BIE February 2015

February 2015 $3.50 businessinedmonton.com

Meet

Jerri Cairns 2015 EDMONTON

CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR

DRESS FOR SUCCESS THE NEW WARDROBE CLASSICS

INVESTING THE MUTUAL FUND DOMINATION EVENT PLANNING: EVENTFUL TIMES

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SECTION CONTENTS

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time

TITLE

JANUARY 2015 | VOL. 04 #01

Features

Regulars

Business in Edmonton keeps you updated on investing, green technology, tax planning and more - all while making sure you look stylish and professional while expressing your individuality.

Each and every month

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Cover

URBANOMICS John Hardy

MEET JERRI CAIRNS 10

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

2015 Edmonton Chamber Board Chair

ECONOMIC FACTORS Josh Bilyk

57 E DMONTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | BY SIMON O’BYRNE

61 EDMONTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Company Profiles 53

S INCLAIR ELECTRIC

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

Serving Edmonton’s Electrical Needs for 40 Years

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View our digit al issue of this mon th’s mag azin e onlin e at www .busi nessi nedm onto n.com

February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

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While others may have seen nothing, you see potential .

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AFSC Commercial Loans Offer: • Loans up to $5 million (per connected borrower) • Personalized service and acceptance • No early payment penalty • Competitive interest rates

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NEWS FROM THE MONTH

PUBLISHER BUSINESS IN EDMONTON INC.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Brent Trimming

brent@businessinedmonton.com

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time

Features

continued

EDITOR Nerissa McNaughton

COPY EDITOR Nikki Mullett

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33

38

42

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ART DIRECTOR Cher Compton

cher@businessinedmonton.com

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Aaron Jackson

ADMINISTRATION Nancy Bielecki info@businessinedmonton.com

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Josh Bilyk

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Nerissa McNaughton Ben Freeland John Hardy

ADVERTISING SALES Jane Geng Evelyn Dehner Renee Neil

jane@businessinedmonton.com evelyn@businessinedmonton.com renee@businessinedmonton.com

DIRECTORS OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING Mark McDonald Joanne Boelee

mark@businessinedmonton.com joanne@businessinedmonton.com

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

25 EVENTFUL TIMES

| BY BEN FREELAND

Edmonton’s growing reputation for hosting world-class events continues to help the city polish its reputation.

33 THE NEW WARDROBE CLASSIC

Online at www.businessinedmonton.com Annual rates: $31.50; $45 USA; $85 International Single Copy $3.50

38 G OING GREEN, 2015

Business in Edmonton is delivered to 27,000 business addresses every month including all registered business owners in Edmonton and surrounding areas including St Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc/Nisku, Spruce Grov, Stony Plain and Fort Saskatchewan.

42 MUTUAL FUND DOMINATION

The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without the written permission of the publisher. Canadian publications mail sales product agreement No. 42455512 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept. #1780, 10020 - 101 A Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 3G2

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| BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

As casual Friday gave way to business casual workweeks, we adapted. Now that the trends are changing again, what do professionals need in their closets? | BY JOHN HARDY

The positives don’t get nearly as much exposure. | BY COLLEEN WALLACE

Investing since the 2008 crunch.

46 THE MBA CAREER BOOST

| BY JOHN HARDY

So much more than salary.

50 H ERE COMES THE TAX MAN

| BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

Tax Season. It comes every year, but you don’t have to face it with fear. With preparation and professional advice, you have the tools you need to be confident with your tax planning.

February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

URBANOMICS

GETTING READY FOR A 1.7 MILLION POPULATION

“T

GETTING R A 1.7 MILLION

oday’s major cities, like Edmonton, desperately need to create urban vibrancy,” says urban planning expert Simon O’Byrne, vice president, urban planning with Stantec. “Urban vibrancy doesn’t just mean an exciting downtown where people come to work. It must be a balance of a vibrant community where people live, go to school, go shopping and enjoy their life.

“There’s lots of land in Edmonton. That’s not the problem. The issue is what use of that land will the City approve?

Of course we must use the land efficiently and consider vital aspects like sustainability, the environment and public transit, but the Canadian dream is still home ownership,” he says.

It’s Edmonton urbanomics.

How does one balance what O’Byrne and other urban planning experts consider the efficient use of city land with quality of life and the home ownership dream?

In the past three years, various Edmonton groups and individuals have voiced concerns and organized town hall meetings, symposiums and discussion groups about the trend of Edmonton home unaffordability, limited Edmonton choice and families being virtually forced into the suburbs to achieve the single-family home affordability (and choice) they want.

“We can’t sprawl forever!” urges urban planner, Mary

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

Axworthy, a member of the Alberta Professional Planners (APP.) In terms of urban planning changes in the past 10 years or so, the biggest shift is towards a better understanding of

“There is a North American trend, partially driven by aging and changing demographics, that people want to live the urban lifestyle in established communities, closer to downtown.” ~Mary Axworthy land use and transportation requirements.” She references some complex sustainable urban development solutions and theories defined by the international URBAN-NEXUS

URBANOMICS

GETTING READY FOR A 1.7 MILLION POPULATION

EADY FOR POPULATION foundation. “There is a North American trend, partially driven by aging and changing demographics, that people want to live the urban lifestyle in established communities, closer to downtown.”

Despite her solid expertise and respected points of view, contemporary Edmonton population and community facts and figures beg to differ. A low percentage of Edmontonworking people actually work downtown. For the majority, high-density Edmonton may not be the home dream.

Another impartial counterpoint is the Queen’s University School of Urban and Regional Planning study, which found that Edmonton was the second-fastest growing region in Canada (only Calgary expanded faster), but 93 per cent of that growth occurred in suburban neighbourhoods or in low-density rural areas where more than 50 per cent of residents commute into the city from suburbs such as Strathcona County, St. Albert, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain.

There is concern from a growing chorus of Edmonton brokers, realtors, developers and some urban planning academics, warning about the Capital Region growth plan that is aimed at better coordinating housing, land use and transit. The push is on for Edmonton’s regional municipalities to increase density and affordability, with the urbanomics logic that more housing diversity creates more options and housing affordability.

BY JOHN HARDY

Edmonton housing prices continue to spike upward and according to real estate statistics, the average cost of a single family detached house in Edmonton is now $435,584. It’s one key reason why, as seen in many other major Canadian cities, a majority of residents choose the suburbs.

City unaffordability, choice or braving the irresistible temptation of 30-minute commutes or not, a four-bedroom family home with a double garage and a backyard is simply more affordable in the regional municipalities.

It is not the urgency of a clock ticking, but gradual and focused urban planning happening since it is expected that the hot Edmonton economy will draw 620,000 more people to the region in the next 35 years, increasing the regional population to 1.7 million.

Axworthy points out that, “The main tax base of any city is from industrial, commercial and high density development. Low density, residential development just doesn’t pay its way vis-a-vis tax revenues. The challenge is about who should pay to service the land? The city simply can’t indefinitely afford it.”

An aggravating disconnect of urbanomics may be the clash that urban planners often speak about in theories and concepts, while developers crunch numbers and draft business plans. BIE

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

9

ECONOMIC FACTORS JOSH BILYK

TAKE CYBER SECURITY SERIOUSLY – IT MAY SAVE YOUR BUSINESS

BY AEG PRESIDENT JOSH BILYK

I

n November, the film industry was rocked by a release of confidential data belonging to Sony Pictures Entertainment. The leaked documents included personal information about Sony Pictures employees and their families, internal e-mails, information about executive salaries at the company and copies of unreleased Sony films.

A group of hackers, calling themselves Guardians of Peace, claimed responsibility for breaking into Sony’s computer systems and demanded the cancellation of the release of The Interview, a goofball comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco that details a plot to assassinate North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un.

The end result was humiliation for Sony executives and delayed release of The Interview, which may wind up costing the company millions.

This shocking security breach at Sony serves as a warning for all businesses. Many larger companies have the resources for sophisticated cyber security systems – but what of small and medium sized businesses? Is your human resource, personal and corporate information adequately secure?

What about your patents and intellectual property?

Edmonton is a growing information technological, research and development hub. With more and more business being conducted over the internet, business leaders should take some steps to limit their exposure to financial losses, reputational damage and legal liabilities that may result from lapses in cyber security.

1. T rain employees in security principles by establishing basic

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Local businesses, large and small, can save themselves a lot of heartache and money by making sure their systems and data are secure.

security practices and policies for employees – such as requiring strong passwords and making sure employees are aware of penalties for breaching corporate security.

2. P rotect your systems from attacks by keeping your systems clean, firewalls and software updated.

3. C reate plans and procedures for mobile devices. They are tools modern businesses can’t live without, but make sure your policies have kept up with the expanded use of phones, laptops and tablets.

4. I f you don’t need it, delete it.

Companies often use their email systems as ad hoc filing cabinets.

Paper trails can be useful, but what would happen if all that stored information fell into the wrong hands? Consider a 90- or 120-day retention policy unless the document is flagged as a record.

5. Get help. If you don’t have the internal capacity or expertise, consider bringing in an expert to give your systems a thorough once-over and provide advice.

6. C ontrol physical access to company computers by creating user profiles with strong passwords.

February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

7. K eep an eye on your vendors’ security. Even small business transactions involve the exchange of data. Make sure the people you do business with take their security seriously.

8. Consider purchasing cyber liability insurance. Cyber liability insurance can cover things like third-party damages due to privacy breaches, loss of intellectual property and extortion liability.

It’s now clear cyber security is no longer just a concern for big multinational firms. A 2013 study by the United Kingdom’s Department for Business Innovation and Skills found that 64 per cent of small businesses experienced some kind of cyber security breach over the previous year. Cyber security is something to think about as Edmonton looks to position itself as the center of high-tech development in Alberta.

Local businesses, large and small, can save themselves a lot of heartache and money by making sure their systems and data are secure. BIE Alberta Enterprise Group is a member-based, non-profit business advocacy organization. AEG members employ more than 150,000 Canadians in all sectors of the economy.

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NEWS FROM THE MONTH

®

RETAIL

LONDONDERRY MALL RENOVATION ANTICIPATES COMPLETION IN 2017

Those familiar with the words “Edmonton” and “mall” tend to think of what the Capital City affectionately calls “The Mall,” yet The Mall, West Edmonton Mall, is far from the only mall in the city. One such shopping centre – Londonderry Mall – is undergoing a major renovation estimated at $130 million and a completion date of 2017.

Londonderry Mall opened with great fanfare in 1972.

Lieutenant Governor Grant MacEwan cut the ribbon on what was, at the time, the largest mall west of Toronto. Another claim to fame was that it was the only two-level mall in western Canada. At one time, Londonderry Mall housed the famous retail giant, Eaton’s.

Over time, enthusiasm for the great mall waned, but the mall still attracted lukewarm to positive ratings from patrons. The renovation and rebranding will, no doubt, re-elevate the famous mall and delight its regular and potential shoppers alike.

