Chamber History

Circa 1960: Board of Trade building at 212 Main St.

Penticton Museum and Archives Photograph Information



January 10, 1958: Board of Trade meeting at new offices Seated: Alex Walton. Standing L-R: J.D. Donald, Bill Glaser, Ralph Robinson, Harry Patrick, Howard Patton, Fred Herbert, Pat Higgins, Lawrence Swingle, S.R. Hawkins.

Penticton Museum and Archives Photograph Information

The Formation of Penticton's Chamber of Commerce


The Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce was formed on May 7, 1907, as the Penticton Board of Trade. The formation document listed 46 individuals and their occupations, which included merchants, traders, brokers, mechanics, manufacturers, bank managers, insurance agents, realtors, bankers, as well as less commonly seen roles today that would include boat builders, blacksmiths, and saddlers.


The original area the Penticton Chamber served stretched from Peachland down to the U.S. border in Osoyoos, that included a total population of only 1,500 people. Early accomplishments included the establishment of a public cemetery, sports field, fire brigade, telegraph service, postal service, Main Street dock, and a small debts court.


Long standing members include the Royal Bank of Canada (since 1945), CIBC (1949), Hotel Penticton (1960), and the South Okanagan Events Centre Complex (1965).


One long-time member is Berry + Smith Trucking, which joined the Chamber back in 1968. Current President Matt Berry, the son of Stu Berry who started the company back in 1954, says his father and partner joined the Chamber for many of the same reasons individuals and organizations join today.


"Benefits such as networking, meeting other businesspeople in the community, a shared voice to review issues or concerns, and constructive discussion on problem solving," are all reason why Berry + Smith Trucking have remained members for so long says Berry.


Fast Forward to Today...


In 2025, the Chamber's membership has grown to over 450 members, and includes every sector operating in Penticton and the South Okanagan, including tourism operators, commercial accommodators, manufacturers, trades, professional services, retail outlets, grocers, wineries, and more.  Together, we support and strengthen the businesses and not-for-profit organizations who contribute to the social and economic fabric of our community.

Past Presidents

1907: J.R Mitchell

1908: J.R. Mitchell

1909: J.R. Mitchell

1910: John Power

1911: John Power

1912: E. Foley Bennett

1913: E. W. Mutch

1914: E. Foley Bennett

1915: E. Foley Bennett

1916: E. Foley Bennett

1917: K. McKenzie

1918: H. B. Morley

1919: H. B. Morley

1920: H. B. Morley

1921: R. J. McDougall

1922: J. F. Park

1923: J. A. Grennhill

1924: W. B. Clayton

1925: H. H. Boyle

1926: Dr. J. E. Affleck

1927: R. Lyon

1928: R. Lyon

1929: J. L. Johnson

1930: W. J. Allerton

1931: W. J. Allerton

1932: W. J. Allerton

1933: H. Lair

1934: G. A. B. MacDonald

1935: G. A. B. MacDonald

1936: G. A. B. MacDonald

1937: G. A. B. MacDonald

1938: A. J. Tough

1939: A. Basham

1940: A. Basham

1941: C. G. Bennett

1942: Harry Black

1943: G. E. Craig

1944: G. E. Craig

1945: Fred G. Pye

1946: Graham Knight

1947: P. F. Eraut

1948: P. D. O'Brian

1949: W. M. Guerard

1950: J. L. Palethorpe

1951: Dr. W. Roy Walker

1952: Mr. Schell

1953: Mr. Seney

1954: Edgar Dewdney

1955: Van Winkelarr

1956: R. L. Sharp

1957: George Lang

1958: Alex Walton

1959: Stuart Hawkins

1960: Ralph Robinson

1961: H. M. Gedded

1962: D. Bud Andrews

1963: George DesBrisay

1964: Harold Myers

1965: Ivor Davies

1966: Frank Christian

1967: H. J. Hamilton

1968: Patrick Moen

1969: Ray Dewar

1970: J. Alan Robins

1971: D Bud Andrews

1972: Frank Christian

1973: Rino Elvernoy

1974: Ross Axworthy

1975: Rino Elvernoy

1976: Reg Webb

1977: Bruce DeHart

1978: Gerry Frederick

1979: Brian Daniels

1980: Ken Davis

1981: Ron Biggs

1982: Mal Figley

1983: Bob Harvey

1984: Bill Titheridge

1985: Dale Carlson

1986: Keith Bevington

1987: Beth Wilson

1988: Ron Jones

1989: Al Sismey

1990: Mick Kelly

1991: Roger Love

1992: Gary Leaman

1993: C. Michael Campbell

1994: C. Michael Campbell

1995: Frank Belden

1996: Keith Bevington

1997: Lawrie Lock

1998: Keith Bevington

1999: Jane Coady; Juanita Gibney

2000: Ken Haynes

2001: Joe Morelli

2002: Mark Grimm

2003: Paul McCann

2004: Joe Morelli

2005: Judy Poole

2006: Judy Poole

2007: Chris Browne

2008: Randy Kowalchuk

2009: Jason Cox

2010: Cary Schneiderat

2011: Jason Cox

2012: Campbell Watt

2013: Andre Martin

2014: Campbell Watt

2015: Jason Cox

2016: Michael Magnusson

2017: Neil Wyper

2018: Cary Schneiderat

2019: Nicole Clark

2020: Nicole Clark

2021: Jonathan McGraw

2022: Jonathan McGraw

2023: Nicole Clark

2024: Jordan Knox


Share by: