The Port of Bellingham has been a member of the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) since 2014 with the intention of building cross border relationships. In July 2019 our Economic Development Project Manager, John Michener, was nominated and confirmed as an Honourary Director. In July 2020, John was recommended by the Surrey Board of Trade Nomination Committee to serve a two-year term as a full voting Director. On August 18, 2020, at the Annual General Meeting, John was confirmed in this capacity. He is the first American to serve in this position.
The Port of Bellingham sees Lower British Columbia as an instrumental part of the economic growth in Whatcom County. SBOT provides businesses and organizations with economic opportunity, workplace development and education, international trade, government advocacy, and business connections. SBOT currently represents 6000 members, over 60,000 employees, and 2700 businesses.
