2026 MOBILE TOUR INFORMATION
All tours must be chosen at time of paid registration. Registration limits apply. Mobile tours are only for conference attendees.
Monday 10:30am - 12:00pm
1. The Blocks and Slack Alley
Just two blocks from the Lakeside Resort, BIABC Conference attendees are invited to explore The Blocks—Penticton’s newly branded neighbourhood that has rapidly evolved into one of the city’s most creative and energetic districts. Once a bustling railway and warehouse corridor supporting Okanagan fruit shipments along the KVR line—and later the heart of Penticton’s car sales and repair scene—the area still carries the character of its industrial past through overhead doors, garage façades, and adaptable spaces. Over the last five years, however, a wave of passionate owner-operators has transformed The Blocks into a vibrant hub for food, drink, culture, and community. Early pioneers like Tratto Pizzeria, Wayne & Freda Coffee, and The Black Antler paved the way for celebrated newcomers Neighbourhood Brewing, Yellow Dog Brewing, Slow Current, and Soe Cafe, all of which sit alongside long-time anchors Fritz Shoes, Lee’s Overseas Delights, and The Bike Barn. The Downtown Penticton BIA undertook the branding of this neighbourhood to give locals and visitors a true sense of place—and during this walking tour, you’ll see firsthand how The Blocks has become a defining story of renewal and identity in Penticton. Your guides, DPBIA Executive Director Brett Turner and Jen Hawk, Owner of Wayne & Freda, will share insights into the district’s evolution, its businesses, and the spirit that makes The Blocks unlike anywhere else in the Okanagan.
2. Downtown Planning Collaboration in Action
This mobile workshop, led by Planning staff from the City of Penticton, explores how the 2013 Downtown Penticton Plan shaped revitalization through policy changes, strategic infrastructure investments, and collaboration. Participants will tour key sites, learn lessons from the past decade, and gain practical strategies for implementing downtown plans and partnerships. The session will also highlight considerations for Penticton as the community prepares for its next phase of transformation, as it starts the Downtown Plan renewal process.
Monday 1:00 - 2:30pm
1. Leading the Way: Penticton’s Public Safety Evolution
Tour Downtown Penticton's successful camera program and hear from the local parties that work together to ensure its success. The tour includes a stop at The Standard, a new event and coworking space in Penticton, where attendees can join a Q&A session with our local safety leaders.
2. The Brewing Business
Get ready to dive into the heart of what makes Penticton truly special with our “The Beverage Business” walking tour — led by Pat Dyck of Cannery Brewing. Penticton isn’t just a scenic Okanagan town — it’s been crowned the “craft beer capital of Canada,” boasting more breweries per capita than any other Canadian city. Cannery Brewing, one of the founding breweries of the local scene, began in 2000 when brewing-enthusiast Brew Master Terry Schoffer teamed up with Ron and Patt Dyck — then operators of the long-running Country Squire Restaurant in Naramata — to transform a dream into reality. Their first batch of beer was proudly brewed in the old Aylmer Fruit and Vegetable Cannery on April 1, 2001. Over more than two decades, Cannery Brewing has grown and adapted — evolving from brewed-to-keg beginnings for local pubs and restaurants, into a full-featured downtown taproom opened in 2015. Today it boasts 12 taps, a rotating selection of beer (and often ciders or wines), live music, bar snacks, and a welcoming, community-centric vibe. But what makes this tour more than just a beer crawl is the story behind the business model. Pat Dyck will walk you through the challenges and triumphs — from founding through fires, market shifts, regulatory changes and global pandemics — and how Cannery Brewing (and other local breweries) have diversified. Many of the seven breweries in the Penticton Beer Blocks now operate full-service gastropubs, host art and music events, and in some cases expand into non-alcoholic beverages, ciders, or even spirits — reinforcing their role not just as beverage producers, but as community-driving cultural hubs. This tour offers you an immersive look into how craft brewing became a cornerstone of Penticton’s economy, culture, and identity. Whether you’re curious about production, marketing, community building, or simply want to enjoy a taste of locally crafted beer in its birthplace, “The Brewing Business” offers a rich, insider perspective on what it takes to build and maintain a successful, resilient beverage enterprise in a community that loves its beer.
Tuesday 10:30 - 12:00pm
1. The Art Walk
Join us for a walking tour through the vibrant public-art heart of Penticton — a curated journey guided by Tristan Boisvert, Managing Director of the Penticton & District Community Arts Council. This “Art Walk” invites you to wander the streets of downtown Penticton and discover the colourful murals, compelling sculptures, and creative energy that bring our city to life. Over the past decade, Penticton has made a strong commitment to public art: through the city’s Penticton Public Sculpture Exhibit, rotating sculptures now dot the waterfront, downtown core, and waterfront roundabout — turning ordinary public spaces into an open-air gallery of original, thought-provoking works displayed year-round. Meanwhile, streets and alleyways downtown and beyond have been enlivened by murals that reflect the city’s history, diverse culture, and community spirit. Some pay tribute to Penticton’s past — its early settlers, local traditions, and heritage — while others celebrate contemporary themes, local music, nature, and shared community values. The PDCAC, which for decades has served as a hub for local artists and arts-lovers, plays a central role in that creative transformation. Through programs such as art exhibitions, workshops, events, and the annual art-walks (like Ignite the Arts Art Walk), the Council fosters connection, creativity, and access to art for people of all ages and backgrounds. By championing artists, providing support and resources, and organizing events, PDCAC helps make art an everyday, lived part of the city — not confined to galleries, but woven into streets, parks, and public spaces. On this tour, Tristan will guide you through murals, alley art, downtown installations, and some of the rotating public sculptures. You’ll learn about the history behind some of the works, the artists and community stories they represent, and how public art contributes to Penticton’s identity, vibrancy, and sense of place. It’s more than a stroll — it’s a chance to see how art transforms our city, tells our stories, and brings people together. Whether you’re an art lover, a curious visitor, or someone interested in community building and urban culture — this Art Walk offers a meaningful, creative, and immersive way to connect with Penticton.
Tuesday 1:15 - 2:45pm
1. Curated Agro-Tourism Experience - Naramata Bench Wine and Resiliency Tour
Grape Savvy Wine Tours presents a curated agro-tourism experience for BIABC attendees, showcasing the economic, environmental, and cultural importance of the Naramata Bench through a visit to Tightrope Winery. Hosted by Savannah Swaisland, a respected South Okanagan tourism leader, the afternoon explores how wine tourism strengthens the regional economy, supports sustainability, and drives collaboration across the tourism sector. Guests will travel aboard Grape Savvy’s signature trolley to Tightrope Winery for a guided vineyard walk, cellar tour, and premium tasting, highlighting environmentally responsible practices and innovation in grape growing. Discussions throughout the journey will address industry resilience, climate adaptation, Indigenous women entrepreneurship, and experience-driven tourism. More than a tasting, this immersive tour offers a compelling case study in how agriculture and tourism work together to build long-term economic sustainability and destination appeal.