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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for OCCA Communities Association
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260212T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260212T200000
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SUMMARY:Women Entrepreneurs Session 3: Starting a Business in BC | Registration\, Licensing & Legal Essentials
DESCRIPTION:Starting a business in a new country can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re faced with unfamiliar rules\, paperwork\, and legal requirements. Many women entrepreneurs have great ideas and strong motivation\, but get stuck or delayed simply because the registration and licensing process in BC isn’t clear. This session is designed to remove that uncertainty. By breaking down the legal and administrative essentials into practical\, easy-to-understand steps\, this workshop helps immigrant and newcomer women entrepreneurs feel more confident\, informed\, and ready to move forward with their business journey in BC. \n📅 Date: Thursday\, February 12\, 2026 \n⏰ Time: 6:00–8:00 pm (Pacific Time | Kelowna) \n💻 Format: Online (Zoom) \n📌 Workshop Topic: \nStarting a Business in BC: Registration\, Licensing & Legal Essentials \nThis practical session is for women preparing to start a business in BC\, including newcomers and immigrant entrepreneurs seeking clarity on registration\, licensing\, and legal basics. \nKey topics include: \n• Business registration and structure in BC \n• Licensing and permit essentials \n• Legal and compliance considerations \n• Practical tips for navigating government systems \n🎤 Facilitator: Tracy Gray \nTracy Gray is an award-winning entrepreneur\, former federal MP and Kelowna City Councillor\, and founder of Discover Wines (100% BC VQA). She brings extensive experience in business ownership\, public service\, government relations and mentoring women entrepreneurs. \nClick to Register Here \nIf you have already registered\, check your email for the Zoom Link. \n 
URL:https://occabc.ca/event/women-entrepreneurs-session-3-starting-a-business-in-bc-registration-licensing-legal-essentials/
LOCATION:Online\, Canada
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260217T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260217T193000
DTSTAMP:20260519T004146
CREATED:20260131T203727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260131T203809Z
UID:3958-1771349400-1771356600@occabc.ca
SUMMARY:OCCA JCF Free Job-Readiness Workshop (Session 9)
DESCRIPTION:Struggling with difficult people at work?This free\, interactive workshop will help you stay calm\, communicate clearly\, and handle challenging situations with confidence — essential skills for success in Canada’s workplace. \nIn this friendly and practical two-hour workshop\, participants will learn simple and effective ways to deal with difficult people at work in Canada. The session focuses on understanding our own reactions\, not just changing the other person\, and helps participants recognize how assumptions\, emotions\, and misunderstandings can make situations worse. \nTuesday\, February 17\, 2026Workshop Topic: Dealing with Difficult People🕔 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM📍 Downtown Kelowna Library \n👩‍🏫 Experienced facilitator: Mike Penninga \nWhat you will learn: \n*stay calm under pressure \n*prevent conflicts from escalating \n*choose the most effective communication approach \n*set healthy and professional boundaries \n*focus on what they can control \n🎁 $25 grocery gift card available (limited quantity\, first-come\, first-served)👉  Register today — registration required (click to register here)
URL:https://occabc.ca/event/occa-jcf-free-job-readiness-workshop-session-9/
LOCATION:Kelowna Downtown Library | ORL Branch\, 1380 Ellis St\, Kelowna\, BC\, V1Y 2A2\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260218T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260218T200000
DTSTAMP:20260519T004146
CREATED:20260212T205730Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T021857Z
UID:4039-1771437600-1771444800@occabc.ca
SUMMARY:Women Entrepreneurs Session 4:  Marketing & Social Media Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs
DESCRIPTION:Are you ready to grow your business with confidence and clarity? \nJoin We Thrive BC\, a supportive and empowering webinar designed for self-identifying women who are starting or already running a business in BC. In this dynamic 2-hour session\, you’ll gain practical tools and strategies to strengthen your brand\, expand your online presence\, and build a loyal community around your business. \n💡 What You’ll Gain:\nClear and compelling brand messaging that reflects who you are \nA sustainable social media strategy you can actually maintain \nValues-aligned content that builds trust and connection \nProven ways to turn your brand into a thriving community \nThis session goes beyond theory — you’ll walk away with actionable insights you can implement immediately. \n📅 February 18\, 2026🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Zoom) \n👩‍🏫 Facilitator: Clara Val &  Kathy Crocker \n📩 Registration required – link will be sent by email \nClick to Register Here \nIf you have already registered\, check your email for the Zoom Link. \nIn partnership with WeBC\, this program supports women entrepreneurs across BC by providing gender-informed\, culturally inclusive business training to help overcome systemic and geographic barriers. \n✨ Take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey.Register today and start building a brand that truly represents you. \n \n  \nFacilitator: Clara \nClara Val is a marketing strategist and brand consultant who helps businesses and founders clarify their message\, build trust online\, and turn visibility into meaningful growth. With a background in branding\, content strategy\, and community-building\, Clara specializes in simplifying marketing so it feels aligned\, intentional\, and sustainable (and not overwhelming or performative). \nHer work focuses on helping business owners clearly articulate what they do\, who they serve\, and why they’re the right choice\, with a particular emphasis on brand positioning\, strategy\, and content systems that support long-term momentum. Clara’s approach blends strategic marketing with an understanding of human behavior\, making her work especially effective for entrepreneurs who want their marketing to feel authentic\, confident\, and values-driven. \nThrough 1:1 consulting\, Clara supports clients in refining their messaging\, strengthening their online presence\, and creating clear\, actionable marketing plans that are realistic to implement alongside busy lives and growing businesses. She is known for her grounded\, practical style and her ability to help clients move from feeling stuck or scattered to feeling focused\, confident\, and clear in how they show up. \nClara currently works with founders\, creatives\, and service-based businesses who want their marketing to feel more human\, more intentional\, and more effective.
URL:https://occabc.ca/event/women-entrepreneurs-session-4-marketing-social-media-essentials-for-women-entrepreneurs/
LOCATION:BC
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260222T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260222T200000
DTSTAMP:20260519T004146
CREATED:20251201T054449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T203214Z
UID:3569-1771776000-1771790400@occabc.ca
SUMMARY:OCCA 2026 SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL
DESCRIPTION:OCCA SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL 2026 \nTHE TASTE OF LUNAR NEW YEAR -Kelowna’s Biggest Indoor Cultural Feast & Fun. \nSecure your Ticket now!  \nMore info about the SLF 2026: https://occaevent.com/ \n \n\nCelebrate the 2026 Spring Lantern Festival & Year of the Horse\nCelebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse at Kelowna’s largest indoor Spring Lantern Festival\, hosted by OCCA Communities Association. This one-night event brings together vibrant multicultural performances\, authentic food\, and hands-on family fun in a welcoming\, community-focused setting. \nFor food lovers\, this year introduces authentic Chinese New Year dishes available in Kelowna. The $29 Standard Ticket includes a full 3-dish festival meal\, while the $85 High Value Ticket provides a complete culinary experience\, extended cultural activities\, and a meaningful contribution to community programming—including a $50 tax receipt. \n📍 Location: Kelowna Events Centre (2041 Harvey Ave\, Kelowna) \n🗓 Date: Sunday\, February 22\, 2026 | 4:00–8:00 PM (Doors open 3:30 PM) \n👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Environment: Indoor · Family-friendly · All ages welcome \n\nFestival Highlights \n\n🎭 Live Performances: Multicultural shows including Dragon & Lion Dances\n🥟 Cultural Workshops: Dumpling-making\, lantern crafts\, Chinese calligraphy and much more.\n🤖 STEM & Play: Interactive robot board games for kids and families.\n🎨 Kids’ Zone: Face painting and hands-on activities in our expanded family zones.\n📸 Festive photo booth:  featuring traditional costumes\n🧋 Exclusive Treats: including festival-exclusive  drinks.\, special snacks  and much more\n🎟 Luck & Fun: Prize draws and a 50/50 Raffle throughout the evening.\n\nThis year’s festival features a bigger venue\, expanded family zones\, and more interactive activities\, making it an easy and enjoyable night out for families across Kelowna. \n\n🎟 Tickets are required for entry. Please purchase your tickets here or via the City of Kelowna ticketing platform: theboxoffice.ca. \n\nStandard Ticket ($29): Includes 3 authentic Chinese New Year dishes with your entrance ticket.\nHigh Value Ticket ($85): Includes three authentic Chinese New Year dishes\, a $50 donation tax receipt\, and an activity ticket bundle (valued at $15+) for event games or snacks.\nChild Ticket (Under 12): Includes three authentic Chinese New Year dishes with entry.\nKids Under 5: Free entry.\n\n\nFor booth and sponsorship opportunities\, contact events@occabc.ca . \n \n  \nMore info about the SLF 2026: https://occaevent.com/
URL:https://occabc.ca/event/occa-2026-spring-lantern-festival/
LOCATION:Kelowna Events Centre\, 2041 Harvey Ave\, Kelowna\, BC\, V1Y 6G7\, Canada
ORGANIZER;CN="OCCA Communities Association":MAILTO:programs@occabc.ca
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260225T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Vancouver:20260225T200000
DTSTAMP:20260519T004146
CREATED:20260225T221902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T021439Z
UID:4094-1772042400-1772049600@occabc.ca
SUMMARY:Women Entrepreneurs Session 5: Customer Service & Sales Skills in a Canadian Context
DESCRIPTION:Are you ready to strengthen your customer service and turn great service into real sales? \nJoin us for “Customer Service & Sales Skills in a Canadian Context” — a practical and empowering session designed for women entrepreneurs who want to build trust\, confidence\, and loyal customers in Canada. \n📅 Feb 25\, 2026 (Wed) | 6:00–8:00 PM | Zoom \n✨ In this session\, you will learn:\n• How to communicate professionally and confidently\n• Canadian customer service etiquette and expectations\n• How to build strong customer relationships\n• How excellent service naturally leads to successful sales \nFacilitated by Clara Val & Kathy Crocker\, this interactive webinar will provide real-life insights and practical strategies you can apply immediately to your business. \nWhether you are just starting out or looking to grow\, strong customer relationships are the foundation of long-term success. 💼🤝 \nRegister now and invest in your business growth! \nIf you already registered\, please check your email for the Zoom link. \nWe look forward to seeing you there! \nClara’s bio: \nClara Val is a marketing strategist and brand consultant who helps businesses and founders clarify their message\, build trust online\, and turn visibility into meaningful growth. With a background in branding\, content strategy\, and community-building\, Clara specializes in simplifying marketing so it feels aligned\, intentional\, and sustainable (and not overwhelming or performative). \nHer work focuses on helping business owners clearly articulate what they do\, who they serve\, and why they’re the right choice\, with a particular emphasis on brand positioning\, strategy\, and content systems that support long-term momentum. Clara’s approach blends strategic marketing with an understanding of human behavior\, making her work especially effective for entrepreneurs who want their marketing to feel authentic\, confident\, and values-driven. \nThrough 1:1 consulting\, Clara supports clients in refining their messaging\, strengthening their online presence\, and creating clear\, actionable marketing plans that are realistic to implement alongside busy lives and growing businesses. She is known for her grounded\, practical style and her ability to help clients move from feeling stuck or scattered to feeling focused\, confident\, and clear in how they show up. \nClara currently works with founders\, creatives\, and service-based businesses who want their marketing to feel more human\, more intentional\, and more effective.
URL:https://occabc.ca/event/women-entrepreneurs-session-5/
LOCATION:Online\, Canada
ORGANIZER;CN="OCCA Communities Association":MAILTO:programs@occabc.ca
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