April Penticton Chamber Newsletter

CHAMBER CONNECTION CONNECTION

APRIL 2026 APRIL 2026

INSIDE THIS MONTH:

STRONG STRONG

2026 Board of Directors State of the City Golf PAR-TEE Early-Bird Pricing Service with a Smile Upcoming Events

FROMTHECHAMBER

STRONG FOUNDATIONS GROW THROUGH CONNECTION.

As we move through 2026 with our theme Built to Last, March served as a powerful reminder that lasting success is grounded in strong relationships. By focusing on meaningful collaboration, we continue to build something greater together; something that endures.

At the State of the City Breakfast and Fireside Chat with Mayor Bloomfield and Chief Gabriel of the snpink’tn Indian Band, the coming together of these voices highlighted what’s truly possible. When communities, leadership, and business unite with a shared vision, we don’t just strengthen today, we lay the groundwork for a brighter future.

That same spirit carried through to our Annual General Meeting and the Start Here Penticton Job Fair, the latter of which was delivered in partnership with the City of Penticton and WorkBC South Okanagan. Each of these moments plays a role in shaping our workforce, strengthening our business community, and creating opportunities that will carry forward for years to come.

We are also proud to share 2025-26's Chamber Business Review: Playing the Long Game. Created entirely in-house, this publication gave us the opportunity to connect with our members, hear their stories, and reflect on the incredible work happening across our community. It’s a celebration of resilience, progress, and the shared commitment to building something meaningful.

It is all part of building something that lasts — together.

REVIEWOFANNUALGENERALMEETING

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

We were pleased to host our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at Highway 97 Brewing, bringing members together for a productive and enjoyable lunch.

This year’s Board of Director nominations saw an incredible level of interest, with 17 outstanding nominees stepping forward for 8 available seats. We were thrilled to see such strong engagement from our membership as it’s a powerful reflection of the passion and commitment within our business community.

Those successful in running for the Board were announced after lunch concluded, receiving their oath of office from Mayor Julius Bloomfield.

A big thank you to the team at Highway 97 Brewing for hosting us. They went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt welcome, comfortable, and well fed.

Jordan Knox, Operations Manager at RONA, was elected President for the third consecutive year. Dan Arbeau moves from 2 to 1 Vice President, and Kerry Patrick joins the Executive as the 2 VP. Marlene Trenholm has moved into the treasurer’s role, and Kori Iceton rounds out the Executive as this year’s Secretary. nd st nd

WHO’SWHO?

GET TO KNOW YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dan Arbeau, owner of NetDNA Technology Solutions, has been a dedicated member of our Board for the past three years, most recently serving as 2nd Vice President. His leadership, forward-thinking mindset, and commitment to supporting local businesses have already made a meaningful impact in our community.

With a strong background in technology and innovation, Dan brings valuable insight as we continue to support and grow our business community.

Dan was elected to be this year’s 1 Vice President, and we’re excited to have him in this position. Congratulations, Dan!

2026's State of the City Address

Friday, March 13, 2026

Mayor Julius Bloomfield used his fourth and final State of the City address of this municipal term to reflect on Penticton’s progress, highlighting decreases in violent, auto, and property crime and the addition of new housing units, including much-needed rentals.

yilmixʷm (Chief) Greg Gabriel spoke about the strong working relationship between the snpink'tn Indian Band and the City of Penticton, noting his Council is exploring investments in green energy projects such as solar and wind farms.

Reflecting on the conclusion of his four-year term, Bloomfield said Penticton will continue investing in core infrastructure, and emphasized the continued collaboration with the community, business, and nonprofit associations.

COMMUNITYCONNECTREVIEW

The Start Here Penticton Job Fair brought together 50 local businesses and community resources, connecting with more than 800 job seekers. Delivered in partnership with the Penticton Chamber of Commerce, City of Penticton, and WorkBC South Okanagan, the event highlighted the strength of collaboration in supporting our local workforce.

There was a steady flow of activity throughout the day, with strong engagement between employers and job seekers. The Learning Theatre offered additional opportunities for attendees to gain insights and build confidence as they explored their next steps.

View the full list of participating businesses: Start Here Penticton Job Fair

Throughout the month of March, the Canadian Sport School Hockey League brought an incredible buzz to Penticton, and if you noticed more teenagers than usual walking our streets, you weren’t imagining it! Hundreds of hockey players, along with their families, filled our hotels, restaurants, and local businesses. We heard firsthand from many of our members that they were busy, energized, and even staying open later to keep up with the demand. It’s exactly the kind of momentum our community thrives on.

