Canadian business concerns in the era of U.S. President Donald Trump will be under the microscope next Wednesday in Coquitlam when local business leaders meet to hear panelists speak at the third annual Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Economic Summit.
A leading topic is expected to be trade when members of the Canada and Trump panel share their views, said chamber CEO Michael Hind, who said he expects local business people to come away from the morning discussion at the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver with more information about how world events can shape their business.
"Canada under Trump has some uncertainty," Hind said, noting that the three panelists — Greg Timm, COO of Pacific Customers Brokers; James Moore, former federal industry minister and senior advisor with international law firm Dentons (and Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam MP); and Maria Rajanayagam, board chair of the American Chamber of Commerce — will bring diverse experience to the topic.
"We figure we have three good people who will shed some light on the topic and what it means for business," Hind said.
This is the third year the chamber has hosted an economic summit and Hind said it's one of a suite of services the business advocacy group is providing. He said he expects a good crowd for the summit because the topics are timely.
In addition to the panel discussion on Canada in the age of Trump, Sherry Cooper, chief economist for Dominion Lending Centres, will speak about key trends in the economy while three panelists will talk about business innovation.
"She's got a good analysis of what's going on — and we're in an uncertain time," Hind said of Cooper.
Speakers on the Game Changers panel will be Caren McSherry, owner of the Gourmet Warehouse Inc., who was recently inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame; John Volken founder and president of United Furniture Warehouse, who started one of the largest furniture retail chains in North America as well as a non-profit to help women overcome drug and alcohol adduction; and Wim Vander Zalm, president of Art Knapp Plantland, who is also starting a microbrewery.
The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce recently moved to new digs at 2773 Barnet Hwy. and Hind said new projects are in the works to provide more service and increase membership, which is currently at about 900 members. The chamber is also a voice of local business and is currently reviewing resolutions for the upcoming BC Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting, Hind said.
• Tickets for the morning conference (7:30 to 11:30 a.m.) on Wednesday, May 17 are available at www.tricitieschamber.com.
