Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce

History

The MRCC was created on June 19, 1893 as B.C.'s fourth Board of Trade by Harry Brown French, an American sent to Mission after the town's founder sold land to a New York railway corporation. French was elected the Board of Trade's first president, and upon its creation the Board took out advertisements in local newspapers, offering a package of free land, free water, free power and property tax exemptions to potential industrialists, as well as offering to construct factories, mills and other commercial buildings at no charge.

In 1946, the Board of Trade suggested that a Strawberry Festival as well as a Soapbox Derby should be held on June 26. The event was successful and visitors travelled from different areas of the Fraser Valley to attend the event. The festival was held annually until 1951, despite an interruption in June 1948 when the Fraser River flooded causing the event to be postponed until July in its third year.Robertson, Betty, Marcellus, Catherine, Dandy, Betty (1992). Mission's Living Memorials, p. 141. Friesen Printers, Altona, MB, Canada. . In 1951, Langley, BC became the new host of the Strawberry Festival after the decline of berry farming and the increase in employment in the forestry industry in the Mission area.

The organization operated under the name of the Mission City and District Board of Trade until 1961 when its name was changed to the Mission City and District Chamber of Commerce. That name stuck until 1970 when it was changed to the Mission City Chamber of Commerce. In 1977, it was suggested by the organization's Vice President Dave Kenyon that the Chamber of Commerce should be terminated due to poor attendance and lack of participation by members. The Chamber persevered, avoiding termination, and in 1979 the name was changed for the final time to its present name, the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce. Since then, the MRCC has continued to serve the businesses of Mission and now houses a visitor centre.

Description

The MRCC describes its mission as to "foster a network for entrepreneurial leaders to partner in representation, communication and education." It acts on behalf of local businesses, and as an unbiased advocacy group, they serve as a direct liaison between their members and the local government. They also provide their members with networking opportunities, group benefits, educational seminars, as well as marketing and advertising opportunities.

The MRCC is a member of the BC Chamber of Commerce. It currently has 450 members and prints a monthly newsletter titled "The Business Track". It hosts the Annual Candlelight Parade, the largest nighttime Christmas Parade in Western Canada and draws approximately 13 000 spectators every year.

The original Mission Soapbox Derby is still held annually by the Mission & District Soapbox Derby Association.

Current President

The current president of the Chamber is Celine Dauphney, President and Co-Founder of Urban Valley Transport Ltd., a Mission-based courier and freight service provider.

Past Presidents

MASCOT

Stan the Sturgeon is the Ambassador for the Mission BC Visitor Centre. His primary role is to advise on all up-coming community events and to promote tourism within the region. This is achieved through social media outlets including Facebook and Twitter. Stan is regularly booked to attend local events and school field trips. Find him via Facebook - Mission BC Visitor Centre or Twitter Stansturgeon1

References

References

1. "Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce Website:About Us".
2. "Old Document Reveals Board Founded in '93", ''[[The Fraser Valley Record]]'', Mission, BC, Canada, 19 April 1945.
3. Kask, Glen. "First board of trade in B.C.", ''[[The Fraser Valley Record]]'', Mission, BC, Canada, 16 June 1993.
4. Schroeder, Andreas (1991). ''Carved from Wood, Mission, B.C. 1861-1992'', p. 20-21,173,193. D.W. Friesen, Altona, MB, Canada. {{ISBN. 1-55056-131-6.
5. Cherrington, John (1974). ''Mission on the Fraser, Patterns of a small city's progress'', p. 33,172. Mitchell Press, Vancouver, BC, Canada.ISBN B0006CL344
6. "Chamber of Commerce Replaces Trade Board", ''[[The Fraser Valley Record]]'', Mission, BC, Canada, 11 January 1961.
7. "Chamber of Commerce may face extinction", ''[[The Fraser Valley Record]]'', Mission, BC, Canada, 26 October 1977.
8. "Mission Chamber Seeks New Identity", ''[[The Fraser Valley Record]]'', Mission, BC, Canada, 30 November 1977.
9. "Tourism BC: Mission Visitor Centre".
10. "Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce Website:Chamber".
11. "Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce Website:Join".
12. "BC Chamber of Commerce: Directory".
13. "Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce Website: Newsletters".
14. "Tourism BC: Festivals & Events".
15. "Mission & District Soapbox Derby Association".
16. "Past Presidents Honored by Board of Trade", ''[[The Fraser Valley Record]]'', Mission, BC, Canada, 19 November 1958.