Established in 1958
The Dutch Businessmen’s Association was established in October 1958, when a group of male members of the Dutch Association “Je Maintiendrai” decided to form a strictly male business organization. The objective was to help each other survive in the prevailing business environment.
There was a monthly “meeting” held in the cellar of the Hotel St. Regis on Dunsmuir Street in Vancouver, which included a dinner (for $2.50 per person) and a guest speaker. In the mid-eighties the meetings were moved to the first floor of “Hy’s Encore” on Hornby Street. A group of ladies, with Beatrix de Groot as principal coordinator, would contact every member to confirm their attendance.
Premiers, Mayors, First Nation’s leaders and successful business men were amongst the interesting speaker roster.
In its hey day, membership stood at 150 members and the monthly meetings were attended by approximately 45 members.
The 30th anniversary
The 30th anniversary was celebrated at Fantasy Gardens, located in South Richmond and owned by then BC Premier, William vander Zalm. To commemorate, a “handmade” memorial tile was produced.
Around the late eighties / early nineties, the question arose of whether it was politically and socially correct to maintain a men’s only club. The issue was put to a vote, which resulted in acceptance of the first two women members. Unfortunately, the results of the vote were not accepted by all
members and a number of male members left to form their own club entitled “Holland House”.
Fast forward to the 2000's
In the late nineties, the club’s name was changed to “Netherlands Business and Professional Association”, or the NBPA, however, due to a dwindling membership, the association was terminated by early 2000.
The Dutch Business Club (DBC), officially still named the Dutch Business & Professional Association, was re-established in 2012 as a Society serving the Dutch business community in Greater Vancouver. Its mission is “to bring together professionals and entrepreneurs of Dutch heritage or with a connection to the Netherlands, by organizing events with either a cultural, culinary or business theme, for the purpose of networking in an inspiring and relaxed environment”.
DUDOC on Frances Street in Vancouver
The DBC would organize its events at the DUDOC o3ice on Georgia Street in Vancouver, however, the location was awkward as the parking was almost non-existent. I t was therefore a big relief when DUDOC moved its o3ice to Frances Street in East Vancouver. The building was a beautifully restored old warehouse with large, exposed beams and brickwork and many a festive event was hosted there.
The pandemic and beyond
When the Covid pandemic hit in 2020 all in-person events were stopped. As the world was struggling to deal with the many effects of the pandemic, small volunteer organizations such as the DBC virtually shut down.
In January 2021 a virtual networking event was organized on a new platform called Spatialchat. Due to its new and different format, this was quite successful, but it soon became clear that people were growing tired of looking at screens during a meeting. As a consequence, the DBC attempted to organise in-person events but frequent attempts were stymied by the lingering epidemic.
The post pandemic era
After the pandemic, there was a pent up demand for live events and all of the local Dutch organisations wanted to make up for the previous two years and everyone was competing for the same guests. In the first half of 2022, the Dutch Business Club had its Nieuwjaars borrel in April, a Theme Night in May, and in June both a cooperative networking event with the Fraser Valley Bandits Basketball Club as well as the annual Barbeque in the Park. To top it all off there was a joint decision between the Consulate of the Netherlands, the Dutch Network, the Dutch Business Club, the Esdoorn and Caans to organize a large Koningsdag celebration in April.
In fact, it was such a loaded calendar that it was quickly decided to go back to its original format of four events per year, in part to alleviate the stress
on the volunteers.
In 2022 we switched to a new location, as Dudoc closed its doors after Covid. We managed to make the beautiful Vancouver Maritime Museum our new home and for two full years we organized our events here, but unfortunately, as of 2024 the prices were increased and we were forced to seek another venue.
Since then we have had events at the lovely Aberthau Mansion in Point Grey and at the Burnaby Village Museum, in order to provide our members options, depending on the area that they live in the city.
The Board of the Dutch Business Club
The Board of the Dutch Business Club has all volunteer Directors. The different positions are: President, Treasurer, Secretary, Web Development, Events, Membership and Marketing/Social Media. Sometimes one Director will manage several positions as there are not always enough volunteers to fill the seats.
The Board can always use more volunteers. They can help behind the scenes or be an active Director attending the monthly board meetings. Most of these meetings are online but we do get together several times a year for coffees, walks or a dinner.
If you are interested in what we do, please contact us to hear how you can help. We can always use your help.
2025
President: Jaap Siekman
Secretary: Steven Smits
Treasurer: Peter van Engelen
Director of Events: Ineke Kalwij
Director of Social Media: Steven Smits
Director of Membership: TJ Weidema
Director of Web Development: Noud de Rover
2024
President: TJ Weidema
Secretary: Jaap Siekman
Treasurer: Peter van Engelen
Director of Events: Richard van Vloten
Director of Social Media: Steven Smits
Director of Membership: Monique Staals / TJ Weidema
Member at Large: Ineke Kalwij
Member at large: Noud de Rover
2023
President: TJ Weidema
Secretary: Ineke Kalwij
Treasurer: Ineke Kalwij
Director of web development: Noud de Rover
Director of Events: Mireille Dijks
Director of Social Media: Noud de Rover
Director of Membership: TJ Weidema
2022
President: TJ Weidema
Secretary: Ineke Kalwij
Treasurer: Ineke Kalwij
Director of web development: Noud de Rover
Director of Social Media: Hoi-Leung Chiu (Chiu)
Director of Membership: Merel van den Bergh
Director of Events: TJ Weidema
2021
President: Juul Heijblom/ TJ Weidema
Secretary: Ineke Kalwij
Treasurer: Ineke Kalwij
Director of web development: Noud de Rover/Saskia Zeedijk
Director of Social Media: Michael Smits
Director of Membership: Laure van Ravensberg
Director of Events: TJ Weidema
2020
President: TJ Weidema
Secretary: Ineke Kalwij
Treasurer: Maarten den Ouden
Director of web development: Noud de Rover
Director of Social Media: Michael Smits
Director of Events: TJ Weidema
2019
President: TJ Weidema
Secretary: Ineke Kalwij
Treasurer: Maarten den Ouden
Director of web development: Noud de Rover
Director of Social Media: Wilco van Bemmel
Director of Events: Barbara Arnold
2018
President: TJ Weidema
Secretary: Ineke Kalwij
Treasurer: Maarten den Ouden
Director of web development: Noud de Rover
Director of Social Media: Wilco van Bemmel
Director of Events: Barbara Arnold
Director of Membership: Jackelien Barelds
2017
President: Renske Werner
Secretary: Ineke Kalwij
Treasurer: Maarten den Ouden
Director of web development: Noud de Rover
Director of Social Media: Wilco van Bemmel
Director of Events: Barbara Arnold
Director of Events: TJ Weidema
2012 - 2016
President: Yasmien van Bylandt
Secretary: Maarten den Ouden
Treasurer: Janneke van Ingen
Director at Large: Peter-Paul van Hoeken, Bas Brusche, Guido Biemold / Maarten Egbers / Martin van Keken / Luke Schipper
2010
Under revision
2009
Under revision
2008
Under revision