Every success has a story. Every story has roots.

Our 2026 theme, Rooted in Excellence, celebrates the people, dedication and community connections behind this year's nominees.

The Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, together with presenting partner Doane Grant Thornton LLP, is proud to introduce the nominees for the 39th Annual Business Excellence Awards, recognizing businesses, organizations and leaders across the South Okanagan.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate someone deserving of recognition. To our nominees, thank you for accepting your nomination and making time to complete your submission. We appreciate the care you put into sharing your story, your accomplishments and your contributions to our communities.

Our volunteer selection committee is now independently reviewing submissions using the criteria for each award category and a standardized scoring matrix.

Meet this year's nominees below and join us in celebrating their achievements!

Community Impact Builder | Sponsored by Penticton Western News

  • Mean Green Cleaning Solutions Ltd. – Penticton
  • Patan Heating and Air Ltd. – Penticton
  • Phantom Creek Estates – Oliver
  • Wildstone Construction - Penticton

Hospitality Excellence | Sponsored by Visit Penticton

  • Cambo Beach Restaurant – Penticton
  • Frog City Café – Kaleden
  • H & L Dumpling House – Penticton
  • Painted Turtle Bistro – Kaleden
  • Rattlesnake Canyon – Osoyoos
  • Sunflower Ukrainian Café – Summerland

Service Excellence | Sponsored by Sitka Concept Inc.

  • Aboda Construction Inc – Penticton
  • Balcomo, a Ramada by Wyndham – Penticton
  • Barley Mill Brew Pub – Penticton
  • Crowsnest Renovations Ltd. – Osoyoos
  • FH&P Lawyers – Penticton
  • Fresh Physiotherapy – Penticton
  • Hairtastic Styling Boutique – Summerland
  • Heena Nagar Personal Real Estate Corporation – Penticton
  • Hometown Furniture & Appliances – Penticton
  • Northern Computer Inc: IT Services – Penticton
  • Own Your Skin – Penticton
  • Penticton Collision Centre – Penticton
  • ServiceMaster Restore – Penticton
  • Tin Whistle Brewing Co. – Penticton
  • Valley First, a division of Tru Cooperative Bank – Penticton

Marketing & Communications | Sponsored by Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association

  • Castanet – Penticton, Osoyoos 
  • Editors' Pick Okanagan – Penticton
  • Habit & Kin - Penticton
  • JAFA Signs Ltd – Penticton
  • Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa – Summerland
  • The Hub on Martin – Penticton

Not for Profit Excellence | Sponsored by Omland Heal LLP

  • BC Wine Information Centre – Penticton
  • JCI Penticton – Penticton
  • Kiwanis Club of Penticton – Penticton
  • NeighbourLink – Summerland
  • New Beginnings Animal Sanctuary Society – Summerland
  • Ooknakane Friendship Centre – Penticton
  • Parkdale Place Housing Society – Summerland
  • Penticton Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts - Penticton 
  • Penticton and District Hospice Society - Penticton 
  • Penticton Peach Festival – Penticton
  • Penticton Safety Village – Penticton
  • Roses for Life Women Centre Foundation – Penticton
  • S.S. Sicamous – Penticton
  • South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation – Penticton
  • South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services – Penticton
  • South Okanagan Women in Need Society – Penticton
  • Summerland Food Bank & Resource Centre Society – Summerland
  • Summerland Health Care & Auxiliary Thrift Store - Summerland 
  • Treasures & Trinkets – Penticton

Workplace Culture Excellence | Sponsored by South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services

  • Bannister Ford – Penticton
  • Belich's AG Foods – Okanagan Falls
  • Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen – Penticton
  • Jandu Construction Ltd. – Penticton
  • Penticton and District Community Arts Council – Penticton
  • Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre – Penticton
  • TwinCon Enterprises Ltd. – Penticton

New Business Award | Sponsored by Valley First, a division of Tru Cooperative Bank

  • Anthology Interior Design – Summerland
  • Freebird Barber – Penticton
  • Green Mountain Beadz – Penticton
  • NTP R&D Services – Penticton
  • Skaha Boat Rental – Penticton
  • The Couturess' Master Tailor & Designer – Penticton
  • The Nail Nest – Penticton
  • The Vault Liquor Store – Penticton

Young Business Leader of the Year | Sponsored by JCI Penticton

  • Amanda Locke, WordPlay Therapy – Penticton
  • Ankit Sachdeva, Anreal Travel – Penticton
  • Claudia Barata, Lavish Wedding & Event Planning - Summerland
  • Emily Picklyk & Ethan Picklyk, Peach City Sips - Penticton
  • Joel Patan, Patan Heating and Air Ltd. - Penticton
  • Nikolas Dos Santos, South Okanagan Fence Installation & Repair Ltd. – Penticton
  • Shawna Tinga, Downtown Penticton BIA - Penticton
  • Taneesha Nicholas, Local Public Eatery - Penticton
  • Tristan Boisvert – Penticton and District Community Arts Council - Penticton

Business Leader of the Year - Sponsored by Unit Electric Ltd.

  • Tanya Behardien, OneSky Community Resources – Penticton
  • Nicole Dale, Nurse Next Door – Penticton
  • Cherry Fernandez | South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services – Penticton
  • Jim Gamble, Canadian Tire – Penticton
  • JC MacLeod, Midtown RV – Penticton

Business of the Year | Sponsored by Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen

  • Fehling's Sheet Metal Ltd. – Penticton
  • Fountain Tire – Penticton
  • Grape Escapes Wine Tours – Penticton
  • Lightening Rock Winery – Summerland
  • Midtown RV Ltd. – Penticton
  • Nurse Next Door - Penticton
  • Sweeping Beauty Cleaning Services – Summerland
  • Verve Senior Living, The Concorde – Penticton
  • Without A Doubt Day Spa – Penticton

Upcoming Events 

Business Excellence Awards Nominee Reception hosted by Belich's AG Foods in Okanagan Falls - Thursday, November 12, 2026 

2026 Business Excellence Awards: Rooted in Excellence presented by Doane Grant Thornton LLP - Saturday, January 30, 2027 at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre 

Rooted in Excellence Awards Gala - Early Bird Tickets