Wednesday, June 18th, 2014
Agenda: June Dinner Meeting
Networking 5:30pm
Official Welcome @ 6:00pm
Teresa Bird - President Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce
Dinner @ 6:00pm
Introductions @ 6:30pm
Quick Self Introductions – 15 minutes total
Chamber Announcements: Bill Collette
Venue: Chances Rim Rock is our Venue of Choice for June. Managed by Vishal Dewli we are certain to have a wonderful experienced in a fantastic setting. The Menu ideas presented by Vishal are excellent so make sure to come hungry!
GUEST SPEAKER: Derek/Cam Appleton of MyAlberni APP. Join us in watching a presentation on where the APP is today. We think you'll be impressed!
GUEST SPEAKER: Ms. Kama Callicum & Ms. Tashia Potter. Kami and Tashia work together on various Social Media projects each being well respected and highly regarded in their Social Media presence. Kama has won various awards due to her on line skills and presence and Tashia is a Grahic Designer who has embraced the Social Media world with a vengeance. Both of these ladies are excited about the possibilities awaiting all in the business community and they wish to share their collective expertise. Feel free to visit Tashia on line at: www.tashiapotter.ca
Bio - Kama
Kama Callicum is an award-winning community connector, life-long learner, shameless idealist and big fan of trashy TV.
Kama is super-stoked to be working with Tashia to coach Alberni Valley businesses and organizations to amplify their voices with social media. Developing relationships by informing, engaging, and empowering community members (aka. customers) is the most effective way to stay relevant in today's world. It may sound harsh, but if you're not participating in the conversation, you are either being talked about--- or ignored altogether. Social media may seem scary, but there are simple ways to plan strategy, measure results in a concrete way and manage crises when they come up. The most important tip? Clearly identify your target audience and then LISTEN to them.
Kama embraces this opportunity to combine her Master's in Community Development & Adult Education, diverse teaching experience, and strong local and international community connections. Kama has taught for 9 years at ADSS and Vast: Step Up (Skills Training Employment Program), English 9-12, and Social Justice 12. She has won two national social media awards: 1) Free the Children and Red Rose Tea (Kenya) 2) Olympian Jen Heil, Plan Canada and smartwater/ Coca-Cola (Rwanda). Kama was named UNICEF BC Educator of the Year, Athabasca University's A-MAIS-ing Alumni, British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC)'s 'We Make A Difference Award', and AVTimes' Newsmaker of the year. Kama is a board member of Alberni Community and Women's Services (ACAWS), and has been featured in various media, including: Elle Canada Magazine, CTV's Canada AM, Toronto's cp24, CBC Radio Victoria, Admin Info Magazine, Alberni Valley Times, Alberni Valley News, Shaw Cable, A-MAIS-ING Newsletter, British Columbia Council for International Cooperation Blog, Because I Am a Girl Blog, and Raising the Village Blog. Kama and her husband, Andy, are proud parents of 2 year old AJ and 7 year old stepson Gabe.
Bio - Tashia
GUEST SPEAKER: Ms. Marilyn MacLean Denton –Trade Commissioner - Victoria Regional Office - Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
The Trade Commissioner Service can assist Canadian companies to identify and to enter or grow their international presence. Our services include assistance with preparation for international markets, assessing market potential, finding qualified contacts and resolving problems. We also work with Canadian companies to attract foreign direct investment. We have a network of over 900 trade commissioners in more than 100 offices in Canada and abroad to assist Canadian companies succeed in the international arena. As a Government of Canada department, there is no charge for our services. The more we know about your company, the better we are able to serve you in the highly competitive global economy. For more information on our services, please visit the Trade Commissioner Service website at www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca.
Marilyn MacLean Denton is Trade Commissioner for Vancouver Island and Head of the Victoria office of the Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada. She started her international career, as a teacher of English, Music and Drama in Jamaica under the Canadian University Service Overseas (CUSO) program. Her work in international trade began with the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada in 1990. She was one of two founding staff for the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America, the Fulbright Scholarship Program. In 1993, Ms. Denton joined Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada, to establish the International Education Marketing Program. In 1998, she worked in Industry Canada's Trade Integration Directorate, responsible for the International Trade Centres across Canada. She returned in August 2000 to the department as Deputy Director of the Team Canada Inc Trade Liaison Division, where she managed the Canada Export Award Program, established the Regional Office Support Unit and was the department's representative on the Canada/Atlantic International Business Development Agreement Management Committee. She served as Senior Trade Commissioner for Pakistan and Afghanistan, based in Islamabad, from 2007 - 2009. Two years in the Vancouver regional office covering green building products and services (during the 2010 Olympics) followed. In 2011, she was assigned to the Victoria office where she is Trade Commissioner for Vancouver Island for all sectors and also responsible for Ocean Industries and ship building for the Pacific region (BC and Yukon).
Our June meeting will be the last one prior to the Summer Months so please consider attending this meeting. We are excited with our Speaker Line up and believe that it will be one of the more vibrant meetings of the year. Early booking is recommended.
