Wenatchee Valley Chamber’s 25th anniversary banquet set for April 16, finalists announced

WENATCHEE — On an April evening each year, the Wenatchee Valley business and nonprofit community gathers not just to hand out awards, but to take stock of itself: who showed up, who made things better, and what kind of place the valley is becoming.

This year’s Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet, which marks the event’s 25th anniversary, will take place Thursday, April 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and will celebrate both business excellence and community impact across the region.

The evening will be hosted by Chamber Executive Director Steve Wilkinson and Chamber Board President Kristen Hankins of Confluence Health. In addition to announcing the 2025 Business of the Year and Nonprofit of the Year recipients, the program will recognize the top three finalists in each category.

Finalists for Business of the Year are Cascade Autocenter, Top Thai, and Norwood Wine Bar. Finalists for Nonprofit of the Year are the Chelan Douglas Community Action Council, the Wenatchee Public Library, and Pybus Public Market.

Together, the six finalists represent a cross-section of the valley’s economy and civic life — from food and hospitality to social services, public space, and cultural institutions — and reflect the wide range of ways organizations contribute to the community’s day-to-day fabric.

Tickets for the banquet are now available at https://www.wenatchee.org/annual-banquet/. Chamber members can purchase tickets for $80 through March 1, with non-member tickets priced at $90. Organizers encourage early registration, noting that the event typically draws strong attendance from across the business and nonprofit communities.

Sponsorship opportunities are also still available for organizations that want to support the event and the Chamber’s work in the region. For more information on becoming a sponsor, contact Chelsea Ewer, Operations Director, at chelsea@wenatchee.org or by calling (509) 662-2116.

For many in attendance, the annual banquet has become less about a single award and more about a shared pause — a chance to recognize the people and organizations quietly shaping the valley year after year.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media