Summer is fast approaching with the Barriere and District Chamber of Commerce wrapping up our meetings until fall. We had a couple of great luncheons this past spring, one with Mayor Smith, and the other with Community Futures. We will be hosting more of these come fall, and advise our members to watch your emails for invitations. And book your seats early, these book up fast!
The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) has created a Business Walk Program. The Chamber will be participating in this Business Walk on June 11, and we will be contacting the businesses ahead of time to setup a time with the owners/managers.
How does a Business Walk work?
Business Walks involve a partnership facilitated by the COEDC with local municipalities and/or service providers. “Walkers” (teams of business leaders) walk from business to business asking a few conversationally structured questions that capture the pulse of the business community.
Why do a Business Walk?
The Business Walk program offers an excellent opportunity to listen to the local business community, identifying common themes for action while bringing together educational resources, municipal services and representatives of the business community for specific action plans. The Business Walks program allows visitation to numerous businesses in a short amount of time in order to gather industry intelligence to foster business growth.
The objective of the Business Walk is to identify successes and obstacles the local business communities face within the Central Okanagan Region and then track that information over time.
We look forward to participating in this initiative with many of our local businesses.
As many of you may know, I went on an inspection trip to China in April. This is the same trip that the Chamber will be hosting in October. Citslinc International works with Chambers of Commerce across the United States and Canada and have over 1000 Chambers working with them. This trip is offered to the Chambers as a form of Fundraising, while offering their members a great deal on a great trip.
The trip itself is nine days, six of which you are touring. The Forbidden City, The Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace are just a few of the many historical sites we visited.
We also got to experience a traditional Chinese lunch at the residence of a Chinese family following a Rick Shaw ride down the narrow streets.
Later we took a ride down the canal and visited the local market. We went to the Jade, Silk, Pearl Factory and more.
Our rooms were outstanding, food excellent, new buses with exceptional drivers, and the tour guides were so much fun and informative!
If anyone is interested in attending this trip on October 9th, 2015, registration deadline is June 25. Final payment is due July 20. Cost for Chamber members is only $2499, non-members $2649.
Our next fundraiser for the Barriere Chamber will be held on November 14, this will be a dinner and entertainment event. Semi-formal, magic, music and lots of fun! Watch for more information.
For more information about the Chamber and events please call Marie at the Chamber office 250-672-9221, or email: bcoc@telus.net, or visit our website: www.barrierechamber.com.