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A publication of the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance,
the GTA HotNews is an e-Newsletter designed
to keep you current on the GTMA’s programs
and initiatives. It also promotes the activities and regional
economic development efforts of our public and private sector
partners.
SUBMIT NEWS! We welcome your news items and will make every effort to publish all responsible submissions in a timely manner. If you have an interesting news item, announcement or event that you would like to promote in the next edition of the GTA HOTNEWS, please contact Tony Romano, Director, Corporate Affairs at tromano@greatertoronto.org or 416-360-5758. Copy deadline for the April 2007 Edition is APRIL 26 .
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GTMA Activities & Announcements:
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
GTA Global Vantage 2007 Conference
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2007
MaRS Centre, 101 College Street, Auditorium
The Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance’s GTA Global Vantage 2007 investment and trade conference will bring together business, government, academia and the media in the Greater Toronto Area to discuss solutions to challenges relating to international branding, attracting foreign direct investment and supporting trade and investment abroad. The conference will be a platform to launch and discuss the key findings of the GTA Global Vantage 2007 Study, commissioned by the GTMA in partnership with Deloitte & Touche LLP.
For more information on the GTA Global Vantage 2007 Conference contact the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance at 416-360-7320 or toll-free at 1-800-411-4482. Sponsorship Opportunities
Current Sponsors:
Deloitte & Touche • Compass Promotions • City of Burlington • Four Halls Inc. • City of Toronto • Greater Toronto Airports Authority • Toronto Region Research Alliance |
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Join the GTMA’s Business Mission to Sweden, Denmark and Holland • June 9 - 23, 2007 on the Theme of Sustainability and the Environment
Join the GTMA and partners from the Regional Municipality of Durham, Norditrade and the Consulate General of The Netherlands on an extra-special Business Mission to Sweden, Denmark and Holland on the theme of Sustainability and the Environment / EN2: Energy and Environment. Plans are underway to visit some of the most celebrated green communities in Copenhagen, Malmo, Linköping, Stockholm, Västerås and Amsterdam. In addition to the mission, you may be interested in attending the 3rd International Green Conference (June 18-20, 2007) in Västerås, Sweden. The mission will be an opportunity to visit companies in the energy and environment sectors, take in visits to celebrated sustainable communities and buildings in Sweden, Denmark and Holland as well as meet with some of the key people involved in sustainable development. As lead sponsor, the Region of Durham is planning to send a significant delegation of companies, organizations and representatives as part of this important mission. However, the business mission is open to any company, municipality or organization in the GTA. To join the mission or for further information, please contact John Jung at jjung@greatertoronto.org or Lars Henriksson at lars@norditrade.com.
For information on the GTMA’s Investment Mission to Sweden, Demark and Holland click on Sustainability and the Environment.
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India Mission – NASSCOM (February 2-14)
As part of its international marketing efforts, the GTMA undertook its third investment and trade-related mission to India. This year, in partnership with ITAC, the GTMA took a focused business delegation of 19 companies, government officials and representatives from across the Toronto region, Ontario and even from other parts of Canada to India. In addition to attending NASSCOM 2007 in Mumbai, the GTMA’s traveling delegation also went to Bangalore, Pune and New Delhi for business meetings in these cities. more… |
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Ontario Technology Corridor – India Initiative
The Ontario Technology Corridor (OTC) is a partnership between the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (Toronto Region), Canada’s Technology Corridor (Waterloo Region) and OCRI (Ottawa Region) to promote attracting IT investment into the three key technology regions of the province. The partnership between the three communities was formed in 2003 and starting in 2006, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development & Trade (MEDT) has also joined this initiative.
As part of the recent GTMA mission to India, the OTC Team represented by Gerald Pisarzowski (GTMA), Bill Elliot (CTT) and Scott Runte (OCRI) met with over 20 companies interested in expanding into North America. These one-on-one pre-qualified meetings took place in New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai. They involved companies interested in expanding into the North American market and willing to consider locating their investment in the OTC. The discussion focused on the advantages of doing business in Canada as a stepping-stone for the North American market, leading to a “blended-shore” business model (OTC-near shore combined with India-offshore). North America represents a major market for all of the firms and they responded positively to such advantages as access to a skilled workforce, R&D tax credits, time zone advantages and a thriving IT sector and related infrastructure. Several of the firms are considering the possibility of making a new investment in the OTC while others prefer a softer landing and are looking for partners to help them ease into the North American market.
In addition, the OTC Team participated in two awareness building seminars: one in Bangalore organized by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the other organized by the CII at the International Engineering & Technology Fair in New Delhi. These seminars provided an overview of the IT sector and discussed the advantages of doing business in the OTC. Both of these seminars involved matchmaking sessions during which the OTC Team met with over 20 companies interested in exploring business opportunities within the OTC.
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GTA Advanced Manufacturing Michigan Road Show
The GTMA was invited by the Canadian Consulate in Detroit to participate in a marketing and sales initiative at the end of February focused on the “Golden Triangle” – Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville. The purpose of the trip was to raise awareness of the investment opportunities in Canada and the GTA, provide an overview of doing business in Canada, describe the climate for new investment and export opportunities and meet companies interested in establishing a presence in the Canadian/GTA market. In developing the program, the Consulate worked closely with Frost Brown Todd, a legal firm with offices in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee & Indiana. During the course of the week Gerald Pisarzowski VP Business Development participated in one-on-one meetings with 7 companies interested in doing business in Canada/GTA, participated in two business networking events, met with representatives from Toyota’s Procurement Department and participated in a video conference on doing business in Canada that linked the various offices in the Frost Brown Todd organization. The investment team at the Canadian Consulate did a great job in organizing this excellent marketing and sales event, especially John Bufton who developed this initiative and acted as the “Chef de Mission”. Special thanks to the other members of the team, including Doug Bingeman, Bill Gibson and Josy Parrotta-Marck, their presence significantly contributed to the success of this mission.
To learn more about the GTA-Advanced Manufacturing Program please contact Gerald Pisarzowski, VP Business Development at gpisarzowski@greatertoronto.org or 416-360-6447. |
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MIPIM
The GTMA is the lead coordinator of an inaugural mission to MIPIM in Cannes, France, from March 12-16. Partners in this initiative include the Province of Ontario, City of Toronto/TEDCO, the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC), GTMA private sector partners, Fraser Milner Casgrain and Gowlings, as well as Urban Strategies. MIPIM is considered the world’s largest and most significant property and development show that attracts well over 25,000 participants and key decision makers from around the world. The team from the Toronto area will showcase the growth strategy of the Province in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the development opportunities in Toronto and region with a focus on the Toronto Waterfront, a regional asset that needs to attract serious investment and end-users to make it a world-class waterfront development. This inaugural trip will be monitored for potential participation by the city and region again in future years. |
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Marketing the GTA as a Design-Rich Region
GTMA Research Project Explores the Design Dimension in Advanced Manufacturing
The Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA) has undertaken a case study research project to demonstrate the positive impact of design on advanced manufacturing firms in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The GTMA is working in collaboration with Ontario¹s Design Industry Advisory Committee (DIAC) on this research.
DIAC is a cross-disciplinary think tank and design research group established by Toronto Economic Development in 2001. DIAC¹s vision is to leverage the capability of the design workforce to improve economic and social outcomes in the province of Ontario. Previous research conducted by DIAC has demonstrated that the Toronto CMA is the third largest centre for design employment in North America (after New York and Boston) with 25,645 designers in the workforce. (www.diac.on.ca)
The current GTMA case study research explores the ways in which a number of advanced manufacturers, in various industry sectors, are leveraging the capabilities of the local design talent pool to put themselves on the competitive edge. The findings emerging from this research will be used to market the GTA as a design-rich region for advanced manufacturing.
Research results will be reported in April 2007. For further information please contact: Arlene Gould, Strategic Director, DIAC, asgould@yorku.ca. |
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GTA News:
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New Downtown Toronto Office Tower Home to TELUS
Menkes Development Corporation announced the construction of a 30-storey, $250-million, 780,000 square foot premium office tower located at 25 York Street on the northeast corner of York St and Bremner Boulevard adjacent to the Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto. The building will feature direct access to the galleria and Union Station. The design includes a two-storey podium, conference and wellness facilities, as well as 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space on the ground floor. The project will also set a standard for environmentally sustainable development by pursuing silver status under the LEED program. Telecommunications company TELUS signed the deal with Menkes to be the lead tenant occupying 440,000 sq. ft. of space and consolidating approximately 2000 employees at the new location. For further information, contact George Spezza at gspezza@toronto.ca.
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Brookfield Properties Development
Brookfield Properties announced the development of a 2.6 million sq. ft. Bay Adelaide Centre in downtown Toronto. The announcement of Phase 1 consists of a 50 storey, 1,135,000 sq. ft.. office tower, an urban plaza, the tunnel to Scotia Plaza and linkage to the PATH System as well as addition of new retail and service space at the concourse level. The building will be LEEDs certified to a silver standard. The historical 11 floor façade of the National Building will be restored and included within the new development. Brookfield has signed a long-term lease with KPMG, one of Canada's leading professional services firms, for approximately 250,000 sq. ft. in Bay Adelaide Centre West, the first tower of the three-phase project. Phase 1 of the project is expected to be completed in 2009.
