Travis Klassen, CEO of Abbotsford’s Klassen Business Group, will be the keynote breakfast speaker at CAFA’s (Canadian Association of Farm Advisors) Farm Succession Update next week.
The event takes place Wednesday, Jan. 24 at Cascade Community Church (35190 DeLair Rd.) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Klassen, a speaker at Abbotsford’s TEDx Talk last September, will speak about how he, as a 30-year-old third-generation family member, became CEO and introduced his 50-year-old family business to modern management principles.
Under Klassen’s leadership, the company grew five times and now employs 100 employees in Abbotsford, Mission, Merritt, Maple Ridge, Radium Hot Springs and 100 Mile House.
Klassen studied at UBC’s Sauder School of Business and was instrumental in seeing his company recognized as the Family Enterprise of the Year Achievement award winner by the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (Vancouver chapter) and as one of the Profit 500’s list of Canada’s fastest growing companies for 2017.
Klassen has extensive experience with complicated issues such as succession, transition, family legacy, philanthropy and family mission/vision and is a certified family enterprise adviser.
He will also speak to the advisers, farmers and business owners about the three-circle model of business – family, business and ownership.
CAFA is dedicated to assisting farm families and businesses by increasing the skills and knowledge of farm advisers.
Visit cafanet.ca for more information or to register for the session in Abbotsford.