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Your 2012 Board of Directors  Back row: Past President Jason Cox, Frank Darin, Aaron Dodsworth, Jorg Engel, Cary Schneiderat, Keith MacIntyre, Vice President Andre Martin.
Front row: President Campbell Watt, Secretary Deborah O'Mara, Lauren Cornish, Allison Markin, Elizabeth Cucnik, Tami O'Callaghan, Rick Riddall.
Missing: Mike Porter
photo by Szabo Photography |
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GM's Update by Erin Hanson
Hello all
Small and medium-sized businesses are an important part of BC's economic engine. Our small business employers account for 98% of all businesses in the province, and generate over 30% of BC's Gross Domestic Product.
Small businesses contribute directly to growing vibrant communities around the province by tapping into local talent and investing directly into the places they work and live. Chambers of Commerce work with local businesses to support and stimulate local economies around the province.
As the key representative of the small business community, Chambers actively listen to business needs and communicate them directly to government. The Chamber network extends across BC and Canada, which ensures that businesses are connected to all levels of government.
With Small Business Month upon us, and specifically this week as Small Business Week, activities are in full swing everywhere around the province. We hosted Minister of State for Small Business, Naomi Yamamoto Tuesday night to an enthusiastic business crowd here in Penticton. There was vital face-to-face time with Minister Yamamoto who herself was a long time former business owner and who is a strong advocate for small business at the government level.
Along with the many other activities taking place in the province, some key new resources are being launched to support business owners as well.
Downtown "Cash Mob" Saturday, Oct 20th between 10am and 2pm.
Pop in to your favourite local small business and show your support - buy something from them! There will be lots to enjoy including entertainment in Nanaimo Square. Customers will have a chance for a $50 prize draw by filling out an entry form wherever they shop. Five lucky winners will be chosen. Don't miss the fun!
Small Scale Food Processors - "Get Ready to Grow!"
Adopting digital technology is a core message to be delivered by the Small Scale Food Processor Association (SSFPA) on its "Get Ready to Grow!" tour of eight British Columbia communities. The tour is scheduled to stop in Summerland today, October 18th at the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism boardroom.
Brian Millward of Hosting Nation will present an overview of TOTALSnap, promoted as an affordable, user-friendly online business marketing system developed by Hosting Nation. The hosting service makes designing and maintaining business websites and social media sites easy for business owners and features social media integration and ecommerce solutions with an option for mobile credit card processing. TOTALSnap can be applied by any business.
Doors open for registration and networking at 4 p.m. There is limited seating and pre-registration is required. There is no charge for the event. For more information and online registration, interested businesses should visit the Small Scale Food Processor Association website at www.ssfpa.net or call toll free 1-866-619-7372.
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Important PST Transition Information | |
The Provincial Government has announced new PST information resources for BC businesses.
Government PST information services
There will be 3 ways businesses can have their PST questions answered:
Transition Rules
A new provincial sales tax notice, General Transitional Rules for the Re-Implementation of the Provincial Sales Tax, has also been issued.
The transition rules describe how and when PST applies to transactions that straddle April 1, 2013 (the date we go back to the PST), and coincide with the federal transitional rules.
Registration
Registration for PST will start on Jan. 2, 2013.
For more information please refer to the recent government news release or their new PST information site: www.PSTinBC.ca. |
Shared Prosperity Agenda for BC Update
Following the recent Business Council and BC Chamber policy initiative announcement of a Shared Prosperity Agenda, the Advisory Council of the BC Agenda for Prosperity just announced regional meetings will take place across BC.
"Business needs to reconnect with British Columbians and B.C. communities to reinforce the link between economic prosperity and the prosperity of one's family if we are to support and sustain a quality of life most British Columbians envision for generations to come," says Chamber president John Winter.
One such regional meeting will take place in locally in Kelowna in November. The Advisory Council members are:
- Janet Austin, CEO, YWCA Metro Vancouver
- Kim Baird, Strategic Initiatives Director, Tsawwassen First Nation
- Stephen Butz, President and Executive Officer, YMCA of Greater Vancouver
- Eric Carlson, CEO, Anthem Properties
- George Iwama, president and Vice-Chancellor, University of Northern British Columbia
- Reid Johnson, President, Health Sciences Association of BC
- Pierre Lebel, Chairman and Director, Imperial Metals Corporation
- Gerry Martin, Co-owner, Kra-Mar Investments
- Andrew Petter, President and Vice-Chancellor, Simon Fraser University
- Sharon Singh, Principal Advisory Energy, Rio Tinto
- James Tansey, ISIS Executive Director, Associal Professor, Sauder School of Business, UBC
- Carole Taylor, chancellor, Simon Fraser University
For all the latest BC Chamber of Commerce news releases, letters, editorials and information, bookmark BC Chamber News Index [http://www.bcchamber.org/news/index.html]
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Members Support Members Discount Program  Here are a few discounts offered by members just like you! Affordable Storage Centre 492-3006 $25 discount off rental, one time only Bayley's BrewHaHa Wine & Beer Making 493-5786 10% discount off regular product prices and brew fees Photography by Chris 492-2355 Photo sessions: 15% discount on sittings Dickinson Contracting 462-6445 10% discount on labor (show card at time of consultation/guote) For a complete and up to date list of the program, visit our website at www.penticton.org or click on the link below.
Remember to show your discount card before you make the purchase!
If you would like to offer a discount at your business, please call us at 250.492.4103 and we would be happy to add you to the list! |
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FortisBC's Small Business FLIP Program
Quick and easy lighting upgrades are a great way to reduce your electricity use and save money. Participate in FLIP and reduce your electricity costs. Restaurants, offices, retail outlets, small warehouses, production facilities, workshops and more. This program is for you if you operate within the FortisBC electricity service area and operate a privately owned business from a commercial facility and spent less than $20,000 on electricity over the last 12 months and
TheFortisBC/LiveSmart BC Lighting Installation Program (FLIP) is your opportunity to flip the switch to new, efficient lighting in your small business. The program provides up to $5,500 in assistance for lighting upgrades, helping you outfit your business with new, energy efficient lights, occupancy sensors and controls. A FortisBC approved contractor will walk you through the entire process from assessment to installation, making the process simple and turnkey.
Make the first step in reducing electricity costs for your business while doing your part for the environment. Call: 1-866-932-8283 or email: flip@fortisbc.com |
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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 format
Space is limited. Please call the Chamber at 250.492.4103 to book your ad. |
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