Walnut Creek Chamber Wins Top Award for Start Up Walnut Creek; Recognized for Fostering Economic Growth
At the February 2026 Western Association of Chamber Executives conference, the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau received the prestigious 2026 Outstanding Chamber Program Award, recognized for being a catalyst, convener, and champion.
The Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has won the prestigious 2026 Outstanding Chamber Program Award from the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) in recognition of the launch and success of its Start Up Walnut Creek program, established in 2025. Start Up Walnut Creek aims to transform the Walnut Creek Region into a hub for innovation and economic growth by connecting East Bay and Silicon Valley resources.
(c) Linda Vesneski, Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Community Engagement, stands with (l) Kami Welch, 2025 WACE Board Chair, and (r) John Brewer, 2026 WACE Board Chair, as she accepts the Western Association of Chamber Executives 2026 Outstanding Chamber Program Award on behalf of the Walnut Creek Chamber.
Linda Vesneski, Vice President, Community Engagement, for the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, traveled to WACE’s annual conference in Tucson, Arizona, to receive the award on behalf of the Walnut Creek Chamber.
The semi-annual Funders & Founders event, developed in partnership with Five Star Bank, is Start Up Walnut Creek's signature initiative, which brings together experienced hi-tech investors, regional leadership, and energized entrepreneurs for an evening of connection and sharing at Shadelands.
At the November 2025 Funders & Founders event, members of the Pre-Seed and Early-Seed Fundraising Market panel, moderated by Jon Gregory, Five Star Bank, shared pointed opinions about what they look for in startups — deal makers and deal breakers.
The event features networking, investor panels, and a pitch competition with cash funding awards. Funders & Founders events are designed to create opportunities and avenues in Walnut Creek and in Shadelands where connections are made, ideas flourish, and new ventures take flight, particularly in health-tech and sports-tech.
Read about the January 2025 Funders & Founders event, and the November 2025 Funders & Founders event in The Shadelands Scene.
The WACE Outstanding Chamber Program Award is presented annually to programs that demonstrate excellence in a chamber's core competency areas or exemplifies being a "3C Chamber,” which is to say a Catalyst, Convener, and/or Champion. The award also showcases Start Up Walnut Creek as an exemplary model for other chambers, demonstrating excellence in economic development, community improvement, and business relationship building.
The success of Start Up Walnut Creek has been supported by a wide range of local partners, including the City of Walnut Creek, Visit Shadelands, Visit Walnut Creek, Sutter Health Bay Area, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Five Star Bank, Band of Angels, Wisdom Partners, BPM, Marble Bridge Funding Group, Capstone, and a number of industry leaders.
Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
1280 Civic Drive, Suite 100, Walnut Creek
925.934.2007