“Northeast Edmonton is experiencing unprecedented growth and the completion of the Anthony Henday Drive ring road in 2016 will open up access to our property to an even larger market who currently have to travel a substantial distance to satisfy their shopping needs...” ~Greg Orysiuk Today, the north side mall boasts over 130 shops and professional services, including Hudson’s Bay, Winners, Save-On Foods and Shoppers Drug Mart, Londonderry Eye Care, Londonderry Dental and Londonderry Tailors & Dry Cleaning.

“Northeast Edmonton is experiencing unprecedented growth and the completion of the Anthony Henday Drive ring road in 2016 will open up access to our property to an even larger market who currently have to travel a substantial distance to satisfy their shopping needs,” said Greg Orysiuk, in a statement released when the ambitious renovation and rebranding project was announced. Orysiuk is the vice president of leasing at 20 VIC Management Inc., the firm that manages and leases the property. “We’re confident the improvements

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NEWS FROM THE MONTH

LONDONDERRY MALL - FRONT ELEVATION

and new stores we’re bringing to the community will change the face of retail in northeast Edmonton and enhance the shopping experience for both existing clientele and the new markets opening up to us.”

The firm, 20 VIC Management Inc., overseas a coast-to-coast portfolio of retail, office and industrial properties, including: Kamloops, B.C.’s Aberdeen Mall; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s Midtown Plaza; Ottawa, Ontario’s 2211 Riverside Centre and Calgary, Alberta’s Portland Place.

MMC Architects and GH+A Design partnered to create the new, updated and functional design. Project plans include:

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• R enovation of the common areas, such as entrances, flooring, storefronts, escalators and elevators, washrooms, ceilings and seating • M oving the food court to the west side of the mall to increase seating potential, take advantage of the natural light and to provide a dedicated exterior entrance • E fficient LED lighting upgrades in the mall’s interior, exterior and parking garage • A new technologically-forward security surveillance system with high-definition coverage of the mall’s interior and exterior common spaces

February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

• More retailers and dining experiences • Redesigned entrances • More accessible parking along with better defined drop off/pick up areas Work has commenced on the renovation and the administration does not anticipate significant business disruption during the duration of the project. To learn more about Londonderry Mall, visit them online at londonderrymall.com, like them on Facebook or Tweet to @LondonderryMall. BIE

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NEWS FROM THE MONTH

3 convenient locations: Japanese Village (Edmonton) Ltd 2940 Calgary Trail Japanese Village Teppan Dining Ltd 10238 104 Street Tsunami Fine Food Inc. O/A Japanese Village Northgate 1084B 9499 137th Avenue

Japanese Style Steak and Seafood Prepared on your table.

EDUCATION

NORQUEST COLLEGE: TEACHER EARNS TOP HONOUR AND A NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHES Driven and ambitious, Shanna Rowney, 27, was recently presented with the Jaye Fredrickson Award for Teaching Excellence from NorQuest College.

Rowney’s teaching career with NorQuest College began in 2011 where she worked as a tutor while attending university. Within three years she transitioned to become a member of NorQuest’s Faculty

of Foundational Career, teaching upgrading with a focus on math and science. Rowney became interested in teaching while helping her fellow university classmates study.

“Shanna engages learners by offering lessons that are exciting and student-centred,” says Norma Schneider, NorQuest’s vice president of teaching and learning.

“Through the use of relevant educational technology and careful curriculum design, the courses she teaches have become exemplars.

She embodies what excellent teaching is all about.”

“You have to let students find a way to make it their own,” says Rowney of her teaching success. “As

Great for birthday, anniversary celebrations or any corporate function.

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www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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NEWS FROM THE MONTH

a teacher you can have all the best practices in the world, you can have all the on-paper research techniques in the world, and all of the experience, but every single learner is different. It is the practice of incorporating ways for students to take something basic and then experience it and learn with it, as opposed to you teaching it to them. When you work with adults who are coming back to school, especially in academic upgrading, that is where you really get to see the before and after.

You get to see the tiniest impact that you made in their lives, and to know that you have done something for them like that is nice.”

At NorQuest College, students are considered partners in the learning process. Collaboration with business, industry, government and

communities ensure that the students’ skills are both necessary and relevant. The College serves approximately 10,200 students in the Edmonton region through fulltime, part-time, distance learning and regional programs. Post-secondary diploma and certificate programs focus on careers in health, community studies and business.

Late 2014, NorQuest launched their Community Support Worker program.

“With this program, the college is one step closer to reaching our goal of providing 20,000 learners with workforce-relevant skills by 2025,” says president and CEO, Dr. Jodi Abbott. “This new program is a great example of NorQuest stepping forward toward our vision in providing programs that are workforce-rele-

vant, that enhance our presence in the community, and that fill a unique market position.”

The Community Support Worker program gives graduates the skills required to help those underrepresented in the workplace, including Aboriginals, immigrants and the differently-abled. The 2015 – 2016 school year will see the curriculum expand to include senior citizen services. The program currently has 22 students, and enrollment is expected increase dramatically for the next intake.

Between 2011 – 2012, the College added $421.7 million in income to Edmonton’s (and area) economy, and with award winning teachers and workforce-relevant programs, the College continues to be a defining part of Edmonton’s success. BIE

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

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NEWS FROM THE MONTH

SOCIAL

YEGISHOME.CA BUILDS STRONG COMMUNITIES

Do you know who your neighbours are? Do you know the story behind your independent neighbourhood’s grocery store? Where are the good walking trails in your community? Where’s the best place to meet a friend for a cup of coffee? There was a time when we knew everyone on our block; when our communities were close-knit families sharing stories and information. YEGisHome.ca aims to bring that feeling back to Edmonton.

Through YEGisHome.ca, you have a safe platform to share information, stories and photos through an interactive, user-friendly interface.

Communities are listed on the home page. A single click on a community name brings you to an information page featuring the area’s councillor, MLA and MP, nearby retailers, current Tweets and more. This is the place to promote or find a garage sale, share local sports team’s scores, discover what’s in your neighbourhood and connect with other communities in Edmonton. This website is also a great resource for those looking

YEGisHome.ca is social media ready.

When you Tweet using the hashtag #YEG and the name of the community, your Tweet is automatically updated on the YEGisHome.ca community-specific Twitter feed.

to move to Edmonton or to relocate within the city. Helpful information such as the as average household income, Walk Score®, Transit Score®, a demographic breakdown and average price listing are displayed for each neighbourhood.

YEGisHome.ca is social media ready. When you Tweet using the hashtag #YEG and the name of the community, your Tweet is automatically updated on the YEGisHome. ca community-specific Twitter feed.

The site is also linked to Facebook and allows for direct uploading of community photos. Icons allow you to share each page through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and email.

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Visit Leder.ca for more information.

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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NEWS FROM THE MONTH

The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton has provided YEGisHome. ca as a free gift to all users as they are passionate about all the great things Edmonton has to offer while promoting safe, active, connected communities.

The Association’s roots go far back.

Founded in 1909, the Edmonton Real Estate Exchange was created to issue a high standard of integrity and foster fair competition among realtors. The Exchange operated until 1913. In 1927, the Edmonton Real Estate Association was founded. To date, the Association considers their 1929 Real Estate Agents’ Licensing Act among their highest accomplishments. The Bill ensures that proper qualifications are required to perform as a real estate agent. In 1952, the Association evolved into the Edmonton Real Estate Board Cooperative Listing Bureau Ltd. Today, the organization is called The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton and has over 3,200 brokers and associates as members. A volunteer board of directors along with an executive officer and a staff of 50 run the Association. In January of this year, Geneva Tetreault became the president of the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton, after being elected to the board as a director in 2012, vice president in 2013 and president of the board in 2014.

Edmonton’s realtors, the Association and all those involved with YEGisHome. ca are proud of Edmonton; the city it was, the city it has become and the city’s future potential. YEGisHome.ca allows residents to share in that pride and to build strong, happy communities. BIE

EDUCATION

2014: A REMARKABLE YEAR FOR MACEWAN UNIVERSITY

Edmonton is home to many amazing people, businesses, organizations and educational institutions. Of particular note in 2014 was MacEwan University.

Impressively, 2014 saw one MacEwan University faculty member and four alumni make Avenue’s Top 40 Under 40 list. These individuals represented a variety of fields that spanned from healthcare to music, and all of them are having a big impact on Edmonton – not to mention setting the bar high for future alumni; but current students were making their own marks in 2014 too.

Lana Winterfield was awarded the Student Award of Excellence, a national-level award for public relations. Winterfield was recognized

for her 57-page assignment, which was the culminating work of a public relations research course she was enrolled in. Did we mention

Charles Ma, another one of MacEwan’s shining stars, was awarded an Alberta Export Award, and Export Development Canada’s International Business Scholarship, for his study and work abroad.

Winterfield was a part-time, evening student? That’s right. Chosen amongst nominees from all across Canada, her assignment was a well thought out and supported employee communications plan that was noted by her instructor as being both comprehensive and amazing.

Charles Ma, another one of MacEwan’s shining stars, was awarded an Alberta Export Award, and Export Development Canada’s International Business Scholarship, for his study and work abroad. Ma has set his sights on international law, and is currently in Switzerland.

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

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NEWS FROM THE MONTH

CITY CENTRE CAMPUS MAIN ENTRANCE

The school’s athletics department also held its own last year as both the men’s and women’s golf teams brought home the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship, and the men’s curling team got a winning jump-start last March when they won the championship at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) curling competition in Ontario.

Dr. Paul Martin, faculty development coordinator with MacEwan University’s Centre for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFÉ), wrote

a book that took a hard line with the position Canadian literature has on university syllabi across the country, and his criticisms have sparked a conversation that could potentially shift Canadian English literature studies in the future. Imagine the potential impact this could have for Canadian authors, and encouraging writing in general.

It is truly impressive to see the diversity of success coming out of MacEwan University, and a lot of these success stories are very inspiring. Many of the year’s most notable

people were those learning under extraordinary circumstances, from mature students, to part-time students juggling day jobs, or alums who decided to return to school and change their life-path.

While the University’s goal is to educate, it is clearly doing a remarkable job of inspiring their student body and faculty to go the extra mile in everything they do. Whether you are a scholarship athlete, a dedicated instructor or a student with lofty dreams, 2014 was a year of all-stars for MacEwan University. BIE

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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COVER

MEET JERRI CAIRNS, 2015 EDMONTON CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR

Meet

Jerri Cairns

2015 EDMONTON CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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COVER

MEET JERRI CAIRNS, 2015 EDMONTON CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR

LEXPERT ZENITH AWARD WINNER, JERRI CAIRNS OF PARLEE MCLAWS LLP

T

he Edmonton Chamber of Commerce represents approximately 2,500 members and is the largest Chamber in Canada. Since its start in 1889, the Chamber has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the business community. As a non-profit organization, the Edmonton Chamber is led by a board of directors. The progressive Chamber has been very well represented by both genders over the years, and is proud to have strong, successful women in leadership positions.

