By Canadian Press

Barack Obama, former U.S. president, to speak in Vancouver in early March

Jan 17, 2019 | 8:15 AM

VANCOUVER — Former United States president Barack Obama is coming to Vancouver.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade says in a statement that Obama will speak March 5 during a late afternoon event at  Vancouver Convention Centre West.

It’s billed as a conversation with the first African American to be elected to the presidency.

Iain Black, board of trade president and CEO, says the organization is delighted with the appearance.

Obama, who was elected 44th U.S. president in 2008 and served two terms, is scheduled to make an appearance in Calgary earlier in the day.

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

7h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

14h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

Dec 12, 2024

Tickets to the Vancouver appearance will be offered to board members first, but any remaining tickets will be made available to the general public on Feb. 1.

“It is an honour for our organization to host one of the most respected world leaders in recent history, in light of his lifelong dedication to principled diplomacy and creating a more equal society,” Black said in the release.

Board chair Lori Mathison said B.C. business leaders have repeatedly placed Obama’s name at the top of surveys on desired speakers.

Mathison called Obama “quite possibly the most coveted speaker in the world.”

Tickets to Obama’s Calgary speech at the Saddledome are already on sale.

The Canadian Press