March 24, 2014
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Small Business News & Views 
from your Kitsilano Chamber  
Greetings!
We've compiled important news that impacts your business as well as high-profile networking events and socials for our valued members. Please add [email protected] to your approved email list so you'll continue to receive important updates. 

Low-cost advertising opportunities
available here for your business.
P. 604-731-4454 [email protected] 
 
Business After Hours Social Event  

 

New KCC member, Innovative Fitness, is generously hosting a Business After Hours networking event on:

 

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

5:30pm - 8:00pm

2080 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver.

On-site & street parking available.

 Register Now button Smaller  

Members & guests will enjoy complimentary fine wines, gourmet appetizers, door prizes and view options for a comfortable beach-ready workout with certified Innovative Fitness Pyramid on Beach personal trainers at this high-end fitness facility with mountain views. Guests may mingle & chat following KCC's short,15-minute AGM.

 

Members & their unlimited guests only $5 each, Future Members and unlimited guests $10 each. .Bring a potential workout buddy.

 

Space is limited so register early. Deadline: April 23, 2014

Unification with Vancouver Board of Trade (VBOT )

The merger agreement is being prepared. Further information will be provided to members shortly prior to voting. 

Acupuncture Now Exempt

from GST/HST

See Sticking it to You:

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/02/11/canada-budget-2014-10-things-you-need-to-know/ 

 

The Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce Policy Committee led by Chair, Christian Johannsen (Owner of Foot Solutions), championed the successful exemption of acupuncturists' and naturopathic doctors' services from HST and GST, as announced in the 2014 Federal budget, effective last February.

New Member Profiles

 

Helping Local Businesses to Succeed  

 

    

   offers a unique blend of marketing and digital strategies for local businesses. We use new technology and proven insights to help you find, listen to, and retain loyal customers. The RTOWN team is an affordable extension to your business, and offers a whole suite of digital services and products that can help build your bottom line.

 

Right now, all Kitsilano Chamber members can get the RTOWN Loyalty App and Marketing Program for a special introductory price.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Omip9qiok&feature=youtu.be 

 

GET STARTED TODAY - $50/month ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Click here to contact Sam, your local Kitsilano digital solutions strategiest.

      ________________________________________________ 

 

Kick off the Season with BC Lions Seasons Tix Discount

Football season is just around the corner & the BC Lions are excited to get our season started! It's going to be another historic year, with a lot of exciting moments in store for our fans as we journey towards the 102nd Grey Cup in Vancouver on November 30, 2014. Season Tickets are on sale now starting at $271 before taxes and fees.   Get first rights to your season ticket seats for the 2014 Grey Cup at 10% off regular ticket pricing for Chamber Members. Season ticket holder perks include access to additional grey cup seats prior to public pre-sale, exclusive invites to BC Lions events, tax deductible of up to 50% off for businesses, and discounted rate for additional single games. For more information on BC Lions Ticket & Grey Cup Packages, please call Sharon at 604-930-5453 or email [email protected].

The Soul of Your Business - Branding Tips From the Ad Agency World: Graham North   Meetup

 

Want to know how to identify the soul of your brand and communicate it to your customers through your name, logo, website, and in-person customer experiences? Graham North, award-winning copywriter and brand strategist from the Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism campaigns, will share with you ad agency insider tips.

 

Wednesday, April 9th 

7:00 - 9:00 am

Calhoun's Bakery Caf�, 3035 West Broadway

Details & Registration http://www.meetup.com/kitsilanochamber/

  

 Early risers, come and kickstart your day once a month with insightful discussions on current business challenges. This complimentary networking event is sponsored by the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce.

11th Annual Small Business BC Awards Winners

www.smallbusinessbc.ca 

 

Winners of the 11th annual Small Business BC Awards were announced in Feb. A total of 417 businesses were nominated in nine different award categories. Each winner also received the Premier's Prize of $1500 cash, sponsored by the Province of British Columbia.

