Dear Chamber members,
Thank you to all those who joined us for our Annual General Meeting last Friday. At the meeting we released our 2013 Annual Report, spoke on the future of the Kelowna Chamber, swore in our new Board of Directors for 2014/2015 and welcomed our new President, Curtis Darmohray.
We are looking forward to another great year ahead!
Kind regards,
The Kelowna Chamber team
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Thank you to all of our candidates for a great 2014/2015 board election. All of our incumbent directors were re-elected and we would like to welcome our two new board members, Donna Markin and Martine Hickman.
Top: Peter Angle, Ken Carmichael, Tom Dyas, Curtis Darmohray, Dave Bond, Jeff Robinson, Ben Pidskalny
Bottom: Donna Markin, Martine Hickman, Glady Fraser, Carmen Sparg, Sherri Chapman
Missing: Dr. Ian Stuart, Andrew Gaucher
For more photos from Friday's AGM and Economic Forecast Luncheon, visit our Facebook page. |
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Discover Italy 2014
Experience Rome & Tuscany at its finest!
With the heart of Tuscany as your base, travel to medieval cities, view the Leaning Tower and picturesque olive groves in a leisurely journey of culture and art. The tour is open to all Chamber members and the general public.
Cost to Members is only $3,859.00 - based on double occupancy. Early bird pricing available until March 26, 2014.
Click here for a full itinerary.
Information Session
Find out more about this Travel & Learn program by attending a FREE information session with the tour operator.
Thursday March 13, 2014
4:15 to 6:00pm
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott
No charge to attend but pre-registration is required.
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NEW & EXCITING SAVINGS for Members only
Great rates on Merchant Services
First Data Canada, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, recently announced an agreement with The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in which First Data will offer Canadian Chamber members exclusive merchant processing services and rates.
As part of this agreement, Kelowna Chamber members will receive preferred rates on electronic payment processing services, including credit, debit, eCommerce, mCommerce, cheque guarantee and gift cards.
To view Chamber member rates, click here.
For any additional information, please contact Diana.
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Special Offer for Kelowna Chamber Members
Bring on the BOGO
As a value-added benefit to our members, we urge you to take advantage of this tremendous offer from The Kelowna Capital News.
- Current Members will receive one FREE ad when they purchase an ad (up to $1600 value)
- Effective March 1, 2014 - NEW members to the Kelowna Chamber will receive one FREE
¼ page ad with colour (valued at $605).
- This ties in to the opportunity to refer a business to us to receive a $50 gift certificate to one of our participating restaurants
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Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation
Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) comes into force on July 1, 2014 for commercial electronic messages and Jan. 15, 2015 for computer programs. Although the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been successful in effecting a number of changes to CASL's regulations (improvements to the B2B exemption, changing the compliance requirements for messages outside of Canada and delaying the private right of action provisions), they remain concerned about the unintended negative impacts it could have on business and the economy. They will remain engaged with Industry Canada and the CRTC for compliance clarification and will work toward legislative change through a statutory review in 2017.
The Canadian Chamber has initiated a compliance education program for members with webinars and toolkits. We encourage you to review this information to prepare your organization for compliance. |
There is a vocabulary around customer service and it is the language of calming, the language of apology and the language of questioning and listening. You will seldom be able to fix a customer without using this language and if you choose a different language, you might be inflaming rather than resolving a situation. What not to say:
- It's not our Policy.
- You're wrong.
- Did you check to make sure it's plugged in?
These are not words that will calm an upset customer. There are much more gentle ways to point out errors. Take for example the struggle in this phrase:
- "I'm a little confused .. our records seem to indicate ..."
- "You know sometimes the slightest jiggle and things will come unplugged, would you mind checking to ensure it's got power?
Tonality delivers your words with either nurturing and empathy or blame and ridicule. Which one builds relationships and which one burns them? Watch your language!
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The Essentials of Management Consulting
The Essentials of Management Consulting (EMC) course is dynamic and interactive providing valuable tools to management consultants wanting to deliver superior value to their clients, to anyone who is considering becoming a management consultant, and to any member who is pursuing the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation.
For more information on the EMC course taking place in Kelowna on March 26-28, click here. |
LNG Conference in Vancouver
From May 21 - 23, 2014
As part of the Premier's mandate under the LNG-Buy BC banner, B.C.-based companies will have the opportunity to connect with national and international delegates at the May 21-23, 2014 LNG Conference in Vancouver, B.C.
To encourage participation in the LNG-Buy BC program, eligible B.C. exhibitors may qualify for reimbursement of the exhibitor fee based on fulfillment of the LNG-Buy BC criteria noted on their website. |
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Startup Week Okanagan
The second annual Startup Week Okanagan, March 7-16, offers a unique convergence of music, education, art, entertainment, business and technology. With over 30 events over 10 days, Startup Week Okanagan 2014 is ten energy-fueled days of action!
Recycle More
In effect May 19, the Central Okanagan's Recycling program will be making the following changes.
1. Accepting more items to the curbside cart including aerosol cans, wax coated cartons, paper cans, and more!
2. Styrofoam will be accepted at local recycling depots.
3. Plastic film will no longer be accepted in the curbside carts - please recycle at a depot.
Are you self employed?
As a self-employed individual, you and your spouse or common-law partner have until midnight on Monday, June 16, 2014 to file your 2013 income tax and benefit return. But don't forget-you must pay any balance owing for 2013 on or before April 30, 2014, regardless of your filing date.
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Speaker Series
A Realistic Approach to Cybersecurity
There have been an increasing number of IT security breaches popping up in the news which have business owners concerned. Most common security threats today are spread over the Internet and don't just happen to large companies.
 Presented by Matthew Ball, VP of Operations at Graycon
March 18, 2014
12:00 - 1:00pm
Chamber Boardroom
Member price: $10
Lunch will be provided compliments of Graycon
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Business After Hours
Hosted by Urban Distilleries
Urban Distilleries is Kelowna's oldest and largest award winning craft distillery.
They are a small batch micro-distillery that produces ultra-premium hand-made Gins, Vodkas & Whisky including the signature "Spirit Bear" line. At Urban Distilleries, each batch is hand crafted in Artesian copper stills from premium Okanagan grains, fruit and only the best glacier water from the Kootenays.
March 20, 2014
4:30 - 7:00pm
Urban Distilleries
(6 - 325 Bay Avenue)
Come and join the Urban Distilleries team for fabulous beverages, appetizers and prizes at their distillery
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