A fond farewell to GVBOT Vice President Austin Nairn

September 6, 2022

After 14 years, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Vice President and World Trade Centre Vancouver Executive Director, Austin Nairn has announced that he will be leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities.

Austin has been an integral part of the GVBOT team since 2008 when he joined the organization as an account executive. Since then, he has lent his energy and expertise to a number of different departments. In 2017, he played a pivotal role in breathing life back into GVBOT's subsidiary World Trade Centre Vancouver with a mandate of helping B.C. businesses reach new international markets. He served as WTC-V Executive Director and was further promoted to vice president of the GVBOT in 2020 in recognition of his contributions to every facet of the organization and his commitment to helping Metro Vancouver grow and prosper.

"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and all of the wonderful, talented people I've had the privilege of working with over the last 14 years," said Nairn. "Helping businesses in B.C. realize their full potential has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I look forward to remaining engaged with this outstanding organization as a member and champion for their important work."
 
During his tenure, Austin oversaw the launch and restructuring of several new programs including the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council, Scale-up-Centre for SMEs, ESG Fundamentals Microcredential and the newly announced Digital Transformation Workshop. "Austin leaves behind a remarkable legacy at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade," said Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. "His drive to help businesses in our region thrive has had a profound impact on countless organizations."

His dedication and leadership have helped hundreds of companies enter new markets and grow their export reach. On behalf of the Council of Governors, Board of Directors, members of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and his colleagues, we wish Austin all the best as he begins this next chapter in his career.