe that a new South Okanagan Performing Arts Centre in the downtown area would have a positive impact on your business?
Yes - 44%
No - 56% |
Manager's Report by Lorraine Renyard
 The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an All Candidates Forum on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 to help bring residents face to face with candidates running in the upcoming Provincial Election. This is your opportunity to hear the candidates' platforms so that you are prepared and ready to make an informed decision on voting day.
The forum will be held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre from 7 - 9 pm on May 5th, with the lobby doors opening to the public at 6:30 pm for general seating. Our experienced moderator, Kevin Burke will lead the candidates through a question and answer period which will follow their initial presentation.
All five candidates, representing the Electoral District of Penticton (which includes Summerland, Peachland, Penticton, West Bench and Naramata) will be attending. They are: Bill Barisoff with the Liberal Party, Cameron Phillips with the New Democratic Party, Julius Bloomfield with the Green Party, Chris Delaney with the Conservative Party and Wendy Dion with the BC Refederation Party.
The 39th General Provincial Election will be held on Tuesday, May 12th, and this is an important opportunity for the electorate to come out and make sure your voice is heard. So please put that date in your calender and get out to vote.
For any residents who are unable to attend Penticton's All Candidates Forum, an alternative is to attend the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development & Tourism All Candidates Forum on Tuesday, April 28th from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Centre Stage.
Penticton's Torch Relay Task Force is very excited that Penticton is one of the celebration sites for the Olympic Torch Relay and will arrive on January 25th, 2010 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Our committee is in search for the final torch bearer who will represent Penticton, carry the torch the final 300 meters and lighting the caldron on stage. We are inviting various groups and organizations to submit a name for consideration. If you are interested please send us your submission on "Who is Your Hero" and "Why do you think they represent the Spirit of Penticton?"
We need your submission along with a brief description by May 1st. Candidate must be 13 years of age or older. Submissions may be sent to chamber@penticton.org. |
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Penticton & Wine Country Tourism Report by Kelly Reid 
Festivals and Events Funding Assistance Project
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 by the Penticton & Wine Country Tourism Advisory Council (PWCTAC), and those that best meet the established criteria will be allocated a portion of the overall budget at the discretion of the PWCTAC. This year's funding includes both a cooperative marketing component and a grant component. The deadline for application is May 8, 2009. Successful applicants will be contacted after May 25, 2009.
The purpose of the funding is to provide newly proposed and existing established annual Penticton & Wine Country festivals and events with a cash injection to assist with event marketing and promotion in the key markets identified in the Penticton & Wine Country destination marketing plan, resulting in increased demand for Penticton as a tourist destination and an increase in the number of overnight stays in Penticton. This funding is not to be viewed as ongoing funding.
For more information please call (250) 490-2464.
Please click on the link below to apply.
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Business After Business
The Penticton Golf & Country Club was the site of the Business After Business on March 25th. A fantastic turnout and great food was enjoyed by all - courtesy of their own clubhouse dining room.
On April 9th, Giardino of Penticton treated members to a great evening of networking and incredible door prizes. Beautiful plants and hanging baskets were on display and for sale. Spring has officially sprung!
Thank you to all who attended!
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Payworks 
Setting the Record Straight on Record Keeping
Online Payroll Services
The voice on the other end of the phone is a Revenue Canada Agency (CRA) official asking for the payroll records of Employee "X" for the last 6 years!
"No problem," you think. "I'll just get my payroll provider to take care of it for me."
Unfortunately it isn't that simple. According to the Income Tax Act, the Employment Insurance Act and the Canada Revenue Plan, every business is responsible for maintaining its own books and records. Even if you hire an accountant or payroll provider for record keeping, you are still responsible for keeping the records and providing access to CRA officials. Or as the CRA Information sheet IC78-10R4 states: "a person who keeps records is not relieved of any of the responsibility because he or she contracts...to a third party."
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Crime Tip of the Month 
#2
Identity Theft
ID thieves use all sorts of tactics to steal your personal information: rummaging through your trash or recycling bin, pretending you need to provide information to collect a prize, stealing your mail, placing bogus newspaper ads for jobs, phishing and spoofing on the Internet.
Quick Tip: Shred any unnecessary information that contains personal details. Make sure to check your credit report annually with both Equifax (www.equifax.ca or toll free at 1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion Canada (www.tuc.ca or toll free 1-866-525-0262) to ensure that there have been no unauthorized transactions on your report. If you are a victim of ID theft, contact PhoneBusters toll free at 1-888-495-8501 (www.phonebusters.com) or Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority of BC toll free at 1-888-564-9963 (www.bpcpa.ca).
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Never, Never, Never
1. Never promise everything you plan to deliver.
Leave something to become the delight factor. That unexpected, extra bit you deliver "because we love you" will go a long way toward helping the customer forgive and forget any areas where you may have fallen short.
Great ads are written in three steps:
Read more |
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VOICE OF BUSINESS
E-NEWSLETTER ADS
Advertising Space:
One Issue: $50.00
Two Issues: $42.50
Three or more Issues: $37.50
- Ads include a link to your website
- Reaches over 800 members and businesses via email
- Newsletters are posted on Chamber website
- Specifications: 200 x 400 pixels. JPEG, GIF or PDF format
Space is limited. Please call the Chamber at 250.492.4103 to book your ad. | |
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Photo by David Szabo Photography
NEW MEMBERS
Peach City BNI
Jarrod Dunham
C/O 434 Main Street
Penticton BC V2A 5C5
250-276-9456
www.bnicanada.ca
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