Skip to main content

Apr 9, 2021

TIABC writes to the City of Abbotsford to encourage the City to retain TRADEX as an event venue

Advocacy

Re: Future of the Fraser Valley Trade & Exhibition Centre (TRADEX)


Dear Mayor Braun & Council:


On behalf of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC), I am writing to implore the City of Abbotsford to retain TRADEX as a venue for events.


This exceptional community facility has provided significant benefits to Abbotsford and the surrounding Fraser Valley region for more than two decades. In fact, an entire tourism ecosystem has been built around this important venue that supports hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail, transportation providers and a whole host of suppliers. As noted in a 2017 Pacific Analytics report, TRADEX hosted events annually generate some $17 million in economic impact for the region, and upwards of $19 million for the province.


Under the guise of Tourism Abbotsford, TRADEX continues to be a catalyst for innovation, creativity, learning, recreation and fun for hundreds of thousands of local residents and visitors each year. What’s more, countless businesses have generated substantial revenues by exhibiting at numerous TRADEX hosted trade and consumer shows. This has not only contributed to the City of Abbotsford’s economic development and success but has also provided employment for local residents.


On a personal note, I was part of the launch of TRADEX and still believe it to be one of the finest, most productive, and much-needed large-scale venues in British Columbia, especially now as we anticipate tourism recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in the months ahead.

Mayor and Council, I strongly urge you to retain TRADEX for its intended purpose, managed by the very capable and skilled team at Tourism Abbotsford. Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.


TIABC represents the interests of some 19,300+ tourism businesses with more than 310,000 employees around the province. Our role is to work with government at all levels to address issues and pursue opportunities on behalf of businesses, destination marketing organizations and sector associations.


Best Regards,

Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC
778-953-0620

More Advocacy

TIABC is pleased to release its 2022 Advocacy Report Card, which details the advocacy efforts and achievements and synopsis of some of the organization’s key initiatives last year. 

Read now through link in bio. 👆
Tourism leaders cheer on the @canucks in the Rogers Suite. 🏒👏

L-R: Destination Vancouver's Royce Chwin, TIABC's Walt Judas, Tourism Minister Lana Popham, Sport Hosting Vancouver's Michelle Collens, TIABC Director/VCC's Dennis Innes, Indigenous Tourism BC's Henry Tso.

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc
Each year, on March 8th, people around the world celebrate International Women's Day and the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Today, TIABC salutes the women on our board and staff who are so valued, respected and appreciated by colleagues throughout the entire BC tourism industry. 

⭐ Brenda Baptiste
⭐Joanne Burns-Millar
⭐Pria Flanagan
⭐Miranda Ji
⭐Deborah Kulchiski
⭐Sandra Oldfield
⭐Sandra van Steijn 
⭐Fiona Wray

Thank you for your incredible contribution to our organization and to BC’s visitor economy.

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc #internationalwomensday #womenintourism #womensday #IWD2023 #embraceequity
Over the weekend, TIABC CEO Walt Judas, Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry, and Sport Hosting Vancouver Senior Manager Michelle Collens enjoyed watching the Canada Sevens rugby tournament at BC Place! 🏉

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc #GreenMeansGo #rugbysevens #bcplace
What a great first day at the BCTHC 👏

We had an incredible first day in Prince George gathering with industry friends and experiencing the many wonders that the incredible Northern BC region has to offer!

#BCTourismandHospitalityConference #bcthc #conference #tourism #StayBC #BCTourismCounts #BCTHC2023Tourism
TIABC CEO, Walt Judas and @bchotelassociation CEO Ingrid Jarrett attended the @pgcougars game on the eve of the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference in Prince George. 🏒

#BCTourismandHospitalityConference #bcthc #conference #tourism #StayBC #BCTourismCounts