|
|
|
Photo by David Szabo Photography  |
|
|
Monthly Survey Question
The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce wants to know what you think!
Click on the question mark to view this month's survey question regarding Ironman.
Thanks to all those who responded to last month's survey question.
Here are the stats from last month's survey:
As a business owner, have you experienced any impact since the HST has been implemented?
Note: percentages may not always equal 100% because with certain questions, more than one answer may be chosen. |
|
Economic Development Report by David Arsenault
As the 2010 summer season draws to a close, the local Penticton economic situation continues to improve. In July 2010 YTD building permits increased by 19% with an overall improvement of 500 applications since July 2009. On top of this statistic, the value of building permits increased by over 289% over the same one year period. (30 residential permits valued at $23,474,75. and government/institutional permits valued at $52,220,75.) While building has increased, the same cannot be said about the real estate market. Sales have slowed in 2010 and most homes are being sold 10 to 15% below 2009 prices.
Penticton Economic Development Services has formed a community lead Airport Task Force to address the expansion of air service to Alberta and to review servicing needs at the airport to accommodate business expansion. The committee met for the first time this August to discuss strategy to improve air service at the airport and to expand upon business opportunities that promote local growth and jobs.
Brownfield and site utilization is another area that the local economic development office is reviewing in Penticton. Over the years a number of local properties have sat vacant as a result of contamination. These sites are often located in prime locations within Penticton. The overall goal of a review would be to develop a Brownfield Community Improvement Plan that addresses the cleanup of these sites and the development of new business opportunities in our community.
As a community we are fortunate to be situated in such a pristine part of the province. This together with our excellent infrastructure provides us with the opportunities to host world class events. The Penticton Ironman race arrives in our community on August 29, and the NHL Young Stars Tournament and Vancouver Canucks main training camp Sept 12 - 19. The economic value of these two events means meals, hotel rooms and retail sales to our business community. Show your support and attend these events - they help drive our local economy. Young Star Tournament tickets are still available. These two events are perfect ways to end the summer and celebrate a great season.
Watch for more information on Penticton Economic Services and check out our website www.imaginepenticton.ca for more local business announcements.
David Arsenault MBA is Penticton's Economic Development Officer. If you have "good news" stories related to business in Penticton contact (250) 493-3323 or email darsenault@penticton.org |
| Penticton & Wine Country Tourism Report by Jessie Campbell
This week Penticton plays host to the 2010 Wine Access Canadian Wine Awards, held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. The prestigious four-day competition will see an expert panel of 15 of Canada's leading wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, and other industry professionals judge nearly 1,000 Canadian wines in 30 different categories.
Now that the Sport Tourism plan for Penticton is complete, Penticton & Wine Country Tourism is pushing ahead to put this plan into action. Watch for more details coming soon!
Finally, next week I'll be in Toronto, meeting with top travel media from around the world at GoMedia Marketplace. I'll be doing nothing but pitching Penticton as a place relevant journalists MUST visit and write about. Earned media vs. traditional paid advertising is incredibly valuable for us (meaning journalists want to write about us because there's so much to say).
If you're a tourism stakeholder I've not yet had the chance to meet, I'd love to hear from you. I can be reached at (250) 490-2464 or by email at jcampbell@penticton.org |
Penticton Visitor Centre Report by Sherrie Burechailo 
July was a busy month in the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre. We had over 12,000 visitors through the centre and offered information on local produce, wineries, local businesses and floating the channel. Warm Penticton days and nights were enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
There were some major sporting events this past month starting with the globally appreciated World Cup, Motocross at Apex, Penticton Speedway, UltraMan, BC Hockey Hall of Fame and of course Duncan Keith Day, bringing the Stanley Cup to Penticton. We also sold tickets to the Many Hats Theatre production, "Same Time Next Year." By all accounts, a wonderful, touching play.