As 2014 drew to a close, Business in Edmonton sat down with one such leader, Jerri Cairns of Parlee McLaws LLP, who was the 2014 vice chair of the Chamber and is the 2015 chair of the board. Cairns, who leads a very active, interesting life, has a calm energy about her that is both inspirational and motivating. She is a Lexpert Zenith Award winner, a successful litigator, and was a managing partner at Parlee McLaws from 2008 – 2014. “There are no lawyers in my family, but I have always

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

As 2014 drew to a close, Business in Edmonton sat down with one such leader, Jerri Cairns of Parlee McLaws LLP, who was the 2014 vice chair of the Chamber and is the 2015 chair of the board. Cairns, who leads a very active, interesting life, has a calm energy about her that is both inspirational and motivating.

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COVER

MEET JERRI CAIRNS, 2015 EDMONTON CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR

LEXPERT ZENITH AWARD WINNER, JERRI CAIRNS OF PARLEE MCLAWS LLP

been interested in the political and legislative process, says Cairns about what drew her to practicing law. “When I was in university, I was in the arts program. I took political science as my major and economics as my minor. In my second year of that program I knew I had to decide on a course of action and I chose law school. It had been in the back of my mind. I wrote the LSAT and enjoyed it. I have now been practicing law for 27 years.”

Cairns took an interest in litigation early on in her career. “I started articling around 1986. There was less corporate work available at that time because of the economy. Therefore, I had much more exposure to litigation, and I liked it. During my articling year, I worked for a lawyer that had a lot of foreclosure cases. As time went on I moved into a more general litigation practice, primarily acting for insurance companies. That work can be quite varied, from defending a car crash claim all the way up to fire claims coming out of the oil sands, along with various types of professional and product liability claims. What’s really great about it is that you learn something on every file, which keeps the job very interesting. Although most matters settle out of court, I’ve been fortunate to do a number of trials, which I enjoy.

When Cairns accepted the managing partner role at Parlee McLaws in 2008, she quickly drew a great deal of interest, inside and outside of the firm. Cairns explains, “Managing partner means managing the financials and the other lawyers in the firm. It’s demanding and challenging, but also very rewarding. When I first started, there were

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

very few female managing partners of large law firms.

[Parlee McLaws has over 80 lawyers.] It got a fair bit of press at that time, including my being featured in Lexpert Magazine in 2011. It was an exciting time because people were quite interested in women moving into management ranks in law firms. I was proud of that and took every opportunity to promote that role and mentor junior female lawyers. It’s also interesting to me that now there is ongoing discussion of women on boards and a new requirement that publicly traded companies have to report the number of women on boards.” While I have never thought anyone should succeed on the basis on gender – frankly, I believe in merit– it reflects society.

In 2013, Cairns decided to resign the position of managing partner, return to practicing law, and increase her involvement with the Edmonton Chamber. She phased out of the position in 2014. “It was time,” she smiles. “You achieve certain things as a manager/leader and it was time to pass that on to someone else.”

The International Women’s Forum (IWF) is global invitation-only organization. IWF mentors, advances and inspires female leaders by connecting the most prominent female achievers across the globe. Cairns, a proud member of IWF, was recruited to join the board of the Edmonton Chamber by another IWF colleague, who was also a previous Chamber chair. Cairns has now been with the board for three years and, “and it’s been a great and positive experience,” she praises.

“I started articling around 1986.

There was less corporate work available at that time because of the economy. Therefore, I had much more exposure to litigation, and I liked it. During my articling year, I worked for a lawyer that had a lot of foreclosure cases.” ~ Jerri Cairns “The challenge, at the moment, is to continue the momentum of the organization [the Chamber]. I have seen us grow in many ways over the last three years. We have a really strong team of volunteers and staff. Having everyone continue to be energetic and innovative in their thought and ultimately, becoming the sought-after organization for every citizen in the business community is our goal. The Chamber is very cognizant of membership needs and we

COVER

MEET JERRI CAIRNS, 2015 EDMONTON CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR

PHOTO CREDIT: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY

want our membership to know that we are. Members need to know that we are aware of and meeting their needs. I’m very excited about the continued opportunity to be part of the wonderful things that are happening in Edmonton and in Edmonton’s business community. I enjoy interacting with so many talented and engaged people. We have a great board that volunteers their time to make this city a better place, and I’m excited to be working with them.”

“Another exciting aspect is our new logo. I really like it. I think it’s creative. We went through a very strategic process to come up with a new brand for the Chamber.

The logo is on point for who we are and where we are going.” ~ Jerri Cairns

Cairns also praises the Chamber’s policy forum committee, which she chaired in 2014. “The policy forum committee is comprised of both volunteers and internal policy staff at the Chamber. These are great people that spend time discovering what the issues are, understanding them and developing policies. We receive recognition across Canada for the policies we develop, and we hear praise for them at both the Alberta and Canadian Chamber meetings. People can see our policies are very well researched, planned and thoughtful. For me, the policy committee is a critical piece for the Chamber, and we will continue on an upward trajectory in that portfolio.”

“Another exciting aspect,” she continues, “is our new logo. I really like it. I think it’s creative. We went through a very strategic process to come up with a new brand for the Chamber. The logo is on point for who we are and where we are going.”

As an avid supporter of giving back to the community, Cairns is passionate about donating time and funds to various causes. Parlee McLaws is active in the Homeless Connect program in Edmonton and supports a similar program in Calgary. Cairns volunteers her time to help put together and distribute care kits as well as to work in a volunteer legal advice role.” She also enjoys preparing meals at The Mustard Seed, something she has done consistently for 10 years.

Cairns is just as active outside of the courtroom and www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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MEET JERRI CAIRNS, 2015 EDMONTON CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR

Cairns has always been results-driven and goal orientated. She greatly looks forward to her term as the board chair for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and, along with her legal practice, having a busy, rewarding year. She is also looking forward to the Chamber’s brand launch and seeing how it is received in the business community, and she plans to become even more active in policy development.

boardroom. Raised on a farm where her family showed Arabian horses, riding and showing were a big part of her life for many years. Although she has relinquished most of her riding gear and no longer owns a horse (for now), riding and showing will always be in her blood. She also enjoys running and is a former competitor that has completed a marathon and several half marathons. An avid reader, Cairns is currently enjoying Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko, and the entertaining and inspirational book, The 100-YearOld Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson.

Despite her varied interests, many successes, leadership positions, and being an ideal role model for women from all walks of life, Cairns remains humble and sees the opportunities that came her way as the culmination of hard work and good influences. For example, the Lexpert Award caught her by surprise, despite the fact that so many of her colleagues and friends thought she was a natural choice for it.

“That was a lovely award,” she smiles. “It honours female lawyers that have been a role model in their firm, department and community. I didn’t know I was being nominated until I got the call saying I had won the award.

It was a tremendous honour to be in the company of some

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

great women lawyers and judges from across the country.

“The word I use most often is integrity. No matter what you do, you have to operate with integrity. I believe in hard work. People that work hard, succeed. You must have a positive attitude about what you can accomplish, what others can accomplish, and what can be accomplished in your community. Law is demanding. You put demands on yourself, your clients put demands on you and so do your partners; but when you put hard work into it, you get a good result.”

Cairns has always been results-driven and goal orientated. She greatly looks forward to her term as the board chair for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and, along with her legal practice, having a busy, rewarding year. She is also looking forward to the Chamber’s brand launch and seeing how it is received in the business community, and she plans to become even more active in policy development.

After that? Cairns just smiles as she thinks about the future and its many possibilities. “I’d be interested in another board position,” she says, and the awards in her office, her many achievements, her varied hobbies and interests and her outstanding successes show that no matter what path she chooses, Jerri Cairns is on the path to success. BIE

EVENT PLANNING

Eventful Times

Edmonton’s growing reputation for hosting world-class events continues to help the city polish its reputation.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF RED BULL, RED BULL CRASHED ICE WORLD ICE CROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

EVENTFUL TIMES TITLE

BY BEN FREELAND

“How many Torontonians does it take to change a lightbulb?”

“Three million: one to do the job and 2,999,999 to go around saying what a world-class event it was.”

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his once-popular joke about Canada’s largest city and its perceived insecurity complex about its true global status now seems a tad dated, given its current status as an alpha global city. Edmontonians, by contrast, have yet to get comfortable describing their city as world-class in any capacity. While the past decade has seen a renaissance in civic pride bolstered by a booming economy, rapid population growth, and an increasingly “world-class” downtown core, Edmonton’s longstanding crisis of identity remains tough to shake off. While this year saw the city finally drop its outdated and oft-ridiculed City of Champions moniker, there appears to be no consensus on what to replace it with. In a recent Edmonton Sun poll, 20 per cent of respondents favoured the Gateway to the North slogan, a tagline criticized by some as reinforcing the notion that the city is a gateway to somewhere else rather than a destination in itself.

That said, as Alberta’s economy continues to diversify, so too does its Capital City’s sense of civic pride, decoupling gradually from northern gateway mentality and wistful 1980s hockey nostalgia. It’s about time, given that the city has been

a veritable destination by way of festivals and other major events since well before the dynasty-era Oilers’ winning ways began. The city’s festival scene has long been one of its greatest calling cards (Indeed the slogan Festival City fared second-best after Gateway to the North) and seems to get better every year, particularly in light of Edmonton’s recent embrace of its “Winter City” identity. While the Oilers’ current lineup is proving to be less-than-stellar this season, Edmonton sports fans have much to look forward to in 2015, including host city status in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer, as well as the final showdown of the Red Bull Crashed Ice world ice cross championship, being held in the dramatic setting of Edmonton’s River Valley.

While events like the Crashed Ice tournament and the Women’s World Cup help to generate widespread exposure for Canada’s fifth-largest (and arguably most overlooked) city, Edmonton’s highly regarded event venues and infrastructure continue to make the city highly attractive for local, provincial, national, and international conferences, tradeshows, and other events. In the past, conferences and tradeshows in Alberta typically alternated between Edmonton and Calgary, but companies are increasingly moving to annual presences in the provincial capital, resulting in near-constant business for the city’s event planners.

“In the past things were always busier in the summer and winter months, but these days there really aren’t any www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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EVENTFUL TIMES EVENT PLANNING

OASIS CENTRE FOYER

peaks and valleys,” says Chris Buerger, event planner and president of the LHAS Corporation. “There’s been a very noticeable change.”

