Chambers of Commerce from the US border in the south to Enderby in the north have launched #OKwegotthis – a multi-faceted program aimed at providing an Okanagan-wide approach to helping businesses across the valley access information, share stories of business leaders who have responded to the crisis, and ensure a unified voice in promoting the value of shopping and investing local.
All ten chambers in the valley have agreed to make all their programs and services available to both members and the broader business community right across the valley because we all realize that we are in this together for the foreseeable future.
"This is our expertise," says Jeffrey Robinson, President of the Kelowna Chamber. "While governments play a key role, chambers are singularly positioned to drive local economic recovery: we know how to do this, we’ve got the structure, and the people."
Chambers are playing a critical support role for local communities, businesses and not-for-profits now and well into the future. Our thousands-strong Chamber network is working diligently with provincial and federal decision-makers right now – and we have a vital role to play in each of our communities. Led by business leaders who have their feet on the ground, fighting for survival and eventual recovery, chamber organizations are the largest network representing small business in Canada and locally, have teams on the ground in ten different cities and towns in the Okanagan Valley.
It is hoped that government leaders along with other agencies overseeing economic development in their local areas in the valley will join this broad coalition to build the collaborative approach under the rallying cry of OK, we got this.
With more than 4,000 business members from Osoyoos to Enderby, representing more than 25,000 employees in times of full employment, Valley Chambers are well-positioned to promote local connections, receive business intel and advocate for those interests, as well as make the fast pivots which are required to help all communities in the Valley get through this crisis and come out of it stronger. We have adopted the mind-set that "we got this".