Three-way partnership will focus on successful Central Okanagan businesses

A new three-way partnership between central Okanagan agencies hopes to raise awareness of the Central Okanagan for business opportunities by telling its success stories.

Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, Tourism Kelowna and Accelerate Okanagan are collaborating to make full use of their shared audiences, mutual messaging and goal of long-term economic recovery following COVID-19 to promote the region as a knowledge centre and a place to do business, in a campaign known as OKGo.

The idea is to attract new talent, entrepreneurs, business investment and events to the Okanagan while promoting such industries as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, viticulture and digital technology.

President and CEO of Tourism Kelowna, Lisanne Ballantyne, says partnerships like OKGo will help put Kelowna in position to attract new business once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The Okanagan’s story, when told through local entrepreneurs, sparks connection and communicates values as a region, a press release issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan said last week.

Companies like Yeti Farm Creative, Pela and Sun Rype have already told their stories about the benefits of conducting business in the region.

"Entrepreneurs in our region have always been eager to share their experience doing business in the Okanagan. OKGo gives the community a tangible representation of the diverse and vibrant energy in the valley that they can use to tell the world of how much is happening here,” Accelerate Okanagan CEO Brea Lake says.

More information about OKGo can be found at the campaign’s website.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.