Greater Vancouver Chamber's 2026 Junior Market Generates Record Community Engagement and Youth Entrepreneurship

GREATER VANCOUVER CHAMBER’S 2026 JUNIOR MARKET GENERATES RECORD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Thousands gathered at Esther Short Park as more than 300 young entrepreneurs transformed downtown Vancouver into a one-day marketplace of innovation, creativity, and business leadership.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Esther Short Park was transformed into Southwest Washington’s largest youth-powered marketplace on Saturday, June 6, as more than 300 young entrepreneurs showcased their businesses during the 2026 Junior Market, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC) and presented by OnPoint Community Credit Union.

Drawing thousands of shoppers, families, and community supporters to downtown Vancouver, this year’s event highlighted the growing momentum behind youth entrepreneurship in the region. Participants ages 6 to 16 operated businesses featuring handmade goods, custom apparel, jewelry, artwork, home décor, organic produce, slime creations, and more - all developed, marketed, and sold by the young business owners themselves.

The event generated nearly $40,000 in sales, giving participants hands-on experience managing revenue, interacting with customers, and making real-time business decisions. Kids also competed in judged contests focused on business pitch presentations and marketing creativity.

At the conclusion of the market, young entrepreneurs submitted their final business results for consideration in the Southwest Washington Youth Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

Now in its fifth year, the Junior Market has become the signature showcase event of the Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver program. In preparation for the event, participants completed the free My Lemonade Day curriculum, where they learned essential entrepreneurial skills including budgeting, goal setting, customer service, marketing, and giving back to the community.

“This event demonstrates what happens when young people are given the tools, encouragement, and opportunity to lead,” said Janet Kenefsky, Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Vancouver Chamber and City Director for Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver. “The Junior Market creates a space where kids gain confidence, practice leadership, and discover that their ideas have real value. Watching hundreds of young entrepreneurs engage directly with the community is incredibly inspiring.”

This year’s event also welcomed City of Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, who shared with participants that small businesses make up more than 95% of Vancouver’s business community and play a vital role in the local economy.

Adding an extra layer of excitement to the day, the mayor invited several “secret shoppers” to explore the market and support vendors throughout the event - with a fun surprise: the secret shoppers were kids themselves.

Since launching in Southwest Washington, Lemonade Day participants have collectively generated nearly $180,000 in net income, with proceeds supporting savings goals, reinvestment into businesses, education expenses, and charitable giving.

“We saw another lineup of impressive young business owners at this year’s Junior Market, and it shows how well the Lemonade Day curriculum prepares them for the world of entrepreneurship,” said Tim Clevenger, SVP/Chief Marketing Officer at OnPoint Community Credit Union. “OnPoint is honored to help encourage these incredible young people and support the next generation of business leaders in our community.”

For more information about Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver or how to enroll a child in future programming, visit VancouverUSA.com/Lemonade-Day.

The success of the Greater Vancouver Vancouver’s Junior Market would not have been possible without Main Squeeze and Presenting Sponsor OnPoint Community Credit Union and the additional support of proud partners: Burgerville, The Columbian, COLAS Construction, When The Shoe Fits, Urban Air Vancouver, City of Battle Ground, United Precision Corp., First Tech Federal Credit Union, HAPO Community Credit Union, Schlesinger Companies, Freight Trac Services, Vancouver Farmers Market, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, Unitus Community Credit Union, Palm Beach Tan, Grassa, AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront, Educational Opportunities for Children and Families, Rivermark Community Credit Union, Waste Connections, BRANDIWINE Interior Design, Talent Career Coaching, NW Escape Experience, Red Dog Fabrication, Clark County Trash Pandas, Clark College, Farrar’s Bistro, Clark County Child Advocates, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Miller Nash, BIG AL’s, ANC Movers, and Battle Ground Cinema Prestige Theaters.

About Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver

Since its inception in 2020, Lemonade Day Greater Vancouver has been rooted in entrepreneurial spirit. Engaging over 8,000 young minds across Southwest Washington, kids ages 6-16 have been learning the essential ABCs of business skills, fueling their creativity, and fostering their understanding of entrepreneurship. We take pride in the fact that 35% of our participants hail from diverse backgrounds, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and community empowerment. Our initiative has made a SPLASH, generating a whopping $180,000 in net income, directly benefiting charities, and lining the pockets of these budding CEOs! We are more than just a program - we are making a difference one junior-business at a time. For additional details, please visit https://www.vancouverusa.com/lemonade-day.

About the Greater Vancouver Chamber

SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 135 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.

About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving over 648,000 members and with assets of $9.6 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and four Washington counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania) and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.