Representatives from the Austin Heights Business Improvement Association and Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce boards and staff at the event celebrating the new joint membership agreement. L to R: Michelle St. Hill, Eric Kalnins, Dylan Baggott, Valirie Peligrino, Leslie Courchesne, Roger Kok, Lisa Landry, Jennifer McKinnon, Paul Manocha, Nicole Lauzon.
(COQUITLAM) January 29, 2024 — The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce is welcoming more than 300 member businesses from the Austin Heights Business Improvement Association (AHBIA), thanks to a membership agreement between the two organizations. The AHBIA has purchased a Chamber membership for its area businesses for five years.
"It's true there is strength in numbers," said Leslie Courchesne, CEO, Tri-Cities Chamber. "Joining forces with Tri-Cities business associations and significantly growing the size of our Chamber will greatly benefit our local business community as a whole. My sincerest thanks to the AHBIA leadership team for investing in a Chamber membership for their 300 member businesses."
New signs by the Austin Heights BIA light up the night sky at each end of the shopping district on Austin Avenue.
"As the executive director of the AHBIA, and a past board member with the Tri-Cities Chamber, I am proud of the strong relationship between our two associations, and I know the exceptional value a Chamber membership can bring to businesses," said Lisa Landry. "I am thrilled we are bringing all AHBIA members on board as Chamber members so they can take full advantage of the advocacy, benefits, resources, and connections that the Chamber has to offer.”
The AHBIA block membership has grown the Tri-Cities Chamber to surpass 1,300 member organizations for the first time in its 50+ year history, placing it among the top five largest Chambers and Boards of Trade in the province.
The AHBIA and Chamber worked together on this new partnership for the AHBIA to purchase a group membership with the Chamber at no additional cost to AHBIA businesses. AHBIA members who are existing members of the Chamber will transfer into the new group membership.
The Chamber and AHBIA celebrated the new partnership at a member mixer held at the John B Pub in Austin Heights last week. Chamber ambassadors and staff have visited AHBIA businesses to deliver welcome packages and gather contact information.
AHBIA businesses who have not received a Chamber welcome package, or are not yet receiving the weekly Chamber e-newsletter, are urged to contact info@tricitieschamber.com.
The AHBIA area of Coquitlam includes Austin and Ridgeway Avenues between Blue Mountain and Gatensbury Streets.
Austin Heights Business Improvement Association (AHBIA) boundaries in Coquitlam, BC.
The five-year block membership agreement is the Chamber's second agreement with a Business Improvement Association (BIA), having signed the Downtown Port Coquitlam BIA in 2022. This groundbreaking partnership was featured in the Canadian Chamber of Commerce national e-newsletter, sparking interest from chambers, boards of trade, and BIAs across the country.
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Since 1971, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has been the largest business association serving Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, and Belcarra, now representing 1,300+ organizations from every sector. The Chamber works to foster economic development, provide connections and benefits, and influence public policy at all levels of government to ensure strong business and strong communities. The Tri-Cities Chamber is an active member of the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce.
For more information, contact:
Leslie Courchesne, Chief Executive Officer
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
ceo@tricitieschamber.com
Lisa Landry, Executive Director
Austin Heights BIA
lisa@austinheights.ca