Edmonton’s picturesque River Valley backdrop, abundant nature, and excellent transportation links to the rest of the continent have always played in its favour as a setting for big and small events alike, but so too has its abundance of superb venues – some of which are little known to its residents. Such is the case of one of the city’s newest event venues, the Oasis Centre. Tucked away in Edmonton’s industrial west end (four kilometres north of West Edmonton Mall), this striking art-deco style venue has, since 2006, established itself as a veritable magnet for political, corporate, education, and multimedia events as well as high-end weddings, award ceremonies, and concerts.

The Oasis centre received some much-due press in 2014 when it was voted Wedding Venue of the Year by Blush Magazine, Alberta’s premier wedding and lifestyle magazine, while also benefitting from national exposure through a November 2014 feature in the Canadian Business Journal.

With its luxurious décor and facilities, gorgeous verdant grounds and 6,500-foot grand hall, the Oasis Centre is an

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Edmonton’s picturesque River Valley backdrop, abundant nature, and excellent transportation links to the rest of the continent have always played in its favour as a setting for big and small events alike, but so too has its abundance of superb venues – some of which are little known to its residents.

For a century, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has been the centre of the Business and Social scenes in Edmonton, providing an unparalleled setting for important gatherings in our community.

We invite you and your guests to share in that history and to continue our legacy of Memorable Meetings and Historic Events for the next 100 years.

For information on our newly created Social, All Inclusive Meeting and Offsite Catering packages, please contact the catering department at 780.429.6416 or email mac.catering@fairmont.com

Fairmont.com/Macdonald

fairmont macdonald FP here Share your #MacMemories with us @FairmontMac

EVENTFUL TIMES EVENT PLANNING

AN INDIAN WEDDING IN THE OASIS CENTRE GRAND HALL

“It’s a hidden gem within a hidden gem. We endeavour to embody the sort of freshness, wholesomeness, and surprising creative flourishes that to us defines the city of Edmonton.” ~ Christine Dimler

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expansive and elegant yet little-known venue that is reminiscent of the city itself.

“It’s a hidden gem within a hidden gem,” says Christine Dimler, conference director at the Oasis Centre. “We endeavour to embody the sort of freshness, wholesomeness, and surprising creative flourishes that to us defines the city of Edmonton.” Edmonton, Dimler contends, holds significant advantages over many other centres both in attracting and retaining event clients. “The price point is definitely lower here than in comparable cities like Calgary,” she asserts. “You can get yourself a very high-class event here in Edmonton at a significantly lower cost than in most other centres, and when people do come here, they’re typically stunned by how nice the city is, which bodes well for repeat business. We have customers from New York, Toronto, Vancouver, and elsewhere who keep coming back.”

Like many Edmonton business people, particularly those in the event business, Dimler hopes to see a continued

EVENTFUL TIMES EVENT PLANNING

THE OASIS CENTRE GRAND HALL

concerted effort to better promote the city’s assets nationally and globally. “Edmonton is a truly progressive, worldly city, with more festivals and retail space per capita than anywhere in the country,” she says. “We’ve also got absolutely stellar catering available here, as well as beautiful scenery and an abundance of space – all at a lower cost than elsewhere.”

As for the Oasis Centre’s own promotion, it seems that little further effort is needed; the venue is typically booked far in advance and its management is already discussing possible physical expansions. “We don’t have any firm expansion plans yet, but it’s certainly something we’ve discussed,” she explains. “As of November we were already booking well into 2016. Suffice it to say, we have a very busy year ahead.”

On the high-profile end, Edmontonians can look forward to one of world’s newest and flashiest events on the winter extreme sport circuit, the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship. First held in 2001, the premier world ice cross downhill (think downhill skiing on ice) mixes downhill skating with diverse urban environments, featuring steep turns and electrifying vertical drops. This year’s tournament will see Edmonton become the second Canadian city to host the

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“Edmonton is a truly progressive, worldly city, with more festivals and retail space per capita than anywhere in the country We’ve also got absolutely stellar catering available here, as well as beautiful scenery and an abundance of space – all at a lower cost than elsewhere.” ~ Christine Dimler

EVENTFUL TIMES EVENT PLANNING

Crashed Ice tournament after Quebec City, which has cohosted the event for the past nine consecutive years. As the final of four hosts for the tournament after Saint Paul, Helsinki and Belfast, Edmonton will feature the season’s longest and most daunting track, beginning at the Shaw Conference Centre and ending down at the bottom of the River Valley.

“The city offers a perfect urban backdrop,” says Christian Papillon, a former Crashed Ice competitor turned league sport director for the tournament. “I can tell you that

Edmonton’s final showdown will have the most impressive and challenging track of the whole season.”

From international soccer to extreme ice skating to extreme event planning, it looks like yet another big event benchmark year for the city of Edmonton; and with all this activity, the never-ending debate over what the city’s official slogan should be may have to be put off for yet another year.

Either that or the city could simply go with a sign that reads “Edmonton: The City Too Busy for Sloganeering.” BIE

C or p or at e & S o c i a l E v e n t Ve n u e

WWW.OASISCENTRE.COM

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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DRESS FOR SUCCESS

THE NEW WARDROBE CLASSICS

The

New Wardrobe Classics

As casual Friday gave way to business casual workweeks, we adapted. Now that the trends are changing again, what do professionals need in their closets?

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

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he power suit for ladies. The three piece suit for men.

The standard black pump. The sports jacket. Dressing professionally used to be easy. There were three or four standard pieces to purchase, followed by an assortment of shirts, ties and scarves to round out the look. Then along came business casual and the rules changed.

How we got from wearing pumps and loafers to slippers and Crocs in the office is a whole other topic, but what we do know is that things changed. What we don’t know is what constitutes todays’ professional look. Is it supposed to be jeans and a t-shirt or jeans and a button down?

Business in Edmonton checks in with the always fashionable style expert Shirley Borrelli, along with two renowned clothing retailers, all of whom will help us walk down the aisle; the clothing aisle that is.

“People are confusing comfortable and casual. Comfort doesn’t have to take away from what’s appropriate at the workplace,” starts Borrelli. “I always ask people when they come to me, ‘is there an established dress code at your place of work?’ Pay attention. What are your bosses wearing? Wear that. Without sacrificing your individuality, use that as a benchmark. We’re not trying to tell people who to be, we are trying to get people to respect their work environment.”

Part of the what-to-wear confusion stems from how times

“Input, negotiate, and then write in a dress code so everyone has time to adapt and change. This will minimize resistance to being told what to wear.” ~ Shirley Borrelli have changed. The dress code policy has been largely abolished, but the staff is still expected to represent the company.

Without guidelines, how is this done? By you taking action.

Since how you present yourself has a strong bearing on your professional success and reflection on the company, don’t be afraid to broach the subject with your boss or supervisor.

“Expectations need to be established in the outset,” says Borrelli. “Bring it up in the interview.”

Another issue is when a company decides to reinstate or introduce a dress code. “In those cases it needs to be a collaboration, not a dictation,” the style expert counsels. “Input, www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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DRESS FOR SUCCESS THE NEW WARDROBE CLASSICS

“Lower heeled shoes. Think about that girl that can barely walk in her heels at work. What message does that send? Four inch heels and higher are not appropriate regardless of the workplace. Three inches and under.” ~ Shirley Borrelli FASHIONABLE STYLE EXPERT, SHIRLEY BORRELLI.

negotiate, and then write in a dress code so everyone has time to adapt and change. This will minimize resistance to being told what to wear.”

For the ladies, Borrelli suggests wardrobe staples that are comfortable, stylish and casual, yet professional. “An overcoat,” she says firmly. “Even if you work in a gym and wear yoga pants, when you show up in an overcoat, you look like you take yourself seriously. It can be worn with a t-shirt and jeans, a dress, etc. An overcoat, not jacket. This is key.”

Secondly? “Lower heeled shoes. Think about that girl that can barely walk in her heels at work. What message does that send? Four inch heels and higher are not appropriate regardless of the workplace. Three inches and under.”

She continues, “A great blouse. I prefer silk because it’s breathable, it’s easy to layer and it can work with anything; tucked into dress pants, over a skinny jean, with a skirt.”

Basically, for the ladies, it boils down to this rule of Borrelli’s: “If you can wear it to the beach, gym or to go out [e.g. the club], it doesn’t work in the office. The gym shows shape, the beach shows skin, and going out shows both shape and skin.”

Borrelli also recommends a good overcoat for gentlemen. “Men need a good overcoat. Khakis and a golf shirt?

Still need an awesome outside jacket. It works whether they have to wear a suit and tie or be more causal. It still gives them presence upon arrival. You don’t get that presence with a bomber jacket.”

Her additional advice for men is to purchase a sports blazer.

“This is different from a suit jacket,” she cautions. “A sports

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blazer completes more causal ensemble. Now, a 27 year old engineer may not want to wear a sports blazer. That is where some of these fashionable bomber-type jackets look good – on younger men. Men can also wear a fine knit sweater (pullover or cardigan). Generally, buttons are more credible than zippers. And polish your shoes! Your shoes need to be clean, even if you are wearing Converse sneakers to work.”

“Ladies wardrobes have changed so much over the past 10 years. Women used to always wear a matching jacket and skirt or pant. Today, unless you work in a very professional office, casual clothing is quite acceptable...” ~ Tracey Bartholomew Village Fashions is located in Stony Plain, a suburb of Edmonton, and the boutique store draws in enthusiastic female shoppers from the city and the surrounding towns.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

THE NEW WARDROBE CLASSICS

“Suits are steadily gaining in popularity, due to the new silhouettes, finer fabrics, improved construction, and the simple fact that it just feels like work when you are dressed appropriately.” ~ Earl Klapstein EARL KLAPSTEIN, SON OF EDMONTON’S EDDIE KLAPSTEIN, FOUNDER OF EDDIE’S MEN’S WEAR.

“Ladies wardrobes have changed so much over the past 10 years. Women used to always wear a matching jacket and skirt or pant. Today, unless you work in a very professional office, casual clothing is quite acceptable,” counsels Village Fashions owner Tracey Bartholomew. “However, casual doesn’t mean sloppy. Just less formal.”

“Dress pants, skirts, blouses, a shift dress and jackets or cardigans.

This will give you flexibility and variety in your everyday looks. ~ Earl Klapstein Bartholomew’s advice for building a professional wardrobe includes, “Dress pants, skirts, blouses, a shift dress and jackets or cardigans. This will give you flexibility and variety in your everyday looks. Accessories, like scarves and jewelry, are the

easiest way to inject colour, fun and personality into your outfits. Take your most honest friend shopping with you! Look in the mirror and really analyze if it’s the best size, fit and colour for you. Does it feel good on? We all have things in our closet that we never wear because it doesn’t feel right.”

There is a man in Edmonton that knows men’s fashions inside out. He’s Earl Klapstein, son of Edmonton’s Eddie Klapstein, founder of Eddie’s Men’s Wear. Sadly, Eddie passed away in late November 2014, but the store he started that has been dressing gentlemen since 1958 will continue on under the continued guidance of Earl. Earl’s long exposure to men’s fashions has given him a unique insight into what men wear, and it’s an insight he’s happy to share.

