Morning: Rise and Shine (Literally!)

After a night spent dreaming about keynote speakers, I reluctantly roll out of my plush hotel bed at the Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre. The view from my window of the sun rising over Okanagan Lake is what propels me to start the day. I arrived last night, flying from Vancouver on Pacific Coastal Airlines. To my surprise, it was only a 1 hour flight and then a 10 minute taxi ride to the hotel. The driver was nice enough to take me down Main Street, bustling with unique shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Already, I wish I’d booked an extra day just to explore Penticton.

As I walk to the conference, I grab breakfast at Wayne & Freda, a local cafe that serves mouth watering breakfast sandwiches that puts my usual fare to shame. A note to all future delegates: breakfast in Penticton is worth waking up for.

The Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, just a stone's throw away, greets me with a sign boasting it’s the BC Interior’s largest full-service meeting and exhibition centre. On the way, I see a group of people whizzing by on e-bikes—reminding me of the Freedom Bike Shop poster in my hotel promoting rides to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. Penticton keeps surprising me!

Mid-Morning: Welcome to the Buzz

The opening session focuses on sustainability, with Thom Tischik, Executive Director of Visit Penticton, introducing the city’s “Fuel Free…Almost” initiative to a room of 650 delegates. Even from my seat at the back of the room, I can tell he is passionate about Penticton’s Fuel Free…Almost program, which makes eco-friendly travel easy and accessible. My mind races with possibilities for how to apply these insights back at work.

Afternoon: Lunch and Learn

By lunchtime, my stomach’s rumbling nearly drowns out the conference chatter. The organizers have put together an impressive spread with local touches: fresh salads, artisanal sandwiches, and poached local pears from the nearby Naramata Bench. Chatting with new acquaintances, we swap stories about our workplaces—and secretly monitor who’s headed back for seconds.

After lunch, it’s time for the breakout sessions. I choose a workshop on AI, packed with demonstrations and discussions. It’s a lot to take in, but I leave feeling inspired and motivated.

Evening: Networking and Chill

As the day winds down, I walk over to the evening’s networking event at the SS Sicamous, a heritage paddle wheeler. The atmosphere is lively, with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. I snag a glass of local wine—with 130 wineries in the South Okanagan, each one that I taste is more delicious than the last. Set against Penticton’s stunning lake backdrop, it’s the perfect setting to unwind and make meaningful connections with industry leaders. Who knew networking could feel this good?

As the sun sets, casting pink and orange over the lake, I reflect on an inspiring day. From insightful sessions to new connections, being a conference delegate in Penticton is more than just learning—it’s about the unique experiences and friendships formed.

So, whether here to learn, network, or soak in the surroundings, Penticton delivers an unforgettable conference experience. Here’s to the next event, hopefully just as enlightening—and delicious.

Learn more about how Penticton can host your next meeting or conference.