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Welcome to the Surrey Board of Trade
I want to underscore the importance of Networking as one of the critical factors in growing your business. It is self evident that your vehicle needs fuel to function, yet not nearly enough people in business understand that consistent on-going networking is the fuel which drives their businesses.
It would truly be wonderful if you could build your business once and rely on it to maintain itself. Unfortunately even your most loyal clients will fall away and your business will decline unless you actively maintain your customer base and build new clientele. The key to this is networking and taking enough time to do this effectively.
It is a well known fact of sales training that people do business with people they know and trust. Attending Board events affords you the opportunity to get to know the people who make up Surrey’s Business community. It also exposes your products and services back to that community. As a member, you have access to over ninety-six events each year, ranging from small intimate seminars to our gala events. Examples include:
* round-table meetings with key individuals
* the popular no cost monthly Business-To-Business functions
* the Business Excellence and International Trade Awards
* the Mayor’s address and many more.
By carefully selecting the types of events to attend, you will expose yourself to both a very wide cross-section of the membership, and business opportunities. Still, it requires your commitment to make networking a major piece of your business. Your effort in building and working your client and contact base will provide major returns on the investment of time and effort you put in at the front end.
Every month, in partnership with the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, we have held the New Member Breakfast, to welcome them and provide a greater understanding of what the Board of Trade is, and what it can do for members. This year we have opened it to all members as an additional networking opportunity. Called Breakfast in the City, new and existing members will be able to network with each other over breakfast provided by the hotel. It will help members acquaint or re-acquaint themselves with the full benefits of membership, build strong relationships with other business colleagues, and build a stronger bond with the organization. Scheduled early in the month, it’ll be a very profitable way to start the business day.
Another tool, exclusively to members, is the Membership Directory. With the contact information in this book, you have the keys to the Surrey business community. It’s a critical document both in your briefcase and on your desk.
To further assist in planning your networking activities, check out our events calendar included in our paper and on our website, and watch for special events notices in your email. These events are a major investment by your Board of Trade to make your networking easier, more productive, and your business more profitable. Happy Networking Year!
Gary Hollick
President 2007/08
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