“Men’s professional wardrobes are constantly changing, from the emergence of the (terrible) casual Friday movement years back to a return to men actually dressing in a more professional manner. The evolution of men’s fashions and the new group of young men entering and moving up in the workforce have all played a very positive role in steadily improving the way men are dressing for work and for their after work time too.

“Suits are steadily gaining in popularity, due to the new silhouettes, finer fabrics, improved construction, and the simple fact that it just feels like work when you are dressed www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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DRESS FOR SUCCESS THE NEW WARDROBE CLASSICS

“A fellow should always have a navy and/or black blazer in his closet, and there has been a lot of interest in some of the bolder patterned sport jackets. Some of them have great textured, rich fabrics, with colour combinations that remind some of the younger guys of their grandfather’s closet, and then add in a few elbow patches and some have a great retro feel to them. These coats have been fun for everything from a casual Friday outfit to an evening out socially.” ~ Earl Klapstein

appropriately. It also helps that all of us feel better when we look better, and what you are wearing has an enormous impact on your appearance and how others in the workplace react to you.”

What does he recommend? “Suits of all sorts have been very well accepted so far. The basics of navy, black and grey will always be very important in your suit closet, but some new shades of grey, the middle blues, and even some deep rich browns have gone over well. There have been some interesting new weaves and patterns to the suit fabrics that continue to add interest to the suits, and we have done very well with vested suits for quite a while now.

“A fellow should always have a navy and/or black blazer in his closet, and there has been a lot of interest in some of the bolder patterned sport jackets. Some of them have great textured, rich fabrics, with colour combinations that remind some of the younger guys of their grandfather’s closet, and then add in a few elbow patches and some have a great retro feel to them. These coats have been fun for everything from a casual Friday outfit to an evening out socially.”

Importantly, he recommends that you, “Dress comfortably for who you are, do your homework and dress properly for the occasion you are going to whether it be work or social.

Keep your clothes clean and well pressed, shoes properly cared for and shined up, and if in doubt about how to dress

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

for an occasion, it is always better to be a bit over-dressed than a bit under-dressed.”

Then the well-dressed man says something that comes as a surprise. Business casual has been such a buzzword for the last 10 or more years, but he hints that the days of plain t-shirts and light wash jeans have long since started their decent into obscurity. “I don’t believe it is that casual of a world, when you see men of all ages dressing to go out for a nice dinner, or to meet friends for a social outing…the pendulum swung too far to the casual side and a whole lot of guys are pushing it back to the other side. When we see interest in bow ties, ascots, fine leather footwear, dress shirts, pocket squares, lively socks, even bright coloured shoe laces, you know the guys are paying attention again. They have come back to the realization that to be a professional, you should look like a professional.”

The world keeps changing, and with it our wardrobes.

What we wear and what is trending reflects our ever-evolving social and economic barometers. Yet, whether it’s bell bottoms or cigarette pants, the underlying theme when it comes to dressing for success is to think, look and act like a professional while expressing your individuality and dressing for your office’s culture. Keep that in the back of your mind and it will translate to the front of your closet. BIE

ELEVATED EXPERTISE hopkinsonassociates.com | 403.291.9027 Challengerwww.businessinedmonton.com images provided courtesy of Bombardier Inc. | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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GOING GREEN

CLEAN GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Going Green, 2015 The positives don’t get nearly as much exposure

BY JOHN HARDY

E

dmonton is home to some fascinating, state-ofthe-art green science. It’s not only positive and encouraging but it is also refreshing and unusual because whenever industry talks about trying to go green, there are usually vivid graphics about colossal chunks of ice breaking off a glacier and crashing into the sea; solitary polar bears foraging on the ice; tall chimney stacks spewing even taller plumes of puffy, grey smoke; images of sudden flooding, sinkholes and spectacular mudslides and the ominous visual of scumlined tailing ponds.

The positive, the interesting and the good about going green rarely gets as much exposure or attention.

In neighbourhoods, home life and most other aspects, society continues to aim for “green.” From Edmonton suburbia, schools, office lunch rooms, retail and grocery stores, “going green” means practicing an environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible lifestyle as well as making decisions to help protect the environment and sustain natural resources.

There are various ways Edmonton is going green: from separating garbage and recyclables to switching the light bulbs in a home from conventional incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs, turning thermostats down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in summer, making sure walls and ceilings are properly insulated and replacing bathroom and kitchen faucets and toilets with low-flow models.

Subtle but sure, while socially the green catchphrase

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continues to summarizes new ways of doing things, industry has also ramped up its commitment and morphed into a much more industrially-suitable and all-encompassing catchphrase: CLEAN.

Clean technology is currently clustered in many industrial sectors such as energy, water and waste water, advanced materials, energy efficiency and manufacturing, transportation and agriculture.

Clean technology is currently clustered in many industrial sectors such as energy, water and waste water, advanced materials, energy efficiency and manufacturing, transportation and agriculture.

Although clean technology is now the battle cry of various industries from mining, manufacturing, transportation and pulp and paper, Canada’s oil and gas industry is in a league of its own when it comes to research, innovation and adapting to state-of-the-art aspects of clean technology.

The highest profile example is Canada’s Oil Sands

GOING GREEN

CLEAN GREEN TECHNOLOGY

DR. AMANDA SCHOONMAKER, RECLAMATION RESEARCH COORDINATOR AND SOME OF HER RESEARCH TEAM FROM THE NAIT BOREAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Innovation Alliance (COSIA), the collaboration of oil sands producers focused on accelerating the pace of improvement in the clean performance of Canada’s oil sands through the cooperation of the 13 major oil and gas producers along with industry experts, scientists, community and government officials to improve measurement, accountability and environmental performance in the oil sands in four Environmental Priority Areas: (EPAs): tailings, water, land and greenhouse gases.

Although it has only been three years since the start of the COSIA group, the clean progress is already impressive. COSIA member companies have shared 777 distinct technologies and innovations that cost over $950 million to develop. The numbers are increasing.

Researchers, industry specialists, regulators and monitoring agencies speak the same language and agree that clean technologies use energy, water, raw materials and other inputs more efficiently and productively; create less waste or toxicity; deliver equal or superior performance; and ideally improve profitability through cost reductions and/or increased revenues.

Two entirely unrelated and divergent examples of green and/or clean innovation are the phenomenal work being done by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (NAIT) new Boreal Research Institute facility and the high-tech achievement of the dynamic and globally respected Questor Technologies.

There’s no other way to say it. NAIT’s Boreal

Research Institute does interesting but painstaking and finicky work! Their mission is helping the oil and gas industry go green.

In Alberta, by law, oil and gas companies are responsible for reclaiming well sites that have reached the end of their lifespan, so the sites blend into the surrounding forest. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge and supply of native plants for large-scale reclamation. That is the novel focus of Dr. Amanda Schoonmaker, forest reclamation research coordinator, and her research staff with the NAIT Boreal Research Institute, in-season working in Peace River, 300 miles northwest of Edmonton.

“The forestry industry has certain specific rules and regulations about re-forestation after they’ve finished harvesting in one area,” she explains. “Not so for the oil and gas industry. Post oil and gas work on one site, the company must try to get the formally disturbed area back to being a viable property. Usually the soil at impacted areas has been moved, returned and heavily compacted.

“In the spring, summer and early fall we are busy in the field, evaluating existing sites, sampling soil and looking at ways and methods that can be used to kickstart the vegetation and determine what would grow back and, over years, and help the industry meet its targets and requirements.”

Dr. Schoonmaker details the specifics of her team’s industry-greening research project and that they apply forest ecology and work on a special kind of forest reclawww.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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GOING GREEN

CLEAN GREEN TECHNOLOGY

“The driving force and passion of Questor Technology is its gung-ho and straight-talking president and CEO, Audrey Mascarenhas...”

AUDREY MASCARENHAS

mation. “It takes time but the objective is to bring back a forested plant community – a native boreal plant community – like white spruce, black spruce, aspen, green alder and western dogwood.”

Another example of green and clean combining with ingenuity, innovation and having the right focus at the right time is Questor Technology Inc. (QST on the TSX Venture Exchange). Some industry insiders suggest Questor may have actually been ahead of its time, since it has been an industry leader of green and clean for more than 20 years, before going green or clean was either a popular, profitable or the regulated thing to do.

Questor continues to earn its reputation as an industryleading and respected international environmental oilfield service company, manufacturing and servicing high efficiency waste gas incinerator systems and providing combustion and burner-related oilfield services and power generation systems.

While the company is focused primarily in the crude oil and natural gas industry, its technology is used by other industries, including landfills, water and sewage treatment, tire recycling and agriculture. Although Questor is a solid success story in the area of green and clean and its proprietary incinerator technology is used worldwide in the effective management of H2S, VOCs and BTEX gases, ensuring sustainable development, community acceptance and regulatory compliance, the company has also worked with clients throughout U.S., the Caribbean, Western Europe, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia and China on various

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projects including well tests, dehys, amine gas treatment, low heat content waste gas and water vaporization.

“With a focus on solid engineering design, our products enable our clients to operate cost effectively in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner,” she says with expertise and enthusiasm. ~ Audrey Mascarenhas The driving force and passion of Questor Technology is its gung-ho and straight-talking president and CEO, Audrey Mascarenhas. After 33 years in the oil and gas industry (16 with Questor) Mascarenhas prioritizes her company’s unique environmental (green and clean) services, emphasizes the crucial aspect of constant research and development and is plugged in to the industry’s needs, issues, flux, speed bumps and opportunities.

“With a focus on solid engineering design, our products

GOING GREEN

CLEAN GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Alberta has some of the most stringent and strictly enforced clean and green technology regulations in the world. Dr. Amanda Schoonmaker, NAIT’s Boreal Research Institute and the innovative Questor Technology are two unique and exciting examples of green and clean positives.

enable our clients to operate cost effectively in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner,” she says with expertise and enthusiasm. “Questor incinerators provide a safe, efficient, clean and reliable method of waste gas destruction that not only ensures protection of the environment, but also provides customers with a cost effective solution.

“The efficiency of the technology is vital on various levels, and of course companies must maintain compliant performance. But particularly, the energy industry must be conscious and responsive when it comes to public perceptions and concerns. I’m a big believer that if you’re going to make change, you should try to show the value proposition.”

“Because now, more than ever,” Mascarenhas notes from experience, as industry finds ways to improve energy efficiency, it’s absolutely a must that they also reduce emissions and be responsive to the public’s concerns relating to the environment, sustainability and climate change.

“Communities are very plugged in and involved with issues. They have access to information. They have a lot to say and many ways of saying it. Social media, as just one example, has changed the world. I think some companies are, unfortunately, missing many opportunities to be responsive, tell their story, explain their situation

and even be proactive. Just Google ‘Peace River’.”

