TOURISMKELOWNA.COM | 15 ............................. ............... ......................................................... ......................................................... .......................................................... ................... .................. ................ ................ ...................... DINING WITH A TWIST Iconic West Experiences, a local destination management company, offers the Kelowna Sip and Savour Program that transforms dinner into discovery, guiding guests through multiple downtown venues for chef-attended stations and cocktail pairings. “Guests visit three to five different venues over the course of an evening,” says Jessica Pacheco, Iconic West’s Vice President, Sales and Marketing, noting that collaboration among chefs ensures each stop delivers a distinct and memorable culinary experience. CONNECT WITH LOCAL EXPERTS Tourism Kelowna collaborates with OKGo members to connect visiting groups directly with Kelowna’s business community, arranging curated site tours and conversations with innovators across the region’s key sectors. “It’s about opening doors and connecting planners with the innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers who are driving innovation in the region,” says Nicole Martinez, Business Development, Sales Manager, Tourism Kelowna. DISCOVER A LOCAL FRUIT FARM Plan a group excursion to Paynter’s Fruit Market, a fourth generation farm with strong ties to the Okanagan. From July to October groups can enjoy guided orchard and garden tours that go behind the scenes and include walking through acres of fruit trees, vegetable and herb gardens and an opportunity to pick tree-ripened fruit in season. INDIGENOUS-LED EXPERIENCES Connect with Indigenous knowledge holders to explore the Okanagan’s diverse ecosystems and the plant knowledge of the syilx/Okanagan People that informs traditional foods, medicines, shelter and daily living. The Sncewips Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing syilx culture and history, while fostering meaningful community connection. Planners can work with the museum team to incorporate cultural recognition into events, including guided museum and outdoor tours for attendees. TOUR AN EXCEPTIONAL WINERY Go beyond the tasting bar and into the vineyards, barrel rooms and wine caves where Kelowna’s story unfolds. Groups can create custom blends, meet winemakers and connect geology, climate and craftsmanship in an experience that’s both educational and unforgettable. “Whether it’s a large estate winery or a boutique operation, you sit down with the winemakers and learn about everything from terroir to varietals. It’s the knowledge piece and intimate experience that many properties are open to doing,” says Jillian Haller, Co-owner, Director of Sales and Events, Kelowna Concierge. KELOWNA’S ABUNDANT FRUIT SECTOR From pears to sweet cherries shipped across Canada and around the world, Kelowna’s fruit sector ofers delegates a behind-the- scenes look at supply chains rooted in local orchards. Tourism Kelowna’s Nicole Martinez notes that Day’s Century Growers processes many of the region’s pears, while the Okanagan Valley produces most of Canada’s sweet cherries. A visit to facilities such as Jealous Fruits ofers “a real sense of how the premium products grown here reach markets around the world,” Martinez says. CULTIVATING CONNECTION PHOTOS: DESTINATION BC & @VANCOUVERFOODIE; LEXA BERGEN Hotel Eldorado Black Swift Vineyards
