Member Events & Development
Member Events, Workshops, Training & Certifications
You must be a current Travel Penticton member, in good standing, in order to participate in, or receive funding, for any of our member events, workshops, training, or other programs or certifications.
TRUE Penticton Experience Market
Penticton’s unique adventures, experiences and attractions!
A great big thank you to all participating member businesses and as well to all businesses that sent along attended the 8th Annual TRUE Penticton Experience Market! We look forward to doing it all again in 2026!
Okanagan Creation Story and Okanagan Protocols Sessions
Anona Kampe of the Penticton Indian Band will be presenting an Okanagan Creation Story and Okanagan Protocols Session and we’d like to extend an invitation to our members to attend this session for free.
These protocols are important for us to learn and understand as we move forward in relationship building, business and in general with Indigenous Peoples.
Anona’s traditional name is sknir̓mn, which translates to Buttercup. She is a singer, drum carrier, beadworker, storyteller, dancer, teacher, harvester, disciplinarian, knowledge keeper, future Elder in training, water protector and a woman who follows Okanagan protocols.
When: Fall Session 2025 – DETAILS TBD
Travel Penticton is offering spots in the Okanagan Creation Story and Okanagan Protocols Session to our members for FREE (Regular cost is $40.00 per person). *No shows will be charged for full amount of the session.* There is a limited number of spots available for the Okanagan Creation Story and Okanagan Protocols Sessions, so contact us today to reserve your spot for the next session date. As the class size is limited, we are also limiting the FREE spots to 2 persons per member business.
For more information and upcoming session dates, contact Alice Simpson, Visitor & Member Services Coordinator,
St. John Ambulance First Aid Training and Certification
SPRING SESSION – SOLD OUT
St. John Ambulance has been ensuring the health, safety and quality of life for Canadians for over 135 years. St. John Ambulance offers the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art first aid and CPR training programs.
Travel Penticton is offering our members a limited number of FREE spots for the Emergency First Aid for Industry (Regular cost is $120.00 per person). *No shows will be charged for full amount of the course.*
Students are required to bring or purchase a CPR Pocket Mask for use during the course. This product can be purchased at the branch on the morning of the class. The cost for the mask is $14.55 including tax and members will be responsible for this purchase. This course meets the CSA standards for Basic First Aid.
The Emergency First Aid for industry certification course has been developed from the St. John Ambulance First Aid and CPR program. This is a one-day (8 hour) in-class course.
This course is WorkSafeBC approved and meets first aid requirements for Basic First Aid. Upon successful completion, candidates will be issued a St. John Ambulance Basic First Aide (Emergency) certificate.
When: Next training date May 6, 2025 8:30am*-4:30pm at St. John Ambulance (*must arrive by 8:15am)
There is a limited number of spots available for this course, please contact us today to reserve your spot. As the class size is limited, we are also limiting the FREE spots to 1 person per member business. If space allows, you are able to pay for additional spots if you wish to send more than 1 person.
For more information and upcoming course dates, or to reserve your spot for the next course, contact Ginger Budinski, Member Services & Events Coordinator,
Member Photography
SOLD OUT 2025. As a benefit to our Travel Penticton members, we are providing the opportunity for local photographer, Sandy Wei, to come to your tourism and hospitality business, restaurant, winery, brewery, shop or gallery and take pictures of your business. We will provide this complimentary photography session to assist with your marketing efforts.
Travel Penticton is providing a limited number of spots to our members for this FREE photography offer, for a 1.5 hour photo shoot ($800 value).
Slots for the free photography can be booked now to reserve your space, with the photoshoot date and time confirmed at a later date if you are still undergoing renovations or want to wait until later in the year for the shoot. An allocated 1.5 hours will be spent at your location. One group staff photo can also be included within the shoot, but we will not cover headshots or additional staff images. If you wish for the photographer to stay longer and capture additional images, this will be at an additional cost to you, with the rate to be confirmed by the photographer.
Photos will be provided to Visit Penticton for print and promotional use. Members will receive a copy of web size and high resolution images for your own marketing and promotional purposes.
Unless you have undergone major renovations, if you have participated in this free photography offer in this past, you are not able to participate again this year due to limited availability.
Member Videography
SOLD OUT 2025. As a benefit to our Travel Penticton members, we are providing the opportunity for local videographer, Drake Richardson, to create a video for your business. We will provide this complimentary videography session to assist with your marketing efforts.
Travel Penticton is providing a limited number of spots to our members for this FREE videography offer, for a 1-2 minute video.
Slots for the free videography can be booked now to reserve your space, with the filming date and time confirmed at a later date if you are want to wait until later in the year for the shoot. An approximate 1/2 day shoot will take place at your location. If you wish for the videographer to stay longer and capture additional footage, or if you wish to add on drone video or photography, this will be at an additional cost to you.
Videos and b-roll will be provided to Visit Penticton for promotional and future video project use. Members will receive a copy the final video for your own marketing and promotional purposes.
go2HR 
- Regional HR Advisory Services – 1:1 Employer advice, guidance and support to help meet the specific needs of your business and employees in the Thompson Okanagan region. Book a free consultation
- Health & Safety Advisory Services – Advice and insights on topics like joint health & safety committees, psychological health & safety, first aid, bullying, training, and much more – all at no cost. Book a free consultation
- Training – SuperHost, Health & Safety, Food Safety, EDI and more!
- Workplace Mental Health – Free resources, training & support for employees, supervisors and managers
- go2HR Job Board – The only job board in BC that is focused solely on tourism and hospitality jobs
Exclusive Shipping Rates with Freightcom
Freightcom offers real-time discounted rates from LTL carriers for pallets and packages. As Canada’s largest shipping wholesaler, they provide exclusive rates, shipping labels, consolidated billing, and free pick-ups.
Their platform is free with no sign-up fees or volume commitments. Freightcom partners with thousands of Canadian businesses to streamline their shipping processes, ad provide top solutions for LTL, Courier, eCommerce, Warehousing, and Fulfillment.
Travel Penticton members receive access to exclusive, discounted shipping rates. Sign up for your free Freightcom account and get exclusive discounted rates on the best shipping services from coast-to-coast. Please note that alcohol cannot be shipped with the national carriers.
Freightcom gives you:
- Discounted Rates on More Lanes
- From LTL to Parcel, Across Canada to Cross-Border and more!
- Access to Trusted Carriers
- Ship with the most reputable names in the industry for less!
- eCommerce Functionality
- Webstore integration and fulfillment tools with our ClickShip eCommerce solution!
- Easy-to-Use Shipping Management
- Handle booking, tracking, invoicing, and more all in one place!
- Residential Service Options
- Including free parcel pickup and easy-to-book residential LTL!
- No Fees, No Minimums, No Hassle
- You only ever pay for the shipments you book, no matter the size or volume!
Sign up today and start shipping smarter with Freightcom.
Biosphere Sustainability Accreditation
Many tourism businesses in Penticton and the South Okanagan have made the commitment to become a Biosphere Committed company, including Travel Penticton, and demonstrate their own pledge to incorporate sustainable practices within their business.
Biosphere is a Responsible Tourism System (RTS) certified by the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), an international accreditation body that maintains a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is affiliated to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), and is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
The system is aligned with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and the Paris COP21 Accord to fight Climate Change. It is also aligned with the requisites and recommendations for certification of the World Charter on Sustainable Tourism +20.
The system offers a holistic approach to sustainability in which all distinctions associated with different aspects of sustainability (corporate social responsibility, service quality, environmental management, etc.) are integrated.
Click here for more information on Biosphere Sustainability Accreditation.