On Friday, October 2, the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed 275 guests to Evergreen Reception Hall for our 2026 Annual Meeting and Awards Gala — an evening dedicated to celebrating the people, businesses, nonprofits and community leaders who help make McMinnville a great place to live, work and do business.
The Annual Meeting serves an important purpose for the Chamber as our required annual business meeting, but the evening is about much more than conducting business. It is an opportunity to pause, reflect on the year, recognize accomplishments and celebrate the people who contribute their time, talent and energy to our community.
This year’s celebration brought together local business owners, community leaders, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, Chamber members and friends for an evening centered around McMinnville businesses and the people who make our community stronger.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Award Winners
One of the most meaningful parts of the Annual Meeting and Awards Gala is recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions make a difference in McMinnville.
Chamber Volunteer of the Year — Jose Lopez, JB Landscape
Jose Lopez of JB Landscape was recognized as the 2026 Chamber Volunteer of the Year for his commitment to the Chamber and his willingness to step up, volunteer and contribute to the work of our business community. Volunteers are an important part of everything the Chamber does, and Jose is a wonderful example of someone who gives his time and energy to help make our programs, events and community connections possible.
Nonprofit of the Year — Story Night
Story Night was named Nonprofit of the Year in recognition of its meaningful work to bring people together and create connection through stories and community. Our nonprofit organizations play an important role in McMinnville. They fill important needs, create opportunities and strengthen the connections that make a community more vibrant.
Business Leader of the Year — Steve Scott, McMinnville Properties
Steve Scott of McMinnville Properties was honored as Business Leader of the Year for his leadership, commitment and contributions to the McMinnville business community. Strong business leadership reaches beyond the walls of a company. It helps create opportunity, encourages growth and contributes to the momentum of an entire community.
Business of the Year — EMPWR Nutrition
EMPWR Nutrition was recognized as the 2026 Business of the Year, celebrating the company’s commitment to its customers, employees and community. EMPWR represents the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that makes McMinnville’s business community so special. Just as importantly, EMPWR demonstrates that being a great business is also about supporting the people who make the business successful. Their investment in and support of their employees reflects the kind of workplace culture that strengthens both a company and the community around it. When local businesses value their people, create opportunities and provide an environment where employees can thrive, the impact reaches far beyond the workplace.
Lifetime Achievement Award — Dean Klaus, Your Space Storage
The Chamber was honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dean Klaus, owner of Your Space Storage.
The award recognizes a career of commitment, leadership and contribution, but it also recognizes the lasting impact one person can have on a community.
Our community is better because of Dean and the many ways he has chosen to contribute locally. His years of involvement, support and investment in McMinnville are a reminder that a lifetime of giving back can leave a lasting mark on the place we call home.
Celebrating Lemonade Day McMinnville and the Zest of 2026
The evening also provided an opportunity to celebrate the success of Lemonade Day McMinnville, the Chamber’s youth entrepreneurship program. A special Zest of 2026 recognition was presented to Jules Auvil of Artisan Lemonade Bar by Jules. Jules has embraced the spirit of Lemonade Day through her entrepreneurial efforts, enthusiasm and willingness to be part of the larger Lemonade Day community. Her journey represents exactly why programs like Lemonade Day matter — giving young people the opportunity to experience entrepreneurship, build confidence, learn about business and discover what they are capable of accomplishing. We are proud to celebrate Jules and all of the young entrepreneurs who participated in Lemonade Day McMinnville this year.
MEDP Honors Jody Christiansen
During the evening, McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) also took the stage to honor longtime MEDP member Jody Christiansen. The recognition was a meaningful addition to an evening focused on people who have invested their time, talents and leadership in McMinnville. Jody’s longtime involvement with MEDP represents the importance of individuals who dedicate themselves to helping build a strong and vibrant local economy. Having MEDP join us to recognize Jody was another wonderful reminder that strengthening McMinnville is a shared effort — one that brings together business leaders, economic development partners, community organizations and individuals who care deeply about our community.
Recognizing Service to the Chamber
The Annual Meeting also gave us an opportunity to recognize our outgoing Chamber Board Directors: Jose Lopez, Pam Lum, Aurora Ronning and Shannon Botten.
Board service requires a significant investment of time and energy, and we are grateful to each of them for their leadership, perspective and commitment to the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce and our local business community.
We also celebrated a very special milestone as Rhonda Pope was recognized for 25 years of service to the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Twenty-five years represents an incredible commitment to the Chamber and to the businesses, organizations and people we serve. We are grateful for the dedication and continuity that help make the Chamber a strong resource for our community.
Why Community Recognition Matters
At its core, the Annual Meeting and Awards Gala is about people.
Our local businesses are more than storefronts and offices. They are employers, neighbors, volunteers, mentors, community partners and friends. Our nonprofits fill important needs. Our volunteers give their time and talents. Our community leaders step forward to help shape what comes next.
That is why recognizing these contributions matters.
The Annual Meeting gives us a chance to shine a light on the people who are making a difference — not because recognition is the reason they do the work, but because their work deserves to be seen and celebrated.
A strong business community does not happen on its own. It is built through people supporting people, businesses supporting other businesses and a community choosing to invest in its own future.
Our goal for this evening is simple: fulfill our responsibility to hold our Annual Meeting, celebrate local contributions through our awards and celebrate McMinnville businesses and the people behind them.
Thank You to Our Annual Meeting Sponsors
An evening of this size and importance takes a community of supporters, and we are incredibly grateful to the businesses and organizations who helped make the 2026 Annual Meeting and Awards Gala possible.
Thank you to Evergreen Events, Hagan Hamilton Insurance Services as our entertainment sponsor, First Federal, Spirit Mountain Casino as our beverage sponsor, Poseyland Florist for our beautiful centerpieces, and and Root N’ Rye for their beverage sponsorship support.
Your support helps us bring our business community together, recognize achievement and celebrate the people who make McMinnville special.
Thank You to Our Scholarship Silent Auction Donors
We also extend our sincere appreciation to the many businesses and organizations that donated items and experiences for our scholarship silent auction.
These donations do more than add excitement to our Annual Meeting — they help us invest in the next generation.
Proceeds from the scholarship silent auction allow the Chamber to provide scholarships to deserving students who are preparing to further their education and pursue their goals.
Without the generosity of our scholarship silent auction donors, we could not provide these opportunities to students who are ready to take their next step.
Every donated basket, experience, gift certificate and item represents a business choosing to give back and help a student move one step closer to their future.
Celebrating McMinnville
The McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to serve as a connector, advocate and resource for our local business community.
Our Annual Meeting is an important opportunity to fulfill our responsibilities as an organization, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate.
To celebrate the businesses that continue to grow.
To celebrate the volunteers who give their time.
To celebrate the leaders who step forward.
To celebrate the nonprofits making a difference.
To celebrate the entrepreneurs creating something new.
And, most importantly, to celebrate the people who make McMinnville the community we are proud to call home.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on October 2 and to everyone who continues to support the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce throughout the year. We are grateful to be part of this community and look forward to celebrating even more local accomplishments in the year ahead.