Alberta has some of the most stringent and strictly enforced clean and green technology regulations in the world. Dr. Amanda Schoonmaker,

NAIT’s Boreal Research Institute and the innovative Questor Technology are two unique and exciting examples of green and clean positives. BIE

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

41

INVESTING

THE DOMINATION OF MUTUAL FUNDS

THE

MUTUAL FUND

DOMINATION Investing since the 2008 crunch

BY COLLEEN WALLACE

A

lthough smart investing is a year-round strategy and challenge, there’s something special about this time of year in Edmonton; from Edmonton neighborhood bank branches to the fancy offices of financial planners.

‘Tis the season …that more people than usual are in an investment mood.

Especially this month, leading up to the March 2 RRSP deadline, Edmonton brokerage firm ads and claims shout amazing returns, exciting prospects and rock solid portfolios. Of course the markets and the analysts have no magic formula, no professional hunches or gut-feels. Their ultimate credential and solid ammo is experience, expertise and constant tracking, because the undisputedly most reliable indicator and strategy about market fluctuations is studying and understanding trending. Sometimes it seems there as many types of investors as there are investments.

Various reasons – partially the haunting, once-bitten/ twice shy jitters of the 2008 meltdown and mostly technology giving open access to information and options – have transformed investing into a tricky and sophisticated science.

Good riddance to clichés about hot tips and welcome to

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“People are much more discriminating since the 2007-2008 reality check. Low fees are important to their return, but so is getting the right risk mix. They also realize that they neither have the resources, the time nor the expertise to pick their own funds.” ~ Dave Mowat the age of professionalism and trust. Economists, analysts, consultants and industry tracking resoundingly confirm that when it comes to the complex world of stocks, bonds,

INVESTING

THE DOMINATION OF MUTUAL FUNDS

DAVE MOWAT, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ATB FINANCIAL

equity and fixed income funds, EFTs (exchange traded funds) and navigating the juggernaut of mutual funds, an overwhelming majority of post-2008 Canadian investors reach out and rely on a relationships with trained, skilled, experienced and savvy professional advisors.

It is precisely trust and relationships with advisor managers which have been the Midas touch secret for the dynamic, Edmonton-headquartered ATB Financial. “Consumers are asking more questions and that’s a very good thing. They are much more aware,” explains Dave Mowat, president and CEO of ATB Financial.

“People are much more discriminating since the 20072008 reality check. Low fees are important to their return, but so is getting the right risk mix. They also realize that they neither have the resources, the time nor the expertise to pick their own funds. Investors see their role as accumulating the funds and have a skilled professional manage them.

“They especially rely on the professional for their important risk mix. There are three key things we recommend investors prioritize,” he points out. “Asset mix, manager selection and low fees. ATB doesn’t have fund managers.

DAVE RICHARDSON, VP OF ENTERPRISE DISTRIBUTION, RBC GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT.

We pick the managers because their track record is the best in challenging times. The manager’s relationship with their client is vital and our clients are getting managers who are institutionally focused, who have outperformed other benchmarks during declines and who also perform well in a down market.”

“We really have not seen a dramatic shift in Canadian

“One thing for sure – investors are smarter, better educated and informed. There are so many sources of information.” ~ Dave Richardson investor behavior,” says Dave Richardson, VP of enterprise distribution with RBC Global Asset Management. “One www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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INVESTING

THE DOMINATION OF MUTUAL FUNDS

Past market performance shows a strange parallel. The markets are as moody as the investors who keep it churning. Many factors affect market moods and prices. Inflation. The U.S. dollar. Interest rates. Oil and energy prices. Employment numbers labor disputes. Government whtims. War. Conflict. Major international issues and political unrest.

thing for sure, investors are smarter, better educated and informed. There are so many sources of information. They understand more than ever, especially the fundamentals.

But the volatility of the markets over the past 10 years or so has made it a bit more difficult to psychologically just do the right thing.”

According to a revealing investment trend report announced by the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC), the voice of Canada’s investment funds industry, confidence in trained and professional advisors is at an alltime high.

Alykhan Surani, manager, research and statistics with IFIC proudly adds that “98 per cent Canadian investors surveyed responded that they trust their advisors to give them sound advice, and 92 per cent of the investors reported that they get better returns than they would if investing on their own.”

The IFIC brings together 150 organizations, including fund managers, distributors and industry service organizations to generate a strong, stable investment sector where investors can realize their financial goals.

Surani underscores that the report highlights the fact of investment life that, while overall investor confidence and satisfaction are not only complex and individual decision concepts that are often impacted by markets, by returns,

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and by regulators, most often investor moods and choices are driven by the quality of the investor’s relationship with their advisor, as well as their track record and savings they achieve.

Past market performance shows a strange parallel.

The markets are as moody as the investors who keep it churning. Many factors affect market moods and prices.

Inflation. The U.S. dollar. Interest rates. Oil and energy prices. Employment numbers labor disputes. Government whtims. War. Conflict. Major international issues and political unrest. And the most scientific factor of them all: when the American stock market sneezes, the Canadian stock markets get a cold.

Sudden rises or drops in stock prices are the mood swings of the stock market and are usually referred to as “spikes”.

Like human mood swings, spikes are sudden, irrational and, unless something very good or very bad happens, tough to predict. However, with enough skill and experience, trends in the market or in specific stocks can be tracked and be a decent warning sign of when to buy or sell.

As economists and independent analysts suggest, the relationship and trust in a professional advisor and levels of confidence about certain stocks or funds ultimately drive investor decisions. Based mostly on yield and performance and also the unscientific but potent factors of

INVESTING

THE DOMINATION OF MUTUAL FUNDS

“Today, mutual funds are the number 1 investment choice of Canadian savers. Some 117 mutual fund companies offer close to 3,000 funds...” ~Alykhan Surani

ALYKHAN SURANI, MANAGER, RESEARCH AND STATISTICS, THE INVESTMENT FUNDS INSTITUTE OF CANADA

popularity and reputation, mutual funds continue as the investment of choice for notoriously creature-of-habit Canadian investors.

Crunching actual numbers, laced with recent levels of investor confidence, mutual funds are the undisputed top choice with an 85 per cent confidence level compared with 65 per cent for stocks, 64 per cent for GICs, 55 per cent for bonds and 34 per cent for ETFs. “Today, mutual funds are the number one investment choice of Canadian savers. Some 117 mutual fund companies offer close to 3,000 funds,” Surani explains. “Late last year, IFIC announced that more than 34 per cent (4.6 million) of Canadian households held mutual funds and that mutual funds account for 26 per cent of the financial wealth of Canadians.”

He also notes that assets under management (AUM) for the mutual funds industry remained steady at $1.12 trillion and, year-to-date, industry AUM increased by $123 billion or 12.3 per cent. The IFIC statistics also show that net sales for the mutual funds industry totaled $2.55 billion.

Net sales of long-term funds were $2.62 billion and net redemptions of money market funds were $71.1 million.

Although some vocal, and quotable, mutual fund cynics and critics frustratedly recommend fluffing-up the traditional pillows of investing, they begrudgingly acknowledge

that, for decades, mutual funds were the best (if not the only) way for investors to access stocks and bonds and build professionally-managed portfolios that were liquid, transparent and well-diversified. They admit that, in many ways, mutual funds revolutionized the investing industry by bringing capital markets to the masses in a relatively cheap and easy manner.

Their point is that while the pluses of mutual funds are mostly still valid, they are no longer unique, given the competition from other investments, mostly ETFs that often offer many of the same benefits.

Sensing the mutual fund challenge, some Canadian investors have started scrutinizing the cost of mutual funds relative to ETFs and the overall impact those costs are having on their portfolio returns. Returns that have already been broadsided by two major stock market corrections in the past 12 years and an iffy economic climate that has lingered since the 2008 crunch.

The competitive criticism may prove to be a healthy factor for mutual funds and, likely won’t make a dent in their solid popularity. BIE

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

45

EDUCATION MBA THE MBA CAREER BOOST

The MBA Career Boost So much more than salary

BY JOHN HARDY

S

ome think that upgrading job skills and qualifications fications which an MBA provides is invaluable in all fields is important for not only keeping up to date with conof contemporary business. stant changes like technology, but also for the unspoken Solid and respected MBA sources, like Edmonton’s but frequent payoffs like job roles, rank, responsibility, Alberta School of Business (celebrating its 100th anniverauthority and salary. sary next year) refreshingly refer to the MBA program as Upgrading is a fact of working life at “investing in yourself.” While the official most jobs levels, including careers where (and usually academia) sides of the MBA a university degree was likely a pre-reqstory acknowledge but downplay the uisite in the first place. Inside and outside validity of some popular but crass MBA the classroom, on the job or just valustereotypes, there is not much dispute able potential or a potent detail that often that, in additional the education and skills jumps off a resume – an MBA is so much components, MBAs are usually potent more than the well-known acronym. career and salary boosters.

Among some career types sensing a Although there are no guarantees, need for something more than convenaccording to a recent follow-up survey tional BAs, BComms and BScs, recruiters MBA graduates tend to have an average and HR interviewers, mature students, 40 per cent increase in salary. Despite industry executives and academics, the the gamut of personal, career and income MBA is a vital, career and life altering reasons for choosing to pursue an MBA, skill, qualification and credential. there is widespread consensus about the Recent MBA grads and seasoned MBA reality check (and caution) that opting for professors agree that the education, MBA enrollment is definitely an investCHRIS LYNCH DIRECTOR, RECRUITMENT WITH THE knowledge, professional skills and qualiment – a big investment, on various levels.

MBA PROGRAM AT THE ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

EDUCATION MBA

THE MBA CAREER BOOST

“Like most business schools, we require at least two years of work experience to be eligible for MBA enrollment,” explains Chris Lynch, director of recruitment with the MBA program at the Alberta School of Business in Edmonton.

“To be brutally honest, sometimes ‘coming back’ to school is a bit of a challenge. Some students come back after being in the workplace and getting a steady pay cheque for as long as 10 years.” ~ Chris Lynch

“To be brutally honest, sometimes ‘coming back’ to school is a bit of a challenge. Some students come back after being in the workplace and getting a steady pay cheque for as long as 10 years. For most students, it’s a big personal decision and it invariably means sacrifices to walk away from social life, work, income and lots of leisure time and come back to the classrooms, taking notes and doing homework.”

It’s unanimous. Regardless of private employment, budget and lifestyle situations, opting for an MBA, and the payback of an MBA, is not only well worth the investment, but it is a ferociously popular fact of North American’s professional life. Applications constantly outnumber available spaces by two-to-one or more.

