July 10, 2014 
Dear Chamber members,

 

Happy Summer!

 

The Chamber staff have been seen out-and-about at events all over town, including the Uptown Rutland After Hours, the Downtown After 5, round-tables with Ministers, Ashland's BBQ, SunRype's Innovation event, and the list goes on.

 

The Chamber was on hand as Ashland Canada, one of the Okanagan's oldest standing factories, hosted their Final Farewell last Friday. Gourmet delicacies were on hand for the large gathering that was tuned in to every word of the very heartfelt speech given by the original owner.  

 

We were glad to have had a sneak peak at the investments being made at SunRype at their Innovation Open House event. The staff's pride in their products, the plant upgrades and in our community were very evident.

 

Don't forget to check our Facebook Page to view current posts and photos of our events and the events that we have attended.

   

Kind regards,
The Kelowna Chamber team
 
 

Member Mini Survey

Business License By-law

Please share your opinions for a chance to win

 

Share your opinions and you will be entered in the draw for two coveted tickets to the Business Community Tribute to Mayor Walter Gray on November 28th!

 

The City of Kelowna will be undertaking a comprehensive interview process with all key departments involved with the Business Licensing process and By-law, including the RCMP, other levels of Government, and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.  Further interviews will be held with representatives of other communities within the Central Okanagan due to the desire to create a uniform By-law and Regulatory Environment within the area, to the extent possible.

YOUR comments will help our Chamber draft recommendations to the City of Kelowna. 

 

Refer to the  Current By-law by clicking here and then take a moment to answer the following questions.

  1. How would you rate your experience within the past two years with Business Licensing or By-law Regulation No. 7878? (scale of 1-10 with 1 being very poor and 10 being excellent, or state N/A if this isn't applicable to you) 
  2. Were or are the current By-laws restricting your ability to do business easily?   Yes  or  No
  3. If yes, how? ______________________________________
  4. Is your business impacted by varying local government by-laws in the Valley?   Yes  or  No
  5. If yes, how? ______________________________________

               Additional comments _______________________________________________________

 

Please copy & paste the above questions into this e-mail to share your thoughts with us.

 

Thank you.

 

Caroline Grover

Chamber CEO  


Much Ado about Nothing in the Vineyard

Shakespeare at the Villa

July 16-20 and July 23-27

 

On July 16, the screwball comedy "Much Ado about Nothing" opens at the spectacular Okanagan Villa Estate Winery/Vibrant Vine Vineyard.  The comedy, performed by Shakespeare Kelowna, has been compared to "It Happened One Night" with Clark Gable - and even to the Marx Brothers' comedies.  It's a perfect setting - outside among the glorious gardens surrounding the open-air stage at Okanagan Villa Estate Winery, much like the original setting of Much Ado at the estate of Sicily's Governor of Messina.  Director Stephen Jefferys says "Shakespeare makes you laugh, but also breaks your heart - and then magically puts it back together again as if it were all "much ado about nothing". The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is a Gold Sponsor of "Shakespeare at The Villa", a great partnership in this Italianate year when the Chamber is also hosting an October trip to Rome and Tuscany.   

 

  

Purchase tickets in advance at Select Your Tickets or at the door.  Come enjoy a glass of wine, a summer's evening and a colourful theatre spectacle on the open air stage.

   


"Love" Contest Follow-up
And the winners are...

We asked you to tell us why you love being a member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce in 25 words or less. A winner was selected randomly from the entries received.
 
This week's winners of 2 tickets to Much Ado About Nothing are Brigitte & Tony Diemand of Car Craft Automotive.

They wrote:
We love the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce for the great events they put on! They are committed to helping us build our business.
     
 
     

The Chamber is growing

  

Our sales team is doing a fantastic job recruiting new members to the Kelowna Chamber.  24 new members in June alone. Which means that our staffing needs are growing and ever-changing.

 

Please join us in welcoming our newest staff members.

 

Sarah Lust is our new Administrative Coordinator and will be greeting you at front reception. She will be occupying Allison's chair, while Allison moves into a different office space and into the role of Communications Coordinator.

