| After careful consideration, and the unanimous approval of each Board of Directors, the Board Chairs from the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Surrey Board of Trade have signed a Letter of Intent to explore merging into one entity to be called the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade collectively serving White Rock and Surrey municipalities.
Agreed conditions of a merger:
- Maintaining an office and presence in White Rock and South Surrey area.
- Naming and rebranding the expanded organization: Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade
- Membership fees to be frozen at current rates for one year.
- Continue to provide local programs and events.
- Pillar partners and respective agreements of the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce will be honoured.
- Current South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce employees will be retained.
- Board members from both organizations will have the opportunity to join the transitional board of directors.
A jointly led Board of Directors merger task force is in place to fulfill legal and due diligence requirements set out within existing Bylaws and the Board of Trade Act.
The two organizations have longstanding connections to the business community; they share the same general organizational ends, and there is overlap in membership. This joint initiative organically grew out of the trust-building discussions that have been ongoing since mid 2023.
Together, there is significant room to create organizational efficiencies and strengthen the value they bring to members and the business community. Both organizations’ Board of Directors recognize joining these two entities will offer their membership and business community:
- Expanded exposure, reach, networking, and marketing opportunities.
- Cost savings – for many, one membership fee instead of two.
- Even more substantial influence and collective voice on local, provincial, and national matters related to business, economic development planning, and international trade.
- Effective use of financial resources, revenue, and administration resulting in more time for advocacy, member programming and support.
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