Big Tsunami News

New Leadership team announced for the Big T as 2009 team honoured for a record year!
WOW! has it been a year already? It's time to hand over the running of our business networking chapter. The past 12 months have seen a new revenue record but also a new location and much more...

First off lets thank the 2009 leadership team. Allison Cousins, Brenda Cadman and Kenn Burns. Under their leadership, the chapter set and exceeded the passed revenue goal of $2.7 million. The year also saw the chapter moving locations from Sylvia Hotel to the Boathouse in English Bay.

The chapter said goodbye to a few members in 2009 but also welcomed a number of new members throughout the year. 2009 finished with 48 Big T members. Still the largest chapter in BC and in the top 3 in Canada. Great Job gang!

The Big T is excited to welcome the new leadership team that is going to drive the chapter through 2010. The new president is Colin Cuthbert, new vice president is Nicole Burke and the secretary treasurer will be Angela Dean.

Friday Feb 26th, 2010
We will be back at The Boathouse in English Bay for our Wednesday morning networking breakfast starting in March. Thanks to the Coast Hotel on Marine Drive for making room for us during the Olympics.

Wednesday January 27th, 2010

The Big T sets another BNI BC record with the passing of over $2.7 Million dollars in 2009. That is an average of almost $50K for each and every member of our chapter.

Big Tsunami growth means NEW LOCATION!
Wednesday, July 6th, 2009

At over 50 members and growing, the Big Tsunami outgrew their breakfast meeting location at the Sylvia Hotel and is moving next door to The Boathouse.

This exciting move means:

More room for guests and guest rally days
A larger dining area with better sight lines and acoustics
New menu choices
The same great sunrise view
and more!

The Big Tsunami wishes to thank to Sylvia Hotel and, specifically, Heather Courtney, Food and Beverage Director, for their two year parternship and service. We highly recommend the Sylvia Hotel as a great place for out-of-town guests to experience a piece of Vancouver history!

The Big Tsunami's first meeting at The Boathouse will be on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009.

Friday, May 29th, NORTH SHORE NEWS FASHION FILE | Big Tsunami Wine Pairing ...more

Vancouver BNI Chapter partners with CKNW Orphans' Fund to practice "Givers Gain" philosophy
May 15, 2009

Today, BNI Big Tsunami is one of the top 4 BNI Chapters in the country. Four years ago, however they were floundering and shrinking and it's members conceived an idea to reenergize the chapter: the 1st Annual Big Tsunami Wine Pairing in celebration of BNI Canada's 10th Anniversary was born.

That first wine pairing was a huge success and marked a turning point, bringing exposure and new members to the chapter. Over the past 4 years, the Wine Pairing has offered an opportunity to showcase BNI, The Big Tsunami and it's members while strengthening networks between chapters and expanding external networks. Each year improved upon the last.

This year, a very enthusiastic Wine Pairing Committee put their heads together and asked themselves, "What's next? How do take this event to the NEXT level?"

The conclusion? In true BNI "Givers Gain" spirit, this year's 5th Annual BNI Big Tsunami Wine Pairing is being put on in support of the CKNW Orphans Fund, a charity dedicated to promoting the health and welfare of physically, mentally challenged and disadvantaged children in BC communities.

Big Tsunami President, Allison Cousins, says "What a privilege to be in the position to take an event that has given us so much and turn it in to an opportunity to help such a great cause!"

If "givers" do in fact gain then what does the Big T stand to gain? To start, the opportunity to network with media and a network of CKNW Orphans Fund supporters and exposure on CKNW radio for the event, Big T and BNI.

The 5th Annual BNI Big Tsunami Wine Pairing will take place on June 11th at the grand Hycroft Manor. For more details, check out www.thebigtsunami.com.

January 14th, 2009

Almost there!
The Big Tsunami is just shy of our revenue goals set for 2008. In January 08, a goal of $2.5 Million was suggested and the members of the chapter took up the challenge. The total dollar amount of referrals passed in 2008 was $2.4 Million. This is a new BNI BC record!

December 3, 2008
Written by: Dave Pinton

The Big Tsunami Provides a Wave of Christmas Giving

The Big Tsunami is getting into the spirit of the holidays by giving a sleigh-load of gifts to underprivileged families across Metro Vancouver.

Members of the Big T are stepping up and donating toys to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. Thanks to their efforts, more than 50 children who otherwise might not receive a single present, will now get a gift on Christmas morning.

On December 3rd, Big Tsunami members brought an unwrapped toy to their breakfast networking meeting, and used the toys in their individual infomercials, to describe how the gift embodied the qualities of their business

After the meeting, firefighters from the West End Firehall collected to toys to be delivered in style to the Christmas Bureau's headquarters.

Chapter President, Troy Busniuk, says the group realizes they've done well in raising over 2 million dollars of referred business amongst chapter members and this was a good way to give back.

"We have all had a phenomenal year and continue to have a phenomenal year and this is just a small way we can give back to those who might have had a hard time."

Rather than simply assigning a gift to a family, the Christmas Bureau gives parents a chance to choose an unwrapped gift specifically for their child. The process helps personalize the gift and gives parents a more dignified way to seek help.

Secretary Treasurer, Elinor Warkentin, said this organized method helps provide almost as much relief for parents as it does fun for the kids.

The Christmas Bureau's Board President, Mimi Grad, is grateful for the support, especially during an economic downturn.

"We're seeing more and more of the working poor - people who are bringing home a paycheck and still can't make ends meet, and this just helps them have a little something for their kids at Christmas."

October 2008

The Big T reaches 50 members for the first time in the chapters 8 year history. Chapter President, Troy Busniuk put a challenge to the chapter in April when he took over the lead role of the group "We challenged the group to see if we could reach 55 members by the end of 2008. We've hit 50 members and have over two months go"

Back in April of this year the chapter decided to drive up the quality of the business referrals passed but also set a goal of $2.5 Million in referred business. Troy says, " with the 50 members, we have increased our chances of hitting the target and perhaps even exceeding it".

Summer 2008

$1.6 Million(& counting)

The Big T sets a new BNI BC record for most revenue generated by referrals surpassing the record set of $1.4 Million in 2007.

We are well on our way to our $2.5 Million goal set in January 2008. The 50+ business professionals are all 100% committed to hit this goal and reach for even higher targets in the years to come. Check out the members and reserve your seat at the next meeting

Congratulations to Ozzie Kipnes from Hot Wax... February, 2008

At the BNI Gala on Saturday February 23rd, 2008, Ozzie Kipnes was crowned the Big T's Master Networker of the year. This was the second year in a row that Ozzie was awarded the title.

Congratulations to Allison Cousins and Troy Busniuk for being nominated. You are all valuable members of our chapter.

This years Gala was organized once again by Deborah Wallace and her team from The Finer Details. The evening was perfect!

Check out the photos from People Shots Photography!

The first to $1,000,000January 1st, 2008
The Big Tsunami is the first chapter in BNI BC history to reach over $1,000,000 of referred business. They started out the year with a goal of $900K which would beat their 2006 record total of $714K. As the end of 2007 approached, the smashed the $900K goal and raised the goal to one million. The very next week after some qualified referrals they not only reached the one million mark but smashed through it! When all is said and done, The Big Tsunami generated over $1.3 million of referred business between over 40 members. Read about "The Little Wave That Could" in this months issue of BNI's Success Net!

Stay tuned in 2008! The Big T is looking to set new records with a goal to generate $2.5 Million between 60 members. If you or someone you know is interested BNI, pay the Big T a visit and see how we do it.

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