 

Stephanie Baziuk joins us as the new Program Development Coordinator taking on the Young People in Business Program (filling Kevin's large shoes), the Women's Leadership Network, as well as future programs. 

Sarah Lust
Stephanie Baziuk

We are very fortunate to be able to build on such a great team and to be able to welcome these skilled additions.  

   

Member Sponsorship Opportunities

A great way to enhance your marketing efforts 

 

The Kelowna Chamber hosts upwards of 60 events per year. 

Nearly all of these events offer sponsorship opportunities.

 

Who attends?

Chamber members, non-members or prospects, who want to associate with the Okanagan business community; elected officials, board members, and out-of-town VIPs who may be at the event as speakers or presenters, or accompanying a business mission to the valley.

 

What kind of event is available for my company to sponsor?

  • Golf Tournaments
  • Business Networking Events
  • Business Lunches
  • Business Excellence Awards
  • Trade Show, etc.

Click here for more detailed information. 

 

To book your sponsorship, contact Caroline Miller by e-mail or by phone at 250-469-7358.

 

In The News...
Local Credit Unions are Thankful to the Chamber
 
   

The BC Chamber of Commerce recently adopted a policy written and presented by the Kelowna Chamber to support a permanent small business tax benefit provincially.

 

"This is an important statement given federal government's decision to phase out its tax benefit for credit unions in its 2013 budget. The removal of the tax benefit negatively impacts most credit unions (including First West, of which Valley First is a local division) which are integral to serving rural and under-served communities across the country" says First West / Valley First Credit Union representative.  

Young People In Business

This committee seeks to identify how the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce can best support people under the age of 40 in the Central OK business community. 

There are two main programs for young people in business at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. 

 

Click on the logos below to find out more:

 

  


proudly presented by

Watch for features in the  Wednesday edition of the Kelowna Daily Courier 

starting in September!

 

June New Members
*record breaking month*
Simply click on the names below to learn more about each new member
 
Upcoming Events
 
Business After Hours
Thursday July 17th 
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
2402 Highway 97

Please join us at the award winning 
 
 
for July's BAH event.

  

Come be spoiled by the best Best Western Plus Hotels & Suites team on their rooftop patio for bevies & delicious appies.  

 
Members, please bring a friend!
 
Your guest will also pay the very low member rate of only $10. 
 
Plus, members that bring a friend will be entered into a special draw for 2 tickets to Shakespeare Kelowna's Much Ado About Nothing at Okanagan Villa.
 
Such Innovation
Did you know that Best Western has just added Fibre Optic Internet? Always looking forward...and doing that extra something for their guests!
Nine N' Dine Golf Tourney
Thursday September 25th 
2:15 to 8:00 p.m.
Pinnacle Golf Course @ Gallagher's Canyon
 
Network, socialize, play, eat, drink, win prizes - what's not to love about this fun event? 
 
  
Not a golfer? Join us for Chef-prepared BBQ buffet at 6:00.
 
 
Interested in Learning About Wine?  For Free?
On-line Course 
red-wine-pouring.jpg
It's a free, 2-hour course developed in partnership with the BC Wine Institute and Okanagan College to educate those in the industry, or anyone who wants to learn! 

 


Soles 4 Souls Barefoot
Saturday July 19th   
1:00 p.m.
Kelowna City Park
 
Come out to the first annual Barefoot on the Boardwalk fundraising event to raise awareness and put shoes on those in need.
 
Downtown Block Party
Saturday August 9th  
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bernard Avenue
 
Your chance to expose your business to 13,000 people; the 25th annual Downtown Kelowna Block Party presented by Interior Savings 

Click here for more info and vendor application

Organizational Health & Wellness Conference
September 19th 
8:30 am to 4:15 p.m.
Coast Capri Hotel

Best practices & real-world strategies that employers can apply immediately to work absences, return-to work programs and disability management.
Please visit Diversified Rehabilitation Group for more information and to register.
 
  
      544 Harvey Ave
      Kelowna BC V1Y 6C9