On Sept. 17, 1911, the Prince George Chamber of Commerce was officially formed.
That same year, the first flight with air mail took place in India, the Ottawa Senators beat Port Arthur to win the Stanley Cup, King George V of England was crowned and Marie Curie received her second Nobel Prize.
It was a time of hope and aspiration, and nowhere more than in Prince George.
On Saturday, the Chamber of Commerce held its Centennial President's Gala at the Bentley Centre at UNBC.
Mayor Dan Rogers presented the incoming board of directors to the 140 guests attending the fundraiser event. The theme for the gala was cruise ship Love Boat and the event raised $12,000.
More centennial events will be planned by the incoming board, which was sworn in by the mayor during the gala.
Gaurav Parmar was sworn in as president, Roy Spooner as past president, Bill McGill as first vice-president, Tracy Peterson as second vice-president and Derek Doughtery as treasurer.
The board's first orders of business is to organize a celebration closer to the actual 100th anniversary date, said chamber CEO Jennifer Brandle-McCall.
The next major upcoming event is the B.C. Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting conference May 29 to 31 where more than 200 delegates are expected to gather in Prince George at the Civic Centre.
The annual general meeting conference draws members from across the province, with three full days of speakers, panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities.
"This is the first time we've ever hosted the event," said Brandle-McCall. "It's a good year. I believe the B.C. Chamber is recognizing Prince George's 100th anniversary by awarding us the right to host the annual general meeting."
