News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Free Advisory & Education Services from Small Business BC, funded by Destination BC
Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to provide tourism stakeholders across the province with free access to Small Business BC’s Advisory Services and Education Offerings. Services are delivered online, by phone, email, webinar or in person.
Destination BC has partnered with Small Business BC to provide tourism stakeholders across the province with free access to Small Business BC’s Advisory Services and Education Offerings. Services are delivered online, by phone, email, webinar or in person (if available).
Service details are as follows:
Advisory Services
Talk to an Expert Series – Speak with a wide range of business advisors and experts and ask questions specific to your business:
Appointments are 30-45 minutes in length. Each session must be booked in advance, using the code DBC3034, and is based on availability.
Business Strategy Advisory – Access Small Business BC’s staff advisors who can provide solutions-based strategy planning advice for business growth. Consultations are up to 60 minutes in length and must be booked in advance, using code DBC3034 at checkout.
Education Services - Education - Small Business BC produces approximately 300 education webinars per year covering over 40 different business topics.
To access any of these resources, identify which advisory and/or education service(s) you are interested in, add it to cart, and apply coupon code DBC3034 at checkout. There is no charge to tourism stakeholders.
Small Business BC: Business Education Live Webinars & Self-Directed e-Courses
Small Business BC provides practical business education tailored for small businesses in B.C. Whether you need help starting your business, hiring employees, managing operations, or anything else, Small Business BC is here to help.
Find the Right Resources for You:
Live webinars are real-time engaging presentations with live video and chat. Have a scheduling conflict? A recording will also be available for you to stream over the next seven days so you won’t miss a thing.
Self-directed e-courses are available anytime, anywhere. Each on-demand e-course will cover bite-sized topics and help you learn through multimedia features such as readings, handouts, videos and quizzes. With course access for one full year, you can review to the course material multiple times as you progress through your entrepreneurial journey.
Small Business BC provides practical business education tailored for small businesses in B.C. Whether you need help starting your business, hiring employees, managing operations, or anything else, Small Business BC is here to help.
Find the Right Resources for You:
Live webinars are real-time engaging presentations with live video and chat. Have a scheduling conflict? A recording will also be available for you to stream over the next seven days so you won’t miss a thing.
Self-directed e-courses are available anytime, anywhere. Each on-demand e-course will cover bite-sized topics and help you learn through multimedia features such as readings, handouts, videos and quizzes. With course access for one full year, you can review to the course material multiple times as you progress through your entrepreneurial journey.
Small Business BC Awards Thompson Okanagan Finalists | Attend the Free Virtual Awards Gala on April 28
The Small Business BC Awards finalists have been selected and winners will be announced at the Virtual Awards Presentation on April 28, 2022.
Register for a FREE ticket and secure your place to celebrate the best of BC’s small business community.
Thompson Okanagan finalists include Friendly Composting Inc. and Afrofusion, both in Kamloops.
The Small Business BC Awards finalists have been selected and winners will be announced at the Virtual Awards Presentation on April 28, 2022.
Register for a FREE ticket and secure your place to celebrate the best of BC’s small business community.
Thompson Okanagan Finalists
Business Impact Award
Friendly Composting Inc.
Kamloops
Friendly Composting provides weekly compost pick up and local product delivery in beautiful, Kamloops BC. Founders Katie Forsyth and Claire McLoughlin are on a mission to make it simple for you to make an impact and choose LOCAL!
Premier's Peoples Choice
Afrofusion
Kamloops
Afrofusion is a black-owned business that provides tasty African and western cuisine to the people of Kamloops and beyond. To the founders, Afrofusion is more than just food; it is a feeling and a representation of hopes, dreams, perseverance, and community service.
Small Business BC Awards - Vote for Thompson Okanagan Nominees
The Small Business BC Awards are open for nominations and voting until February 28, 2022. This year’s competition consists of two categories, the Business Impact Award and the returning Premier’s People’s Choice Award.
The Thompson Okanagan small business nominees are:
Click the profile links to cast your vote and support these outstanding small businesses!
The Small Business BC Awards are open for nominations and voting until February 28, 2022. This year’s competition consists of two categories, the Business Impact Award and the returning Premier’s People’s Choice Award.
The Thompson Okanagan small business finalists are:
Click the profile links to cast your vote and support these outstanding small businesses!
Once a small business is nominated, they must gain as many public votes as possible. The businesses with the most votes in the SBBC Business Impact Award category will be narrowed down to the top twenty, then judged by an internal panel of business experts to select the Top Five finalists. The Top 5 Finalists will be invited to present to a panel of judges.
The winner of the Premier’s People’s Choice award will be selected based on the most votes, after a normalization process to allow for regional populations.
On April 28, 2022, a virtual gala will be hosted by Small Business BC to announce and honour the winners.
Nominate a Business for Small Business BC Awards | Closes Feb 28, 2022
The annual Small Business BC Awards present an opportunity to showcase owners of small businesses and validate their efforts, highlighting the impact they make in our lives.
Nominations and voting for the 2022 SBBC Awards are open until February 28, 2022.
Winners and finalists split a prize pool of $15,000. Taking part is easy - nominate your business, or a business you love for a Small Business BC Award today!
The annual Small Business BC Awards present an opportunity to showcase owners of small businesses and validate their efforts, highlighting the impact they make in our lives.
Nominations and voting for the 2022 SBBC Awards are open until February 28, 2022.
There are two categories this year:
The Business Impact Award; goes to the business owner(s) that are truly making a difference. - Awarded to the Top 3
Premier’s People’s Choice Award; presented to a BC-based small business that can demonstrate they have the unwavering and loyal support of their community. - One winner
Note: Winners and finalists split a prize pool of $15,000. Taking part is easy - nominate your business, or a business you love for a Small Business BC Award today!
Create a Profile on the BC Marketplace by Small Business BC
The BC Marketplace helps small businesses to connect with new customers, especially BC-based audiences. Businesses in every industry are welcome to create a free listing, which helps to builds online presence and provides marketing exposure. Created by Small Business BC to support small businesses, the BC Marketplace is made possible with the support of the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.
The BC Marketplace helps small businesses to connect with new customers, especially BC-based audiences. Businesses in every industry are welcome to create a listing, which helps to builds online presence and provides marketing exposure.
Creating a listing is quick, simple, and free. Simply complete the intake form and your businesses will be listed within two business days. You can edit and change your account as much as you like, including updating offers. The Small Business BC team can provide further support if needed.
For businesses with a website, the BC Marketplace will provide relevant site links, helping to boost online presence. For businesses not currently online, the BC Marketplace offers space to create a digital footprint, making it easier for customers to discover them.
Background
Created by Small Business BC to support small businesses through the impacts of COVID, the BC Marketplace is made possible with the support of the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.
The BC Marketplace aims to simplify the “shop local” experience by making it easy for BC residents to discover small businesses across the province. At the same time, the marketplace offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to increase their visibility and gain new customers.
The BC Marketplace highlights regional markets to help local residents discover the diversity of small businesses, right in their backyard.