The last 3 years has tested all of us and required us to be courageous, innovative and resourceful as we respond to new business models, workplace norms and technologies, all while navigating the realities of a tight labour market, global supply chain challenges and a high interest rate environment.

Join us for a post-dinner conversation with some leaders of the future, hear their perspectives on why they are in business, how they navigate these times and their secrets to success.

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  Melanie Rupp

  Senior Director, Loans & Advisory Services of WeBC
• 

  Sagar Saxena

  Co-founder and President of Bucky Technologies
• 

  Mehrsa Raeiszadeh

  Co-founder of MintList
• 

  Barry Hartman

  Co-Founder and CEO of 505-Junk

*This session is sponsored by Prince Rupert Port Authority*

The pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for economies across the globe. While B.C. has navigated the last three years relatively well and has a good foundation from which to move forward, there are both internal and external indicators that will influence our future success.

Join us as we take a look at the global economy, how developments on the world stage impact us nationally and provincially and how we should plan in a shifting global landscape.

• 

  Pierre Cléroux

  Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC
• 

  Rosanne Horner

  Vice President, Financing & Consulting – South Fraser Region at BDC

*This session is sponsored by Coastal Gaslink | TC Energy*

Indigenous tourism is an industry that not only supports the economic development of Indigenous communities but also provides opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding. On this path of Truth and Reconciliation, tourism provides a unique opportunity for non-Indigenous Canadians to explore the challenges that Indigenous communities have faced and continue to face, and the role that non-Indigenous individuals and organizations can play in supporting Indigenous-led initiatives.

Chambers of commerce and boards of trade provide valuable resources and support to businesses, and by reducing barriers, we can create more equitable opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs and support the growth of Indigenous-led businesses.

Join us in this lunchtime conversation to learn about strategies that Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) utilizes to create opportunities to hold up Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across the province and the role that chambers of commerce and boards of trade can play to help bring economic reconciliation to life.

To learn more about the work of ITBC and sign up as a Friend of ITBC visit Indigenous Tourism BC: https://www.indigenousbc.com/corporate/

• 

  Cohen Bradley | Taaydal

  Member of the Haida Nation, and Iconics & Special Projects Manager at Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC)
• 

  Allison Burns Joseph

  Member of the Squamish Nation, and Ambassador at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC)

The 2022-24 strategic plan of the BC Chamber of Commerce is built on three pillars – Engage, Connect, Evolve – that articulate the provincial association’s commitment to (a) bring together members, businesses, stakeholders and governments to proactively champion provincial issues that matter (b) connect members to people, programs and services that will enhance their business knowledge and help drive their bottom-line success and (c) help members continuously evolve.

That commitment is underpinned by the ability to build community across the provincial network in ways that serve.

Join us as the BC Chamber of Commerce launches its new website that has been built specifically to grow community across the province so that we can focus forward … together.

• 

  William Howe

  Sales Director – Canada of Glue Up
• 

  Nipun Kakar

  Account Executive at Glue Up

*This session is sponsored by dial, founded by SFU Beedie School of Business*

British Columbia’s current labour shortage presents challenges for both employers and job seekers. Employers are struggling to fill labour gaps and must adapt to the needs and expectations of job seekers to attract and retain talent. Job seekers are striving to secure employment despite the myriad opportunities available. Why aren’t they finding one another?

Engaged by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the BC Chamber of Commerce is part way through an engagement to understand the disconnect between employers and job seekers, and about to embark on a solutions-development phase.

Join us to hear what we’ve learned so far and participate in the first engagement session focused on identifying appropriate solutions that will build labour force capacity and resiliency and help give British Columbia a competitive edge in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

• 

  Honourable Sheila Malcolmson

  Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction at the Government of BC
• 

  Ash Amlani and Sherri Moore-Arbour

  Co-founders of BUNYAAD