June 5, 2015 

Message from our President 

 

Last week, our CEO, Caroline Grover and myself travelled to Prince George for the BC Chamber AGM. We brought forward five resolutions from our membership and received support from our colleagues across the Province.


The theme this year for four resolutions seems to be the continuing fight on four separate issues where we have seen some success and support from Provincial and Federal governments, but feel that there is still room for improvement. We recognize the positive support the BC and Canadian Chamber networks receive from government on many of our resolutions and sincerely appreciate that we are their go to organization representing business.


We are asking the Province to tighten the net and improve check points on BC border points to ensure that no invasive mussel species enters BC's pristine lakes on boats and devastates our infrastructure and lake dependent economies.


Another on-going issue is the shipment of private purchase wine, beer and spirits between provinces. Some provinces like Ontario are refusing to allow the free flow of quality BC product. The BC Government will be asked to keep the pressure on these hold outs.


The digital media industry has become a significant economic driver in B.C. with no signs of slowing down over the next years ahead. With this growth B.C. has an opportunity to set up the infrastructure necessary for this industry to become global leaders across all its sectors and continue to strengthen B.C.'s economy.    Read More
 

Kindly, 

 

Ken Carmichael, President

Last Call for Business Awards Nominations
Nominate your service provider, your client... or yourself!

The countdown is on-- just one week left to submit your nominations for this year's Business Excellence Awards! 

 

Show your clients that you appreciate their business and respect the work they do by clicking here and giving us their name and which category you think they may fit in.

When a company accepts the award for the category they've been nominated in, they are thrilled and typically thank their nominator from the podium in front of our 300 guests. Be that name! (Alternatively, you can remain anonymous if you choose) 

 

Nominees!
Don't forget to RSVP for our first ever Nominee Reception! It's free, you can bring a guest, and the judges will be in attendance! 

 

The Next Little Thing

Seven Steps Towards Innovation

 

Innovation is the one renewable resource that cannot be used up. It has the potential to ignite and regenerate. It is different from invention which requires something brand new each time. Innovation simply requires the will to see or to do things in another way. By tapping into this approach, a business can release constraints, reveal new paths or even create something remarkable against the odds.

Given the increasing rates of job dissatisfaction and a shift towards life in the work/life balance equation, leaders can no longer look to increased working hours and workloads in their quest to maximize productivity. Fortunately, where the the old way of working "harder, longer, faster" has led us is towards a new way of doing things.

Whereas innovation was once desirable, it is now essential for organizations seeking to remain relevant and competitive. What is emerging is a less traditional leadership style, grounded in creating the environment in which everyday innovations can thrive. While not all organizations have shifted as yet, the mentality of the marketplace has most definitely.     
Read More 

 

Welcome April's New Members!
Click on each one to learn more

Golf Tournament Recap
Donations Collected, Winners & Sponsors

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce hosted its 30th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Sunset Ranch Golf Club. The tournament was successful in raising $1190 for local charities The Bridge Youth & Family Services, BC Children's Hospital Foundation & BrainTrust Canada, and for bringing together business people whether it was team-building or network-building.

With twenty-five teams competing, four individuals that had never played together but who had been teamed up -  Ryan Redekopp, Chris Lowen, Krissy Eide and Tyler Neels - took first place. 

 

Avid golfers and couple Mike & Candy Chisholm proved their skills by taking the prize for Men's KP and Women's KP. Pro-Wrestler, Mike Rizzo, participated in the tournament as well, giving strong competition to the winning team. 

 

To view more photos of the tournament, click here and "tag" yourself!

 

President's Circle Members  Pushor Mitchell LLP, MNP LLP, BDO LLP, Interior Savings Credit Union, Grant Thornton LLP, Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board & UBC Okanagan Campus brought representation, and sponsored the Dream Vacation to New Orleans which was open to all golfers.  The lucky random winner was Donna Markin.  The winner of the WestJet Raffle for 2 tickets anywhere WestJet flies was Hamal Shoranick. Many other lucky golfers were randomly drawn to receive prizes at the dinner banquet ranging from flatscreen TVs (courtesy of Costco) to gift baskets to JOURNEY tickets! All of which were generously supplied by donors. 


The Title Sponsor was Costco Wholesale and additional sponsors included Pattison Outdoor Advertising, Interior Savings Credit Union, Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club, Secure Rite Mobile Storage Inc., Orchard Park Shopping Centre, HSBC, Express Employment Professionals, Big Surf Beer, Fripp Warehousing, Bell Media, Boucherie Beach Cottages at the Lake, Bolt Security Systems, 
Investors Group, McDougall Energy Inc. and Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance - TD BenefitsThanks to everyone that was able to participate and support the Chamber's 30th Annual Golf Tournament. We look forward to seeing you next year!

 

Sales Lead Network 
This Week's Update

At our May 21st  Sales Lead Network meeting, Kristie Nyrose ([email protected]) of Express Employment Professionals shared with us more about herself, and her business: Whether you are looking for someone temporary or seeking out your forever person, she's hear to help! 

 

Curious to find out more about the Sales lead Network? 

Get in touch

 

Upcoming Events

   Chamber Luncheon: Steve Hankinson, YVR 

Friday June 12th 

11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Manteo Resort

      

Noon Business Smarts: OneNote

Tuesday June 16th

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Kelowna Chamber

   

KCC & URBA Business Expo

Thursday June 18th

4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Rutland Centennial Hall

TEC Series: The Key to Driving a High- Performance Culture

Thursday June 18th

5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

 KPMG

Behind the Scenes: Pandosy Village 

Veterinary Hospital

Wednesday June 24th 

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 2720 Richter Street

 

Check out ALL Chamber & Community Event Listings:
Campaigns for Cause
Ride to Conquer Cancer Call for Riders!
 
Info Sessions:

Kelowna Farmers' Crafters' Market on Saturday, June 6, 2015 from 8am- 1pm 

Across the street from Orchard Park Mall

 

Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre on Monday June 8, 2015 at 7pm


---------------------------- 
Wine, Food, Music & Altruism
Quails' Gate Winery, 3303 Boucherie Rd, West Kelowna on Sunday June 28, 2015 from 6-10pm
 

Members in the News
  • The Downtown Kelowna & Uptown Rutland Business Associations have named their new Boards of Directors for the 2015-16 Term  
     
  • Cliff Shillington, Owner & Broker of Re/Max Kelowna, accepted two awards for the brokerage at the Re/Max of Western Canada Awards
     
  • Dr. Henderson, current director and founding member of the Starbright Children's Development Centre, was honoured with a Life Time Achievement Award
     
  • TELUS Staff Volunteered their time to give back to the community, and The Kelowna  and Westside Community Food Bank was a lucky recipient of their service
     
  • Global Fitness & Racquet Centre & Urban Fare are going head to head in the Great Kelowna Food Fight fundraiser for the Kelowna and Westside Community Food Bank  
     
  • 920 Trades Students from OC will be honoured on Saturday
     
  • Community support pushes Okanagan College trades training complex campaign over the $4 million mark 
     
  •  RoundBox Strategies has launched a new business & designed an ultramodern approach to strategic consulting
     
  • Kelowna's Gospel Mission to build an outdoor courtyard for the homeless to "call their own"
     
  • KF Aerospace announces new domestic and international cargo service
     
  • Rosebuds Designer Consignment Boutique is renovating and expanding its retail floor space
     
  • BC Tree Fruits has launched a new product, Broken Ladder Cider
     
  • GolfTec celebrates its first year in business!
      
  • Wild Kingdom was featured on the Reality TV Show, The Liquidator
     

Congrats to all!