– Deb McClelland is the executive director of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached email at deb@kamloopschamber.ca.
KAMLOOPS – On March 15th our Kamloops Chamber hosted our annual Public Policy Debate and Annual General Meeting (AGM).
If you haven’t had the chance to be part of our Public Policy Debate in years prior, we encourage you to not miss out in 2018. The debate is an incredible opportunity for you to influence change to public policy.
Each year, we bring forward several recommendations to government for our membership to amend, pass and/or decline. If passed, these recommendations are then brought forward to the provincial government and/or federal government depending on their scope.
This year our membership approved four recommendations which will now be brought forward at the BC Chamber of Commerce AGM for approval by the membership. They were: First Nations Infrastructure Institution, Home Renovation Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency, Indigenous Land Title Initiative, Short Term Rentals and Canada China Trade Tariff Gap.
Our membership also approved two policies that needed to be renewed for continued work: Fines and Penalty Reform for Businesses and Enhancing Access to the Registered Disability Savings Plan for Disabled Employees. To learn more about each of these policies and their recommendations, visit: kamloopschamber.ca/2017-annual-general- meeting.
Our chamber is passionate about ensuring that the voice of our business community is heard and we truly do want to know if there is red tape or hindrances to your business that you are facing, so that we can look at possible solutions and recommendations to be brought forward to the appropriate level of government on your behalf.
While the approval process occurs at our annual event, this work goes on behind the scenes throughout the year, so feel free to connect with us at any time a challenge becomes apparent.
Following our Public Policy Debate, our membership elected our 2017-2018 board of directors. Please join is in welcoming:
Executive: President – Paul Ross, Emsland & Associates Insurance Services Ltd., 1st Vice President – Joshua Knaak, FIT Financial, 2nd Vice President – Bryce Herman, Advance Hospitality Consulting Solutions, Treasurer – Sandy Vollo, Abbott Wealth Management, Secretary – Gary Silver, PetSmart.
Directors: Tyson Andrykew, Sandman Signature, Brant Hasanen, Edward Jones Investments, Gavin Rasmussen, K&C’s Construction & Renovations Ltd., Vivek Sharma, Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre, Alan Shaver, Thompson Rivers University, Bernadette Siracky, Kamloops Food Bank, Kate Stebbings, Trans Mountain Expansion Project, Aleece Laird, BC Chamber of Commerce Representative.
Also at our AGM, we were excited to announce that Kamloops will once again host Leadercast on Friday, May 5th. Broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of locations around the world, Leadercast is the largest one-day leadership event in the world, which brings together some of the most recognized and respected global leaders to create a leadership experience unlink any other.
This year, you have the opportunity to hear from speakers including: Andy Stanley – Leadership Author and Communicator; Molly Fletcher – Sports Agent, Author and World-renowned Public Speaker; Tyler Perry – Director, Playwright, Screenwriter, Producer, Actor, Author & Entrepreneur; Suzy Welch – Leadership Expert and Best-Selling Author and more!
Hear how empowered and inspired our members were at last year’s event, and find out what Leadercast is all about by watching our highlight video: kamloopschamber.ca/leadercast.
And of course, book your tickets today before we sell out! Whether you want to connect to government; to exclusive advertising opportunities; ways to save money or to leadership learning opportunities – we are your business connection!