Vancouver Board of Trade announces winners of the 2016 Rix Awards

VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver Board of Trade has revealed the winners of its 2016 Rix Awards for Community and Corporate Citizenship, which honour one outstanding individual and one exemplary organization each year, in memory of the late Dr. Don Rix.

The 2016 Rix Award for Engaged Community Citizenship will be presented to David Podmore, widely recognized as one of the most influential contributors to Greater Vancouver’s real estate industry. With more than 40 years experience in planning and development, Podmore is best known for co-founding Concert Properties with Jack Poole in 1989. Today, he serves as the company’s Chairman and CEO.

Podmore was chosen as a Rix Award recipient based on his tireless efforts to give back to the community, both professionally and personally. This includes his past leadership of the BC Pavilion Corporation, his key role in helping to bring the 2010 Olympics to Vancouver, and his service as Chair of the British Columbia Institute of Technology Foundation, President of the Urban Development Institute (Pacific Region), President of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, member of the BC

Progress Board, Chair of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, eight years as a director of the

Canadian Tourism Commission, and much more. David is the recipient of numerous community and professional awards, and in 2014 he was invested to the Order of British Columbia.

The 2016 Rix Award for Engaged Corporate Citizenship will be presented to FortisBC, in recognition of the company’s deep commitment to collaborating with stakeholders, Aboriginal communities, and other organizations to improve the well-being of the communities they serve.

FortisBC will receive the award in honour of the organization’s many community safety initiatives, their energy efficiency and conservation programs across B.C., and their strong corporate culture that encourages employees to give back to their communities. For example, last year FortisBC donated $83,400 to charitable organizations supported by employees, who in turn donated $66,000 themselves to community groups for the year. FortisBC also matches 50 per cent of any automatic payroll deductions an employee has designated for the United Way or for employee-run charity, Warm Hearts.

The 2016 Rix Awards will be presented at The Vancouver Board of Trade’s 29th Annual Governors’

Banquet on April 11 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This black-tie gala brings together business, government, and community leaders each spring, to induct The Vancouver Board of Trade’s immediate past chair into its prestigious Council of Governors. The 2016 inductee is Janet Austin, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Metro Vancouver.

For more information on the gala, visit boardoftrade.com/GovernorsBanquet.

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About the Rix Awards:

The Rix Awards are an initiative of The Vancouver Board of Trade, presented in honour of the late Dr. Don Rix, who served as Chair of The Vancouver Board of Trade in 2008-09. Award recipients are chosen each year by a special selection committee of the board of directors, based on a number of criteria.

The Rix Award for Engaged Community Citizenship is presented to an individual who applies his or her exceptional skills, talents and drive to making a positive impact in society. Hallmark characteristics of community citizenship include trust, purpose, connectedness, leadership, social capital, passion, empathy, ethics, and responsibility. Past recipients of this award include:

• Carole Taylor (2015)
• David McLean (2014)
• Terence Hui (2103)
• Peter M. Brown (2012)
• Brandt C. Louie (2011)
• Jimmy Pattison (2010)
• Craig and Marc Kielburger (2009)

The Rix Center Award for Engaged Corporate Citizenship is presented to an enterprise that demonstrates, both in policy and practice, the highest standards of stewardship towards the long-term well-being of customers, employees, owners, business partners, the environment and the broader community. Past recipients of this award include:

• Global BC (2015)
• Port Metro Vancouver (2014)
• TELUS (2013)
• Teck Resources (2012)
• Vancity (2011)
• RBC Royal Bank (2010)
• Vancouver Airport Authority (2009)

About The Vancouver Board of Trade:

Since its inception in 1887, The Vancouver Board of Trade has been recognized as Pacific Canada’s leading business association, engaging members to positively impact public policy at all levels of government and to succeed and prosper in the global economy. With a Membership whose employees comprise one third of B.C.’s workforce, we are the largest business association between Victoria and Toronto. We leverage this collective strength, facilitating networking opportunities, and providing professional development through four unique Signature Programs. In addition, we operate one of the largest events businesses in the country, providing a platform for national and international business and thought leaders to further enlighten B.C.’s business leaders.

Media Contact:

Greg Hoekstra

Communications Manager, The Vancouver Board of Trade 604-640-5450 | media@boardoftrade.com

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