VBOT and Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce to Join Forces

Thursday, May 1, 2014

The Vancouver Board of Trade (the “Board”) is pleased to announce that the nearly 550 members of the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce (“KCC”) voted overwhelmingly Tuesday night at their Annual General Meeting in favour of joining the Vancouver Board of Trade, and the subsequent orderly wind-down of KCC.

Referred to by the KCC board as a “unifying vote”, it occurred at last night’s AGM in Kitsilano after months of friendly discussions between the two organizations. The Vancouver Board of Trade Board will now work with the KCC Board to craft a definitive agreement.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors and all of our membership it is my pleasure to welcome the members of the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce to the Vancouver Board of Trade,” said Elio Luongo, Canadian Managing Partner, Tax, KPMG and 2013-14 Chair of The Vancouver Board of Trade. Luongo added “Together, we will build on our long history of collaboration on events and policy, working together to engage all three levels of government on behalf of the Metro Vancouver business community”.

Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Christian Johannsen, owner of a Foot Solutions franchise on West Broadway, was one of the early champions of unification, and said he looks forward to participating on the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Small Business Council.  “The Vancouver Board of Trade is the go-to business association in Metro Vancouver, and it stands alone in Canada for its four unique professional development and networking programs, its blended policy development approach, and its robust events lineup”, he said.  “In addition, evolving from the Kitsilano Chamber to The Vancouver Board of Trade will immediately deliver a much higher value, and broader mix, of financial benefits to our Members than KCC can offer on its own.”

“As the owner of a West Side Vancouver business and Director of the Vancouver Board of Trade I’m delighted to see the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce Membership joining forces with that of the Vancouver Board of Trade,” said Evi Mustel, Principal The Mustel Group, and Director of the Vancouver Board of Trade. Mustel added “Both organizations have a strong track record of advocating on the behalf of small and medium businesses, and together we will be even more affective at representing the Metro Vancouver business community.”

Current members of the Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce interested in learning more about the unification with the Vancouver Board of Trade and the new benefits to which they are now entitled can contact Chris Barry, Director, Membership Service, Vancouver Board of Trade at 604-640-5476 or by email at cbarry@boardoftrade.com.