The Chamber of Commerce will kick off its 100th anniversary celebration at today's annual general meeting.

The celebration of the centennial will be inaugurated at the chamber's AGM with a number of other events planned throughout the year and culminating with the 2007 AGM.

The formation of the Chamber dates back to 1905 when J.P. Hand suggested that an organisation of merchants of Bermuda "would assist materially to protect and build up the trade interests of this Colony".

The original members met several times to draw up a constitution and finally, in 1907, Sir Thomas J. Wadson became the first president with J.P. Hand as its secretary. The first formal meeting took place on February 11, 1907.

Today's kick off at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess will include speaker Nancy Hughes Anthony, president and chief executive officer of the 170,000 member Canadian Chamber of Commerce.