At the Summerland Chamber of Commerce we are keeping our ears open for business news and opportunities for our members.
The Chamber’s monthly Business after Business member events are starting up again this month. We suggest practicing your John Wayne saunter, as the event on Sept. 18 is being hosted by the Summerland Rodeo Grounds.
Enjoy a dressage riding demonstration and take a guided tour of the grounds to learn about the history and future plans.
Training
The provincial Micro Business Training Program is now accepting applications.
Eligible small business owners who employ fewer than five employees and who do not hold a university degree or provincially or nationally recognized certifications can receive up to $1,500 for training for courses such as bookkeeping, marketing & sales, management, computing, websites and social media.
If you are interested in this new program, please contact the chamber office and we will forward you the relevant information.
Coffee hour
The chamber is hosting a coffee hour on Sept. 21 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Andrew Greer from Accelerate Okanagan will be speaking about their technology related programs.
Summerland businesses that are developing or integrating new technologies are invited to come along and see what opportunities Accelerate Okanagan has.
At the fair
Summerland is the place to be this weekend.
Along with the 103rd annual Summerland Fall Fair and the Endless Summer Show and Shine downtown, wine fans will be able to sample offerings from 10 local wineries at the Remax Orchard Country Wine Fair, where ticket holders can vote on the coveted People’s Choice Award.
Tickets are available from the Remax Office on Main Street.
Bakery opening
True Grain Bread is hosting their grand opening this Saturday.
Visit them on Main Street to try some bread and ask about their onsite flour mill.
Wine marketing
Bottleneck Drive Wineries are now working with marketing consultant Christina Ferreira from Impact Events.
Ferreira says the group has big plans: “Our goals include making Bottleneck Drive the wine area of choice for people looking for B.C. wine tours, to build the brand and bring more people to Summerland.”
Expansion
Okanagan Crush Pad Winery has purchased 317 acres of ranch land in Summerland’s Garnet Valley with about 85 plantable acres.
They are now in the process of mapping out the land and deciding what varieties to grow.
The company also has new team members: Whitney Law in administration and consultant Sujinder Juneja with the media team.
Winemaker Tom Dibello has announced that starting this harvest season, he will be making all of his wines at OCP.
Finally, the company has joined other local wineries as a new member of Bottleneck Drive.
Work services
Representatives from the YMCA-YWCA WorkBC Employment Services Centre will be at the Summerland Fall Fair on Sept. 8 and 9, providing information about their programs. Find them at the IGA booth.
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Do you have some Summerland business buzz to share? From expansions to renovations, the Chamber would like to hear about your good business news. Contact us at 250-494-2686 or membership@summerlandchamber.com.
Sophia Jackson is the Membership Services and Events Coordinator for the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism.