Kootenay Business recognizes that this trend is evident in the Kootenays as well, with a tremendous increase in women-owned and operated businesses throughout the region. Kootenay Business is pleased launch a new awards program to recognize and salute the outstanding accomplishments of Kootenay women in business. This new program is called The 2012 Influential Women in Business Awards.

A call for nominations went out earlier in the year and dozens of women were nominated. Kootenay Business would like to congratulate all the nominees. At the upcoming Kootenay i-Tech Tradeshow and Luncheon we will be presenting an award to six of the most influential Kootenay women in business for 2012.

Here are the nominees for 2012...

WEST KOOTENAY Influential Women In Business Awards Nominees

Lisa Erven, Columbia Basin Trust; Pam McLeod, Castlegar & District Chamber Of Commerce; Terri MacDonald, Selkirk College; Truus Zelonka, Gill and Gift in Balfour; Allison Smith, Little Scholar Montessori Pre-School; Barb Blatchford, publisher of the Trail Daily Times; Betty Anne Marino, Executive Coaching & Consulting; Natasha Lockey, Betty Go Hard; Jan McMurray, Valley Voice; Nikta Boroumand, Maverick Design; Kathleen Zubick, McDonalds Castlegar and Trail; Nancy Trotman, Centum Mortgage Centre; Thea Stayanovich, Realtor – ReMax All Pro Realty; Ingrid Hope, President/owner Hall’s Printing; Maggie Stayanovich, executive director – Trail & District Chamber of Commerce; Fiona Richards, Cartolina Cards; Tammy Darough, RHC Insurance Brokers Ltd; Willow Enewold, Pinnacle Accounting; April Cashman, April’s Care Giving For Seniors, Trail; Rebecca Vassilakakis, Krueckl Financial Services Ltd; Jenna Semenoff, The Seed.

EAST KOOTENAY Influential Women In Business Awards Nominees

Sydney-Anne Porter, owner of AG Valley Foods; Diane Sirois, Kootenay Savings Credit Union; Tiffany Gulbe, Thredz Clothing; Cynthia Levagood, Smoking Water Coffee Co. Café/Bistro, Fairmont Hot Springs; Denise Pallesen, Nutters, Cranbrook; Janice Alpine, Kootenay Aboriginal Business Development Agency, Cranbrook; Vivian Ko, That’s A Wrap; Suzanne Pantazis, Notary Public; Marilyn Christensen, P.T. The Clown / Kootenay Energy Advisor.

Everyone is invited to attend the 2nd Annual Kootenay i-Tech event but remember seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show & Luncheon, Nelson
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prestige Lakeside Resort in Nelson, B.C.
Lunch 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show & Luncheon, Cranbrook
Friday, May 25, 2012
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort in Cranbrook, B.C.
Lunch 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

To register email Kristin Polier distribution@kpimedia.com or call her direct at 250 426 7253 or 1 800 663 8555 at Kootenay Business magazine. $25 for lunch

The society is run by 73 volunteers, motormen (nine of which are ladies), conductors, maintenance crew, a dispatcher and a secretary. Its ridership is approximately 16,000 passengers per year. Streetcar #23 will start every day at the Sufferdine Station at the Prestige Inn at 11 a.m. and continue every half-hour to 5 p.m.

Streetcar No. 23 was built in 1906 by the Stephenson Car Company of New Jersey for the Forest City Railway in Cleveland, Ohio. This car was purchased by the City of Nelson in 1924 and serviced the city uphill, main streets and Fairview until June 20, 1949, when the City opted to use diesel buses. The entire set of street car equipment was sold for scraps.

Streetcar No. 23 was used as a change house, and later a dog kennel when it was located at the Nasookin subdivision. In 1982 the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce—with the help of Selkirk College, Fortis, C.P. Rail, City of Nelson and many hours of volunteer labour—rebuilt the car. Mechanical and electrical equipment was brought in from as far away as Brussels and Melbourne. In 1987 the chamber relinquished the project to the Nelson Electric Tramway Society.

The only revenue to cover expenses is from in-car advertising and from passenger fares, sale of post cards and pins, and donations. Adults pay $3, seniors and youths 6-12 pay $2 and the family rate is $8.

The society has a hidden bonus that everyone should take advantage of—season passes, available to single riders for $30 and $50 for a family pass. The trolley is also open to events and charters. For more information contact Rudy Boates 250-367-9564 or visit www.nelsonstreetcar.org.

Things are looking a bit better so far this year. In the first quarter of 2012 real estate sales the Kootenay region has seen an overall increase despite the overall downward trend throughout B.C. The average sale price for a single family detached dwelling had increased slightly from $262,801 to $278,707 throughout the area. There have been 60 more sales compared to last year at this time, listing inventory was up, and the average listing period before a successful sale had been realized was 121 days.

In Nelson single detached dwelling sales have also seen an increase in price from $317,428 in 2011 to $370,340 with an average listing period of 115 days, down from 168 days during the same period last year. Inventory levels are up from 39 to 77 active listings since March. Keep in mind that these averages can be a bit high based on one large sale. 

While there has been no significant improvement in the real estate market in the Kootenays, buyers can be happy with the amount of inventory available for viewing. With longer listing periods and more properties available, Buyers are able to make more informed and educated decisions without feeling the pressure of impulse buying in a heated market.

To view Yara Chard's newsletter click here.

In addition to expanding its space by 11,000 square feet, the new and improved Kootenay Co-op will also boast its own parking lot and bike racks for shoppers. This should bring a tremendous boost in business, especially since there are plans in the works for an eat-in deli, cooking classroom and community space. There will be more upgrades and improvements to the building structure as well, in an effort to make it as eco-friendly as possible. 

Don’t miss the second annual Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show and Luncheon in Nelson, Wednesday May 23rd at the Prestige Lakeside Resort.

This celebration of Kootenay innovation will feature a mini trade show and luncheon with keynote speaker Dr. Morgan Dehnel of Nelson’s D-Pace Technology, Keith Klimchuck of Teck’s business development unit and David Savage of the Kootenay Leadership Institute.

Dr. Dehnel, as the owner of D-Pace Technology, is involved in particle accelerator technology. Though his company is based in the West Kootenay, he does business around the globe. He will speak to the topic, "How technologies can thrive in the Kootenays and still do worldwide business."

Keith Klimchuck will speak about Teck’s new projects and the business opportunities that have and could be spun off of Teck’s rare metal processing. Klimchuck is chemist at Teck and will bring a unique insight into the Kootenays' largest employer.

There will also be an informative panel discussion with Kootenay entrepreneurs and innovators.

Kootenay i-Tech Trade Show and Luncheon event details

When: Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The luncheon starts at 11: 45 a.m.

Where: The Prestige Lakeside Resort in Nelson, B.C.  

Register early and double your chances to win a new Samsung Galaxy Tab—one of the hottest selling new tablets on the market.

To register call Kootenay Business today at 1-800-663-8555.

$25 registration includes lunch. Seating is limited.