President's Message
- A.J. (Tony) Ryan
2018 represented the final full year of the Venture Kamloops 2014-2018 Strategic Plan and its five key pillars. The Board of Directors set an ambitious target of 20 result outcomes for the year and Staff did an excellent job in completing 17. Work continues on the 3 remaining outcomes, and they were integrated into the new Strategic Plan, setting the stage for a bright and productive future....
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Executive Director’s Message
- Jim Anderson
Each new year brings with it new challenges – and new opportunities. At Venture Kamloops it’s our mission to tackle the challenges faced by Kamloops businesses and turn them into opportunities. This year, we provided assistance for a record number of businesses to listen to them and to work with them to achieve success. And we did that in new and innovative ways...
Read MoreThe VK Team
The team at Venture Kamloops come from a variety of backgrounds working with various associations, organizations, and businesses. The team works to provide the most up-to-date information to those interested in starting their business in Kamloops or expanding operations into the city. Contact us for a confidential, non-obligation consultation to discover how we can work for you.
Meet Our Staff Meet Our BoardNew Initiatives 2018
VK Accelerate
The VK Accelerate program was launched in 2018 and is focused on finding creative entrepreneurs with a unique product or service, and getting them into their first bricks and mortar space. In the first 6 months of the program, the entrepreneur is connected to a business coach, realtor, interior designer, marketing agency and has the option to work with the program’s commercial photographers, media and tech support. The best part? It’s all at a reduced rate, and unique to the candidate’s budget!
Start Here 3.0
Kamloops entrepreneurs can now make their first point of contact and sort through local economic development supporters to receive complimentary business guidance. Our Start Here 3.0 portal also offers facilitated access to an integrated resource network. Start Here 3.0 encompasses three of Kamloops’ leading business resources in Community Futures Thompson Country, Open Door Group and Venture Kamloops, and if you are looking at starting a Tech business, connection to Kamloops Innovation and TRU Generator.
VK Real Estate Map
The VK Real Estate Map is a tool that provides the opportunity to make accurate, informed decisions on the housing market in Kamloops. Like any important investment decision, the purchase of a home should be based on the best available information. Whether you’re new to Kamloops or already know we have a great market, now the most recent information is available through Venture Kamloops at the click of a button.
Ongoing Initiatives
VK Inside Track
Venture Kamloops is pleased to offer Kamloops real estate market orientations to developers who are interested in capitalizing on the opportunity in our growing City. The program is designed to provide developers with relevant investment information about our growing city, and Venture Kamloops is committed to targeting these efforts at outside developers while highlighting the financial prospects and resources needed to consider building in Kamloops.
LinkUp Business Development Summit
2018 marked the 3rd year for the LinkUp Business Development Summit, and it was the most successful thus far. The sold-out event presented a unique opportunity for Kamloops businesses to interact with representatives from all levels of government and business support organizations from across the province. The event featured panels of entrepreneurs in various stages of their business ventures, representatives from local, provincial and federal support services, and connections to help entrepreneurs with pressing issues, or just day-to-day support.
Labour Attraction Partnership
The purpose of the Labour Attraction Partnership Project is to provide strategies that employers can use to address challenges with hiring and keeping employees. The project includes five sector specific employee recruitment and retention strategies and a large resource document that has more detailed best practices that employers can implement.
VK Venture Advisors
Our award-winning program continues to provide an unmatchable resource for its participants. Each month, an entrepreneur is chosen to present their business to a panel of local business experts, all with a unique expertise. These experts provide the business with constructive feedback, insight and connections regarding the business idea.
Program Successes
VK Accelerate - Far & Wide
We are very excited to announce that our first VK Accelerate candidates, Far & Wide, have graduated from the program, and we are now ready to launch VK Accelerate city wide! Calli Duncan and Brianne Sheppard, owners of Far & Wide, officially opened shop on June 23rd and haven’t looked back.
VK Venture Advisors - CanShield
One of the more difficult barriers for an entrepreneur to overcome, especially in the early stages of their business, is the limited access to resources and information. George Emery of CanShield describes how he took advantage of the pool of resources offered by the VK Venture Advisor program.
Venture Kamloops Metrics
Business Assisted; Categorized by:
Business Sectors
Performance Measures
Strategic Plan Implementation (Number of Goals Achieved)
Educational Opportunities For Businesses
Social Media Engagement
Website Analytics
Economic Snapshot 2018
Employment Growth
Population (Thompson / Okanagan)
Housing
Building Permits
2018 Events
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 16 | Career Night in Canada – TRU Career Education | Kamloops |
| January 17 | CHBA Dinner | Kamloops |
| February 5-7 | Chinese Consulate Spring Festival | Vancouver |
| February 5 | KCBIA Annual General Meeting | Kamloops |
| February 21 | NSBIA Annual General Meeting | Kamloops |
| February 27 | KPMG Quarterly Update Luncheon | Kamloops |
| March 8 | KADREA Annual General Meeting | Kamloops |
| March 15 | KCBIA Business Development Meeting | Kamloops |
| March 27 | R.I.H. Patient Care Tower Project Meeting | Kamloops |
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| April 11 | Economic Development for Local Government Leaders Meeting | Kamloops |
| April 23 | Big Boot Inn Grand Opening | Kamloops |
| April 26 | UDI Okanagan | Kelowna |
| May 2 | DES Strategic Planning Workshop | Kamloops |
| May 4 | Republic Gallery Opening Reception | Kamloops |
| May 14-16 | BC Tech Summit | Vancouver |
| May 16 | B.C. – U.S. Trade and Investment Luncheon | Vancouver |
| May 17 | UDI Pacific | Vancouver |
| May 31 | UDI Okanagan | Kelowna |
| June 10-13 | BCEDA Annual Economic Development Summit | Kelowna |
| June 14-15 | Downtown Design Charrette | Kamloops |
| June 15 | NSBIA Summer Sizzler | Kamloops |
| June 23 | Far & Wide Grand Opening | Kamloops |
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| July 11 | NSBIA Member Breakfast Mixer | Kamloops |
| July 25 | BCLC Summer Social | Kamloops |
| August 16 | Marketing Kamloops Meeting | Kamloops |
| August 21 | Group Supercluster Meeting at Kamloops Innovation | Kamloops |
| August 22 | Downtown Plan Advisory Committee Meeting | Kamloops |
| September 8-11 | Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) 2018 Conference | Fredericton, N.B. |
| September 14 | Kamloops Innovation Tech Fest | Kamloops |
| September 15 | Made in B.C. Trade Show | Kamloops |
| September 17 | Community Futures Thompson Country AGM | Kamloops |
| September 18 | US Tech Talent Attraction September Meeting | Vancouver |
| September 20 | UDI Pacific | Kelowna |
| September 27 | Trade Accelerator Program Alumni Event | Vancouver |
| September 28 | Chinese Consulate Dinner | Vancouver |
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| October 3 | Recreation Master Plan Stakeholders Meeting | Kamloops |
| October 16 | Kamloops Chamber Coffee Mob | Kamloops |
| October 16 | UDI Pacific | Vancouver |
| October 17-19 | IEDC Business Retention & Expansion Course | Kamloops |
| October 19 | Breakfast with the Minister of National Defence, The Honourable Harjit Sajjan | Kamloops |
| October 25 | UDI Okanagan | Kelowna |
| October 27 | Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards | Kamloops |
| October 30 | Clean Energy Luncheon with Fortis BC | Kamloops |
| November 1 | TRU Foundation Breakfast | TRU Kamloops |
| November 7 | Start Here 3.0 Launch | Kamloops |
| November 15 | Cannabis Talk with The Chamber of Commerce, presented by MNP LLP | Kamloops |
| November 22 | 3rd Annual LinkUp Business Development Summit | Kamloops |
| November 26 | Venture Kamloops 2018 Economic Impact Study Presentation | Kamloops |
| November 27 | Venture Kamloops 2018 Economic Impact Study Council Delegation | Kamloops |
| November 29 | UDI Okanagan | Kelowna |
| December 6 | Meeting of the Downtown Plan Staff Technical Working Group | Kamloops |
| December 7 | Entrepreneurial Start Up Coffee at TRU | TRU Kamloops |
| December 12 | Tourism Kamloops Open House | Kamloops |
| December 13 | Kamloops Marketing Meeting | Kamloops |
| December 13 | CFTC Open House | Kamloops |
| December 19 | CFTC Investment Review Committee Meeting | Kamloops |
Excerpts from 2018 Financial Statements
Operating Results
| For the Year Ended December 31 | Budget | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | |||
| City of Kamloops Economic development funding | $620,979 | $620,979 | $608,803 |
| Donations in kind | - | $34,700 | $33,550 |
| Government Grants | |||
| Federal | - | $1,844 | $3,615 |
| Provincial | - | - | $29,212 |
| City of Kamloops developer attraction campaign | - | - | $37,500 |
| Other revenue | - | $3,796 | $5,545 |
| $620,979 | $661,319 | $718,225 | |
| Expenses | |||
| Administrative | $303,978 | $334,779 | $298,985 |
| Business Attraction | $215,998 | $232,277 | $231,658 |
| Business Retention and Expansion | $95,897 | $108,321 | $108,232 |
| $615,873 | $675,377 | $638,875 | |
| Annual Deficit | $5,106 | ($14,058) | $79,350 |
| Accumulated Surplus, beginning of year | $183,648 | $183,648 | $104,298 |
| Accumulated Surplus, end of year | $188,754 | $169,590 | $183,648 |
Excerpts from 2018 Financial Statements
Financial Position
| As at December 31 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Assets | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $222,090 | $231,844 |
| Accounts Receivable | $5,487 | $2,183 |
| $227,577 | $234,027 | |
| Liabilities | ||
| Accounts payable | $77,707 | $62,155 |
| Net Financial Assets | $149,870 | $171,872 |
| Non-financial assets | ||
| Prepaid expenses | $11,537 | $4,988 |
| Tangible capital assets | $8,183 | $6,788 |
| $19,720 | $11,776 | |
| Accumulated surplus | $169,590 | $183,648 |
VK Reports
VK Economic Impact Study
Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) was engaged by Venture Kamloops to complete a comprehensive economic study on the various factors on the past, present, and future Kamloops economy. The report includes a comprehensive current state assessment, economic impact assessment and industry diversity analysis.
Monthly Economic Indicators
Each month, Venture Kamloops compiles local economic data, including employment stats, airport numbers, real estate and more. You can stay up-to-date with the most relevant information for your business by accessing the monthly report through the Data Centre on our website, or following our social media channels!
VK Site Selector Guide
Everything you need to know about Kamloops, all in one place! Some areas covered are general community statistics, the economy, demographics, taxation, industry specific information and more. Venture Kamloops regularly updates our comprehensive information and resources for site selection in this guide.
Employment in the construction and health industries are projected to increase an average of approximately 2.5% annually from 2016 to 2022.
