Greater Vancouver Board of Trade: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 21:46, 17 June 2008
| Founded | 1887 |
|---|---|
| Type | Advocacy group |
| Focus | Business advocacy |
| Location |
|
Area served | Vancouver, Canada |
| Method | Media attention, direct-appeal campaigns, political lobbying |
| 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.
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.[2]
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[3] 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.[4] At the time, Canada’s $363 billion debt was climbing at a rate of $53,300 per minute.[5] 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.[5]
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.[6]
Leaders of Tomorrow
Leaders of Tomorrow is a mentorship program, created by The Vancouver Board of Trade.[7] The program selects 100 students in their final year at one of the 13 post-secondary institutions in BC[8] and assigns each a mentor from the Board of Trade's membership.
Company of Young Professionals
The Company of Young Professionals continues the 'Leaders of Tomorrow' program by providing mentorship for Vancouver's young professionals after they begin their careers.[9][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 a 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 5,600 members.
- The Vancouver Board of Trade hosts non-member networking round table events
Past Chairmen
References
- ^ Vancouver Board of Trade Website: "Our basic principles"
- ^ "History of the Vancouver Board of Trade"
- ^ World Trade Centre, Vancouver
- ^ The History of Metropolitan Vancouver
- ^ a b Debt Clock Facts
- ^ Spirit of Vancouver
- ^ Leaders of Tomorrow
- ^ An Overview of B.C.'s Public Post-secondary Institutions
- ^ Company of Young Professionals
- ^ The Company of Young Professionals
- ^ Women's Leadership Circle
- ^ Pacific Economic Forum
External links
49°17′19″N 123°06′40″W / 49.288635°N 123.111119°W
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