GVBOT announces recipients of the 2025 Rix Awards

For Immediate Release


VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Rix Awards. Bob Rennie, Founder and Executive Director of the rennie group, will be honoured with the Rix Award for Engaged Community Citizenship in recognition of his profound philanthropic commitments and contributions to the community. Stantec, a global design and engineering firm, will receive the Rix Award for Engaged Corporate Citizenship, celebrating their leadership and dedication to building communities and empowering people to address global challenges.

The awards will be presented at the 37th annual Governor’s Gala & Rix Awards on April 16, 2025, at The Westin Bayshore. This signature event brings together leaders from business, government, and the community to recognize exceptional contributions to civic leadership and community engagement. Additionally, the Board of Trade will induct its immediate past chair, Juggy Sihota-Chahil, Senior Vice-President – Global Healthcare Services at Telus Health, into its Council of Governors as part of the evening's celebrations.

2025 RIX AWARD FOR ENGAGED COMMUNITY CITIZENSHIP – Bob Rennie

Bob Rennie, a celebrated advocate for the region, has played a pivotal role in numerous philanthropic initiatives focused on mental health, education, and the arts. As the founder and Executive Director of the rennie group, Bob has revolutionized real estate marketing and development strategies for over 47 years, offering specialized services in sales, marketing, intelligence, and technology.

His leadership extends beyond business, as seen in his oversight of the 2010 Olympic Village receivership and his continued support of the arts. In 2022, Bob generously donated Vancouver’s oldest structure in Chinatown, the Wing Sang building, along with a $7.8-million gift to the Chinese History Society, which led to the opening of Canada’s first Chinese Canadian Museum on July 1, 2023. His commitment to preserving cultural heritage is further reflected in his donation of 197 artworks, valued at over $13 million, to the National Gallery of Canada in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Bob serves on numerous boards, including the Board of Directors of the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation and as Chair of the Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics. He also holds leadership roles in prominent art institutions such as the Tate Museum American Acquisitions and the Council for Canadian American Relations. His accolades include the Order of British Columbia and the Queen’s Diamond, Golden, and Platinum Jubilee awards.

2025 RIX AWARD FOR ENGAGED CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP – Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting that empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before. They have been honoured with the prestigious Rix Award for Engaged Corporate Citizenship for their passion to help create strong and vibrant communities achieved by focusing on four pillars—arts, education, health and wellness, and environment.

Through a variety of donations, sponsorships, and volunteering programs they plan, by 2030, to invest a further $30 million into community organizations around the globe, taking their total to $60 million since starting this initiative in 2007. Stantec has supported over 40 non-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions across British Columbia through financial contributions and employee volunteer opportunities encouraged through their Dollars for Doers program and Stantec in the Community Week. The firm has a passion for creating strong and vibrant communities and is proud to support these local organizations that work tirelessly to strengthen communities.

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About the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade:

Since its inception in 1887, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been recognized as Western Canada's leading business association, engaging our members to inform public policy at all levels of government and empowering them to succeed and prosper in the global economy. With a Membership whose employees comprise one-third of B.C.'s workforce, we are the largest business association between Victoria and Toronto. We leverage this collective strength, facilitating networking opportunities and providing professional development through unique programs. In addition, we operate one of the largest events platforms in the country, providing a stage for national and international thought leaders to enlighten B.C.'s business leaders.

Media contact:

Federico Cerani
Communications Manager
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
604-640-5450 | media@boardoftrade.com