MAPLE Business Council Marks First Anniversary Connecting Canada and Southern California
TUSTIN, Calif., May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MAPLE Business Council is marking its first anniversary as Southern California's business community for connecting the region with Canada. Launched in May 2015, MAPLE promotes cross-border investment, trade and entrepreneurship through its membership-based network of executives, entrepreneurs and investors. In its first year over 20 organizations in Canada and Southern California have joined MAPLE as a member or sponsor.
"We are delighted with the response to our bridge-building mission," said Robert Kelle, co-founder and chairman of MAPLE Business Council. "We want to thank our members, sponsors and partners for their support in our inaugural year and look forward to growing our community together."
MAPLE was founded in 2015 to provide Southern California with a business community focal point for cross-border opportunities with Canada spanning foreign direct investment and trade across business sectors. In 2014, there was over $46 billion in cross-border trade between Canada and Southern California. Canada represents the 2nd largest trading partner with the state and is one of the top sources of foreign direct investment. In its first year, MAPLE expanded its charter to include the support of cross-border entrepreneurship opportunities as it engages with innovation communities in Southern California.
"Our organization is based on connecting people and ideas together," said Stephen Armstrong, co-founder and chief marketing officer of MAPLE Business Council. "Our members are connecting together individually and through our events in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties and represent thought-leaders across a wide span of business sectors."
MAPLE recently hosted a mayoral delegation from Waterloo, Canada accompanied by the CEO of the region's economic development corporation to introduce the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor to Southern California. MAPLE also just collaborated with EY Canada on a tax briefing for finance executives held at Canada House in Los Angeles. In 2015, the organization met with entrepreneurs and business leaders in Toronto, Waterloo and London and will be visiting additional Canadian markets in its second year to host meetings and receptions promoting cross-border collaboration.
"We are launching new programs to complement our member networking events and our Cross-Border Leadership series," said Robert Kelle. "With MAPLE now taking root in our region, we are excited to build on our foundation thanks to the support of our members and sponsors."
About MAPLE Business Council
MAPLE Business Council is a non-profit organization promoting investment, trade and entrepreneurship between Southern California and Canada and among Southern California business with ties to Canada. For more information, please visit www.maplesocal.com and follow at @maplesocal
SOURCE MAPLE Business Council
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