Different business schools offer different areas of MBA specialization. In Edmonton, for example, students may choose to specialize in areas of finance, international business, innovation and entrepreneurship, natural resources, leadership, energy and environment, public policy and management. He explains that sustainability is the school’s most recent specialty area and natural resources is the most in-demand and popular MBA specialty. www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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EDUCATION MBA THE MBA CAREER BOOST

“I had a BComm and I was working at a terrific job, but something just wasn’t right, I just felt like I had no control over my career.

I had to upgrade my skills and qualifications.

I resigned, left on great terms and I enrolled in the MBA program.” ~ Justin Darsi JUSTIN DARSI, MBA, FINANCIAL ANALYST, EPCOR DISTRIBUTION & TRANSMISSION INC. IN EDMONTON

“When it comes to doing an MBA program, it’s vital that a business school be solidly connected to the local business community. We are not only directly plugged into the Edmonton business community, but we have solid relationships and bring sessional directors and industry expert instructors into our classrooms.”

“The contacts, relationships and the networking with other students and with the business community are important components of the MBA program. We make the message loud and clear at orientation and reinforce it every chance we get throughout the program: networking is vital.” ~ Chris Lynch

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

Lynch emphasizes that for the Alberta School of Business and for its MBA students, networking and business contact opportunities are crucial aspects of the MBA program. A vital part of the MBA program strategy is the fundamental fact that in today’s business word, people invariably work in teams. The MBA grad must be ready and qualified to be leaders of groups, divisions or the entire company.

“The contacts, relationships and the networking with other students and with the business community are important components of the MBA program,” he stresses.

“We make the message loud and clear at orientation and reinforce it every chance we get throughout the program: networking is vital.

“In the past five years or so, the Alberta School of Business has offered something special and extremely popular and important. Now our MBA students spend 3.5 months working for an organization as part of their courses. It’s like an MBA co-op,” Lynch explains.

“I had a BComm and I was working at a terrific job, but something just wasn’t right,” admits Justin Darsi, a recent Alberta School of Business graduate. “I just felt like I had no control over my career. I had to upgrade my skills and qualifications. I resigned, left on great terms and I enrolled in the MBA program.

“The other students in the class were one of the most valuable components of the program; a terrific and diverse group. Sharing information and networking was so important. Learning what I did not want to do was also vital for me,” the MBA grad recalls. “I wanted to be part of the decision making process and the course content helped me grow a lot, professionally.

EDUCATION MBA

THE MBA CAREER BOOST

“The U of A does a super job organizing networking and special events. There are many speakers from so many different backgrounds.

It’s up to the MBA student to take the opportunities; and the more they expose themselves to networking situations, the better.” ~ Taranna Kraul TARANNA KRAUL, MBA

“A big surprise was that a lot of the value is not necessarily the work in class or the assignments. The guest speakers and evening events were very valuable. No doubt about it,” he grins. “It’s the busiest I have ever been, but also the most productive.”

“It’s always a challenge when it comes to time management, energy, concentration and even study habits.

The typical MBA student has been away from the classroom for at least two years, often longer...” ~Chris Lynch Justin Darsi, graduated from the MBA program last year … and had his new career lined up 10 months before graduation.

Edmonton’s Taranna Kraul had her BSc in biological sciences and psychology but felt something was lacking when it came to being in a genuinely satisfying career. “I always intended to go back and do my Master’s but, while I was working in HR, I realized that the business environment was the direction where I wanted to go in a strategic business role.

“I had been working and getting a salary for about four years so it was a bit of a jolt, but also a charge to recapture the classroom and homework sides of my life, again. It was satisfying meeting assignment deadlines.”

Kraul echoes the importance and value of some subtle aspects of the Alberta School of Business’ MBA program.

“The U of A does a super job organizing networking and special events. There are many speakers from so many different backgrounds. It’s up to the MBA student to take the opportunities; and the more they expose themselves to networking situations, the better. I have always been a big booster about being an active participant in managing my own life.”

Academics caution and recent MBA graduates agree that another subtle but significant MBA factor must also be considered. “It’s always a challenge when it comes to time management, energy, concentration and even study habits. The typical MBA student has been away from the classroom for at least two years, often longer,” he says from experience. “It’s not only about managing their time and energy, but also learning all over again about doing prep for class.”

Lynch points out that the Alberta School of Business’ close relationships with the Edmonton business community is not only a vital resource for MBA students, but a key for the school to stay relevant and on the cutting edge of MBA education. “We are constantly talking with business and industry about new trends and making sure our MBA programs stays relevant.” BIE

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

49

TAX PLANNING

Here Comes the Tax Man Tax Season. It comes every year, but you don’t have to face it with fear. With preparation and professional advice, you have the tools you need to be confident with your tax planning.

GRANT POPOWICH, TAX PARTNER WITH GRANT THORNTON LLP.

HERE COMES THE TAX MAN

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

While the thought of doing your taxes is not typically known to cause a sense of pleasure and excitement, it is a vital part of fiscal management for any business, large or small. Don’t be tempted to shuffle your tax planning off to the side and then rush through it just before tax time; and don’t be afraid to delve into the ins and out of tax planning as there are many incentives that work strongly in your favour.

“One of the great opportunities for businesses involved in research and development are the very attractive tax credits provided by the government” says Grant Popowich, tax partner with Grant Thornton LLP. Known as a leading Canadian accounting and business advisory firm, Grant Thornton LLP provides audit, tax and advisory services for private and public organizations. “The combined federal and provincial credits could net eligible projects up to .42 cents on the dollar,” Popowich continues. “It’s a great way for companies to fund their research, and Canada is a leader in this regard.”

Not into research and development? There are many other tax incentives that can benefit corporations.

“Businesses should make their capital expenditures right before their year end to maximize the tax depreciation,” informs Popowich. “When you do this, you don’t have to prorate the depreciation based on the number of days in the year the business owned the property. However, there is a rule that generally only permits half of the

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

regular depreciation rate in the year of acquisition and another rule that requires the capital property to be ‘available for use’ before any depreciation can be claimed.”

Another way to maximize tax savings is through the company’s compensation strategy for owners and managers. Popowich points out that it may be better to pay a bonus than a salary. “A company with a December 31 year end, for example, can declare a deducible bonus on its year end. However, that bonus does not have to be paid out right away. The company has approximately six months into their new fiscal year to pay out the bonus. This allows for deferral of tax on the bonus.

Additionally, there can be benefits to compensating owner-managers by the payment of dividends. This is because they are taxed more favourably to individuals because the corporation has already paid tax on the funds before they are distributed.”

There is plenty of good news for business owners operating as an active corporation. When the shareholders sell the shares, they are entitled to a capital gains exemption that provides a lifetime exemption of up to $800,000 in capital gains from tax (per shareholder). This value recently increased from $750,000 and it is indexed for inflation for 2015 and subsequent years. “Capital gains exemptions continues to rise,” smiles the tax expert.

One of the issues Canadians face at tax time is the sheer terror they feel in complying with the incredibly com-

TAX PLANNING

HERE COMES THE TAX MAN

plex and nuanced Income Tax Act. At over 260 sections (not counting sub sections) and head scratching headings such as Tax in Respect of Over-Contributions to Deferred Income Plans and wording that includes phrases such as “…such amount as the corporation may claim, not exceeding the amount that would, if paragraph (i) of the definition “investment tax credit” in subsection 127(9) were read without reference to the words “the year or,” be its investment tax credit at the end of the year in respect of property acquired, or an expenditure made, after April 19, 1983 and on or before the last day of the year…” , it’s no small wonder why Canadians regard tax preparation as exciting as a diet of dry toast and water. This, however, may change.

“One of the big topics in discussion right now is the overall appeal for tax simplification and compliance with the law,” confirms Popowich. “The Tax Act is very complicated and a burden to comply with. It won’t simplify us [professional tax planners] out of a job,” he smiles, “but steps can be taken.”

Popowich also points out that the citizens and government are active in making sure the Canadian tax system is competitive in keeping taxes low, to encourage foreign investment.

What are Popowich’s top three tips when it comes to tax planning? They are things any business can – and should – do all year long.

1

“One of the big topics in discussion right now is the overall appeal for tax simplification and compliance with the law.” ~ Grant Popowich First, keep good records. If you get audited, your records need to support your claims. Second, keep your personal assets out of the corporation. Third, don’t believe the coffee talk. Popowich cautions that there is never a one-size-fits-all strategy. Each company has a unique set of parameters that is best evaluated by a professional, even if you heard from a friend of a friend about a great tax-saving strategy that his cousin got by contacting some guy. “Just because you haven’t been caught doesn’t make it right,” he says.

Excellent advice from a seasoned professional; and for another point of view, we turn to one of the many “in the trenches.” The small/emerging business owner is often left to navigate the landmines of explosive tax laws that stand between them and their financial goals.

Income Tax Act Part VII, Refundable Tax on Corporations Issuing Qualifying Shares, Corporations to Pay Tax, Sec. 192, 2 (a) (ii)

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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TAX PLANNING

HERE COMES THE TAX MAN

Yes, contrary to popular belief, the CRA is not hovering like a bad shadow, ready to reach into your pocket and help themselves to all that they can.

While they may be the type of uncle at the Christmas dinner that uses really big words and leaves you simply smiling and nodding in agreement and hoping he doesn’t press you on the issue because you have no idea what he’s talking about, the CRA has many programs and people in place to help you with tax set up, answer your questions and save you money.

Going around the battlefield is not an option, but Wellnext can tell you, from experience, how to get through unscathed.

“My partner and I were in technology consulting and our practice revolved around communication,” says cofounder Sam Jenkins of how Wellnext came to be. “We had a client that had a challenge with employee engagement and wanted to use wellness to change the climate of his organization. Research showed us how important it was to build a wellness toolkit for corporate success, so we did.”

Along with setting up Wellnext came the challenges associated with tax time. “When you start a business, people say it’s hard,” says Jenkins. “What they really mean is, you have to do everything. For taxes, where do you go?

Who do you talk to? What do you do? We started by hiring a small accountant, which worked well because he was one of us – an entrepreneur. Also, the CRA helped.”

Yes, contrary to popular belief, the CRA is not hovering like a bad shadow, ready to reach into your pocket and help themselves to all that they can. While they may be the type of uncle at the Christmas dinner that uses really big words and leaves you simply smiling and nodding in agreement and hoping he doesn’t press you on the issue because you have no idea what he’s talking about, the CRA has many programs and people in place to help you with tax set up, answer your questions and save you money.

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

Wellnext persevered. “We muddled our way through,” laughs Jenkins. The combination of being in Edmonton, a city bursting with networking entrepreneurs, a software accounting package called Xero and their accountant made them comfortable and confident in their tax planning, although Jenkins is quick to admit, “it’s not the most favourite part of the job!”

