Photo: Castanet Staff

The Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce is launching a campaign to encourage the community to put #PentictonFirst. 

The campaign gives participants entries to win quarterly prize draws while buying products and services from local businesses.

Entries are awarded each time shoppers choose to support a local business and post on a social media platform of their choice and include the hashtag #PentictonFirst, tag @chamberpenticton, and either check-in at a business or include a photo of the business in the post.

Each #PentictonFirst post will be entered to win a quarterly prize. The first prize will be drawn on April 5 for the first quarter.

The prize includes one night's accommodation at Chute Lake Lodge for two people, full day bike rental for two from the lodge to ride down KVR to Penticton with shuttle from Penticton back to Chute Lake for two, and a one-hour canoe rental at Chute Lake. The prize is valued at $320, provided by Hoodoo Adventure Company.
    
According to a chamber of commerce press release, studies show every $100 spent at a local business, $68 will stay in the local economy, while spending $100 at a non-local business returns $43 to the local economy.

The chamber is hoping the campaign will encourage shoppers to explore local shops they have yet to visit, “become a tourist in your own town, try a new restaurant or experience, spend an evening at a Vees game, a concert or play. Invite family and friends. Soak in all this wonderful city has to offer,” the chamber states in their press release.