August is shaping up to be very busy in the Visitor Centre. Did you know that we keep updated lists of accommodations which have availability for Ironman? If you have a bed & breakfast, hotel/motel or RV/campsite, please give us a call and let us know if you have any space available during this event. We have already been providing this list to vacation planners or participants for the past few months. We also offer an availability service via a website www.exploreokanagan.com. Similar to "racking" in the Visitor Centre, this is a service that accommodators purchase for one year terms. Our travel counsellors use this website when visitors call or drop in asking for accommodations, and should be updated frequently by accommodators for maximum exposure. Feel free to contact me at the information below to find out more about this or any other services that we offer in the Visitor Centre.
Be sure to visit the local outdoor markets, take in a dinner cruise on the Casabella Princess, and outdoor theatre at the SS Sicamous, and the fresh, delicious BBQ, weekend nights at Bogner's is sure to please! These are just a few of the famous summer time things to do in beautiful Penticton for locals and visitors!
Sherrie can be reached at (250) 493-4055 or by email supervic@penticton.org |
Membership Services Report by
Andrea Davison 
New Website
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website www.penticton.org. Check out our great new look today! Business After Business Business After Business mixers gear up again in September. Join us on Thursday, September 16th at Prospera Credit Union at 402 Main Street; and then on Thursday, September 30th at the BCSPCA - South Okanagan Similkameen Branch located at 2200 Dartmouth Drive. Don't forget to bring your business cards!
Business Excellence Seminar Series
Canada Revenue Agency
Eservices for Businesses Seminar
In response to the increasing demand for online services over the years, CRA has moved from providing general information on their Web site to providing secure online delivery of personal and business information and transaction services.
Internet users can file their returns, pay their taxes, and access their business and personal tax and benefit information quickly and securely on the CRA Web site.
Come out to learn what electronic services are now available for businesses concerning income tax, corporate, GST/HST, and payroll responsibilities. This session is applicable to all types of businesses. There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required by calling 250-492-4103.
Location: Chamber of Commerce Boardroom
Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010
Time: 9:30 am to 11am
For more information contact Andrea at (250) 492-4103. |
Our Okanagan 
Our Okanagan Database and Directory Launched
Our Okanagan is an online tool that connects businesses and individuals to local suppliers of products and services. The project was initiated when Community Futures of the Valley and Okanagan Partnership noticed many organizations were sourcing products and services outside of the Valley that could be sourced locally.
Thanks to funding support from several organizations, searching the Our Okanagan database is free for businesses and non-profits for the first year and there are no paid advertisements influencing your search. After the first year, the fee is based on a cost sharing for hosting the portal and the number of organizations registered.
Our Okanagan is an independent steering committee with representation from the Community Futures of the Valley; Okanagan Partnership; the Okanagan Science & Technology Council (OSTEC), Chambers of Commerce and the economic development community. Funding for this initiative is provided by the Rural Economic Diversification Initiative of BC, the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, Okanagan College, University of British Columbia-Okanagan and the Ministry of Housing and Social Development - Employment and Labour Market Services.
To learn more, click here |
Canadian Chamber of Commerce 
Connections ... get plugged into your network
Policy Updates
Canadian businesses must go global
Earlier this week the Canadian Chamber released its report Canadian Businesses Go Global For Growth, calling for businesses to act quickly to grab a share of the global market before we get left behind.
To view the entire newsletter, click on the link below.
Read more |
| BC Chamber of Commerce
Express Newsletter 
For the latest headlines, policy successes, Chamber news, provincial and national news, click on the link below to view the BC Chamber's August issue of Express.
|
Walk on Water Life is a journey on water. We spend our lives floating between the sunlit scenery of the conscious mind and the shadowy depths of the unconscious below. Dr. Richard D. Grant tells us our relationship to the unconscious is exactly our relationship to water.
Read more |
|
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. |
|
|
|
One Stop Shopping
Under the Chamber Umbrella
|
|
|
