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Economic Newsletter

year in review - 2006/2007

 

2006 was a watershed year for Venture Kamloops. With a new Board of Directors under the leadership of Chris Ortner and a fresh new Strategic Plan, a strong a foundation was built in the areas of Business Attraction, Marketing and Business Retention.                

Some highlights from 2006 activity are:

 
  • Completed a detailed feasibility study and opportunity assessment for an inland port in Kamloops;
  • Became more marketing and sales focused through creation of new business development management position (Michael Eibl);
  • Generated 66 detailed investor inquiries and hosted 10 familiarization tours from investors from Vancouver, Europe and China;
  •   Sent over 650 relocation packages to potential investors;
  •  Leveraged over $60,000 cash and over $30,000 in-kind from community partners above our core funding of $464,000;
  • Traveled to six cities in China to better understand trade opportunities and linkages with TRU World;
  • Under Wendy Snelling’s leadership we handled over 4,000 BusinessCARE inquiries from Kamloops-based businesses wishing to expand, relocate or improve their performance;
  • Launched first-ever Corporate Partners Sponsorship Program;
  • Hosted over 80 business leaders to learn about the USA market;
  • Created a buzz with an innovative “Move-to-Kamloops” Radio Campaign in Vancouver;
  • Took over the helm of City of Rivers lifestyle and business publication from the Kamloops Marketing Society;

 
  • Partnered with Tourism Kamloops, Kamloops Chamber,
    Sun Peaks and Golf Kamloops to pitch Kamloops stories that were told on Global TV, Vancouver Sun, Province and CBC Radio;
  • Launched Phase 1 of a comprehensive Labour Market Study with TRU and Service Canada; and
  • Completely redesigned www.venturekamloops.com website with an international trade and immigration focus.

 

Jeff w China President

Jeff Putnam meets with Mr Sun. President of
           Chongqing South Group in Chongqing, China -
           October 2006


 

 Looking ahead in 2007

   Venture Kamloops will be very busy building upon the work we did in 2006. 
   Some highlights are:

 

  • Create a Community Task Force to follow through on our inland port opportunity;
  • Launch Phase 2 & 3 of Labour Market Study which includes the creation of a Workforce Development Plan for Kamloops;
  • Support the expansion of BusinessCARE program;
  • Re-launch “Move-to-Kamloops” radio campaign in Vancouver:
  • Create and distribute (6) issues of City of Rivers lifestyle publication to 1,000,000 homes in Vancouver and Kamloops;
  • Partner with Kelowna and attend skilled emigration fairs in UK and Netherlands; 
  • Research the future impact of the pine beetle epidemic on Kamloops economy and identify measures to soften the blow;
  • Identify trade opportunities between Kamloops and China through our Business Exchange Agreement with Changing district of Beijing;
  • To support the Kamloops Airport through marketing and promotion; and
  • To focus on Vancouver and Calgary markets for business attraction.


 

Contact Information

Email industry updates and upcoming events to michael@venturekamloops.com

Team Venture Kamloops
Jeff Putnam, CEO
Anita Grover, Manager, Economic Development
Michael Eibl, Manager, New Business Development
Wendy Snelling, Manager, BusinessCARE
Cindy Dueck, Office Administrator

www.venturekamloops.com  

 

 

 

 

Venture Kamloops
297 First Avenue
Kamloops, BC  V2J 3J3
Tel: 250.828.6818
Fax: 250.828.7164
Toll Free:1.888.526.5667

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