About SMA

Who Are We?

The Steveston Merchants Association's volunteer Board of Directors is Steveston business owners who are committed to increasing business for our membership. Our target markets are Steveston, Richmond, Metro Vancouver and visitors to the region.

Members receive exposure through newspaper and magazine advertising, exposure on our website, awareness campaigns, cross-promotions, shop local campaigns, and special events sponsored by the Steveston Merchants Association including the Tourism Neighbourhood Challenge, Steveston Scarecrow Crawl, Trick or Treating in Steveston Village, Girls' Night Out, Holiday Display Contest, Classic Christmas Car Cruise, Festival of Trees and Christmas in Steveston Village. In addition, the Steveston Merchants Association lends support to other special events.

We encourage our members to foster relationships with one another and with our supporters, including Tourism Richmond, the City of Richmond, Steveston Harbour Authority, the historic sites, and local non-profit groups.

We are the voice for our members regarding issues that affect the business community such as parking, proposed developments, signage, road closures, safety issues, filming, recycling, events, etc. 

We encourage all Steveston businesses to join the Steveston Merchants Association.

Board of Directors 

President Jim van der Tas Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant
Vice President Erinn Bryan O'Hare's Gastropub and Liquor Store
Board Member Cathy Cheung Sinfully The Best
Board Member/Admin/Treasurer/Marketing Carolynne Palla Palla Media/Steveston Insider
Board Member Victoria Echem Richmond Steveston Physio
Board Member Ceri Chong Tourism Richmond
Board Member Erik Bucaneg The Glass House Optical
Board Member Chantale Fontaine Pathfinder Pet Care & Dog Ranch
Board Member Kristy Quan A Monkey Tree
Board Member Alex Sagert Steveston Sound & Stage


For more info contact Carolynne Palla, Administrator, at info@exploresteveston.com or 604-812-5658

Membership Information

We encourage all businesses in Steveston to join the Steveston Merchants Association.  If you have questions, please email info@exploresteveston.com

Forms

  • Membership Application Form (email for a copy)
Fill out the form and send to:
Steveston Merchants Association
c/o Steveston Post Office, PO Box 31856
3811 Moncton St
Richmond BC V7E 3A0

Or email the form to:
info@exploresteveston.com

Who are we?

The Steveston Merchants Association is a registered non-profit group that was formed in 2010 and is committed to promoting the unique waterfront village of Steveston as a vibrant destination to shop, dine, live, work, explore and play, to benefit the business community. 

Why Join the SMA?

  • Become part of a strong alliance, to give you a voice on community issues that could directly affect your business
  • Exposure 
    • Socializing and networking with fellow business owners
    • Listing your business information on the exploresteveston.com website with a link to your own website
    • Promotion on all SMA social media streams (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
    • Cross promotions between merchants
    • Shop local campaigns
    • Editorial in local newspapers and magazines
  • Automatic inclusion in special events organized by the SMA, with no fee
  • Be aware of business changes in the village
  • Be a part of shaping the future of Steveston
  • Benefit from a support network of fellow industry professionals
  • Attend SMA social events
  • Attend meetings held with stakeholders on timely topics
  • Eligible to be nominated for the SMA Board of Directors

Current SMA Events

  • Steveston Scarecrow Crawl
  • Halloween Trick or Treating
  • Girls' Night Out
  • Festival of Trees in partnership with Gulf of Georgia Cannery
  • Christmas in Steveston Village in partnership with Tourism Richmond and the City of Richmond
  • Dog parades
  • Tourism Neighbourhood Challenge
  • Support other special events

What We Strive To Do

  • Work with the City of Richmond and Tourism Richmond 
  • Be involved and consulted on community issues
  • Advertise and create awareness of SMA businesses
  • Creating a strong brand for the SMA
  • Social media posts daily
  • Attract editorial coverage in newspapers and on TV
  • Meet with politicians, councillors and stakeholders
  • Encourage locals to support the village merchants
  • Make Steveston a year-round destination
  • Made charitable donations to the Food Bank, Christmas Fund and others
  • Helped Steveston be voted “The Best Neighbourhood in Metro Vancouver”
  • Attend meetings of other community groups to share ideas

 Future Goals

  • To form an official Business Improvement Area (BIA)
  • Become a Christmas Village destination all decked out
  • Advertise to a wider audience
  • Sponsorship of local events
  • Grow and enhance current SMA community events
  • More events such as OctoberFest and shopping events
  • Create a Steveston map with SMA members listed
  • Street banners - changing frequently & promoting SMA initiatives
  • Hanging baskets and other beautification of the village
  • Welcome to Steveston sign with branded directional signs
  • Install more bike racks and benches
  • Increase membership
  • Create an updated modern website 
  • Continue to represent the best interest of our members and steer traffic to their businesses