Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade

10/20/2026

Looking to secure larger contracts and reach new customers?

Join us on October 28 for our upcoming Business Growth Academy session, Your Next Customer: Accessing Institutional & Global Buyers.

Learn how to identify procurement opportunities, navigate RFPs and strengthen your proposals to compete for larger contracts.

Register at: https://swrbot.com/events/your-next-customer-accessing-institutional-global-buyers/

Your next major customer may be an institution, government agency, or global buyer.

Join the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade for the next Business Growth Academy session, Your Next Customer: Accessing Institutional & Global Buyers, a practical workshop designed to help small and growing businesses compete for major contracts.

Participants will learn how to find procurement opportunities, assess RFPs, create compliance checklists, partner with larger companies, and build stronger proposals that stand out to decision makers.

The session will be facilitated by Robert Arthurs, President of Robert Arthurs International. With experience writing RFPs and evaluating proposals for the Government of British Columbia and the 2010 Winter Olympics, Rob will share firsthand insight into how buyers assess risk, score submissions, and select successful suppliers.

Wednesday, October 28 | 8:00 to 10:00 am | Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade

🔗 Register today: https://ow.ly/SZv650ZqU20

10/20/2026

This week’s Member Spotlight features Sheila’s Catering Co., a South Surrey-based catering company serving Surrey, White Rock, and communities across the Lower Mainland since 2009.

From corporate lunches and private gatherings to weddings and large events, Sheila’s Catering has built its business around quality food, customized menus, and creating memorable experiences that bring people together.

For Sheila’s Catering, doing business in Surrey and White Rock also means being part of the community. One of the team’s standout achievements happened right here in White Rock, where Sheila’s Catering set a Guinness World Record for the Longest Charcuterie Platter or Board, bringing together approximately 1,200 people along the Pier while supporting local community organizations.

With strong roots in South Surrey, Sheila’s Catering continues to grow its presence across the region while staying connected to the businesses, organizations, families, and events it serves.

Sheila’s Catering Co.
📍 2201 148 Street, Surrey
🌐 sheilascatering.com

10/19/2026

Secure your seat for the Development Industry Forum: The Business of Building, featuring keynote speaker the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

Co-presented by the BM Group and Simon Fraser University, this timely forum will examine the economics shaping housing and development across BC.

Leaders from government, real estate, development and non-profit housing will examine the pressures affecting project viability, including construction costs, financing, regulation, market demand and investment conditions.

The forum will also feature the release of results from SWRBOT’s Government Red Tape Survey, providing new insight into how permitting, approvals and regulatory processes are impacting business, investment and development.

Keynote Speaker:
🎙️ Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister Responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada - PacifiCan

Panel Speakers:
🎙️ Jill Atkey, CEO, BC Non-Profit Housing Association
🎙️ Milan Mann, President, BM Group
🎙️ Michael Drummond, CEO, Urban Development Institute
🎙️ Jasroop Gosal, Government Relations Manager, BC Real Estate Association

Hear directly from the people shaping housing policy, development and investment as they discuss the economic realities facing projects today and the conditions needed to keep housing and communities moving forward.

Friday, October 30 | 11:30 am - 2:00 pm | Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel

Seats are limited. Secure your spot now: https://ow.ly/aO3750ZV3NV

10/18/2026

2026 Municipal Election Results | Surrey & White Rock

The municipal election results are in and the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade extends its congratulations to Doug McCallum as Mayor-elect of Surrey and Chris Shields as Mayor-elect of White Rock.

The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade looks forward to working with both mayors and their councils, and continuing to advocate for policies and investments that strengthen business competitiveness, including improved transportation and regional connectivity, enhanced public safety, reduced regulatory barriers, housing and commercial development, and the infrastructure and workforce needed for businesses to grow and succeed.

Thank you to all the candidates and voters who participated in the elections.

10/18/2026

It is BDC - Business Development Bank of Canada Small Business Week, a time to recognize the entrepreneurs, teams and local businesses that help drive our economy and strengthen our communities.

Small businesses make up 98% of all businesses in B.C., employ more than one million people, and account for 55% of private sector jobs across the province.

Here in Surrey and White Rock, small businesses bring energy, ideas, jobs and connection to our communities every day. Their resilience, innovation and determination continue to play an important role in the growth and success of our region. 💛

How can you support small businesses, not only this week, but all year long?

