THE PHOENIX GROUP

The Phoenix Group was founded in 1983, by Neil J. Pelman, Architect, as a networking breakfast club within the Development and Construction Industries.  Meetings are held every Wednesday morning at the Georgian Court Hotel, Cross Bow room.  After buffet breakfast, members engage with special guest speakers, member guests, or participate in club business meetings.

At each meeting we have a guest speaker and we aim to cover a variety of topical business issues. The meetings are light hearted making for an easy atmosphere to nurture new business contacts. The style of the club is unpressured and guests can mingle and chat at their own pace and in the way they feel most comfortable. Members can bring guests to each breakfast, if they chose.

Phoenix Group speakers have direct relevance to the development and construction industry; field visits to major projects are sometimes organized.  Previous speakers include: 

• Ward McAllister, CEO, Ledingham McAllister Properties 
• Helmut Pastrick, Chief Economist Central 1
• Gordon Price, SFU City Program
• Michael Geller, Consulting Planner/Architect                        
• Senator Larry Campbell
• Ozzie Jurock, Real Estate Expert
• Mayor Greg Moore, City of Port Coquitlam
• Mayor Richard Stewart, City of Coquitlam
• Former Mayor Gordon Campbell, City of Vancouver
• City of Surrey mayors, Bob Bose, Diane Watts and Linda Hepner, Doug McCallum
  
• District of North Vancouver Mayor, Richard Walton
• City of North Vancouver Mayor, Darrell Mussatto
• Larry Beasley and Ann McAfee, Former City of Vancouver Planners 
• Anita Huberman, Surrey Board of Trade
• Kevin Falcon, former MLA and Provincial cabinet minister
• Peter Ladner, former Vancouver city councilor
• Marcia Nozick, founder and CEO EMBERS
• Colleen Hardwick, Placespeak
• Tom Davidoff, UBC Sauder School
• Mayor Sharon Gaetz, City of Chilliwack
• Carole Taylor, Former Chair, CBC
• Michael Audain, CEO, Polygon Homes
• David Baxter, Professor UBC Urban Geography
• David Podmore, CEO, Concert Properties
• Garth Evans, Former Burnaby Councilor
• Paul Merrick, Architect