Events like this don’t just bring excitement they bring real economic impact and a vibrant atmosphere that reminds us what’s coming heading into the warmer months.

Year after year, this tournament continues to be a welcome kickoff to the spring and summer season in Penticton.

UPCOMINGEVENTS

APRIL

Sunday, April 12 Glengarry Skating Club Family Movie Night

Tuesday, April 14 Biz & Bites - Managing Teens

Sunday, April 19 Mrs Roper Romp

Sunday, April 19 TRUE Penticton Experience Market

FROMTHEEXPERTS

NON-PROFIT

rime Stoppers is a registered non-profit organization that has served the South Okanagan and Similkameen communities since 1992. Founded in response to the 1991 Peach Fest riot, where widespread damage and looting underscored the need for a community-driven approach to crime prevention. Since then, they have worked tirelessly to support law enforcement by encouraging citizens to anonymously report criminal activity

OURIMPACT

Image of the Peach circa 1960 from UBC Open Collections/OATS

ACHIEVEMENTS

Our achievements are made possible through community engagement and the generous support of local partners like you.

We receive no government funding and rely entirely on donations and sponsorships. The annual operating expenses are approximately $10,000, covering insurance, website maintenance, tip management systems, training, and administrative costs.

We would be honored to feature your company as a key sponsor and community safety champion. Your support will directly impact our ability to operate and grow our programs.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss sponsorship options or to arrange a meeting. Donations can be made directly at: donations@sostips.ca or via the QR code above.

VOICEATTHETABLE

Advocacy remains at the core of the Chamber’s work. We know that for your business to succeed, it must operate within an environment that supports both you and your customers.

This month, our advocacy efforts included support for extending the permit for the shelter located on Dawson Avenue. This facility provides safe, temporary accommodation for up to 40 individuals who might otherwise be sleeping in parks or on our streets. Since its inception less than 2 years ago, more than a dozen residents have transitioned into permanent housing,

and the downtown core has seen a noticeable reduction in loitering and open drug use. Mayor and Council ultimately voted to extend the temporary use permit, and the shelter has also secured provincial funding to continue operations—an important step toward maintaining both community safety and dignity.

The Chamber also voiced its support for the Town of Princeton in opposing the proposed decommissioning of the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail following damage sustained during the 2021 floods. While the Ministry of Environment has earmarked $20 million in federal funding for closure, we believe those funds could be better directed toward restoration. The KVR Trail is a proven driver of tourism in our region. Although this particular section may not directly impact Penticton businesses, the broader connectivity between South Okanagan and Similkameen communities is a key part of what makes our region a compelling destination for adventure tourism. The permanent loss of this corridor would have uncertain but undoubtedly negative —impacts on our regional tourism economy.

BC’SBUDGET-WHATYOUNEEDTOKNOW

Starting October 1, 2026, BC's Provincial Sales Tax will expand to cover professional services for the first time, including things like accounting, security and engineering. These are services that almost every business in BC relies on, and they're about to get more expensive.

We understand the fiscal context. The province is projecting a $13.3 billion deficit, and broadening the tax base is one tool for addressing that. But the way BC's PST is

structured creates a real problem for businesses, which is where our concern lies.

The BC Chamber of Commerce signed a joint business statement with 18 other major industry associations calling on the provincial government to reconsider this expansion. Our position is straightforward: expanding a non-refundable tax on essential business services increases costs at a time when businesses are already under pressure and competing nationally for investment. We support tools that help the province address its fiscal challenges, including the Strategic Investment Fund. But raising structural costs through a non-refundable tax is not the right approach.

The PST changes still require Royal Assent (the formal step where the Lieutenant Governor signs the legislation into law) before they take effect. That window remains open, and there is still an opportunity for the province to act on the business community's concerns.

What Should You Do Right Now??

If you provide newly taxable services: Begin preparing to register for PST. Registration opens April 1, 2026, six months before the changes take effect. Review your contracts: PST applies based on when services are performed, not necessarily when they are invoiced or agreed upon. Timing matters. Model the cost impact: For businesses relying heavily on accounting, engineering, or security services, it's worth estimating the annual cost increase now.

Engage with us: Let us know how this will impact your business so we can add your voice to our advocacy.

SERVICEWITHASMILE