For further information, contact George Spezza, Manager Business Development, City of Toronto Economic Development Office at 416 392-6904 or gspezza@toronto.ca. |
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Mississauga Unveils in-Depth Automotive and Aerospace Study
According to an in-depth study by Mississauga's Economic Development Office (EDO), the advanced manufacturing sector is a major driver of the City's economy. Within this sector, automotive, aerospace and related industries employ nearly 40,000 people in 700 firms in Mississauga.
"The automotive and aerospace sector is a significant component of our local economy," said Larry Petovello, director of the Economic Development Office. "This research study not only sheds light on the strengths and challenges of this sector, but reveals the enormous importance it has in providing stable, long term jobs in our City." more... |
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Durham Region Launches New Tourism Strategy and Brand
Durham Region’s Economic Development and Tourism Department, with tourism and municipal partners from across the region, has launched a new tourism strategy and brand. The strategy and brand are the outcome of the Premier-ranked Tourist Destinations (PrTD) project. The PrTD project was developed by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism to measure the market status of a destination and complete a step-by-step inventory, analysis and resource audit of tourism industry assets. more...
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Oshawa Sets Record in Construction Activity
Oshawa’s real estate market experienced a remarkable year in 2006, setting all-time highs for residential and commercial construction activity. Over 1,800 permits were issued in 2006 for residential, commercial, industrial and government buildings.
Residential building permits valued $222.7 million in 2006, compared to $184 million and $110 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. For the first time in Oshawa’s history, the number of new dwellings surpassed the 1,000 mark in 2006.
The City also posted strong industrial permit numbers with activity reaching $46 million, compared to nearly $22 million the previous year and approximately $26 million in 2004.
Oshawa is a dynamic city of 152,000 and, according to Statistics Canada; it is the fastest growing city in the country. The Conference Board of Canada predicts Oshawa will lead Canada in economic growth through to 2009. |
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Enbridge Named Among World's Most Sustainable Companies
Enbridge Inc was once again selected among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This is the third year in a row that Enbridge has received this recognition.
In a news release announcing the winners, Matthew Kiernan, CEO of Innovest, a Canadian-based international investment advisory firm whose analysis underpins the list, said, "G100 companies are proactive in their response to investor and other stakeholder demands for better management of risks such as climate change. We believe that these sustainability leaders will create significant long-term value through innovation, lower costs, better employee recruiting and retention and consumer choice. G100 companies will likely continue to out-perform the competition as a result." Enbridge was one of just five Canadian companies selected among the 100. Visit the Global 100 website at www.global100.org. |
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More Businesses Make Milton Their Home in 2006
In 2006, Milton attracted a wide range of businesses that led to commercial, retail, manufacturing, warehousing and corporate office development. As of the end of December 31, 2006 industrial and commercial permits issued by the Town represented over 1.8 million square feet of new industrial and commercial space, passing the previous record of 1.6 million square feet. These numbers show that commercial and industrial development is keeping pace with residential development, a balance that is vital to maintaining a relatively low tax rate for residents. more... |
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Canada Becoming a Wind Superpower
Canada more than doubled its wind power capacity last year, making the country the world's 12th-largest in terms of installed capacity, a report said Thursday.
It was a record year for Canada, though other countries are still adding capacity at a faster clip, the Canadian Wind Energy Association said. “Wind energy continues to grow more quickly in many other countries and we are still far from tapping the full economic and environmental potential of wind energy in Canada,” said Robert Hornung, the group's president, in a release. more...
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GTA Communities Big Winners at Economic Developers Council of Ontario Awards Ceremony
The Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) recently held its awards ceremony in Toronto to honour winners and honourable mentions for their efforts in promoting their communities for location and tourism opportunities. “This year, over 190 entries were judged”, stated 2006 EDCO President George Borovilos. “The competition allows local communities to see just how they stack up against other municipalities when it comes to promoting location, investment & tourism opportunities” view winners
The GTMA would like to extend its congratulations to GTA winners of the 2007 EDCO awards:
Publications – Business Directory
Winner – City of Brampton “Brampton Business Directory”
Publications – Annual Report
Winner – Town of Newmarket “2005/06 Community Report”
Publications – Cooperative Publication
Finalist – City of Mississauga “Editorial Contributions to Mississauga Board of Trade
Magazine”
Advertising – Advertising Campaign
Winner – City of Mississauga “Strength in Numbers”
Business Development Event/Campaign
Finalist – Town of Markham “Markham Space Race”
Finalist – Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism “Durham Economic
Prosperity Conference”
Publications – Specialty Brochure/Map/Guide
Finalist – Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism “Discover Durham
Region’s Trails”
Business Retention and Expansion
Winner – Region of Durham Economic Development and Tourism “Durham Strategic
Energy Alliance” |
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Seneca College Alumni Receives Premier’s Award for Ground-Breaking Biotech Research
Andrew Crow, a graduate of Seneca’s Biological Research Technology diploma program, has won a Premier’s Award in Technology for his groundbreaking biotech research.
