Last week Global Okanagan (or what some people remember as CHBC) featured a recent project that we've been heavily involved in over the past year. Called Our Okanagan, the project is a web-based local search engine and business hub that is focused on connecting local businesses and creating new opportunities for collaboration, employment, and investment.

TIP: If your business hasn't signed up yet, click the link above and create your profile!  The site is very powerful and goes beyond what you're used to seeing in a typical "business directory".  Make sure to check out the many advanced features and fill out the different sections of your profile for best results.

The project was a great experience for us and we enjoyed working with the project leaders Okanagan Partnership, and the folks at Community Futures North Okanagan.  The story aired by Global was great, but I believe the way it was edited gives us too much credit.  We were chosen as the development partner, (and Touchpoint was chosen as the branding partner) but we certainly were not the initiators or the driving force behind the project.  We feel obligated to explain these points in case anyone gets the wrong impression.

I'd like to especially thank a couple of our own staff, Thomas Berger and Cara Reed who worked tirelessly on this project and helped make it something we're very proud of.

From the desk of Sandra Ballan-Brown, COEDC

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2010

Central Okanagan/Kelowna - The winners were announced for the 2010 Dragon's Den Edition of the Young Entrepreneur Program May 17th at a special luncheon at the Coast Capri Hotel.  The program is a joint initiative between the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, School District #23 Career Life Programs, and Okanagan College School of Business for students in grades 7 to 12.

With the Central Okanagan having one of the highest rates of entrepreneurship in Canada at 97%, the aim of the programme is to provide youth in our community with hands-on learning experiences and create excitement towards the topic of entrepreneurship.

The theme of this year’s competition was to "Create Your Own Summer Job – Tourism”.  Students started working on their projects in February and were judged by professionals from many areas of the community.  Students had to complete three tasks which included creating their product or service, developing a financial plan, and a marketing and promotion plan. The competition is highly successful, as over 50% of task three teams take their business concepts to the start up stage.

The 2010 Award winners are:

Secondary School Winner of $2,500
Kelowna Secondary School Team iTour Kelowna consisting of Allie Lemoine, Kristen Valnicek, Kassia Vinci, Kayleigh Zinger-Harris.  iTour Kelowna created an iPhone and iPod Touch application to promote local tourism. (examples of their work is attached)

Middle School Winner of $1,000
Okanagan Adventist Academy team Neeko consisting of Nicole Dacre and John Eek with their Okanagan Cases business.  Their product; hand crafted cases shaped as fruit inspired by Okanagan orchards and vineyards are ideal for a Bluetooth headset, spare change, cell phone or keys.

Business Development Bank of Canada’s Small Business Incubator Grant
The BDC provided students with the opportunity to receive a grant to apply towards actually running their business for the summer.  Successful grant applicants were Vernon teams Green Cards and Christopher’s Crepes, and the Henna Hut team in Penticton.

Innovation Awards provided by Axel Partners
This award is provided to the team that shows the most creativity and innovation in the development and execution of their business idea.

Middle School Winner of $250
Dr. Knox Middle School Team Water Walkers consisting of Sagar Chopra, Robert Luo, and Sara Speight.  Product – innovative water toy.

Secondary School Winner of $500
Kelowna Secondary School team OK Valley Beach rentals consisting of Kelsey Marinov, Hilary Regnier and Brett Rothenburger.  Service – beach toy rentals.

We would like to extend a heart-felt thank you the sponsors for their commitment to making this event so successful. Continued support of this program has helped make the vision a reality by helping to offset the cost of the program supplies, the luncheon and awards.

For further information:
Sandra Ballan-Brown
info@investkelowna.com
(250) 469-6280

Platinum Sponsor	Gold Sponsor	Innovation Awards
Silver Sponsor	Silver Sponsor	Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor	Bronze Sponsor	Bronze Sponsor

by Amelia Penner, Account Coordinator

Last week we had an opportunity to participate in the 2010 Valley Wide Chambers of Commerce Event at the Historic O'Keefe Ranch.  This year's event attracted 500-600 people, and we had a great time meeting business people from across the Okanagan Valley.

As a side note, here's a quick message to the introverted, socially-inept who think that networking is only ONLINE!

Social Media is very powerful, but you cannot forget about those face to face conversations and connections.  All of these social media tools should be used to strengthen those connections - not replace face to face meetings.  We are not knocking social media by any means as it is an extremely powerful tool, but it should be integrated with other marketing tactics.

Bottom line: in local communities like Vernon, Kelowna, and Penticton, nothing replaces getting out there and physically meeting new people.

