Resilience in a New Business Climate: Practical Strategies for B Corps and Other Values-Aligned Businesses

A candid fireside chat on how values-led companies can build resilience, meet rising compliance expectations, and diversify into new markets. And why they should start today.

Join BDC and B Local British Columbia for an in-person lunch and fireside chat with Karen Sytnick, Director Advisory, BC and North on what Canadian companies are seeing on the ground: tariff uncertainty, rising ESG expectations from customers and suppliers, and the new compliance reality of doing business in Europe and other progressive markets. 

We’ll unpack what the New B Corp Standards (effective April 2025) mean in practice, why it’s becoming a strategic asset for market diversification and funding readiness, and how companies can stage their next steps, whether you’re early-stage, scaling, or already operating at a larger enterprise level.

Expect real talk, memorable stories, and actionable takeaways you can put to use, with time to network and meet values-aligned people in the Vancouver B Corp and business community.

Benefits for attendees:

• Get a reality check on what’s changing and what leaders are doing differently right now.
• Understand how ESG, certifications, and compliance are being used as growth enablers (not just reporting).
• Learn how to diversify markets and partners while staying values-aligned.
• Leave with a staged action plan: 3 moves you can make in the next 30 days.
• Meet peers facing the same challenges (and potential partners) in the local Vancouver business and B Corp community.

Who should attend:

• Certified B Corps, companies exploring B Corp certification, and other values-aligned businesses
• Founders, CEOs, operators, sustainability/ESG leads, finance leaders, and growth/market expansion teams
• Teams considering market diversification beyond the US

What you’ll leave with

• A clearer view of the ‘new business climate’ and what resilience looks like by company stage
• A practical understanding of the new B Corp Standards as a compliance + market-entry tool
• Concrete next steps you can start immediately (without trying to do everything at once)
  
  

About the Event:

• Open to Certified B Corps and anyone interested in becoming a B Corp, or interested in the movement as a whole
• Lunch will be provided
• While hosted in Vancouver, this event is open to B Corps and businesses across British Columbia
• This is a free event. Pre-registration is required, and no tickets will be available at the door.
• Food and beverages will be available. Vegan and gluten-free options will be available. Please let us know if you have any allergies, dietary needs or restrictions.

About the Venue:

• BDC is a fully accessible venue, located on the 15th floor via the elevator.
• Please contact our DEIJ Director, Calvin, for more accessibility information or with questions: blocalvancouver@gmail.com
• There will be photography and videography at this event, and by registering, you give B Local BC your express permission to use this content on social media, in marketing materials, on our website, etc. If you have questions or concerns regarding this, please reach out to our Chair & Marketing Director, Fleur: blocalvancouver@gmail.com
• BDC is committed to accessibility and inclusion. The facilities include accessible universal washrooms with an automatic door opener, along with individual, fully accessible washrooms available to everyone.

Getting here:

• BDC Square is located at 1133 Melville Street, 15th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6E 4E5
• While there is no venue parking, PayByPhone street parking is available.
• We encourage guests to consider public transit, biking, or carpooling when possible. BDC Square is easily accessible by public transit.  Burrard and Waterfront Stations are within walking distance, and bus routes 5, 2, 44, 211, 214, 19, 240, 254, 257 and the Seabus and Skytrain all have stops nearby.

About B Local BC:

B Local BC is a community of Certified B Corps and passionate volunteers working together to strengthen, connect, and grow the B Corp movement across our region. We bring people together through events, partnerships, and communications to build relationships, share knowledge, and support businesses in using business as a force for good.

We are solely run by volunteers, and we are a non-profit society. Every ticket sale, sponsorship, donation, and partnership helps us continue to offer low-cost programming, events, and opportunities for our local community.

By registering for our events, you agree to receive emails from B Local BC. You can unsubscribe at any time.

By registering for this event, you agree that the information provided in your registration form will be shared with BDC and treated according to BDC’s Confidentiality Policy. The confidentiality policy can be seen here: https://www.bdc.ca/en/confidentiality

Thank you to our host:  

Thank you to our sponsor: