Chamber Blog Posts
Right Place, Right Time
Jun 2, 2015As spring races into summer, Kelowna’s economic numbers continue to reflect a sturdiness that makes us all feel optimistic. Our Chamber members are cautiously confident – not all businesses are enjoying growth, but optimism and ...
Read MoreAccess to Technology & Innovation a Key Economic Issue ahead of the Federal Election
May 26, 2015We've added our voice to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce's, who released its electoral platform this morning in Ottawa. This document outlines a list of recommendations the Canadian business community has for the federal political parties as...
Read MoreNew awards a reflection of #trending business models
May 20, 2015Kelowna is home to world-renowned, nationally recognized, and otherwise excellent businesses. With each year that passes, more and more developers, entrepreneurs, corporations and the commerce-savvy are recognizing the economic viability ...
Read MoreBack in Black: What's so great about a surplus anyway?
May 13, 2015With the tabling of the federal budget, the curtain falls on the best spectacle we’ve seen for a while–the government’s fight to rescue its carefully orchestrated plan to balance the budget in time for the election. This...
Read MoreDays of May
May 7, 2015May is upon us- signifying flowers, a day for "mom" and the end of tax season (insert sigh of relief here). This month also holds meaning for some associations. All week, Mental Health awareness has been campaigned across t...
Read MoreBudget Analysis: Federal Budget 2015
May 5, 2015This is an election year, and this is undoubtedly an election budget. There is a strong emphasis on tax cuts for the (hardworking) Canadian families that will receive the bulk of federal largesse this year. Just the income splitting and the expanded ...
Read MoreWhat to do about Income InEquality
Apr 21, 2015Is it time to worry about the middle class and the rising gap between rich and poor? It’s not just academics anymore—even businesses like McKinsey and TD Bank are taking a hard look at income inequality and what it means for economic grow...
Read More6 Must Read Tips for Start-Up Businesses
Apr 15, 2015Chambers are often asked for advice on how to start a business. Building your own business from the ground up is no easy task. There is no template or formula to creating a hugely successful business. There is just sheer hard work, determination a...
Read MoreCanada's Oil Sands: The Truth Unveiled
Apr 10, 2015As a recognized business leader in Kelowna, I was invited to participate in a Canadian Chamber of Commerce Energy Tour that provided an in-depth opportunity to hear from a good cross section of energy companies and actually go on mine sites in Fort M...
Read MoreThe secret to a successful AGM
Apr 8, 2015Annual General Meeting. Just the sound of it can induce an unitentional mid-day nap. Yet, it is an imperitive event for most non-profit organizations. This is when the organization must present to its stakeholders and members the past year's audi...
Read More#Winning in fight against invasive mussels
Mar 31, 2015The Province is expanding its fight against invasive mussels with a $1.3-million boost toward early detection and rapid response. Although these invasive species have never been detected in British Columbia, this program expansion increase...
Read MoreIs Canada Headed for Recession?
Mar 24, 2015Since the Bank of Canada lowered interest rates as “insurance” against the risk of a sharper downturn, many have been asking: How long will it take for the fall in oil prices to impact the broader economy and how severe will the slowd...
Read MorePhilanthropy + Entrepreneurship = "Dragon Emeritus" W. Brett Wilson
Mar 17, 2015"Yes, he'll do it". Those four words were music to our ears coming through the phone from W. Brett Wilson's publicist a few short weeks ago. Kelowna Chamber Staffer, Stephanie, had been diligently persuing him since she sat in ...
Read MoreWelcome A-Board!
Mar 10, 2015The Kelowna Chamber 2015/16 Term is just underway. There were 6 director's seats up for grabs, and after we had 11 candidates apply for the positions, we posted their answers to our questions online and went to a vote. The election remained open...
Read MoreCalling Professionals & Students
Mar 3, 2015Finding a job (or reliable employees) can be tough, let’s face it. The good news? It doesn’t have to be. With our program Launch Students into Business having already taken off several months ago, the New Year promises to connect ...
Read MoreIs this the end of the Commodity Supercycle?
Feb 26, 2015These are tough times for commodities. Oil is grabbing all the headlines, with prices plunging 50% since June of last year. But agriculture prices are also soft, especially corn, which is down 53%. Metal prices have been weak for a while, particu...
Read MoreChamber Myths De-bunked
Feb 20, 2015This week we recognized Chamber week by hosting an event each day of the week to provide you with the opportunity to network, dine and engage to learn what we do for the business community. Have you caught yourself wondering what a Ch...
Read MoreChamber of Commerce Week
Feb 13, 2015February 16, 2015, marks the beginning of Chamber of Commerce Week in Kelowna, as officially proclaimed by Mayor Colin Basran, as well as across BC. Chamber week is an opportunity for Chambers of Commerce throughout British Columbia to showcase ...
Read MoreThe Cream of the Crop... or the Young at the Top
Feb 12, 2015Kelowna’s Top Forty Under 40 has officially reached the mid-way mark! With 21 remarkable people across the valley having already been interviewed by the Daily Courier, the pressure is on. Haven’t submitted your nomination yet...
Read MoreInterest Rates: How Low for How Long?
Jan 27, 2015How many times have Canadians been warned that interest rates will increase eventually? What a surprise when the Bank of Canada lowered the rate to 0.75%, a move that no economist had predicted. The big question is what does it mean f...
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