Merger

This decision follows months of dialogue and planning between our boards, staff teams, and stakeholders. And while it is a significant milestone, we want to emphasize that this transition is about continuity – not disruption. This means that the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce’s backend operations will officially be united with the Surrey Board of Trade’s, streamlining systems and officially bringing members together as one membership.

• Your membership remains active
• Your benefits and services continue uninterrupted
• Your fees will not change at this time
• Your voice will continue to be represented

In fact, members of both organizations have already been enjoying shared access to events, advocacy, and business resources. The process now underway simply formalizes what many already experience as a unified, regional voice for business.

On June 18, at the Surrey Board of Trade AGM, we will induct a new, combined Board of Directors representing both organizations.

We understand that change may bring questions. If you have any concerns about how this affects your membership or services, we encourage you to reach out or visit our website.

Looking ahead, we are excited to officially launch our new identity – the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade – with you this fall, when we will unveil a refreshed brand and vision for the future of our business community.

Thank you for your continued support and trust as we take this next step – together.

Warm regards,

In the meantime, we continue to do the background work to prepare ourselves for the finalization of the merger:

• Inaugural Board of Directors: We are well into the nomination process and selection of our inaugural Board of Directors of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade, who will be inducted at an AGM in June.
• New CEO: As you’ve undoubtedly already seen, we have welcomed our new CEO, Joslyn Young, who began working with the staff teams on March 31.
• Events: The staff teams continue to bring together the organizations’ events and programs. Nearly all events are co-hosted and attract a mix of members from both the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber and the Surrey Board of Trade. It is exhilarating to see our two memberships coming together and building relationships.
• New Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade Brand: The work to develop a new brand for the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade work is well underway.
• New White Rock Office: Once the merger is formally approved, we will commence the search for a suitable office in White Rock.

The merger task force remains committed to maintaining open and timely communications with its members and will continue to share regular updates. We are deeply grateful for your feedback, enthusiasm and patience as we work towards this milestone – building a stronger future together for the Surrey and White Rock business communities.

These included:

1. The search for a new CEO continues, which is headed by the CEO Search Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of Board Directors from both SBOT and SSWRC, who have worked with Watson Board Advisors to create a short-list of candidates.
2. Indra Bhan appointed as Acting Executive Director, South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce. Indra is currently serving as the Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer of the Surrey Board of Trade. This appointment will enable her to effectively lead and build operational processes with both staff teams to achieve successful integration. Much work is being done in the background to facilitate a smooth integration.
3. Beginning the process to design the look of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade. A firm has been selected to start the work to create a new look and feel for the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade’s brand.
4. Staff teams coming together on more initiatives. Undoubtedly you have noticed that events are now co-hosted by both organizations. As we work towards bringing both members together in one system, members can attend events led by either organization.
5. South Surrey & White Rock Chamber team transitioned to remote work. With the end of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber’s office lease at the end of 2024, the SSWR team was transitioned to remote work, leveraging the SBOT’s infrastructure, moving integration to a new level. We thank both staff teams for their cooperation and swift work which made this transition smooth, without interrupting service to our members. Once the merger completes and the permanent CEO is hired, they will be tasked with determining a suitable office location in the South Surrey/White Rock area. In the meantime, the SSWR team can still be reached on their emails and by phone at 604.536.6844.
6. Staff teams gaining feedback from members. The operational teams have hosted an engagement session, with another on the horizon, with current members to listen and understand what they hope the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade will be like. This feedback is critical for operational planning. If you’d like to provide input, please reach out to Indra at indra@businessinsurrey.com.

This has been an incredible year together. The two organizations signed an Intent to Merge one year ago, and early exploratory work built enough confidence to move forward and ask our members for formal endorsement of the idea. Since then, the task force has met every two weeks and successfully negotiated a comprehensive legal merger agreement and is working through gaining formal approval from the Federal Government.

We are grateful for members’ encouragement and feedback along the way, and for trusting us to ensure this merger results in the two organizations being stronger together as one long into the future.

While there are no guarantees, the task force estimates that approval will take four to six months. When the merger is approved, the new entity (Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade) will emerge as the largest chamber of commerce/board of trade in BC.

Meanwhile, the staff from both organizations have initiated collaborative efforts, working on a select few co-hosted events and networking opportunities. They are also creating platforms for members to share their feedback and ideas on how this merger can best serve its local businesses, municipalities, and communities.

The task force is committed to maintaining open and timely communications with its members and will continue to publish monthly updates. We are deeply grateful for your favourable vote back in May and for your support and patience as we progress to the next stage of this process.