Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

What Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal does

The Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal (HBOT) is a private non-profit chamber of commerce founded in 1993 that serves the Hellenic (Greek-origin) business community in the Greater Montreal area. Its primary mission is to develop relationships among its members and to advance their professional, commercial, and cultural objectives by organizing or promoting events that facilitate new business opportunities and strengthen Hellenic cultural bonds. The organization is governed by an elected Board of Directors and currently led by President Mary Pagonis (elected October 2024), who is supported by vice-presidents, a Director of Operations, and approximately 20 board members drawn primarily from Canadian financial institutions, law firms, accounting/consulting firms, and Hellenic-owned businesses. HBOT does not offer technology products; its only technical surface is a WordPress website used for membership signup, event listings, the DEKA Awards program, and the scholarship program. Its product surface consists of four programs: annual individual membership, the annual DEKA Awards recognition program (run every year since at least the 2020/2021 cycle), a recurring calendar of ticketed networking events (Whisky & Cigars evenings, holiday parties, Greek Independence Day celebrations, etc.), and the HBOT Scholarship Program launched in 2024. The business model is hybrid: individual members pay $150/year for discounted event tickets and exclusive access; corporate partners pay tiered Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsorship fees (with at least 11 Platinum partners including Air Canada, BMO, CIBC, National Bank, Desjardins, BDC, EY, Foodtastic, BLP Avocats, KRB Avocats, and the Rizopoulos Foundation); event revenue is generated through ticket sales ($60-$110 plus tax per attendee depending on event); and the scholarship program is funded through organizational resources. HBOT reaches its audience through organic social channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook), an email newsletter, and in-person events distributed across Montreal venues (La Casa Del Habano, CAVA, La Terrazza, Vieux-Port Steakhouse, and others). The organization is geographically constrained to a single country (Canada) and a single market (Montreal), and is operated without disclosed external ownership, venture funding, or parent company.

Name

Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Legal name

Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Website

https://hbotmontreal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal (HBOT) is a non-profit chamber of commerce, founded 1993, that serves Greek-origin business professionals in Montreal via $150/year membership, tiered corporate sponsorships, ticketed networking events, the annual DEKA Awards, and a 2024-launched university scholarship program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Networking / Chamber of Commerce

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYCRAEADAK

Travel & Services Membership Clubs (Ancillary Services-Led)

Consumer Products & Retail/Discount, Club & Value Retail/Warehouse Clubs & Membership-Based Retail

SECONDARYHSACAMAD

Premiere, Awards & Festival Access

Home & Personal Services/Event & Personal Concierge Services/VIP, Red Carpet & Special Access Services

Keywords

• Chamber of commerce services
• Business networking events
• Membership association programs
• Greek community business services
• Corporate sponsorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees of $150/year providing members with preferred event pricing, early access to ticket sales, and exclusive member-only networking events.
2. Event Tickets and Sponsorships: Revenue generated from ticket sales to events (including Whisky & Cigars events, holiday parties, networking events) and corporate sponsorships at Platinum, Gold, and Silver tiers. Event tickets range from $60+ tax for certain events to $110+ tax for premium events.
3. Scholarship Program: HBOT operates a scholarship program providing $3,000 per recipient to Greek-origin students, funded through organizational resources and potentially member contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HBOT is a Hellenic (Greek) chamber of commerce in Montreal that sells an annual membership ($150/year) giving members access to networking events, member-only gatherings, and the DEKA Awards recognition program. It also runs ticketed networking events (holiday parties, whiskey & cigars evenings, Greek Independence Day celebrations) and a scholarship program providing $3,000 per recipient to Greek-origin university students, supported by Platinum, Gold, and Silver corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal (HBOT) is a business networking organization offering a membership program ($150/year), the annual DEKA Awards recognition program, an HBOT Scholarship Program for Greek-origin university students ($3,000 per recipient), and various networking events including holiday parties, whiskey and cigars evenings, Greek Independence Day celebrations, and seasonal gatherings. The organization does not offer technology products or services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HBOT Annual Membership

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, gold, silver and core.

