Our Story
What is the Surrey Board of Trade?
The Surrey Board of Trade supports business in Surrey and attracts business to Surrey through a diversified service portfolio of government advocacy, workforce development, business & international trade, connection concierge services (including events), and cost-saving benefits.
The Surrey Board of Trade represents 6,000 member contacts, and over 60,000 employees, representing 6,000 member business contacts. We are Surrey’s city-building business organization with a common goal of supporting business and attracting business. We have demonstrated, through our projects and initiatives, a commitment to enhancing the local economy. Our membership is comprised of individuals in various industry sectors of the economy. The Surrey Board of Trade, also known as the Surrey Chamber of Commerce, owns both names.
SURREY BOARD OF TRADE GLOBAL END (MISSION)
The Surrey Board of Trade exists so that its members and the wider community have a business climate conducive to their success at a cost that validates business members’ fees.
1.1. Businesses in and associated with Surrey have opportunities and supports to succeed
1.1.1. Businesses have the tools, connections, and resources they need domestically and internationally.
1.1.2. Businesses outside of Surrey are aware of business opportunities in Surrey
1.1.3. Surrey supports innovation
1.1.4. Business to business connections thrive in Surrey
1.1.5. Surrey supports a thriving regional and international business climate.
1.2. Government decision-makers have information on current and emerging issues and how their decisions impact business
1.2.1. Business has a definitive voice in Surrey
1.3. Surrey is attractive to business
1.3.1. Businesses, community organizations, and government have the opportunity to collaborate to make Surrey safe, inclusive, and affordable
1.3.2. Businesses have access to a diverse workforce with relevant skills
The Surrey Board of Trade meets the following five mandatory Pillars of which a Board of Trade/Chamber of Commerce must adhere to, to be effective, meaningful and sustainable in Surrey, BC and in Canada:
– Membership Programs/Services
– Organization/Administration
– Policy/Advocacy
– Governance
– Strategic Planning
Ministry
The Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) works with Canadians in all areas of the economy and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment, enhance Canada’s innovation performance, increase Canada’s share of global trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace. Boards of Trades and Chambers of Commerce are mandated under this Ministry and specifically under the Board of Trade Act. The current Ministers (as of July 2023) that are a part of this Ministry are:
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| The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry |
The Honourable Mary Ng Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development |
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada Minister of Tourism |
The Honourable Gudie Hutchings Minister of Rural Economic Development |
The Honourable Rechie Valdez Minister of Small Business |
History
The Surrey Board of Trade (Chamber of Commerce), as a business organization, has been serving the community of Surrey since 1918.
In 1964, three of the five local Chambers of Commerce in Surrey amalgamated to form the Surrey Regional Chamber of Commerce. However, the Cloverdale and the South Surrey/White Rock Chambers chose not to amalgamate. On May 8, 2024 at a Special General Meeting a proposed merger with the South Surrey/White Rock Chamber of Commerce was approved by the membership of the Surrey Board of Trade and in turn, also approved at a Special General Meeting of the South Surrey/White Rock Chamber of Commerce.
The Surrey Regional Chamber of Commerce was incorporated under the federal Board of Trade Act of Industry Canada. The Chamber Offices were housed at the Guildford Library building from 1969 until 1998.
In 1996 the name Surrey Regional Chamber of Commerce was changed to Surrey Chamber of Commerce.
The primary function of the Chamber has been networking for its business members and providing a strong local business voice at the various levels of government.
With the help of saved funds, a location was agreed upon and the Surrey Chamber of Commerce building was built in 1997. In December 1998, the offices were moved to the new location at 14439 104th Avenue. A second location at Tower 2 – Unit 207, 9639-137A Street, called the Surrey Technology & Skills Centre, opened on
June 25, 2024. It is a joint venture co-owned office between the Surrey Board of Trade and Western Community College.
In 2006, the membership voted to change the name of the organization to the Surrey Board of Trade to better represent the work done by the organization for their member businesses.
The Board is run under the able direction of 14 Board of Directors.
The day to day operations are managed by a President & Chief Executive Officer (President & CEO) and 11 staff.
There are approximately 129 Chambers of Commerce in the province.
GOVERNORS COUNCIL
The Governors Council are previous Board Chairs. They have lifetime membership with the Surrey Board of Trade and are Ambassadors of the Surrey Board of Trade – and many of them continue to be involved in many of our programs.
P-PASSED AWAY (updated June 2024)
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2023-2025 Rory Morgan (57)
2021-2023 Baljit Dhaliwal (56)
2019-2021 Douglas Tennant (55)
2018-2019 Stephen Dooley (54)
2016-2018 Dr. Gregory Thomas (53)
2015-2016 Shelley Besse (52)
2014-2015 Gerard Bremault (51)
2013-2014 Bijoy Samuel (50)
2012-2013 Jim Mihaly (49)
2011-2012 Mary Jane Stenberg (48)
2010-2011 Nigel Watkinson (47)
2009-2010 James Stewart (46)
2008-2009 Inde Sumal (45)
2007-2008 Gary Hollick (44)
2006-2007 Doug Watkins (43)-P
2005-2006 Archie Johnston (42)
2004-2005 Bruce Hayne (41)
2003-2004 Jim King (40)
2002-2003 Bill Hayes (39)
2001-2002 Jozef Hubburmin (38)
2000-2001 Kathleen Casprowitz (37)
1999-2000 Allen Aubert (36)
1998-1999 Veronica Madore (35)
1997-1998 Gerry Spielmacher (34)
1996-1997 Dave S. Hayer (33)
1995-1996 David Dreyer (32)
1994-1995 Heather Thomson (31)
1993-1994 Peter Maarsman (30)-P
1992-1993 Allan H. Ecclestone (29)
1991-1992 Pat Bradley (28)
1990-1991 Norm Blain (27)
1989-1990 W.S. (Steve) Sharpe (26)
1988-1989 Len C. Schaan (25)-P
1987-1988 Harold Leyenhorst (24)
1986-1987 Craig East (23)
1985-1986 Bill Vanderpol (22)-P
1984-1985 Brian McCristall (21)
1983-1984 Dave Penn (20)-P
1982-1983 Jerry Huot (19)-P
1981-1982 V.S.G. Lewis (18)-P
1980-1981 Arnold Silzer (17) )-P
1979-1980 Peter Delleman (16) )-P
1978-1979 Kewal Khosla (15) )-P
1977-1978 William Adams (14) )-P
1976-1977 Carole Kerr (13) )-P
1975-1976 Ed Biagi (12) )-P
1974-1975 Fred Beale (11) )-P
1973-1974 Gordon Keddie (10) )-P
1972-1973 Ken Warrior (9) )-P
1971-1972 Mike Gordi (8) )-P
1970-1971 Dave Eggleton (7) )-P
1969-1970 Lionel Courchene (6) )-P
1968-1969 W.A. (Bill) Ethier (5) )-P
1967-1968 Murray Grainger (4) )-P
1966-1967 O.J. Brown (3) )-P
1965-1966 R.A. Goudry (2) )-P
1964-1965 W.C. Courtenay (1) )-P
The Surrey Board of Trade is a proud member of
