Vancouver Board of Trade

Vancouver Board of Trade
Vancouver Board of Trade logo, 1887-1987
Type	Advocacy group
Founded	1887
Headquarters	World Trade Centre Vancouver, BC Canada
Area served	Vancouver, Canada
Focus	Business advocacy
Method	Media attention, direct-appeal campaigns, political lobbying
Slogan	Connecting for good...
Website	Vancouver Board of Trade

The Vancouver Board of Trade is a non-profit organization which seeks to "promote, enhance and facilitate the development of the region as a Pacific centre for trade, commerce and travel."^[1] It serves Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in a fashion similar to the Board of Trade or Chamber of Commerce.

Mission Statement and Basic Principles

The Vancouver Board of Trade describes as its mission "to promote, enhance and facilitate the development of the region [Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver area] as a Pacific centre for trade commerce and travel."^[2]

According to The Board's website, the Board believes that it is only the market system that is effective in allocating scarce economic resources to allow for stable economic growth and job creation.^[2] The Board does, however, recognize the need for publicly funded social services such as health and public education. The Board ascribes to the philosophy of less government involvement in the business sector.

History

The Vancouver Board of Trade was established on September 22, 1887, to help rebuild after the Great Vancouver Fire destroyed the city. 31 men - compromised of merchants, lumbermen, bankers and manufacturers - founded the Board of Trade to "protect the interests of merchants, traders and manufacturers, to advance the trade of the area and to promote the advancement and general prosperity of Vancouver." In addition to lower taxes, early lobbying efforts pushed for the construction of schools, a land registry office, a court house, a submarine communications cable to Australia (completed in 1902) and the establishment of mail delivery.^[3]

By 1952, the Board had grown to ten bureaus and ten standing committees which worked on campaigns, exhibitions, luncheons, educational products, endorsements and representations to all levels of government on behalf of the business community.

In 1983, the Board became a member of the World Trade Centers Association and in 1986 moved into the Vancouver World Trade Centre^[4] office complex at Canada Place. It hosted the General Assembly of the World Trade Centers Association the same year.

In 1990 the Board launched its Federal Debt Clock, a 1,500 lb (680 kg), 15 ft (4.6 m) by 10 ft (3.0 m) computerized calculator that tracked the rise in government debt.^[5] At the time, Canada’s $363 billion debt was climbing at a rate of $53,300 per minute.^[6] In 1998, Finance Minister Paul Martin hit the gong and stopped the clock at a special Board of Trade luncheon. The board’s debt clock stopped just shy of $600 billion.^[6]

As of 2008, the Vancouver Board of Trade claimed over 5,600 members and 20 standing committees dealing with issues ranging from Canada-United States relations and urban infrastructure to the 2010 Olympics and the Downtown Eastside.

Initiatives

The Vancouver Board of Trade runs a variety of programs, including many symposiums, exclusive networking events and community fundraisers, in addition to programs like The Spirit of Vancouver, Leaders of Tomorrow and the Company of Young Professionals.

Spirit of Vancouver

Spirit of Vancouver seeks to promote Metro Vancouver as a great place to "live, work, play, invest, and visit". Founded during an economic down-turn in 2001, Spirit of Vancouver uses public relations efforts and public events to "celebrate quality events", "local success" and generally raise community morale.^[7]

Leaders of Tomorrow

Leaders of Tomorrow is a mentorship program, created by The Vancouver Board of Trade.^[8] The program selects 100 students in their final year at one of the 13 post-secondary institutions in BC^[9] and assigns each a mentor from the Board of Trade's membership.

Company of Young Professionals

The Company of Young Professionals is a leadership development program designed for young professionals under the age of 32. Members can attend Board of Trade events at discounted rates and can be involved in the program for up to three years.^[10]

Women's Leadership Circle

The Women's Leadership Circle is a professional network established to provide support for women in the business community. By deliving programs, speakers, topics and other events, the WLC empowers women to engage the community and the Board of Trade.^[11]

Pacific Economic Forum

The Pacific Economic Forum brings world leaders together for speakers, seminars and conferences discussing globalization, interdependence and service to humanity.^[12]

Miscellaneous Facts

• Over 80% of the members of The Vancouver Board of Trade are small business owners.
• The Vancouver Board of Trade has over 5,800 members.
• The Vancouver Board of Trade publishes a monthly newspaper, Sounding Board, which reports on policy issues and membership news, and has an estimated total readership of 30,000.^[13]
• The Board does not receive funding from the government. It is funded by membership fees and by its speaker luncheons, seminars and other events.^[14]

Current Chairman

Dr. Donald Rix, C.M., O.B.C.

Past Chairmen

References

1. ^ Vancouver Board of Trade Website: "Our basic principles"
2. ^ ^{a b} About Us
3. ^ "History of the Vancouver Board of Trade"
4. ^ World Trade Centre, Vancouver
5. ^ The History of Metropolitan Vancouver
6. ^ ^{a b} Debt Clock Facts
7. ^ Spirit of Vancouver
8. ^ Leaders of Tomorrow
9. ^ An Overview of B.C.'s Public Post-secondary Institutions
10. ^ The Company of Young Professionals
11. ^ Women's Leadership Circle
12. ^ Pacific Economic Forum
13. ^ Sounding Board
14. ^ Vancouver Board of Trade - Fast Facts

External links

• Vancouver Board of Trade
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Spirit of Vancouver
• Leaders of Tomorow Mentorship Program
• The Company of Young Professionals

Coordinates: 49°17′19″N 123°06′40″W / 49.288635, -123.111119

This Vancouver-related article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

This article about a Canadian corporation or company is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.