Below: Cara, Amelia, Thomas and James mix it up with the other great Okanagan businesses.

Okanagan Valley Entrepreneur's Society - Using Social Media to Drive Business: Entrepreneur's Edition

Town Hall Series Event
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010, Ramada Hotel Kelowna

Speakers:
James Shaw - CEO/Creative Director, Twin Creek Media
Susan Knight - Radio Announcer, SunFM99.9
Nick Kellet - Entrepreneur and Creator of GiftTrap board game

Do you Twitter? Are you Linked in? Is your face on Facebook? Have you updated your blog today?
A decade or so ago these questions would have puzzled most people. Today's entrepreneur faces these questions daily. Have you ever said to yourself "Should I jump on board and do what everybody else is doing or should I wait to see what happens?" or "I don't have time to do it. I need to work on my business!"

Note: the video was shot impromptu with a hand held device.  Apologies for the low image/audio quality!

Should you use Social Media?

What is the difference between Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn?

How should entrepreneurs use Facebook?

How often should you update your Facebook fan page?

How to use Linkedin for business purposes

For Immediate Release

March 11, 2010, Kelowna, BC

This Okanagan photo has "portal" like qualities, no?

Community Futures Development Corporation - North Okanagan along with Okanagan Partnership has awarded local integrated marketing agency, Twin Creek Media, a web development project known (for now!) as the Our Okanagan Web Portal.

A significant potential for collaboration, information flow and new business opportunities exist with the development and promotion of Our Okanagan Web Portal.  This Portal presents an opportunity for non-profits, government bodies, businesses, and the general public to come together under one umbrella.  The portal will strengthen & tie together key business groups like the Economic Development Commission, Chambers of Commerce and specialty groups such as the Okanagan Science and Technology Council.

James Shaw, Creative Director/Principal at Twin Creek Media, says "To be honest this is an entrepreneur's dream project.  The team here is so excited to be involved in such an important project.  Showcasing the Okanagan's business talent is very meaningful.  Connecting business to business, person to person, can only result in more jobs, more knowledge, and ultimately a stronger local economy.  Brilliant idea.  Well done Community Futures."

The web portal will be a powerful business community site for residents of the Okanagan and potential investors who wish to relocate here.

Unique features of the portal include:

• Businesses can inventory and showcase their products & services
• Individuals can search the new comprehensive database using advanced filters
• Creation of new opportunities for businesses and individuals to work together
• People will be able to search for jobs, investment opportunities, and learn about local business resources available
• Individuals can connect with each other a number of ways, including online social media tools

The Our Okanagan Web Portal also presents the opportunity to promote our business sector to the world.  This is an amazing chance for greater national and international recognition!

The contract was signed in late 2009, with branding responsibilities given to Touchpoint Agency, and site programming/implementation duties given to Twin Creek Media.  Project launch is due Spring 2010.

###

About Twin Creek Media:

Twin Creek Media is proud to be the Platinum Sponsor for the 2010 Young Entrepreneur Program.

Twin Creek CEO James Shaw says, "We believe that children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way... oh, wait that's a Whitney Houston song.  But it's true!  This is a fantastic learning opportunity, not only for the students involved but for the Okanagan business community too."

About the Young Entrepreneur Program
Okanagan College, School District No. 23 and the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission are partnering again to organize the 16th Annual Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP)—Dragon’s Den Edition for 2010.
The YEP has a proud tradition of developing young business professionals. More importantly, the Program has had a positive impact on the lives of Central Okanagan area youth, their families and the community.

The Young Entrepreneur Program creates an opportunity for middle school and secondary school students to develop their business and entrepreneurship skills. Fifteen years ago the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and School District #23 created the Young Entrepreneur Program now known as YEP - Dragon’s Den Edition as the structure of the competition is similar to that of the CBC TV program.

Students complete three tasks which include creating their product or service, developing a financial plan and a marketing plan. Students work from February to April and are judged throughout the competition by business professionals from many areas of the community. Providing mentoring and guidance to the students are Okanagan College School of Business students and teachers from each of the participating schools.

Over the years students have emerged from the competition to be successful entrepreneurs and operated their own businesses. Yard crews, web design, graphic design, sign making, pine beetle wood pens, and clothing design have been just a few of the successful ideas that have emerged from previous competitions.  The competition is open to students in grades 7 – 12. In 2009 there were thirty-six teams who signed up to compete.

To learn more about the Young Entrepreneur Program contact the COEDC at (250) 469-6280 or email: info@investkelowna.com