Established in 1958
The Dutch Businessmen’s Association was established in October 1958. In that year a group of male members of the Dutch Association “Je Maintiendrai” decided to start a strictly men’s business association. Target was to help each other to survive in the business environment.
There was a monthly “meeting” in the cellar of Hotel St. Regis on Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver. The meetings included a diner (for $25,- p.p.) and a guest speaker. Later, around 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 coordinator, contacted every member for the meetings to confirm his attendance.
Many interesting speakers such as Premiers, Mayors, First Nation’s leaders and successful businessmen have given their performances.
During the high days the membership stood at 150 paying members and the monthly meetings was attended by ± 45 members.
There was a monthly “meeting” in the cellar of Hotel St. Regis on Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
The 25th and 30th anniversary
The 25th anniversary has been celebrated in a big way, as the festivity program shows. For the 30th anniversary a big event took place in “Fantasy Gardens”. A “handmade” memorial tile was produced.
By the late eighties, beginning of the nineties, the question arose if it was still politically and/or socially correct to have an ‘only-men’s-club’. A vote under the members was wrongly formulated which resulted in acceptance of also female members. As a result, 2 women became members. However, many male members cancelled their membership (some of them started “Holland House”).
Fast forward to the 2000's
The name was changed to “Netherlands Business and Professional Association” NBPA. Due to the lag of membership, this association was terminated by the end of the nineties, early 2000.
The Dutch Business Club (DBC), previously known as Dutch Business & Professional Association, was established in 2008 (2010 according to some) as a Society serving the Dutch business community in Greater Vancouver, BC. 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
With the popularity of the internet, changes to the structure of the organization were inevitable. In person networking events were still taking place but most people would go to the internet to gather information on businesses or people. The DBC would organize its events at the DUDOC office on Georgia Street in Vancouver. This location was difficult to reach and parking was almost non-existing. It was therefore a big relief when DUDOC moved its office to Frances Street in East Vancouver. The building was a beautifully restored old warehouse with large, exposed beams and brickwork.
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 there was a virtual networking event organized on a new platform called Spatialchat. Due to its new and different format, this was quite successful but it was quickly clear that many people grew tired of looking at screens for all their meetings.
When the end of the summer of 2021 neared, the pandemic seemed to be receding and the DBC looked at organizing a live Barbeque event. Unfortunately, due to the hot summer and subsequent forest fires, there was a complete ban on open fires and the event was moved to a patio event at a restaurant. One day for the event the restaurant canceled the event due to a missed scheduling conflict. With such short notice the board members did not manage to find an alternative location and the event had to be canceled.
The post pandemic area
There was a clear appetite for live events again after the pandemic and all Dutch organizations in the Greater Vancouver Area wanted to make up for two lost years. All of a sudden there was an influx of events for the Dutch community all competing for the same guests. The first half of 2022 saw events from Caans, the Dutch Business Club had its Nieuwjaarsborrel in April, a Theme Night in May, a cooperative networking event with the Fraser Valley Bandits Basketball Club and its annual Barbeque in the Park both in June. And to top it all off it was decided to organize a large Koningsdag celebration in April as a joint venture between the Consulate of the Netherlands, the Dutch Network, the Dutch Business Club, the Esdoorn and Caans.
It was in fact such a loaded calendar that it was quickly decided to go back to its original format of four events per year. Plus perhaps a cooperative networking event with another party and a joint event with the other Dutch organizations. Organizing all these events proved not easy with all volunteers.
The Board of the Dutch Business Club (under revision)
The Board of the Dutch Business Club has all volunteer Directors. The different positions are: President, Treasurer, Secretary, Web Development, Events, Membership and Social Media. Sometimes one Director will manage several positions as there are not enough volunteers to fill each seat.
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 make a point of getting together several times a year for coffees, walks or a dinner.
If you are interested in what we do, please contact us to talk about how you can help. At some point someone will have to take over a directorship as a current Director retires.
2023
President: TJ Weidema
Secretary/Treasurer: Ineke Kalwij
Director of web development: Noud de Rover
Director of Events: Mireille Dijks
Director of Social Media: Vacant
Director of Membership: Vacant
2022
President: TJ Weidema
Secretary/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
Secretary/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
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
2016 - 2011
Under revision
2010
President: Yasmien
Secretary: Maarten den Ouden
Treasurer: Janneke van Ingen
Director of Events: Barbara Arnold
Director of Events: Guido Biemold / Maarten Egbers / Martin van Keken / Luke Schipper
2009
President: Yasmien
Secretary: Maarten den Ouden
Treasurer: Janneke van Ingen
Director of Events: Barbara Arnold
Director of Events: Guido Biemold / Maarten Egbers / Martin van Keken / Luke Schipper
2008
President: Yasmien
Secretary: Maarten den Ouden
Treasurer: Janneke van Ingen
Director of Events: Barbara Arnold
Director of Events: Guido Biemold / Maarten Egbers / Martin van Keken / Luke Schipper