September 14, 2026
Dear Chamber Members and Community Supporters,
Wow—our community is truly coming alive with fun festivities, exciting gatherings, and important events on the horizon!
This coming weekend marks the 34th Annual Millpond Music Festival, followed the next weekend by the annual Pabanamanina Pow Wow. And be sure to mark your calendar for the first weekend in October, when the Choo Choo Swap Meet and Fall Colors Car Show return!
There are also plenty of upcoming opportunities to support and strengthen our local businesses, with events covering topics such as funding, marketing, and workplace wellness. We all know that networking is key to a thriving community, and Chamber mixers and Inyo Associates meetings offer valuable opportunities to connect, share ideas, and build relationships.
Our team has been busy working on several projects to promote our area. We recently updated and reprinted the Bishop Visitor Guide – we’re super pleased with how it turned out, and we hope you’ll take a look! Inyo County Treasure Map, Eastern Sierra Fishing Map and Fall Colors Map have also been refreshed. We recently hosted FAM tours for French journalists from Le Figaro Magazine and we’ll be hosting Jordan Reid of Discover California later this week.
Oh – did we mention fish stocking in lakes & streams in Bishop Creek Canyon? Thanks to a partnership between Bishop Chamber, Cardinal Village, Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, Parchers Resort, Bishop Creek Lodge, and Creekside RV Park, a nice load of beautiful Wright’s Rainbows will be delivered soon!
This e-newsletter highlights several upcoming events, with even more available on our website. We’re always happy to help promote events hosted by our member businesses and organizations. If you have an event you’d like us to share, please use our event submission form.
Thank you for reading our e-news! We hope you find this information helpful and that it helps you stay connected with all that’s happening in our vibrant community.
Sincerely,
Your Team at the Bishop Chamber of Commerce
Bishop City Council Candidate Forum
The Bishop Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a candidate forum for all candidates in the upcoming Bishop City Council election. Four candidates are vying for two open seats. Incumbents Stephen Muchovej and Karen Schwartz face two challengers Tyler Beadle and Aaron Schat. This forum will provide an excellent opportunity to hear from all the candidates on a range of issues prior to the election set for November 3rd.
Date: Thursday, 10/1/26
Time: Doors open at 5pm/Forum 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Tallman Pavilion, Tri-County Fairgrounds, Bishop
Details: Forum moderator will present pre-determined questions to all candidates. Audience will have opportunity to participate by writing questions which will be presented by moderator. Refreshments will be provided.
Candidate Forum for Bishop Union School District Board
INYO350 will host a BUSD School Board Candidate Forum in Bishop. All five BUSD School Board candidates have been invited to attend and explain to local voters how—if elected—they will best serve our local schools and students.
Date: Wednesday, 10/7/26
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Location:Fellowship Hall Bishop United Methodist Church, 205 N Fowler St., Bishop
Details: The event will be carefully timed and will end promptly at 8:00pm. Kristina Blüm Justice will moderate. During this forum, BUSD Board candidates will first offer opening remarks and then take turns answering questions provided in advance by INYO350. After a brief intermission, the candidates will respond to questions generated by the audience. Refreshments will be served.
Election Observer Panel
Inyo County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar Danielle M. Sexton will convene an Election Observer Panel to observe activities associated with the November 3, 2026 General Election. Any interested members of the public are invited to participate. Members of the panel may visit one or more polling places on Election Day or the central ballot counting center to observe tabulation of ballots on election night. Panel members are also invited to observe staff at the Elections Department, mailed ballot processing, or the Election Audit. Members of the panel will be provided with the information they need to participate in these activities. Anyone interested in participating on the Election Observer Panel must contact Caroline Nott at the Elections Office as soon as possible by e-mail at [email protected], by phone at 760-878-2155, or by mail at P.O. Box F, Independence, CA 93526. If your organization would like to be represented on the Election Observer Panel, please include the name of your representative in your response. The Elections Department will meet with the panel members to explain their role in greater detail and to provide them with the information they will need to serve.
INYO ASSOCIATES SEPTEMBER MEETING
Join the conversation – stay connected!
Meet community leaders from throughout Inyo County for an evening of networking and delicious food.
Date: Monday, 9/21/26
Time: 5:30 Social/ 6:00 Dinner
Location: Bishop Elks Lodge – 151 East Line Street
Menu: Homemade Lasagna, Salad & Garlic Bread
$25 per person
Checks Payable to Bishop Elks Lodge #1603
RSVP by 5pm 9/16/26
Click Here to Email Your Reservation
Include name(s) of attendees and business/organization affiliation.
Workplace Wellness
Your well-being is part of your success!
Join local workplace wellness expert Lynne Dermont Greer for an interactive Empower Hour on September 16 from 6-7 pm focused on simple, sustainable habits to help you feel more energized, productive, and balanced at work.
The instructor will explore practical strategies for:
- Moving more throughout your workday
- Planning healthy meals for busy schedules
- Managing your time and reducing stress
- Building positive workplace relationships
- Recognizing and managing workplace stress
- Creating healthier work-life routines
You’ll also get hands-on with guided movement activities you can do right at your desk or workplace, plus practical wellness tips you can start using right away. Whether you work in an office, from home, or in the field, you’ll leave with tools to support your well-being—at work and beyond. Small changes can make a big difference. Join us!
Date: Wednesday, 9/16/26
Time: 6:00-7:00pm
Location: Eastern Sierra Business Resource Center – 269 N Main St., Bishop
Digital Presence for Your Small Business – Final Online Workshop
Looking to build a stronger digital presence for your business? Businesses across the Eastern Sierra have already learned vital skills for growing a digital presence at our prior workshops, and there’s one more chance to learn how to efficiently and effectively grow your business’ online footprint from Krystina Maixner of Chalk Fox Studios.
Date: Tuesday, 9/29/26
Time: 2:00-3:00pm
Location: Virtual Workshop – click here to receive Zoom information.
If you want more one-on-one help growing your business’ presence, there are time slots available to work with Krystina directly through the end of September. Express your interest here.
You can also find recaps of the materials presented in the workshops, along with free downloads of worksheets from the sessions, in our three-part blog series – click here.
After Hours Business Mixer at Alta One
Save the date! Bishop Chamber is teaming up with Alta One Federal Credit Union on Thursday 10/15/26 for a table-top mixer. If you are interested in showcasing your business, email [email protected]
Locals Only Airfare Discounts!
Bishop flights to and from San Francisco and Denver on United Airlines make it easier than ever to visit family and friends! If you are planning a trip, be sure to check out the discounts for locals at both Bishop and Mammoth Airports
It is the mission of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce to promote business, tourism and responsible recreation for the benefit of our community.
Not already a member?
Please consider joining today.
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