A very sincere thank you to the Regional District of North Okanagan for supporting it’s rural residents in their learning and economic independence endeavours. A healthy and diverse rural economy means prosperity for all of us!
With a new year of challenges ahead, it’s important to share your perspective with all levels of government and policy makers. Why not attend one of these webinars
with provincial ministers, transportation leaders, business innovators and more! Our sister organization, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, has announced that members will have exclusive access to prominent decision-makers this spring while a series of webinars will keep them informed and engaged.
The webinar has become a hugely successful means of networking, and Chamber members like you have jumped on this most important bandwagon, thanks to the
opportunities provided by the EDCC in 2020. Although we are not in a position to provide further webinars, we encourage all local businesspeople to visit our Chamber partners
and participate in this ongoing, online, dynamic dialogue with leaders of the business world.
Virtual town halls will kick off Feb. 19 with representatives of the B.C. government followed by the federal Conservative caucus March 3 and Kelowna International Airport March 31.
“We are extremely excited to provide our members with an opportunity to hear directly from those who influence policies regarding Covid, our community and economy. There will also be a chance for our members to ask questions and raise issues relevant to them,” said Dan Proulx, Greater Vernon Chamber general manager.
Feb. 19 – Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation; Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture; and Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon-Monashee MLA
March 3 – Mel Arnold, North Okanagan-Shuswap MP; and Pat Kelly, Conservative Shadow Cabinet Minister for Small Business and Western Economic Diversification
March 31 – Sam Samaddar, airport director, Kelowna International Airport
Beyond the town halls, the Chamber is hosting a series of webinars on topics relevant to businesses and non-profit organizations.
Feb. 17 – Get Clear On the Role Of Your Non-Profit Board with Deb McClelland of OnBoard Training
March 10 – Selling Your Business with business broker Rob Raybould
March 17 – Community Gaming Grant Process with the Community Gaming Grants Branch
April 14 – Covid-19 and the Law with Ukrainetz Workplace Law Group
“The Chamber’s mandate includes education and we are confident that these webinars will provide our members with the information and skills they need to succeed, and further webinars are planned for late spring and early summer,” said Proulx.
For more information and to register for the town halls and webinars, Chamber members can go to https://www.vernonchamber.ca/events/
Greater Vernon businesses and non-profits wanting information on how to join the Chamber can contact 250-545-0771 or go to https://www.vernonchamber.ca/top-10-reasons-to-join
Celebrate BC’s black entrepreneurs by learning more about their historic contribution to the development of our province.
Visit https://bcblackhistory.ca to learn more, such as the fascinating tale of Mr. Moses Rowe Smith, who started a bakery on Vancouver Island and went on to make one of BC’s most successful biscuit factories!
To learn more about how our local area has been shaped by black pioneers, visit member business Enderby & District Museum and Archives at 901 George St:
or drop by our local branch of the Okanagan Regional Library to take out a book about Black History in Canada, and around the world!
Please be advised that the Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce has reduced hours from Jan 17 to Match 25, 2021.
The General Manager will be available from 12 pm – 4 pm, Monday to Friday. If you have emergent concerns, feel free to contact at info@enderbychamber.com or 250-803-3824. Otherwise, your messages will be answered within hours listed above, or during the next business day.
Thank you,
Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce.
Join the other thousands of Restaurants Canada members and interested parties in signing this petition to ensure a cohesive, useful restart strategy is developed for the tourism/restaurant sector.
Let federal agencies know you and your business card about how and when funds, support and assistance are made available! Click the image below to learn more:
There are lots of programs, initiatives and funding sources available for BC small business,
but it’s often hard to find them! Here’s a few links to some great compilations of these resources –
take a browse and learn what’s out there to help your business stay on track.
https://covid.smallbusinessbc.ca/hc/en-us/articles/360046504693-Financial-Relief
https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/student-grad-and-co-op-employment/hire-an-oc-student
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.html
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/economic-recovery/business-recovery-grant
Take a few minutes to share your concerns, your challenges and your hopes for 2021’s business year with us-
take the survey by clicking the link below! We will be sure to share your opinions with government and advocacy
groups, to ensure you get the assistance you need as we move forward in this challenging year. Share your thoughts
by January 31, 2021!
We have come a long way, but there are still challenges ahead – share your thoughts with us here!
Take photos of your adorable pet and upload them to the Contest page in the link below:
Listen to Pure Country on February 1st to hear the winner announced, and check back to see the oodles of cute pets!
Thanks to the Rusty Spur for this fun and furry contest!
Community Futures North Okanagan calls for emerging entrepreneurs to participate in Enterprize Challenge, being held virtually in 2021.
The 2021 Enterprize Challenge registration opens Jan. 4, 2021 and closes at noon Feb. 5. All workshops will be in the evenings, live through Zoom. The Enterprize Challenge is open to all North Okanagan residents with a business idea they intend to turn into an operating business in 2021 or are an independent business that opened in 2019. To learn more or register, visit enterprizechallenge.ca.
“This year’s fully virtual challenge has been adapted to serve our community during the pandemic. We hope that moving to an online format makes the Enterprize Challenge even more accessible to those with young families and those who live outside Vernon or are working,” says Kazia Mullin, CFNO Business Services Manager. “More than ever, this year’s Enterprize Challenge is about finding 2020’s silver lining and highlighting how our local entrepreneurs’ creative thinking, problem-solving, and flexibility has been an important part of keeping our community going during these difficult times.”
As in the past, 2021 entrants will have the opportunity to attend online workshops to learn everything from marketing and financials to building a sound business plan. They’ll also receive one-on-one mentorship virtually from local business owners and professionals.
In April seven finalists will pitch their business idea in front of judges in a format similar to CBC’s popular television show Dragon’s Den. However, instead of in front of a live audience, the event will be live-streamed from the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Finalists will vie for prize packages valued at $35,000 that include marketing, advertising, legal, printing, banking, and accounting services. Participants also have the chance to earn a marketing package with the People’s Choice Award.
“A lot of businesses have pivoted and changed in 2020, so it will be interesting to see a continuation of that creativity and innovation, and how that will spill over to Enterprize Challenge,” says Mullin. “We’re looking forward to seeing how this year’s challengers change traditional business ideas to meet a new marketplace.”
Thanks to Secwepemc Lakes Training and Employment Initiative and Helder Ponte for putting on this latest informative webinar, featuring information on how to permit, lease, develop and manage indigenous
lands contracts. Partner with our neighbours and hosts here in British Columbia to help all of us attain greater economic success and prosperity- with useful, mindful, ecologically protective methods!
Take your business to the next level by expanding not just your square footage, but your horizons!
Contact Bonnie Thomas, Labour Market Coordinator, to reserve your seat at the webinar, taking place January 13 6 – 7:30 pm.
