Christmas Business After Hours 
THURSDAY DECEMBER 12th - 4:30 to 7:00 pm
Volcanic Hills Estate Winery - 2845 Boucherie Road 

 

Speed Networking between 4:30-5:00

 

Bring along a non-perishable food item or make a donation to the Kelowna / West Kelowna Community Foodbank for a chance to win an additional door prize! 

  

Join us for hors d'oeuvres, tasty beverages and an opportunity to network with the business community.  

Ticket prices at the door:
$10 each for Members  /  $20 each for Future Members
                          (exact change is appreciated)
Pre-Registration is not required for this Business After Hours events 
Build in Canada Innovation Program
  
A couple of weeks back, the fourth Call for Proposals for the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP) was announced by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services.
 
The BCIT was launched in 2010 as a pilot program to connect Canadian companies with federal departments and agencies that have a need for innovative products and services. By selling to the federal governement, businesses can demonstrate the value of their products and services, and potentially generate future sales to non-government customers in Canada, and around the world.
  
The BCIP Call for Proposals is open until January 7, 2014, and can be found here
For more information about the program, visit the BCIP web page

Welcoming Our New Chamber Staff
Be sure to say hi at the next event!
  
We are pleased to welcome two new staff members to our Kelowna Chamber team; Kevin Mitchell and Marlise Mellett.  
  
Kevin has recently moved to Kelowna with his fiancee and joined our team as Business Development Officer. As a former National team athlete with six years of experience as a rowing coach, and a Masters in Management from UBC, Kevin brings the values and experience necessary to thrive in his new role.    
 
 
 
Marlise has been brought on as our Communications Coordinator. She brings a great combination of post secondary training in Marketing, extensive Social Media skills and experience in the Public Relations sector.
  
A candid political discussion for Kelowna
 
Friday's luncheon at Manteo Resort was another great success. Guest speakers included Norm Letnick, MLA Kelowna-Lake Country; Hon. Steve Thompson, MLA Kelowna-Mission; and Hon. Ron Cannan, Kelowna Lake Country MP.
  
     
 
Thank you to our event sponsors: 
Okanagan College, Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School, Interior Savings and Sandler Training. 
For more photos, visit our Facebook page.
BC Chamber leads support for the New Prosperity Project
  
Today in Vancouver, Provincial business and community leaders came together to encourage the Government of Canada to approve the New Prosperity project and to raise awareness of how mining drives B.C.'s social and economic well-being.  
 
The BC Chamber lead a press conference to send a message to Ottawa that B.C.'s business community backs project. 

 

"We've come together to send a clear message to Ottawa: Our province needs this project," said John Winter, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. "It's our collective view that the New Prosperity project must be evaluated with full consideration for both the great social and economic benefits it would create and for B.C.'s proven track record of building and operating mines in a safe and environmentally sound manner.


Deadline is fast approaching
Does your office need a makeover?  
You could win a makeover worth $5,000 in the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce's "Early Bird" Membership Renewal Campaign.  
The Kelowna Chamber has partnered with Total Interiors to give your business a chance to win a $5,000 Office Makeover. 

You'll be eligible to win as soon as you renew your membership for 2014. It's as simple as that.  

Deadline for entries is midnight on December 31, 2013

   The lucky winner will be drawn randomly from all renewal entries on Tuesday January 14, 2014.

Winners must accept prize as awarded; no cash value; no substitutions.

Submit your "before" photos to the Chamber and we'll post them on our Facebook page.

Along with the many membership benefits the Chamber offers, we involve our members in this annual program to ensure one of you gets a new look in time to enjoy your new digs in 2014!

 

Contact Paulina, Chamber Membership Coordinator for more information

[email protected] or 250-469-7354 

 

Gerry Frederick Memorial Award
                             
An award fund was established in memory of Gerry Frederick after his death in 1994. Gerry Frederick, a well respected Okanagan entrepreneur and businessman, worked tirelessly on behalf of the local  business community through the BC and Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. As Gerry took a keen interest in Okanagan College and the Business Administration program, the award is directed towards students in that program.
 
Congratulations to Jason Boyd, this year's awarded student.
 