Crow, who works as a Senior Research Assistant and Lab Manager for Canadian Blood Services at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, has been researching a rare autoimmune disease called immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), which destroys blood platelets, the tiny cells that seal minor cuts and wounds and form blood clots. Andrew and a team of researchers created a synthetic drug to treat patients with ITP.
“Seneca gave me the academic background and an overwhelming amount of hands-on training that was very important to my career,” says Andrew. “I always expected to have a successful career because that’s what my Seneca program trained me for.” more… |
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Federal House of Commons Industry Committee Seeks Changes for Manufacturing Sector
Canada’s House of Commons Industry Committee tabled its report, Manufacturing: Moving Forward-Rising to the Challenge in parliament. The release of report urges the federal government to help Canada's manufacturing sector with its taxes and equipment purchases. It offered 22 recommendations that covered issues ranging from labour to taxation. Of particular note to printers was a recommendation on the capital cost allowance, which affects how long into its lifespan a piece of equipment can be written off. The report suggested shortening this period from five to two years. The report was presented with unanimity by all four major parties. view committee report
The GTMA actively promotes the GTA’s advanced manufacturing sector, including automotive, industrial design and the aerospace industry. To learn more about the activities of the GTA Advanced Manufacturing Committee and its initiatives internationally contact Gerry Pisarzowski, VP, Business Development gpisarzowski@greatertoronto.org. |
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Muscle Car Gives Brampton Relief
DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. confirmed last night it will build the legendary Challenger muscle sports car in Brampton, allaying fears the company would today announce the loss of a shift and about 900 jobs at the plant. Canadian president and CEO Reid Bigland pulled the cover off a bright orange Challenger concept model at the downtown Steam Whistle Brewery, saying it will keep assembly plants running. more… |
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Oshawa to Build Hybrid Truck
General Motors has trumped Ford in a plan to become the first automaker to build hybrid vehicles in Canada. GM of Canada Ltd. announced that it will start making hybrid versions of the popular Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks in Oshawa during the spring or summer of next year.
"GM is making it a top priority to provide our customers with the widest selection of green-vehicle technologies that can save them fuel and benefit the environment," said Arturo Elias, president of GM of Canada, in a statement. "This new hybrid truck adds to GM's fast-growing list of green vehicle technologies being engineered or assembled right here in Canada". more…
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Vehicle Sales Forecast to Rise Slightly in 2007
Toronto Star, February 14, 2007
Canadian automotive sales will rise slightly in 2007, helped by domestic job growth, while Asian automakers continue to boost their market share, industry tracking firm J.D. Power and Associates said. According to its Automotive Industry Forum: Outlook for 2007, J.D. Power predicts auto sales in Canada will reach 1.62 million units in 2007 and 1.63 million in 2008. That is up slightly from the 1.61 million vehicles sold in 2006.
Power expects market share for General Motors of Canada, Ford Motor Co. of Canada and DaimlerChrysler Canada to decline at a moderate but steady pace. |
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Bioscripypt Moving U.S. Operations to Toronto
Toronto Star, February 13, 2007
Biometrics company Bioscrypt Inc. says it will close its El Segundo, California operation as the firm moves work to Toronto in a cost-cutting initiative. Sales, marketing and support functions will be moved by the end of April. The company develops and sells biometric embedded solutions, access control readers and identity and access management software to protect the physical and network assets of international government agencies and leading organizations in the financial services, health-care, and manufacturing sectors. Its technology has been used in eye-recognition programs used at airports. |
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The Regional Municipality of York Receives Six Prestigious Awards
Regional initiatives honoured by OPWA, ORMF, TABIA and Government of Ontario
Six awards were presented to The Regional Municipality of York at the February 22nd York Regional Council meeting from the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA), the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF), the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) and the Government of Ontario. The awards are in recognition of the Region’s work and contribution to fields of transportation, the environment, public education and business. view awards and receipients
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Town of Caledon Welcomes Torbram Electric Supply
10 Perdue Court, Tullamore | www.torbramelectric.com
The Town of Caledon welcomes Torbram Electric Supply to the community. Torbram Electric Supply and its 40 staff will be locating within a portion of a brand new 53,250 sq.ft. facility at the corner of Airport Road and Perdue Court just north of Mayfield Road. Torbram Electric Supply is an electrical wiring and construction supplies wholesaler and distributor.