• Air CanadaplatinumGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 October 2024Air Canada is listed as a Platinum Partner of HBOT. As a major Canadian airline, Air Canada likely provides sponsorship support for HBOT events and gains visibility among the Hellenic business community in Montreal.
• National Bank / Banque NationaleplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Bank of Canada is listed as a Platinum Partner, providing financial services sponsorship and gaining exposure to HBOT's Hellenic business network.
• BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada)platinumGTM or Marketing PartnerBDC is listed as a Platinum Partner, supporting HBOT events and gaining access to the Hellenic business community as a federal development bank focused on entrepreneurs.
• BLP AvocatsplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerBLP Avocats is a Platinum Partner and law firm whose founding partner (Dean Psycharis) served as HBOT co-president and past-president.
• BMO (Bank of Montreal)platinumGTM or Marketing PartnerBMO is listed as a Platinum Partner. HBOT Vice-President Dimitri Tsitouras works in Business Banking at BMO.
• CIBCplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerCIBC is listed as a Platinum Partner, providing banking services sponsorship to HBOT.
• DesjardinsplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerDesjardins is listed as a Platinum Partner, providing cooperative financial services sponsorship.
• EY (Ernst & Young)platinumGTM or Marketing PartnerEY is listed as a Platinum Partner, providing professional services and consulting sponsorship.
• FoodtasticplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerFoodtastic is listed as a Platinum Partner, a food services/restaurant group gaining visibility among the Hellenic business community.
• KRB AvocatsplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerKRB Avocats is a Platinum Partner and law firm whose partner Chris Karambatsos serves as HBOT VP of Sponsorships.
• RФ (Rizopoulos Family Foundation)platinumGTM or Marketing PartnerRizopoulos Foundation is listed as a Platinum Partner, providing philanthropy and community support.
• RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)goldGTM or Marketing PartnerRBC is listed as a Gold Sponsor, providing banking services sponsorship. Costas Ikonomidis from RBC serves on HBOT's Board.
• ABMS Évaluateurs AgrééssilverGTM or Marketing PartnerABMS is a Silver Sponsor and chartered appraisal firm whose senior appraiser Marianne Boufounos serves on HBOT's Board.
• FCC (FCC Equipment Finance)silverGTM or Marketing PartnerFCC is listed as a Silver Sponsor, providing equipment financing services sponsorship.
• Premium BrandssilverGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium Brands is a Silver Sponsor, a specialty food manufacturer gaining visibility among HBOT members.
• Orbis Mortgage GroupsilverGTM or Marketing PartnerOrbis Mortgage Group won HBOT's Business of the Year award in 2025, demonstrating active participation in the HBOT community.
• ScotiabanksilverGTM or Marketing PartnerScotiabank and Roynat Capital are Silver Sponsors, with Alexander Efthimiopoulos from Scotia Wealth Management on HBOT's Board.
• TD BanksilverGTM or Marketing PartnerTD Bank is a Silver Sponsor, with Spiro Theopoulos from TD Commercial Banking on HBOT's Board.
• McCarthy TétraultcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHBOT President Mary Pagonis is a Real Estate Partner at McCarthy Tétrault, indicating a core relationship with this major law firm.
• National Bank of CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDespina Papadopoulos, CPA serves as Director of Technology and Innovation at National Bank of Canada and is on HBOT's Board. National Bank is also a Platinum Partner.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce: National umbrella body for chambers of commerce in Canada. Operates the same broad business association model (membership, events, policy advocacy) as HBOT but at national scale and across all sectors rather than a single ethnic community.
• Federation CJA (Combined Jewish Appeal): Montreal-based community federation serving another large diaspora business community. Comparable operating model (membership-based, fundraising tiers, scholarship programs, networking events) aimed at a defined ethnic/affinity business community in Greater Montreal.

Regional players

• Greeks of Toronto (Hellenic Community of Toronto): Hellenic community organization in Toronto. Closely comparable mission and programming (Greek-origin professional networking, cultural events, awards) but operating in a different Canadian metropolitan market from HBOT.
• Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC): Hellenic diaspora advocacy and leadership organization focused on Greek-American and Greek-Canadian professionals. Comparable mission of advancing Greek-origin business and community interests, but operating primarily in the U.S. rather than Montreal.

Direct peers

• Montreal Board of Trade (Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain): The flagship regional chamber of commerce in Greater Montreal. Highly comparable to HBOT as a membership-based business association operating networking events, award programs (e.g., Mercuriades), and corporate sponsorship tiers in the same geographic market.
• American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA): Largest Greek diaspora organization in North America, with chapters, scholarships, and networking for Greek-origin professionals and business owners. Comparable to HBOT in mission (Hellenic professional/business advancement, scholarships, awards) though operating at much larger scale across the U.S. and Canada.
• Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada (Camera di Commercio Italiana in Canada): Ethnic-affinity chamber of commerce serving the Italian-Canadian business community. Directly comparable business model (membership dues, networking events, sponsorship tiers, awards) aimed at a diaspora business community in Canada.
• The Hellenic Initiative Canada: Hellenic diaspora organization focused on investment, entrepreneurship, and community programming in Canada. Comparable to HBOT in its Greek-affinity business community focus, philanthropy, and award/recognition programming.

Others

• Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) Montreal Chapter: Premium peer-to-peer business networking and learning organization with Montreal chapter. Comparable in operating an invitation-based membership model with high-touch networking events and corporate sponsorship, though serving senior executives broadly rather than a single ethnic community.
• Quebec Film and Television Council (BCTQ): Quebec industry association offering tiered memberships, networking events, and corporate sponsorships comparable to HBOT's revenue model, though serving the audiovisual sector rather than the Hellenic business community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hbotmtl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hellenic-board-of-trade-of-metropolitan-montreal
• Instagraminstagram.com/hbot_montreal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal