DAN ROGERS
KELOWNA – June has been a month of success so far for the Kelowna Chamber. At the BC Chamber AGM and Conference in Whistler on June 2, we signed a collaboration agreement with the Greater Westside Board of Trade. It creates the Central Okanagan Business Advocacy Team (COBAT).
The two organizations identified a significant number of regional issues that aren’t getting enough attention and by combining forces, the groups believe they will have a stronger and more influential voice with government at all levels. The Team will meet at least three times a year to develop action initiatives.
While in Whistler, Dan Price invited all delegates to Kelowna for the 2024 BC Chamber Conference and AGM to be held May 28-30 at the Coast Capri. We’ll all enjoy three days of speakers, policy debates, and showing off Kelowna to our visitors. Eight policies tabled by the Kelowna Chamber were adopted by delegates, dealing with labour issues and street crime, among other issues.
On June 8, we presented four recommendations to the province’s Select Standing Committee on Finance & Government Services. Our asks included (1) Investing in one of the fastest growing regions in the country to build transportation infrastructure; (2) Addressing Growing Cost of Doing Business in BC (up $6.5B 2022-2024); (3) Working with local government to help small business owners significantly impacted by rising crime and vandalism in high impact commercial centres; and (4) Addressing market-based housing needs by acting on recommendations already tabled.
Kelowna Board Chair Dan Price and Greater Westside Board Chair Aber Hall ink the new COBAT agreement in Whistler June 2.
We’ve started working on policies for the fall sessions in Calgary in October at the Canadian Chamber AGM and Policy Conference – delegates will include directors from our Chamber Board and select staff.
Closer to home, minor renovations to the Chamber office are proceeding as we reconfigure the front of the office space vacated several years ago by Tourism Kelowna. We’ve completed Phase One which saw some walls move around a bit and resultant painting; floors are next in Phase Two and we may be enjoying expanded and improved working space by the fall.
Finally plans are firming up for our Valleywide Business Expo trade show in Lake Country September 14. The Lake Country Chamber is taking the lead in organizing; member companies from chambers up and down the valley are expected to participate and strut their stuff. It’s always a fun day for all.
Dan Rogers is the CEO of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce