July 2, 2008 JOB FAIR - NRI Distribution
June 25, 2008 VK sells Tool Kits to Province
June 2, 2008 China Mission 2008
May 21, 2008 Red Carpet program to roll out to attract doctors
May 5, 2008 1st Quarter nets 230 jobs in Kamloops
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More than 230 jobs and 118 new businesses were created in the first quarter of 2008, as Venture Kamloops continues to create top-of-mind awareness of Kamloops as a great place to live, work, play and raise a family. “Marketing Kamloops is a top priority,” says Gail Scott, Venture Kamloops' new CEO.“ The focus on lifestyle during the last couple of years has resulted in many young families and professionals moving to Kamloops.
We will also be focusing on the development of the emerging high tech, environmental and life sciences sectors.”
Venture Kamloops promoted the City’s lifestyle, real estate and land-use plans for the North Shore and City Centre at the BC Real Estate Convention, held on February 25/26, 2008.
Home buyers were eager to learn about the $2 billion of residential resort style construction currently underway in Kamloops featuring high-end downtown condos, single family homes and master-planned golf and ski community developments.
- Gail Scott, CEO Venture Kamloops
Master-planned developments combine the very best attributes of Kamloops' incredible climate, majestic geography and award winning golf courses.
Venture Kamloops has a mandate to create economic growth through local business support and community promotion, and to establish the City of Kamloops as a premiere location for new business development
Convergys opened its Kamloops office in Valleyview in October of 2000 and has since grown to become one of the regions largest employers. "It’s been an honor to be a member of the Kamloops community and a privilege to give back to our community," says Randy Savoie, Manager of Recruiting for Convergys.
"To that end, each year we run successful fundraising events with the proceeds going to the United Way. We contribute bursaries for academic achievement to Thompson Rivers University and also contribute sizable donations to the Kamloops Food Bank.
Each year we host multiple events to celebrate our associates' contributions, including a summer picnic at Riverside Park, a night of skiing at Harper Mountain, a bowling funfest at Falcon Lanes, and an annual children’s Halloween party and Holiday Dinner," says Savoie. Convergys also supports employee development, through online and instructor- led courses, career pathing, and mentoring.
The program has been so successful that approximately 98% of its management team is the result of internal promotions and has seen associates move into lead roles in operations,
quality assurance, human resources, client services, information technology, and recruiting positions.. For more information, visit the office on 2121 East Trans-Canada Highway, Kamloops B.C. - http://www.convergys.com/
Fiona Chan, Senior Auditor and Branch Manager, Business Development Bank of Canada, joins the Venture Kamloops Board as Treasurer/Director. “I am so excited to be back as part of Venture Kamloops,” states Chan. “Kamloops has a growing and diversified economy and I am delighted to be part of this successful and dynamic group." Ms. Chan worked as an international commercial banking officer in Hong Kong before arring in Kamloops 23 years ago. She is actively involved with Kamloops West Rotary Club, was a previous Venture Kamloops board member, a board member and Treasurer of the Kamloops Symphony and former Chair with the TRU Foundation. Fiona has a passion for music and teaching piano in her spare time. Ms.Chan has worked in the Kamloops division of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) for thirteen years which included an appointment at the head office in Montreal from 2004 to early 2007 before returning to the Branch operation in the capacity of branch manager for the BDC in Kamloops.
Other changes to the Venture Kamloops Board of Directors include Kevin Jules joining as an ex-officio board member representing the Tk’emlups Indian Band, Councilor Tina Lange replaces Mayor Terry Lake as director, and Mayor Lake now serves on the Tourism Kamloops Board of Directors.
A new plan to detail how the $20 million airport expansion will be promoted to the aviation industry, government, tourism and business partners.
Venture Kamloops in partnership with the Kamloops Airport Authority Society and Vancouver Airport Services are developing a strategic marketing plan to expand regional and continental air-service in Kamloops over the next three to five years.
The Kamloops development team, which includes tourism and business partners, has identified Edmonton, Calgary and Seattle as the key markets to pursue. A comprehensive air-service presentation will emphasize the city and region’s key attributes, demand for business travel, and destination tourism products, all with the goal to entice air-carriers to provide additional non-stop direct flights to and from Kamloops. Activities in the strategic plan include presentations for new service to Edmonton, Calgary and Seattle in year one. And in year two, further data analysis of passenger trends will be completed to support the need for new connector routes to Toronto, Eastern USA, international markets and sun spot destinations.
Brant Hasanen, out-going President of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce says, “A survey will be distributed through the Kamloops Chamber to quantify the demand for business and corporate air-travel to and from Kamloops."
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon presents $4-million commitment from the provincial government to John O'Fee, president of Kamloops Airport Authority Society, in support of the Kamloops Airport Expansion Program ensuring new economic opportunities, safe and reliable air service.
More than 560 investors have received automated and customized information packages distributed through the http://www.movetokamloops.com/ website. By logging on the website, potential home buyers, professionals and students receive community profile information directly to their email in-box. 40% of the enquiries originated within BC, 25% from Alberta, and 15% from Ontario. The international requests come from the USA, UK, European Union, South America and the Middle East. The most popular requests are for affordable housing, job opportunities, quality-of-life attributes, health, recreation and education facilities.
Kamloops was the 5th most popular destination in BC, to move to. Top 4 include: Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford, Kelowna.
Of the BC residents who did move between 2001 and 2006, approximately 50% moved within the same municipality, 29% moved to a different municipality within the province, 9% arrived from a different country.
Building on Kamloops' past success with established Chinese trade partners, Venture Kamloops will lead a progressive trade mission capitalizing on the BC-Canada Pavilion amenities and business connections in Beijing China - May 29 and 30, 2008. The Beijing trade mission includes a contingency of Kamloops top employers.
Companies include Kamloops Brewery, Sunmore Healthtech, Excel Personnel, Pacific Bentonite, International Forest Products, Tk’emlups Indian Band, Domtar Pulp & Paper Products, SBC Firemaster, City of Kamloops, Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Kamloops, Thompson Rivers University, and the Ministry of Economic Development.
Formal business-to-business and government-to-government meetings will be facilitated by Venture Kamloops and the City of Kamloops.
Our City’s top employers will be meeting Chinese businesses and organizations to discuss opportunities in the area of mining, manufacturing, wood processing, cultural,
2007 Kamloops-China Trade Delegation
tourism, education, skilled workers and investment through the Provincial Nominee Program. Each day's trade talks will be in a Canadian-style reception. On May 29, Mayor Lake and the Four Host First Nations will co-host the event, then on May 30, Mayor Lake will host on behalf of the City Kamloops.
Email industry updates and upcoming events to: michael@venturekamloops.com Team Venture Kamloops Gail Scott, Chief Executive Officer Cindy Dueck, Office Manager Wendy Snelling, Business Retention Manager Anita Grover, Economic Development Manager Michael Eibl, Manager, New Business Development
www.venturekamloops.com www.movetokamloops.com
http://www.seeyouinbc.ca/
Venture Kamloops 297 First Avenue Kamloops, BC V2J 3J3 Tel: 250.828.6818 Fax: 250.828.7164 Toll Free:1.888.526.5667
