To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ExplorASIAN Festival, the Asian Community Collaboration Summit was successfully held on February 1, 2026, at the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby.
Organized by the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (VAHMS), the summit brought together community leaders and artist representatives from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Iranian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indian, Thai, Turkish, Pakistani, and other Asian communities, along with representatives from cultural organizations and municipal governments across Metro Vancouver, to explore new opportunities for cross-cultural
collaboration and community development.
In her opening remarks, VAHMS President June Chen expressed sincere appreciation to all community partners participating in the Asian Heritage Month celebrations. She reflected on the 30-year history of the ExplorASIAN Festival and encouraged community leaders to share ideas and explore ways to strengthen collaboration and collective participation in the future.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and several city councillors attended the event and acknowledged the important contributions of Asian communities to the city’s cultural diversity and economic vitality. Coquitlam City Councillor Craig Hodge also attended the summit and emphasized the importance of diverse communities learning from one another, collaborating, and supporting each other.
Centered on the theme “Collaboration · Heritage · Prosperity,” the
summit featured discussions on inter-community partnerships and cultural education, reaffirming a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and connected multicultural society. The event also offered refreshments, curated cuisine, and live DJ music, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for dialogue and exchange.
Organized by the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (VAHMS), the summit brought together community leaders and artist representatives from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Iranian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indian, Thai, Turkish, Pakistani, and other Asian communities, along with representatives from cultural organizations and municipal governments across Metro Vancouver, to explore new opportunities for cross-cultural
collaboration and community development.
In her opening remarks, VAHMS President June Chen expressed sincere appreciation to all community partners participating in the Asian Heritage Month celebrations. She reflected on the 30-year history of the ExplorASIAN Festival and encouraged community leaders to share ideas and explore ways to strengthen collaboration and collective participation in the future.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and several city councillors attended the event and acknowledged the important contributions of Asian communities to the city’s cultural diversity and economic vitality. Coquitlam City Councillor Craig Hodge also attended the summit and emphasized the importance of diverse communities learning from one another, collaborating, and supporting each other.
Centered on the theme “Collaboration · Heritage · Prosperity,” the
summit featured discussions on inter-community partnerships and cultural education, reaffirming a shared commitment to building a more inclusive and connected multicultural society. The event also offered refreshments, curated cuisine, and live DJ music, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for dialogue and exchange.