Issuu

CHAMBER CONNECTION CONNECTION

May 2026

Growing Growing

IN THIS ISSUE

May Events you don’t want to miss!

Small change to the Board

First ever Chamber Travel Experience

FROMTHECHAMBER

WHERE PURPOSE MEETS PROGRESS

Growth for the sake of growth can feel busy, but growth with purpose? That’s where momentum turns into something meaningful. It’s about building a business that not only succeeds today, but is set up to thrive long-term, with intention behind every decision. In a community like ours, purpose-driven growth doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens through connection, collaboration, and showing up for one another.

That’s where the Chamber comes in. We’re here as a tool for your business, helping you grow in ways that actually align with your goals.

Whether it’s creating visibility through our platforms, building relationships at events, tapping into new opportunities through the Chamber Perks app, or having your voice represented through advocacy, everything we do is designed to help you move forward with intention. Because when local businesses grow with purpose, our entire community grows stronger right alongside them.

WHO’SWHO?

GET TO KNOW YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nicole Clark served on the Board for several years and in various roles, including as a two-term President, Past President, and Treasurer. Nicole made the decision to step down last month in order to focus her neighbourhood of Sage Mesa and the difficulties they are currently facing. but will be missed. Her efforts, insight, and commitment to strengthening both this and the B.C. Chamber of Commerce will last for years to come, and we are so grateful for her contributions to the Penticton and South Okanagan’s business community.

As we say goodbye to Nicole, we are excited to welcome Celine Lucier to the Board. Celine is the Director of Leadership Development and Operations at Earls, Salty’s Beach House, and Local Public Eatery Penticton. Celine’s professional background, combined with her knowledge and enthusiasm, will help us in identifying and implementing solutions that strengthen our business community.

COMMUNITYCONNECTREVIEW

Diana Sterling: Owner of Lickity Splitz, Loco Landing & Cherry on Top Shake Shop

Our latest Biz & Bites at Match Eatery featured an inspiring talk from Diana Sterling, who shared how she successfully runs multiple thriving businesses in Penticton powered by teams of motivated teenagers.

Her approach focuses on trust, accountability, and empowerment over micromanagement, proving that when given the opportunity, young people can rise to the challenge and play a meaningful role in business success.

A powerful reminder that strong teams are built through leadership, and not limitations. We walked away with such graditude for the knowledge she shared.

Nicole Clark

Celine Lucier

UPCOMINGEVENTS

FEELING THE PRESSURE? YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Take a step back and invest in yourself

Bonus Door Prize Draw Chance to win a Hole Sponsorship at the SOLD OUT Chamber Golf PAR-TEE presented by Edward Jones, Penticton Financial Advisors.

Our very first Chamber Group Travel adventure brought together 38 travellers for an unforgettable journey through Egypt filled with discovery, laughter, friendship, and incredible experiences.

Together, we explored the vibrant streets of Cairo, stood before the legendary pyramids of Giza and the awe-inspiring Sphinx, and sailed the Nile from Luxor to Aswan while taking in Egypt’s rich history and breathtaking scenery.

From ancient temples and remarkable archaeological sites to camel rides beside the pyramids and unforgettable sunsets along the Nile, every day created lasting memories.

For some travellers, the adventure continued to the beautiful Red Sea, Greece and Turkey.

“Chamber, Chamber” became our unforgettable call sign as friendships, laughter, shared adventures, and lifelong memories were created across Egypt.

Along the way, we explored remarkable temples and tombs filled with intricate carvings and vibrant artwork that revealed Egypt’s rich history Just as memorable were the moments we shared together relaxing lunches by the water, conversations after excursions, and countless candid smiles throughout the journey

Standing before the pyramids of Gisa was a moment few will ever forget The sheer scale and history of these ancient wonders left everyone amazed, while camel rides through the desert added excitement, laughter, and plenty of unforgettable photo opportunities

What began as sightseeing quickly became a shared adventure filled with friendship, discovery, and connection

39th Annual Business Excellence Awards

Partnership Opportunities Now Open

Each year, the Business Excellence Awards bring our community together to celebrate the people, businesses, and ideas that strengthen the South Okanagan.

As we prepare for the 39th Annual Awards, we reflect on the partnerships that have helped this event grow and thrive. For the past six years, Total Restoration Services has been an integral Presenting Partner, demonstrating a shared commitment to supporting local business and our community. Their leadership and partnership especially through challenging times have helped ensure the continued success of this important celebration.

As we look ahead to another inspiring year, we invite businesses and organizations to be part of this signature event. Partnership opportunities are available for organizations of all sizes to connect with the community and align with one of the region’s most recognized celebrations of business excellence.

Mark Your Calendar: Saturday, October 24, 2026 Business Excellence Awards Gala

�� View highlights from last year’s celebration: 2025 Business Excellence Awards Gallery

To learn more about your partnership investment, please connect with: Terri Phillips at events@pentictonorg | 778476 3111

VOICEATTHETABLE

Penticton Chamber Bringing Four Key Policy Priorities to Provincial Stage

This June, the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce will bring four locally driven policy priorities to the BC Chamber of Commerce AGM, aiming to build provincewide support and ultimately influence provincial decision-making later this year. While the policies originate from challenges seen in the South Okanagan, they reflect broader issues facing communities across British Columbia—where infrastructure gaps, public safety concerns, and capacity constraints are increasingly affecting both businesses and quality of life.

Safe Drinking Water: More Than a Utility

Reliable access to safe drinking water is often taken for granted, until it isn’t. Across BC, aging infrastructure and limited funding models are putting smaller and rural systems under strain, creating financial risk for residents and operational uncertainty for businesses. In tourism-driven regions like the Okanagan, water instability can disrupt restaurants, wineries, and accommodations, while also impacting housing affordability and workforce retention.

The Chamber’s policy calls for predictable, long-term provincial investment and early intervention tools to prevent infrastructure failures before they become economic crises.

A Smarter Approach to Public Safety

Rising street disorder is taking a visible and financial toll on businesses, from increased security costs to reduced customer confidence. At the same time, police resources are stretched, often responding to incidents that fall below a criminal threshold.

The Chamber is proposing a tiered response model that would authorize Community Safety Officers to handle lower-risk situations, freeing police to focus on more serious incidents.

The result: faster response times, improved safety in commercial areas, and a more cost-effective approach to keeping communities safe.

When One Road Isn’t Enough

For communities like Penticton, reliance on a single transportation corridor presents a growing risk. Highway 97 closures due to wildfires, landslides, or accidents have repeatedly disrupted travel, supply chains, and access to essential services.

These disruptions don’t just inconvenience travellers—they affect employee mobility, tourism revenue, and business continuity, while also posing serious risks in emergency situations

The Chamber is calling for a provincial strategy to identify and invest in secondary routes that improve safety, reliability, and long-term economic resilience.

Energy Capacity: A Growing Bottleneck

As BC continues to grow, so does demand for electricity and natural gas. In regions like the Okanagan, energy capacity constraints are already delaying housing projects, increasing costs, and limiting business expansion.

Without reliable access to energy, development slows, investment is deferred, and housing shortages worsen.

The Chamber’s policy calls for coordinated planning and investment to ensure energy infrastructure keeps pace with growth and supports both economic and climate goals.

If adopted by the BC Chamber Caucus, these resolutions will become part of the provincial advocacy agenda, helping to shape conversations with government in the months ahead.

For the Penticton Chamber, it’s an opportunity to ensure that the realities of smaller and regional communities are reflected in provincial policy, and that solutions are built not just for today, but for long-term economic and community resilience.