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KAMLOOPS – Establishing your brand – who you are and what you do – is instrumental in the success of any business, not-for-profit or otherwise. Communicating clearly about who you are and what you do causes people to want to know more – to know how you fulfill your mandate.
One of the ways that the Kamloops Chamber has recently established this clear communication is through the launch of our four pillars of service. As “your business connection” (our Kamloops Chamber tagline), we work on your behalf to provide: Value-Added Programs, Development Opportunities, Marketing Tools and Government Relations.
Our Value-Added Programs include such things as: customizable health insurance plans through Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance; discounts on hotel, office supplies and gas/ diesel; payroll services; merchant processing; email marketing programs and more. All of these programs give you the opportunity to save on your bottom line, which is key to building your business.
Our Development Opportunities offer the chance to attend networking events and skill-building sessions to further your business network and your skillset. Attend one of our monthly socials, quarterly luncheons, our annual CONNECT Tradeshow and any one of our various seminars and workshops to help grow your business.
Through our Marketing Tools, you have a member-exclusive chance to get the word out about your business to other members as well as the general community. We offer website and e-bulletin advertising options, a yearly mail-out insertion, sponsorship options, social media sharing of your business news and events and more.
Lastly, our Government Relations are an extremely important and valuable way to help your business. We work with you, to bring business-friendly change to government policy. For example, did you know that the Kamloops Chamber was instrumental in the creation of the ten-year passport? Or that the idea of the Tax-Free Savings Account came from us? If there are barriers to your business, we want to know about them so we can work on your behalf to bring positive change to government policy.
Through these four pillars, we work hard to provide you with opportunities to help you connect to more business and become successful in your industry. To learn more about any of these service pillars, visit our website at kamloopschamber.ca or give our office a call – we would love to hear from you! 250.372.7722.
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Exciting news from our community partner and long-standing member, Venture Kamloops!
Venture Kamloops has developed an online tool called Start Here to provide greater access to essential resources for business.
“Since its launch, Start Here has saved time and created value for businesses,” says Colin O’Leary, Manager of Business Retention & Expansion. “Each year, we meet with 200+ businesses. Helping to speed up the process by facilitating important connections and providing information to clients in our initial meeting has helped to propel businesses forward faster.”
The online tool was created in response to a need Venture Kamloops recognized for providing support and resources to the local business community. Start Here allows the client to provide information in advance of the initial meeting, allowing Venture Kamloops to be better prepared to discuss ideas and options.
The concept, although simple, is successful. “To date, we’ve met with dozens of new and existing businesses,” says O’Leary. “We’ve also provided templates to start ups to help them gather more information before we meet with them to assist with the next steps. It’s been a real win/win.”
Learn more at www.venturekamloops.com/starthere.
– Deb McClelland is the executive director of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached email at deb@kamloopschamber.ca.