BC Chamber history

Dating back to the 1930’s the Board was instrumental in tourism development through the building of a car and trailer park.

In 1946, on the 25th of October the Abbotsford & District Chamber of Commerce was formed and registered boasting representation of a population “not less than 10,000”.

In 1981, amid the onset of disco, big hair, and muscle cars, the Clearbrook and District Chamber of Commerce dissolved and the ‘merger’ with Abbotsford & District Chamber of Commerce resulted in another name change to Abbotsford-Clearbrook Chamber of Commerce.

Issues of the day included the development of Advance in 1986 under the presidency of John Friesen.

1988 became a year of first’s under the direction of Gary Fribance.

In August of 1989, then President Gordon Holloway launched our first ever Flight Begins festival in conjunction with the Abbotsford International Airshow and Airshow Canada.

In 1990, President Marilyn Hamilton saw the Shop Local campaign take off with a special new logo, attractive bags, and signage at the US border.

Another name change for the Abbotsford-Clearbrook Chamber followed in 1991 when it became the Abbotsford-Matsqui Chamber of Commerce to reflect the two distinct municipalities it represented.

Amalgamation though, would see the Chamber change its name yet again, when in November of 1994, the city voted resoundingly in favour of Abbotsford as the name for the newly amalgamated city.

In 1995, the Abbotsford Chamber was stretched both physically and with the issues of the day.

Also launched in 1996 was our first Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards to recognize businesses providing exemplary service throughout the city.

Our 1998 highlight was when our President Rita Walker represented our Chamber as a delegate on a trade mission to Fukagawa, Japan, where our cities were officially twinned.

2003 has also saw the launch of our Government Affairs Committee, which has lobbied local government on many ongoing issues.

The Chamber is poised to move forward full steam ahead into 2006 and the membership was challenged to get involved to make a difference — to make Abbotsford the best of all worlds in which to live, work ,and play.

Released a Report on Property Crime in Vancouver and hosted workshops and forums promoting the 2010 Winter Olympics bid, which was won.

In October 2011, the Chamber signed an Accord with the Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association to foster a working relationship and commitment to work together to navigate the cultural, social, environmental, and economic challenges for our society.

In May 2012, The Vancouver Board of Trade hosted an event with Virgin Founder Sir Richard Branson, which drew more than 1,400 attendees to the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Mike Welte took the wheel at the AGM in March of 2013.

Under the leadership of Chair Elio Luongo and President and CEO Iain Black, The Vancouver Board of Trade also restored its balance sheet in 2014, eliminating its deficit within just two years — a full three years ahead of a board-approved plan.

A series of 12 focus group sessions for members to provide feedback, observations ,and suggestions was undertaken in the winter/spring of 2016.

It was also announced in April 2017 that the Board of Trade will enter a $2.5-million partnership with the Government of British Columbia to re-establish the World Trade Centre Vancouver. (Read our Annual Report)