Call for Board and Committee Members   

Help shape Burlington’s economic future.   

Are you a local business leader, entrepreneur, or industry expert passionate about Burlington’s growth? Burlington Economic Development & Tourism (BEDT) is seeking motivated, experienced individuals to join our Board of Directors and Strategic Working Committees. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping Burlington’s economic vision at a transformative time for our city.   

Our Board of Directors is a governance-focused body seeking to strengthen its membership with community leaders who bring expertise in advanced manufacturing, commercial real estate and land development, main street business/small business ownership in Burlington, or professional finance and accounting experience. The Board meets 6–8 times per year, and members are also expected to actively contribute to one of its standing committees (HR & Governance, Finance and Risk) or working committees (Destination Development and Marketing, Business Growth and Renewal, Innovation and Entrepreneurship).   

BEDT recently merged economic development and tourism into a single organization, unlocking exciting new opportunities to better serve Burlington’s business and visitor economy. Learn more about the merger and our organizational impact:   

• BEDT Merger Overview   
• 2024 Annual Report    

Current Opportunities   

We are recruiting Board Members and Committee Advisors with experience in one or more of the following areas for a 3 year term renewable up to a total of 9 years of membership:   

Board of Directors:   

• Finance/Accounting   
• Main Street Business   
• Commercial Real Estate and Land Development   
• Key Sector Leadership from Burlington’s Major Employers including Advanced   
• Manufacturing (Manufacturing/Process/Technologies), Food & Beverage Processing,   
• Clean Tech, Biomedical & Life Sciences, ICT    

Destination Development & Marketing Committee:   

The Destination Development & Marketing Committee guides BEDT’s tourism and destination strategies by:   

• Providing oversight on the Destination Stewardship Plan implementation and Destination Brand   
• Advising on strategic directions for the Tourism Investment Fund, event attraction strategy, and visitor services   
• Supporting development of culinary, retail, and main street initiatives   
• Promoting agri-tourism and aligning rural economic development with regional directions   
• Strengthening sector business engagement and stakeholder collaboration   

The committee ensures tourism initiatives are integrated with broader economic development goals and the City’s strategic priorities.   

We are seeking members with the following sector experience:   

• Hotel Ownership/Management   
• Film & Media Industry   
• Culinary & Agritourism   
• Destination and Retail Business Operators   

Business Growth & Renewal Committee:   

The Business Growth & Renewal Committee is a strategic advisory body of the BEDT Board that focuses on driving Burlington’s economic development priorities. Its core mandate includes:   

• Leading Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) efforts   
• Supporting sector strategy implementation and business engagement   
• Informing Integrated Customer Experience initiatives with the City of Burlington to support cutting red tape and rolling out the red carpet for businesses   
• Providing insight on strategic investment projects    
• Serving as the primary forum for economic policy feedback and reporting on top employers, business risks, and expansion or relocation activity      

We are seeking committee members with the following sector experience:   

• Small Business & Main Street Entrepreneurs   
• Commercial Real Estate / Mixed-Use Development   
• Life & Health Sciences   
• Clean Tech   
• Food & Beverage Processing   

Why Join?   

• Contribute to the development of Burlington’s economic and tourism strategies   
• Collaborate with municipal leaders and private sector peers   
• Provide strategic oversight and thought leadership   
• Make an impact through committee participation and generative board discussions
• Be part of a forward-thinking, high-impact governance model   

What We’re Looking For   

Board and committee members are strategic thinkers, connectors, and collaborators who:   

• Bring sector-specific expertise or business leadership experience   
• Understand the role of a governance board including those who hold ICD/C. Dir. Designation or are interested in becoming accredited directors   
• Are committed to the success of Burlington’s business and tourism ecosystems   
• Can commit time and energy to participate in 6–8 board meetings annually and at least one committee   

Full Board Member Role Description is available here.   

Apply Now   

If you’re ready to play a role in Burlington’s economic future, we want to hear from you!   

Deadline to apply: Noon August 18^th 2025.   

Submit your resume and a short statement of interest to invest@burlington.ca