The remainder of the building is available for lease. For more information, please contact Ben Roberts, Economic Development Officer, Town of Caledon at ben.roberts@caledon.ca or 905-584-2272 extension 4011. |
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Wanderosa Continues to Grow in Caledon
150 Parr Boulevard, Bolton | www.wanderosa.com
The Town of Caledon is pleased to see Wanderosa continuing to grow within our community. Wanderosa and its 55 employees will relocate to a brand new 152,300 sq.ft. facility. For over 15 years, Wanderosa has provided quality product and service to its customers. Specializing in the manufacture and supply of slot wall and systems for commercial use, the new facility will provide operational versatility. |
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Oshawa Sets Record In Construction Activity
Oshawa’s real estate market experienced a remarkable year in 2006, setting all-time highs for residential and commercial construction activity. Over 1,800 permits were issued in 2006 for residential, commercial, industrial and government buildings.
Residential building permits valued $222.7 million in 2006, compared to $184 million and $110 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. For the first time in Oshawa’s history, the number of new dwellings surpassed the 1,000 mark in 2006.
The City also posted strong industrial permit numbers with activity reaching $46 million, compared to nearly $22 million the previous year and approximately $26 million in 2004.
Oshawa is a dynamic city of 152,000 and, according to Statistics Canada; it is the fastest growing city in the country. The Conference Board of Canada predicts Oshawa will lead Canada in economic growth through to 2009. |
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Cybernomics Offers Assistance with Daylight Saving Time
Cybernomics offers assistance with Daylight Saving Time patches and updates to GTMA partners and affiliates.
March 5, 2007 – Toronto – Cybernomics is proud to announce that it will extend its resources to assist Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance partners and affiliates in updating their servers, workstations and electronic devices in preparation for the new Daylight Saving Time (DST) change that will take effect March 11th. As part of this special offer, Cybernomics’ services will be made available to all GTMA associates at the discounted contract rate of $87.50 per hour. Cybernomics’ non-contract rates are $125.00 per hour. |
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People News:
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Enbridge Appoints Lino Luison as Vice President, Unregulated Business Development
GTMA board member, Lino Luison, previously V.P. Opportunity Development for Enbridge Gas Distribution, was recently appointed Vice President, Unregulated Business Development, moving to Enbridge Solutions Inc. Now that Enbridge Electric Connections Inc. is a 100%-owned Enbridge company, it will also report to Lino, thereby consolidating all aspects of unregulated business and better enabling leveraging of the Enbridge brand. Congratulations to Lino from the Board and staff of the GTMA. |
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Mayor Marolyn Morrison, Town of Caledon Appointed to AMO Board of Directors
Marolyn Morrison, Mayor, Town of Caledon and Regional Councillor for the Region of Peel, was recently appointed by the AMO Board of Directors to fill a vacancy on the Board. As a member of the Board and its Regional & Single Tier Caucus, Mayor Morrison will help set policy for the Association and serve as a key municipal leader in the Province. more... |
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New President for York University
Mamdouh Shoukri, a well-respected engineer, researcher and academic administrator, Engineer has been appointed President of York University. Dr. Shoukri will be taking over from Lorna Marsden who is retiring after having served 10 years as York’s President. view full announcment |
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Upcoming Events:
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YTA Breakfast Meeting - Multi Modal Integration • March 22
Lucent-Avaya Building, Markham
There is a new integrated approach today for small and medium business owners to create a marketing road map driven by brand development that generates sales leads and supports the overall goals of the sales program. Powerful new tools offer a technology backbone to support the creation of a seamless process to take a prospect from awareness to purchase.
Before you spend more money on advertising, a new brochure or a direct mail letter, attend this YTA breakfast session for a structured investigation into how to integrate your marketing environment to get sales results to soar. In this session, Marie Wiese and Andrew Ford will show you how to create a formula for success. more… |
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Team Mississauga - Business Mission to China • April 1 – 12
China is poised to take centre-stage in this century. One can hardly imagine the opportunities that exist in a country with more than 1.3 billion people. Learn how your company may benefit from this dynamic emerging market by seeing China yourself. Join Team Mississauga – Business Mission to China 2007, led by Her Worship Mayor Hazel McCallion.
Let Team Mississauga be your guide to provide you with an in-depth exposure about ways of doing business in China. more ... |
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