Oliver Rental Centre provides event and tent rentals, but it’s having a hard time getting its foot in the door at the Festival of the Grape.
Erin Christie photo
An Oliver businessman says he’s not being treated fairly by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce.
Rick Stagg from Oliver Rental Centre has been trying to get involved in the annual Festival of the Grape for four years. But he’s finding it difficult to get local support from the Chamber.
His business offers party rentals, so he approached the Chamber to ask about the Festival of the Grape contract. He was told that Westminster Party and Tent Rentals out of Penticton were supplying those services.
Stagg said he was told that the Chamber would look at his services next year, and was informed he had to be a Chamber member just like Westminster. So he joined the Chamber.
A year went by and nobody contacted him, so Stagg enquired again about the contract and asked if he could give the Chamber a quote. But he has never been given that opportunity.
“They claim to support local business,” Stagg said, noting that people need to be aware of this situation.
Chamber president Holly Plante told the Chronicle they have a committee who handles the majority of supplier relationships for Festival of the Grape.
She said the committee will definitely review the concerns being raised. “Perhaps there is still time to get a quote from Oliver Rental Centre for this year’s event.”
Plante said the Chamber does its best to not micro-manage committee volunteers who go above and beyond every year for this event.
“We will, however, relay this feedback and encourage as we always do that local vendors are always welcome to bid on contracts and for all committees to support local whenever possible.”
Plante said Westminster Party Rentals has a classification as being an Okanagan Falls business. The owner lives in Okanagan Falls and has served as a board member in the past, but Plante noted the Chamber always encourages several bids on projects and will do the same for this one.
Plante said she is confident that Oliver Rental Centre can offer a similar service provided by Westminster.
Plante said they use vendors from Oliver, Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls whenever possible. She added the Chamber even creates events to stimulate business for members in the towns it represents.
“We would never intentionally disclude a member business and will continue to do our best to communicate the shop local message and follow with our practices.”
Maureen Doerr from the Oliver Business Association (OBA) said they encourage “shop local” wherever possible.
“It is our belief you need to walk your town and know what is available before going out of town.”
After talking to all those concerned in this matter, Doerr said everyone is given a chance to participate in Chamber events.
“Westminster Party and Tent Rentals has been involved with Festival of the Grape since the beginning. This year the FOG committee is made up of new members, so it was felt that having continuity was essential.”
Doerr said both Westminster and Oliver Rental Centre are good Chamber members, and she has been assured that everyone will be given a fair opportunity going forward.
Stagg said he does a lot for the community. For example, he donated rentals to help build the new community stage in Oliver. He noted that businesses go to Festival of the Grape because it’s a big advertising opportunity.
“I’m a super reasonable guy. I’m not asking for special treatment, I just want to be treated fairly.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
