About SMA

Who Are We?

The Steveston Merchants Association is led by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of Steveston business owners dedicated to supporting and growing business opportunities for our members. Our target markets include Steveston, Richmond, Metro Vancouver, and visitors to the region.

Members benefit from exposure through magazine advertising, our website, awareness campaigns, cross-promotions, shop-local initiatives, and special events presented by the Steveston Merchants Association. These events include the Tourism Neighbourhood Challenge, Tree Lighting, 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. We also proudly support other local events throughout the year.

We encourage our members to build relationships with one another and with our community partners, including Tourism Richmond, the City of Richmond, the Steveston Harbour Authority, historic sites, and local non-profit organizations.

The Steveston Merchants Association serves as the voice of our members on issues affecting the business community, such as parking, development proposals, signage, road closures, safety, filming, recycling, and events.

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

Board of Directors 

President Jim van der Tas Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant
Vice President Kristy Quan A Monkey Tree
Board Member Cathy Cheung Sinfully The Best
Board Member/Admin/Treasurer/Marketing Carolynne Palla Palla Media/Steveston Insider
Board Member Erinn Bryan O'Hare's GastroPub & Liquor Store
Board Member Ceri Chong Tourism Richmond
Board Member Erik Bucaneg The Glass House Optical
Board Member James Woodman S.D. Woodman Management
Board Member Romer Aquino Windsor Meats
Board Member Shane Dagan Steveston Seafood House


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 (SMA) is a registered non-profit organization formed in 2010, 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 that gives you a voice on community issues directly affecting your business
    Gain valuable exposure
    Network and socialize with fellow business owners
    Get your business listed on exploresteveston.com with a link to your own website
    Promotion on SMA social media streams (Facebook, Instagram)
    Cross-promotions with other merchants
    Participate in shop-local campaigns
    Opportunities for editorial coverage in local magazines
    Automatic inclusion in SMA-organized special events, with no participation fee
    Stay informed about business changes in the village
    Play a role in shaping the future of Steveston
    Benefit from a supportive network of fellow industry professionals
    Attend SMA social events
    Join meetings with stakeholders on timely topics
    Be eligible for nomination to the SMA Board of Directors
    Become part of a strong alliance that gives you a voice on community issues directly affecting your business
  • Gain valuable exposure
  • Network and socialize with fellow business owners
  • Get your business listed on exploresteveston.com with a link to your own website
  • Promotion on SMA social media streams (Facebook, Instagram)
  • Cross-promotions with other merchants
  • Participate in shop-local campaigns
  • Opportunities for editorial coverage in local magazines
  • Automatic inclusion in SMA-organized special events, with no participation fee
  • Stay informed about business changes in the village
  • Play a role in shaping the future of StevestonBenefit from a supportive network of fellow industry professionals
  • Attend SMA social eventsJoin meetings with stakeholders on timely topics
  • Invited to attend all board meetings as a guest
  • Receive minutes of all board meetings
  • Be eligible for nomination to the SMA Board of Directors

Current SMA Events

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

What We Strive To Do

  • Collaborate with the City of Richmond and Tourism Richmond
  • Be consulted and involved in community issues
  • Advertise and build awareness of SMA businesses
  • Strengthen the SMA brand
  • Post to social media daily
  • Attract editorial coverage on television
  • Meet with politicians, councillors, and stakeholders
  • Encourage local residents to support village merchants
  • Promote Steveston as a year-round destination
  • Contribute charitable donations to the Food Bank, Christmas Fund, and other causes
  • Help Steveston earn recognition as “The Best Neighbourhood in Metro Vancouver”
  • Participate in meetings with other community groups to share ideas

Future Goals

  • Establish an official Business Improvement Area (BIA)
  • Develop Steveston into a festive Christmas Village destination
  • Advertise to a wider audience
  • Sponsor more local events
  • Grow and enhance current SMA community events
  • Add new events, such as Oktoberfest and other shopping promotions
  • Create a Steveston map featuring SMA members
  • Install street banners that change frequently and promote SMA initiatives
  • Beautify the village with hanging baskets and other enhancements
  • Add a “Welcome to Steveston” sign with branded directional signage
  • Install more bike racks and benches
  • Increase SMA membership
  • Develop a modern, updated website
  • Continue to represent the best interests of our members and drive traffic to their businesses