Annual general meeting season is upon us, and the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association is the first one out of the gate.
The BIA held its AGM on Tuesday.
"We've got a lot of new faces on the board and we are planning our first board meeting for Feb. 22," said Kendra Johnston, BIA manager.
New to the board are Lynn Roxanne Quesnel, Laurence Mendoza, Peter Soat, Dave Saraff, Harm Woldring, Carmen Uncao, Paul Romein, Michael Richardson, Kimberly Nicholl, Shelagh Anderson, Craig Brennan and Jason McGill.
Board members will vote for a new president and executive at the Feb. 22 meeting.
In the meantime, Johnston said the BIA has busy 2012 ahead.
"We are planning for out Multicultural Festival on May 19 and the Show and Shine on July 8, and people should look for some new and exciting initiatives with a new and exciting board," she said.
Chamber AGM
The New Westminster Chamber of Commerce has some exciting things planned for 2012, kicking off with its AGM.
Aside from the usual AGM business, the chamber has some other things in store, according to executive director Cori-Lynn Germiquet.
Germiquet has arranged for Catherine Kennedy of Communities in Bloom to be the meeting's keynote speaker.
"Communites is Bloom is not just a beautification project, but rather about inspiring a community to come together to make sure that it's sustainable," Germiquet said.
New members to be acclaimed to the chamber board are: Tej Kainth, Eleanor Ryrie, Kimble Ho, Ruby Campbell, Patti Goss and Daniel Lee.
"There are a number of positive activities we are embracing in 2012," said chamber president Andrew Hopkins in a press release. "With our new executive director now on board, we are looking forward to building a community engaged strategic plan for the next five years. With the response we have had in our call for nominations to our board, I am looking forward to a very progressive year."
The Chamber's AGM runs at the Starlight Casino on Feb. 29 at 11:30 a.m.
Biz awards
Two New Westminster businesses are up for awards at Small Business B.C.'s 2012 Successful You Awards.
Dance With Me Studio is nominated along with four other businesses for the Best Community Impact Award, which is awarded to businesses that can demonstrate positive investment, impact and action in their community's triple bottom line - that is social, environmental and financial well-being.
Meanwhile, adorably named True Cuddles Inc. is up for Best Online Marketer. The New West-based online store, which features niche baby clothing, earned its nomination for its social media marking campaign. The award recognizes businesses that can show proof-positive results that their creative, original and appealing online campaign worked.
The awards gala runs Feb. 28 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver from 5 to 8 p.m. Former Vancouver Canucks star and small business owner Trevor Linden is the event's keynote speaker.
