A several-month-long campaign that recognizes Penticton’s top businesses, entrepreneurs and community leaders is returning to the city after a 10-year hiatus.
The Top 40 over/under 40 is back in 2024, the Penticton Chamber of Commerce announced on Feb. 7.
Last held in 2014, the campaign will culminate later this year with an “upscale” gala event that highlights dozens of the city’s top businesses and leaders. A total of 20 people under the age of 40 will receive awards, as well as another 20 over the age of 40.
“This is an opportunity to look at 40 people this year that really make Penticton special,” said Michael Magnusson, the Penticton Chamber’s executive director.
Nominations are open, as of Feb. 7 at 4 p.m., and can be submitted online. Starting April 4, two recipients will be unveiled every week, until all 40 winners are announced.
Nominations close March 3.
Magnusson says nominees will be judged in four different categories: Vision and leadership, innovation and achievement, impact and positive influence and social responsibility and community involvement.
“These four categories really encapsulate what it takes to make Penticton what it is,” he added.
Recipients will be chosen by a selected panel of experienced “business and community” professionals, the Chamber said.
Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield was among those pleased to hear of the event’s return.
“We’re super excited to see the return of Top 40,” Bloomfield said. “Competitions like this breeds a culture of excellence within the business community and I think that is really important…where we support one another, give credit to one another.”
The Top 40 was a community staple in Penticton for years, before its most recent hiatus. Back then, it was limited to only highlighting people under the age of 40.
But this year, the Penticton Chamber said it wanted to shine a light on everyone who helps make the city’s business community thrive.
“We looked at the demographic of our community and realized we have people that are very established and we also have a lot of rising stars,” Magnusson said. “It was a no-brainer for us to split it down the middle.”
Support from the Kettle Valley Memorial has made it possible for each recipient to receive an engraved award at the celebratory gala, to be held later in 2024.
The Penticton Chamber announced the Top 40’s return on Wednesday inside the Kettle Valley Memorial’s new building, located at 1862 Main Street.
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