The Town of Okotoks would like to remind business owners that all annual Town business licenses, unless otherwise noted, expire December 31, 2022.

2023 business license renewal invoices were emailed December 1, 2022. Once you receive your invoice (which includes payment options), make the required payment and your 2023 business license certificates will be emailed shortly after payment is received. The deadline to renew business licenses is January 31, 2023.

If you are no longer operating in Okotoks or have business license info changes, send written verification to ecdevokotoks@okotoks.ca.

For information about business licenses, options for payment and more, visit www.okotoks.ca/business-licensing or call 403-938-8052.

Here are some social media marketing ideas for December to get you thinking!

1. Create gift guides for your audience that include your products, your favourite things and reach all of your audiences

2. Small business shoutouts - most people love the opportunity to purchase gifts from a small business! And encouraging others to shop small brings a “feel-good vibe” to your own page.

3. Post personal updates & ask your audience for the same.

4. Surprise & delight your customers by doing something unexpected such as offering free hot chocolate & cookies; send Christmas cards or give gifts/coupons to loyal customers; have in-store & social media giveaways

5.Showcase products with a Christmas spin

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New to Business Beat, we are focusing on home-based entrepreneurs. Home-based businesses are unique and so are their needs, they spring from local talent and local skills, spend money in the community, increase the diversity of business ownership, and thereby enhance community wealth and equity.

We invite local home-based businesses to sign up for the Town of Okotoks Success Stories Program. This program is open to all businesses located in Okotoks who hold a valid business licence. Participate today!

Learn more

Charity Check Stop

Milligan Drive
Thursday, December 8
2-4:00pm

Emergency services members will be on-location to conduct a “check stop” where donations will be accepted.

The recipient organizations for this year’s Charity Check Stop will once again be the Okotoks Food Bank, Foothills Regional Victim Services and The Rowan House.

Learn more
 

Skate with Santa

Piper Arena - Okotoks Recreation Centre
Sunday, December 8
12:15-1:45pm

Come and Skate with Santa on Sunday, December 11! Candy canes and hot chocolate add to the free family fun!

Learn more

Spirit of Christmas &
Tree of Warmth

Okotoks Art Gallery, 53 North Railway Street
Until Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 5:00pm

Spirit of Christmas
The Okotoks Art Gallery will be transformed into the Spirit of Christmas, your best choice for holiday gift shopping, all crafted by local artisans.

Tree of Warmth
Bring brand new, unopened gifts to the Okotoks Art Gallery to decorate our Tree of Warmth. 

Learn More

Gingerbread Station
Check out the fantastic gingerbread creates at the gallery until December 17!

Santa's Christmas Eve Parade

Milligan Drive
Saturday, Decmeber 24
5-8:00pm

Track Santa and follow the parade online in real-time with the Santa Tracker at santa.okotoks.ca. Share your experience and Santa’s whereabouts on the Town’s social media (@TownofOkotoks) via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages using the hashtag #OkotoksSantaTracker.

Learn more

For all Town and community event information, visit www.okotoks.ca/events

An Old-Fashioned Christmas

Okotoks Museum & Archives, 49 North Railway Street
Until Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 5:00pm

Discover what Christmas was like in Okotoks in the 1920s - from food to music to what was on people's wish list.

6^th Annual Saskatoon Farm Christmas Market
 #20 80181 338 Ave East
December 9, 10, 11

The event will take place both indoors and outdoors. Make memories with family and friends while warming up around roaring fire pits, or explore the market inside the sunny greenhouses around the farm.

Get your fill of fresh baking, kettle corn, soft pretzels, cinnamon buns, hot cocoa and so much more!

Learn more

Please visit the Town’s website to see what opportunites are currently available for bidding.

Bids & Tenders

Questions? Email Economic Development to find out more information.

Podcasts are extremely popular as of late—and for good reason! Now people can listen while driving, walking or at your desk to conversations with experts to learn, laugh, join a community, and ultimately, be inspired! There are plenty of podcasts out there suited for any niche, and that certainly includes entrepreneurship. We are proud to even have one of our own, local podcaster “Business Life of a Husband and Wife.” Be sure to check in our and hear some familiar voices from our business community.

Here are 3 podcasts to help enrich you along your entrepreneurship journey, featuring both local and national productions as well as personal recommendations from the Okotoks Economic Development team!

1. Key Insights on scaling your Small Business to New Heights
   https://canadiansme-small-business-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/key-insights-on-scaling-your-small-business-to-new-heights-tx_HIAxa
    
2. Attracting and Retaining Employees
   https://canadiansme-small-business-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/attracting-retaining-employees-dFYUKQLf
    
3. Digital Adoption for SMEs with Derek Froese
   https://canadiansme-small-business-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/digital-adoption-for-smes-with-derek-froese-9AZAKQnY

If you have any podcasts you’re listening to on business or entrepreneurism please let us know so we can share with the rest of the Okotoks businesses.

Check out the following December webinars!

Learn more

There are numerous resources for small businesses to stimulate growth. Supports include loans, bursaries, financing, marketing, succession and other aids for small businesses. Connect with Okotoks Economic Development to speak to us and we would be happy to connect you with resources that meet your specific needs.

Digital Economy Program

Learn more

Growth Catalyst Program

Learn more 

There a many ways to help small businesses save energy; here is the fifth tip in a series of 12!

On average, laptop computers are more efficient and use 80 percent less energy than desktop computers. Laptops generally have a maximum draw of 60 watts, where common desktop computers can soar to 175 watts.

To maximize savings with a laptop, put the AC adapter in a power strip that can be turned off (or will turn off automatically) as the transformer in the AC adapter draws power continuously, even when the laptop is not plugged into the adapter.

Enjoy the Economic Development Newsletter? Do you have ideas to make this newsletter more exciting or business-related topics you want to see? The Town would love to hear from you! Connect with us!

Have a business event you would like to include? Click the button below to submit it!

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