The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce hosts events monthly for the business community, but also reaches out to the broader community several times a year.
The big events on the calendar tend to cluster around the winter months, or around elections.
In November, the Chamber’s annual awards ceremony honours businesses large and small, along with a host of other categories, from last year’s new Under 40 award to Community Impact, Environmental Leadership, Service Excellence, and Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
The crowner of the evening is the George Preston Memorial Businessperson of the Year, named for the late Langley Township mayor, businessman, and philanthropist.
In December, at the Chamber’s big holiday bash, the H.D. Stafford Good Citizen of the Year Award is handed out.
By tradition, the recipient is not told of the event until they are called up from the audience, which has resulted in many surprised faces over the years. H.D. Stafford winners are honoured for volunteerism and community involvement, often behind the scenes and done without much fanfare.
The 2015 winner was past Chamber president Milt Kruger, who has been busy helping build new playgrounds for schools around the Langleys.
The Chamber also tries to keep its members up to date on local politics. Langley MLAs Rich Coleman and Mary Polak are guests almost each year, often talking about a specific issue. Likewise, Langley City and Township Mayors Ted Schaffer and Jack Froese give members an update annually, talking about major projects and municipal plans.
If there is an election at any level, the Chamber hosts at least one all-candidates forum, often in partnership with other groups such as the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board or Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Some of the near-future chamber events are:
• Business Crime in the Langleys. A talk on local issues with crime as it affects the business community.
The speech will take place at the monthly dinner meeting for the chamber on Feb. 16 with networking starting at 5 p.m. at the Cascades Casino Resort Ballroom.
• Lunch and Learn will be held on Feb. 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce boardroom at 207-8047 199th St.
This month’s event is A Modern Approach to Wealth Management, presented by Justin Hui of Hui Financial Group. The event will review investment strategies and talk abut capital markets,
• Open Late For Business.
Another monthly event that allows local businesspeople to network at a variety of locations over the course of the year.
The February Open Late is scheduled for Feb. 25 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Gold’s Gym at 19989 81A Ave.
The free events only require advance registration for the mingling.
Check the Chamber’s site at business.langleychamber.com for more information.
