Press Release     
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         
March 6, 2025                   
Contact: Teddy Garcia, Business & Community Relations
Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce
509-662-2116
 
BANQUET AWARDS 2024 NON-PROFIT AND BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce’s banquet recognized six outstanding businesses and non-profit organizations of 2024. These businesses and organizations are actively bringing the community together and demonstrating that we are better together. The banquet was hosted in person at the Wenatchee Convention Center with the theme “Shaping Tomorrow, Together.” This year’s nominees for Business of the Year were: The Taproom by Hellbent Brewing, Ole Soul Studio, and iPro Building Services; for Non-Profit of the Year nominees: Lilies of the Valley, SkillSource, and Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra.
2024 Business of the Year was awarded to Ole Soul Studio
Jimi Drake, Owner, was presented with the award alongside Leslie and Miguel from his studio. He started by jokingly talking about tattoo shops getting awards for “best sleeve or back piece, not usually your towns business of the year and this is truly amazing.” He spoke on the important principles of his business being kind, generous, and truthful while showing with the community coming together. He has tattooed many in the community including many of the attendees “Son, your son-in-law, your daughter, your granddaughter” and jokingly with a smile said “sorry about that.” He did take a moment to recognize the other business of the year nominees for all the work they do in the community.  
2024 Non-Profit of the Year was awarded to the SkillSource
Lisa Romine, CEO of SkillSource, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. She wanted to recognize the incredible place that the Wenatchee Valley is and the passion that nonprofits bring in service to the community. She had all the staff and board members in attendance stand for recognition and thanking every individual for the work that they all provide through the services at SkillSource that change people’s lives.
 
2024 Visit Wenatchee Tourism Impact Award
The Visit Wenatchee Tourism Impact Award honored the NCW Arts Alliance. The award was presented by NCW arts alliance board member Marissa Collins to the Executive Director Meg Kaplar. Recognizing all of the work that she has done to further the mission and goals of the NCW Arts Alliance. Executive Director Meg Kaplar then accepted the award mentioning that the organization has only been around since 2021 and is only able to be here is because of the amount of “musicians, arts, writers, and performers.” They are why we need an arts alliance to nurture and connect to bring everyone together and is excited to continue serving the community.
Congratulations to all the award winners tonight.