Tom Dyas presented the award this year on behalf of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
Wizards of Customer Service
 
A stellar customer service provider sticks out like a rose in a field of thorns. I call them 'wizards', as they have a seemingly innate ability to deal with almost anybody on any level, make them feel good about the company, the products and the service, and send them on their way a true fan.  Are they born with this innate ability? Or, if not, where does it come from?  Wizards are a reflection of four key aspects of customer service delivery. 
  1. Hire the right person for the job. Nothing comes across more clearly than a service provider who doesn't like their job. Witness many call centers with unmotivated, poorly trained and 'only a number' employees. They simply don't want to be there.
  2. Make time to train the employee in all aspects of the job and the companies' expectations. The 'sit by me' method of launching new employees often means you are passing on someone else's shortcomings and lack of knowledge to a new employee and passing on... Click here to read the rest of this article
John Glennon Sandler Training

 
Next Business "After" Hours
BIG WHITE SKI RESORT
 
We are treating our members to an extra special Business After Hours event this January that actually takes place during business hours...
  
How does an afternoon of free skiing or snowboarding sound? And for the non-skiers, free mountain tours with Big White Snow Hosts guiding the groups around the mountain. Free equipment rentals and transportation to the mountain all included with your $10 BAH ticket!
  
THURSDAY JANUARY 16th, 2014

 

   11:00 am |First bus picks up in the parking lot behind Trinity Baptist Church 
     2:00 pm |Second bus picks up in the parking lot behind Trinity Baptist Church
4 - 6:30 pm |Apres ski event will take place at the Happy Valley Day Lodge
     6:45 pm |Both buses depart Happy Valley for return to Kelowna (Trinity Baptist)
  Self-drive option also available
      
Pre-registration for this Business After Hours is mandatory as we have limited seats to this members only event. Don't delay. Register here 

 

 

In the News...
BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMY
 
MMBC - MultiMedia BC Recycling Regulations. Are you aware of the implications to BC Business? We will continue to keep you up to date as information is made available. 
 
Transit schedule changes - There are several transit schedule changes over the holidays.
  
Tell Your Story & Win $10,000 If you are a registered Canadian business with 1 to 49 employees, ADP wants to help. Enter today. It's free, it's fast, it's simple.

Investment in Canadian Tourism Down 30% Despite having strong potential, investment in the tourism sector is dwindling.
 
10-Year Electricity Plan The BC Chamber welcomes the B.C. government efforts to minimize impacts to businesses from BC Hydro rate hikes by creating a 10-year plan of predictable increases.

Council to consider plan for new police building - The existing 52-year-old building no longer provides sufficient space for effective policing in our community. A new Kelowna Police Services Building is proposed for the corner of Clement Avenue and Richter Street.

 

Interim Report on Small Business - The interim report for the Small Business - Doing Business with the Government project has been published. Stay tuned for the final report with recommendations to be issued in March 2014.
 

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Media Releases              City of Kelowna Council Highlights
  
 
What else is happening around town?
Community Announcements, Events & Endeavours

On-going
 
|
 
Blood Donor Clinics - the need for donations increases during the holiday season; please keep giving
Dec 8 - 14| Santa Bus - Get on board the Santa Sleigh Bus and bring toys, food and monetary donations for the Salvation Army 
Dec 11 | Business After Hours - Greater Westside Board of Trade (formerly Westbank & District Chamber of Commerce) 
Dec 12| 2014 Council Budget Review - All-day public meeting
Dec 12| Kelowna's Largest Office Party - at the Delta Grand Okanagan Ballroom
Dec 20
|
 
Urban Distilleries Christmas Party - Help raise funds for the Inn from the Cold Homeless Shelter
Dec 21
|
Dress like Santa or Mrs. Clause for FREE skiing - First 30 people to arrive at Big White dressed up will receive a free lift ticket
Dec 24
|
 
Silver Star Family Parade - Enjoy the spectacular torchlight parade, followed by fireworks. Watch out for Santa as he hands out gifts to the little ones
Jan 6
|
 
Urban Older Workers Program - Older Workers Program - Are you 55 or older? Unemployed and looking for work?
 

A special Christmas wish from the Kelowna Chamber
                             
We would like to wish you and yours the very best for the Holiday Season and for a happy, prosperous and fulfilling 2014.
  
Please be advised that the Chamber offices will be closed from December 24th to January 2nd.  
   
We look forward to the new year and bringing you more fabulous events and opportunities to help you grow your business and expand your network. 

544 Harvey Ave. 
Kelowna BC V1Y 6C9
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