❤️ Shop locally and use their services
🧡 Order directly or dine in when you can
💛 Leave a positive review online
💚 Follow, like, comment and share their content
💙 Recommend their products or services and tag them online
💜 Join their email list and stay connected
💗 Nominate them for awards and recognition
🖤 Purchase gift cards for future visits
🤎 Commit to future work, bookings or purchases
🤍 Include local businesses in your giving, events and community initiatives

Every purchase, recommendation, review and referral can make a difference.

👉 Support local and discover SWRBOT members through our Business Directory:
https://ow.ly/OGPt50ZPk9s

👉 Explore and support local businesses through the SWRBOT Directory: https://ow.ly/OGPt50ZPk9s

Invest Surrey
City of Surrey
City of White Rock

10/17/2026

🗳️ Today is voting day for the Surrey and White Rock MUNICIPAL elections. Polls are open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Your voice matters. Vote.

SURREY
Surrey voters can vote at any of 52 voting locations across the city.
Find the full list and interactive map at surrey.ca/election.
Select 1 mayor, up to 8 councillors and up to 6 school trustees.

WHITE ROCK
White Rock voters can vote at any of these three locations:
Centennial Arena, Kent Street Activity Centre or the White Rock Community Centre
Select 1 mayor, up to 6 councillors and 1 school trustee.

10/16/2026

ICYMI: Last night’s Surrey & White Rock Provincial Candidates Forum was hosted by the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade, the Chamber of Commerce Serving Clayton, Cloverdale & Campbell Heights, the White Rock BIA and the South Asian Business Association of BC, with the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board as presenting sponsor.

The forum brought together provincial candidates, business leaders and community members across all 10 ridings to discuss key issues affecting our region, including economic growth, business competitiveness, housing, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, healthcare and workforce development.

Thank you to all participating candidates and everyone who joined us for this important non-partisan discussion.

🎥 Missed the event? The full recording will be available on our YouTube channel : https://ow.ly/WJpz50ZYEoK

📸 View photos from the event: https://ow.ly/z7rt50ZYEoL

10/15/2026

Looking to strengthen your business this fall? The SWRBOT Business Growth Academy brings practical, expert led learning to businesses looking to grow, manage risk and navigate changing business conditions.

Upcoming BGA workshops:

🏢 Beyond the Rent: Understanding Common Traps in Your Commercial Lease
October 21 | 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade
Learn what to review, negotiate and watch for in a commercial lease so you can make more informed decisions and avoid costly surprises.

📈 Your Next Customer: Accessing Institutional & Global Buyers
October 28 | 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade
Explore how businesses can identify procurement opportunities, understand the buying process and position themselves to work with larger institutional and global customers.

🔐 Mind Your Data: A Plain Language Privacy Guide for Small Businesses
October 29 | 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Virtual
Get a practical overview of privacy responsibilities and steps businesses can take to better protect customer and employee information.

🛡️ Protect Your Business from AI Cyber Threats
November 3 | 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade
Learn how AI is changing cyber threats and what practical steps businesses can take to recognize scams, strengthen security and reduce risk.

Register today + to learn more about the SWRBOT Business Growth Academy visit: swrbot.com/bga

10/14/2026

🗳️ Two elections are happening this month. Make sure you know the dates.

Municipal Elections
Surrey advance voting: October 14 and 15 | 8 AM to 8 PM
White Rock advance voting is now complete.
Final Voting Day: October 17 | 8 AM to 8 PM

BC Provincial Election
Advance Voting: October 16 to 21 | 8 AM to 8 PM
Final Voting Day: October 24 | 8 AM to 8 PM Elections BC

Still getting informed before you vote? Watch SWRBOT’s Surrey and White Rock All-Candidates Forum recordings at https://ow.ly/E8K450ZWvLa.

Hear from the candidates. Do your research. Get informed. Vote.

Municipal election information: surrey.ca and whiterockcity.ca
Provincial election information: elections.bc.ca

10/13/2026

Cybersecurity does not have to be complicated or expensive. Join us for a practical Business Growth Academy workshop with Christian Newman of Rise Digital and learn how to protect your business from AI powered phishing, voice cloning, data leaks and other emerging threats.

You’ll leave with simple security steps you can put into practice right away, including a 10 minute safety audit and strategies to strengthen your team as your first line of defence.

Tuesday, November 3 | 8:00 am to 10:00 am | Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade

Register today: https://ow.ly/9YF850ZFrBs