Business

A winner of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce’s new business of the year Business Excellence Award is the new chamber president. Patrick Giesbrecht took over the position on Wednesday from outgoing president Pat Sapielak. Giesbrecht started the business Pacific North Advertising, and for which he won new business of the year in 2005. He sold the business in 2007, and now operates Pacific North Marketing.

Columbia Cabinets in Abbotsford is helping to raise money for relief efforts in Japan. The manufacturer offers rebates on all the cabinet products it sells to the approximately 190 dealerships and 600 designers it has in the U.S. and Canada. Columbia is now allowing those rebates to be designated to the Red Cross, with the company doubling the amount.

Most Abbotsford and Mission residents have seen the corridor-widening improvements along Old Yale Road from Marshall Road to Dina Place. Those are among the 12 road improvement projects ICBC invested in for Abbotsford and Mission in 2010.

The Abbotsford News has won five Suburban Newspaper of America (SNA) editorial awards, and is also nominated for a Canadian Community Newspaper honour.

Gregg Saretsky wants to let you in on a few secrets, five to be precise. Saretsky, president and CEO of WestJet, will be speaking on the topic of Engaging Employees: WestJet’s 5 Secrets to Success when he visits Abbotsford on Wednesday, March 23. Saretsky is the second speaker in UFV president Mark Evered’s Leadership Lecture Series.

The Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce business showcase is back for a fourth year on April 6 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Tradex. Event organizers expect more than 1,000 people to attend the tradeshow and almost 200 businesses to exhibit.

Economist maintains outlook for improving B.C. economy

$1.30 a litre gas arrives again in Metro Vancouver

Sales up as last buyers sign on to beat deadline for 35-year terms

Members of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board elected a new team of officers and directors at an annual general meeting held Feb. 16, at the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre in Langley.