The Kelowna Chamber recently announced that Kyle and Carolyn Nixon, founders of Nixon Hospitality Group, are joint winners of its 2026 Business & Community Leader of the Year award.
“We are delighted to see Kyle and Carolyn Nixon recognized through the unanimous decision of our independent Judging Panel,” says Kelowna Chamber CEO Ester Pike. “When you look back at the remarkable individuals and businesses recognized throughout this award’s 39-year history at the Kelowna Chamber, the Nixons are certainly in good company."
The husband-and-wife duo were both born and raised in Kelowna and have been part of the region's tourism and hospitality sector their whole lives, thanks to their parents, who are longstanding members of the industry.
Kyle's parents, Jim and Diana Nixon, purchased Hotel Eldorado in the late 1980s, and Kyle worked in a variety of positions at the hotel over the years before managing it for 10 years. Carolyn’s father was a builder who helped build many local landmarks, including Snowshoe Sam's at Big White Ski Resort, now owned and operated by Nixon Hospitality Group.
The pair met while working at Hotel Eldorado, and when the Nixon family sold the property in 2014, Kyle and Carolyn started their new venture, opening BNA Brewing Co. in 2015, the first concept of Nixon Hospitality Group. Many of the staff who had worked alongside them at Hotel Eldorado joined them in their new adventure. Since launching BNA Brewing Co., Nixon Hospitality Group has grown to include several concepts, including Skinny Duke’s Glorious Emporium, Bernie’s Supper Club and Cinema, The Bohemian Cafe, Snowshoe Sam’s, Sopra Sam’s, and BNA locations in Penticton and Vernon.
Through Nixon Group Hospitality, Kyle and Carolyn are heavily involved in the communities where they operate, focusing their team's charitable efforts and contributions on a variety of causes and supporting Okanagan organizations dedicated to them. Nixon Hospitality Group also sponsors the Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Ride, held in conjunction with the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation, to raise funds for several Kelowna-based organizations that support youth and families in the region.
"What stands out to me is not just the success of the business they’ve built, but the impact they’ve had on our community along the way," adds Pike. "They’ve grown their vision into a diverse and thriving enterprise that now employs over 500 people, creates memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike, and contributes so much to the vibrancy of Kelowna’s business community. They are a wonderful example of what local entrepreneurship can achieve.”
As noted in the news release announcing their win, the Nixons are most proud of having created spaces that "provide everything from a fun summer job to a lifelong career," while also giving locals spots they can frequent to forge connections over food and drink, whether that's for a special occasion or an everyday meet-up.
Join us in congratulating Kyle and Carolyn on this well-deserved honour! The pair will be officially recognized at the 39th Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala, taking place at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort on Friday, November 20. Tickets to the Gala can be purchased through the Kelowna Chamber website.