 

Best Company:  Save Everyday (Vancouver); Best Concept:  Medeo (Vancouver); Best Community Impact:  Bamboletta Dolls (Cowichan Bay) (photo above at right); Best International Trade Business:  Xanatos Marine Ltd. (North Vancouver); Best Green Business:  Eclipse Awards (Vancouver); Best Employer:  Fully Managed (Vancouver): Best Online Marketer:  Make it Productions (Vancouver); Best Workplace:  iWorx (North Vancouver);

Premier's People's Choice:  Fruiticana Produce (Surrey) 

No Bike Path in Hadden Park

In mid-February, Niki Sharma, Chair of the Vancouver Park Board confirmed the Park Board will not pursue a new separated bike path through Hadden Park or at Kits Beach. The path, estimated at more than two million dollars, would have been about three-and-a-half metres wide. Community members were largely opposed to the plan. One individual launched a Supreme Court injunction, credited with stopping the proposal. The Park Board is now collaborating with the community to explore other safety measures.http://vancouver.ca/

 

Westside Neighbourhood House

Small Grants

Residents of the Westside (West of Granville and from the beach to the Fraser River) can apply to Kits House for a Neighbourhood Small Grant. Recipients receive $50 up to $500. A couple of special grants of up to $1000 may be given out as well. The deadline for applications is April 7th. Complete the online form at http://neighbourhoodsmallgrants.ca/apply 

 

 

Non-Profit Member Spotlight

 Kits Chamber Non-Profit Membership only $75/yr

 

 

 Silver Anniversary for

Bard On The Beach

 

 

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival will mark its 25th anniversary this summer with a season that runs from June 11 to September 20. To celebrate, the Festival is presenting two audience favourites A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and THE TEMPEST.. On the Studio Stage, Bard will present a bold, physical adaptation of Shakespeare's CYMBELINE, and EQUIVOCATION, written by contemporary playwright Bill Cain.

 

2014 also marks the 450th year of Shakespeare's birth. This combined with the 25th Anniversary will make for a summer filled with plays, special events and celebrations.

 

Last year 89,000 patrons attended performances - a drastic increase from the 6,000 patrons in 1990. Over 1.3 million patrons have enjoyed the Bard experience over its 24 seasons. Its budget has increased from $35,000 in 1990 to $4 million in 2013. The programming has of course expanded from one play to four, and from 34 performances to almost 200 two and a half decades later

 

Bard on the Beach is one of Canada's largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare Festivals. A custom-built Mainstage was erected in 2011, offering expanded seating (742 seats), and a second studio stage tent seats 240. This intimate performance space features Shakespeare's lesser-known plays or his great classics presented with less traditional staging.

 

Bard on the Beach has a host of corporate and small business partners each season and is proud member of the artistic and business community of the Lower Mainland and Kitsilano specifically.

Mixing Business And Romance Pays Sweet Dividends

Paul Dincer and Joanne Probyn have one of the sweetest love stories. Paul and Joanne, both world travelers, met at Paul's artisan chocolate shop in Kitsilano, Koko Monk Chocolates, a recent finalist for Kitsilano Chamber's 2013 Business of the Year award. They soon began working together; Joanne brought creativity, strategic planning, marketing and communications skills through ReadyGo Media; Paul shared his one-of-a-kind artistic, business- and chocolate-making prowess while providing opportunities for their growth.

 

They quickly realized a special synergy professionally and emotionally. They're making it official-they are engaged to be married! Paul and Joanne will join in love, life and business in a celebration of bliss and deliciousness this August.

 

"We're delighted to be members of the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce," says Joanne Probyn, co-owner, sales and marketing manager, Koko Monk Chocolates. "Not only does Kits Chamber provide ample opportunities for networking and high-profile recognition, they take an interest in supporting our goals while connecting people with community. We're very grateful for their work."

 

Congratulations Paul and Joanne. Best wishes for continued success.

Koko Monk Chocolates is located at 1849 West 1st Avenue (at Burrard). www.kokomonk.com.

Discount on .CEO domain names

  

Show your credibility, authority & experience online with a .CEO domain name! Get a discount on .CEO domains starting March 26th, 2014! Register today. Remember that included with a Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce membership is a free .CA domain name courtesy of Webnames.ca.  Please contact [email protected] to redeem your free .CA domain name.

 


Kitsilano Chamber
Member Benefits

 

  • group health & benefit plan
  • educational & networking events such as Dialogue with your MP, Westside Business Awards, Morning Meetups & Business After Hours
  • reduced fees on merchant credit card services, payroll services, fuel purchases & hotels, Vancouver Courier ad rates, BIV subscriptions.
  • advocacy & liaison with gov't decision makers
  • promotional opportunities for your business.
See all the Member Benefits & comprehensive small business resource links 

 on topics below at our website.     

  • business start-up info
  • gov't services for entrepreneurs
  • doing business in  Vancouver
  • federal & provincial government benefits
  • tax information
  • Immigration Canada, etc.

Kitsilano Chamber

of Commerce

 

Networking 

Business Education 

Romance  

 

Networking-romance

Your Chamber of Commerce

launched a love story.

400 - 1681 Chestnut St., Vanc., BC V6J 4M6
    604-731-4454