GVBOT announces recipients of the 2018 rix awards Gordon Diamond, Leslie Diamond, and Beedie to be recognized at annual gala
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE AND ITS MEMBERS | DECEMBER 2017 | VOLUME 57 / ISSUE 11 | BOARDOFTRADE.COM
Local businesses ready to tap into global markets economy |
Trade Accelerator Program welcomes its first cohort of companies for new export training initiative
By Greg Hoekstra
T
he Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is officially underway in British Columbia, with the first cohort of participants putting the final touches on their export plans. Representatives from nearly two dozen businesses rolled up their sleeves last month and took part in two days of interactive TAP workshops led by some of Canada’s top industry practitioners and export advisors. The intensive training session informed companies of the exporting resources available to them and explored the fundamentals of exporting and international trade. In mid-November, the group reconvened for a working session, where participants were tasked with creating an export plan for their businesses. To date, feedback on the program has been overwhelmingly positive from participating companies.
“TAP is giving us the resources and confidence to grow our business further and navigate the international market,” said Oliver Harwood, Owner Studiostone Creative, a company that offers innovative and creative do-ityourself products and educational services. “I want to say just how
Economic Outlook 2018 Economists, executives and experts share their insights on the year ahead at our 29th annual forum
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impressed we are with the line-up of speakers you put together. Every speaker was clear and brought a level of experience that we could feel and learn from.” Those sentiments were echoed by Dan Wainwright, President of PACRIM Distributors, a company that aims to export craft beers
YVR CEO Craig Richmond prepares for his annual 2 GVBOT address Chair Anne Giardini on the launch of TAP and making new connections 4
from B.C., Washington, and Oregon around the world. “TAP puts fuel on the fire of entrepreneurship,” said Wainwright. “The things you learn are not ‘Nice-to-Dos’ they are ‘MustDos.’ I would highly recommend TAP to anyone looking to take their export game to the next level.”
Director spotlight Q&A with Rita Andreone, new director of the Board of Trade and Partner at Lawson Lundell LLP
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Another company participating in the program’s first cohort is Urban Racks. Founded in 2006, the company provides innovative bicycle parking and storage systems in communities across North America. “As we grow in a rapidly changing market, the professionals and industry experts that TAP assembled have been invaluable in providing insights to help us accelerate our international growth plan,” said Kosta ChatziSpiros, President of Urban Racks. The Trade Accelerator Program was created by the Toronto Region Board of Trade in 2015 and has since been expanded to B.C. as part of a partnership between the Province of British Columbia and World Trade Centre Vancouver, with support from national sponsor RBC. SB TAP is now accepting applications for its second cohort, which is scheduled to begin in January 2018. Apply today at tapbc.ca.
WCBC shares three tips for compensation planning in 2018 6 Photo highlights from recent events and activities 7