When asked about his top tax tips for entrepreneurs, Jenkins says, “Be over prepared. Don’t get behind on anything. When it comes to year end, payroll, GST – if I say I’ll do that next week, things pile up and then things get missed. The sooner you get it done, the sooner you catch any mistakes. Give your accountant plenty of time for year end and filings. The more time you give your providers, the better opportunities they have to do things for your business. Entrepreneurs don’t become entrepreneurs because of the small tasks (working with lawyers, accountants, etc.) but the more time you plan to spend with your professional consultants, the more time you will have to build your company.”

This tax season, don’t break into a sweat, sweep the documents to the side and worry about an audit. There are many resources and professionals available to help and many tax incentives to help your bottom line. Challenge yourself to be prepared and informed this tax season, and you will see that you have little to fear when it comes to tax preparation. BIE

GENERAL MANGER DENNY LAWYER, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER MIKE DRIER, OWNER MERV FINGAS AND OWNER MEIBING FINGAS

Sinclair Electric: Serving Edmonton’s Electrical Needs for 40 Years

By Nerissa McNaughton

M

erv Fingas is a very busy man. He’s the former chief of Environment Canada’s Emergency Science Division, a position he held for over 30 years; holds a PhD in environmental physics; three master degrees (chemistry, business, mathematics); along with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, and a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana. He is the author of The Basics of Oil Spill Cleanup, which is in its third edition, and the Handbook of Oil Spill Science and Technology, which was released earlier this year.

In 2010, Merv and his wife Meibing took on a new challenge and purchased Sinclair Electric. The Sinclair family opened the business in 1975. Ill health forced the original owner, Don Sinclair, to sell. The electrical contracting business was a new and exciting option for Merv and Meibing.

They also purchased a larger property and office/shop at 11665 147 Street, allowing for more storage, material handling facilities and the construction of a tool room. The larger prop-

erty has also given them room for on-site storage of job site trailers, a bucket truck, and their ever-growing fleet of service vehicles that now stands at 22.

In the beginning, the mainstay of Sinclair Electric was service and maintenance work, with a fleet of six trucks and eight employees. In August of 2010, Sinclair Electric hired Denny Lawyer, a semi-retired electrical contractor of 38 years, to be their new estimator. Denny soon realized that there were serious problems that were hampering growth as well as the bottom line. He spoke to Merv and Meibing about these issues and was shortly after appointed as general manager.

In May of 2011 Denny hired Mike Drier as a service technician, and within a couple of months, through his hard work and customer satisfaction, Denny appointed Mike as the new manager of the service department and small projects. Mike was later promoted again to assistant general manager; and has been credited with increasing sales within the service division fourfold.

Sinclair Electric | 40 Years | Page 1

SINCLAIR’S BUCKET TRUCK

Sinclair’s service department takes care of the electrical maintenance of 95 per cent of all McDonald’s restaurants in the greater Edmonton area, including Spruce Grove, Stony Plain,

Fort Saskatchewan, and more. Sinclair’s service department also caters to many other customers, including residential, commercial and light industrial.

Denny estimates and takes care of the larger projects, including 68 McDonald’s renovations, as well as eight McDonald’s new builds. He also estimates and acts as project manager for several other projects including the Westrich Pacific Corp.

32-storey Ultima Tower in downtown Edmonton, the Edgar Developments 29-storey Hendrix Tower as well as two other towers in south Edmonton.

Mike and Denny both agree that in order for a business to grow, you have to surround yourself with the best people and treat them well. They have set a working atmosphere that is fun, and rewarding to work in. With this philosophy, total sales have increased by five times and staff has grown from the original eight to between 45 - 60. www.ewel.ca

CONGRATULATIONS

Wishing Sinclair Electric continued Success! www.nedco.ca

Who supports you for the long haul?

We do.

Congratulations to Sinclair Electric for 40 years of energizing Alberta—here’s to a bright future!

atb.com/business

ON 40 YEARS!!

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Sinclair Electric | 40 Years | Page 2

Sherwood Park #104, 2833 Broadmoor Blvd.

Sherwood Park, AB, Canada Phone: 780-417-9770 Fax: 780-417-9783

In the end they all agree that it is not just the fact that Denny had the courage to go to Merv and Meibing and point out the flaws in the estimating system and it’s not only because the owners care about and listen to the needs of their staff. It’s more than the highly trained technicians. It’s a full team effort in the office and the field.

“I’m very proud of the team,” says Meibing. “Merv and I are not electricians, so we really give a lot of trust to our staff and in turn, they are good to us and represent us admirably. I’m very proud that Sinclair is a desirable place for employees, and I’m proud to see how this business has grown. As a co-owner that feels great.”

“To see the company grow and to get profitability,” says Merv, “is very rewarding. When we bought Sinclair, several people told us it was a big mistake. It’s been nice to prove them wrong and build up really good employees. I feel at

Division of Sonepar Canada Inc.

Congratulations on 40 years Sinclair Electric!

wire and cable specialists since 1978

Proud Supplier of SINCLAIR ELECTRIC

VANCOUVER • EDMONTON • CALGARY • SASKATOON • WINNIPEG

Call 1.800.252.7545 to speak with a wire and cable specialist today.

texcansales@sonepar.ca www.texcan.com

We strive to help customers accomplish their business goals. Whether it’s developing comprehensive value creation solutions, getting a single part delivered overnight or suggesting ways to lower costs and increase efficiencies, WESCO will deliver.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ● SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS ● INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION ● DATA COMMUNICATIONS ● INTERNATIONAL PROJECT SUPPORT ● GOVERNMENT BUSINESS ● E-BUSINESS

www.wesco.ca • 1.866.937.2622 Sinclair Electric | 40 Years | Page 3

Sinclair Electric gratefully acknowledges the role their team, clients, and suppliers play in their continued growth and success.

They look forward to integrating technology into their field operations, ongoing employee development and training... home here thanks to the great camaraderie, and we have established a reputation for high quality work.”

Like all trades-based companies in Alberta right now, Sinclair Electric has felt the sting of the labour shortage. “In this market that is a problem that every trade has,” says Denny and Mike when asked about the hot-button topic. “With huge dollars in the oil fields and projects like the arena that come along, they take up a lot of good tradesmen. Manpower. That’s the biggest challenge for us.”

Along with rapid growth comes the need for more advanced administrative measures.“Things like getting our first bond,” informs Merv “and growing the fleet and equipment.”

“I’ve been in the accounting field for 13 years, and in construction accounting for eight,” adds Meibing.” Since she joined Sinclair Electric as a full time accountant, she has used her ex-

perience to implement job costing, equipment management, and inventory initiatives.

Despite the challenges, the company is proud of their growth and what they see each day in the office and in the field.

“We built from a smaller, older company,” Merv says. “There were no systems in place for safety. No manuals. No unit numbers on the trucks. Nothing.”

“We implemented those systems from the ground up,” Meibing says with pride.

Sinclair Electric gratefully acknowledges the role their team, clients, and suppliers play in their continued growth and success. They look forward to integrating technology into their field operations, ongoing employee development and training, and continuing to provide quality electrical service and installations for their clients. •

www.sinclairelectric.ca | Ph: 780-433-3112

Thank you very much to all of

our supporters!

Sinclair Electric | 40 Years | Page 4

WWW.EDMONTONCHAMBER.COM

LOOKING FORWARD

BY JANET RIOPEL

JANET RIOPEL, PRESIDENT AND CEO

Y

ou simply need to drive through our downtown, or out into the northeast and southwest sectors of Edmonton. There’s a buzz that many of us have likely never seen or felt before. Our city is changing. Our skyline is changing. There are more cranes looming overhead every day and huge projects are on our horizon.

This city and the Edmonton Chamber have experienced many ups and downs. Yet, we have weathered various economic storms through hard work and tenacity. Challenges to Edmonton’s economy, including current prices in the global energy markets, are real. Fortunately, our business community has the knowledge and skills needed to meet these challenges head on.

This is why the Edmonton Chamber works hard to ensure that decision-makers at all levels of government seek out and implement the policy solutions being brought forward by our members. Together we can make certain that your tax dollars are spent in ways that enable our economy to grow.

Whether it is driving governments at the local and regional levels to implement cost-saving solutions, or ensuring that the provincial and federal governments are focusing their efforts on strengthening our long-term global competitiveness, the Edmonton Chamber ensures the voice of business is listened to and respected.

The Edmonton Chamber membership represents a broad diversity of companies and sectors. Our members may differ in size and scope, but they have many things in common: a deep interest in our community, a strong understanding of the tremendous opportunity this region offers and a keen willingness to build connections in our city, our region, and around the globe. Meeting our members promises to be one of the great pleasures of my new role.

At the Chamber Ball, the Edmonton Chamber launched a new brand with a new look. At the center of this new

Whether it is driving governments at the local and regional levels to implement cost-saving solutions, or ensuring that the provincial and federal governments are focusing their efforts on strengthening our long-term global competitiveness, the Edmonton Chamber ensures the voice of business is listened to and respected. brand strategy are three ideas: advocate, educate and connect. We will continue with our efforts to be the best advocate for business. Our renewed focus on education signifies the unique role that the Edmonton Chamber plays in keeping our members updated on the issues that matter to them. As well, we will be engaging speakers with expert insights of specific interest to the business community.

I’m excited to be a part of this dynamic community and this organization – there are tremendous opportunities all around us. This promises to be a year of change, growth and new opportunities. I would like to sincerely thank so many people for their generous wishes and offers to assist as I jump in to this very exciting role. I feel very fortunate and I am eager to work with all of you as we move boldly forward into this new year. • www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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PREMIUM SPEAKER SERIES

CORPORATELY CULTURED LUNCHEON Thursday, February 12, 2015 The Westin Edmonton 10135 - 100 Street 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Members – $59.95 + GST Non-Members – $79.95 + GST Tables of 10 available Why waste resources searching for new talent when you can retain your employees by possessing exceptional corporate culture? Hear from Gregg Saretsky, WestJet president and CEO, as he shares valuable insights about WestJet’s outstanding corporate culture.

Learn how WestJet’s culture attracts and retains top talent and apply Saretsky’s expertise to enhance your business.

Saretsky began his career in aviation with Canadian Airlines in 1985 and joined WestJet in 2009, becoming president and CEO in 2010.

“Watching WestJet grow over the years, I was always impressed with its outstanding culture of care and its focus on creating a remarkable experience. I’m honored and thrilled to be part of that now.”

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EDMONTONCHAMBER.COM/EVENTS Our2015 premium speaker series features leaders from across Canada. Join us as we explore the issues that impact business today.

February | Business In Edmonton Magazinetop| thought www.businessinedmonton.com

SECTION SEEING THEM PAINT A BRIGHTER FUTURE WILL BE A WORK OF ART. TITLE

The Be Brave Ranch by Ray LaBonte and Family offers children who have been sexually abused and their families a place to heal, and increases children’s chances of growing into healthy adults. Offering more than 200 hours of multiple therapies from art, music and play therapy to counseling and peer support, our program can, and will, help them laugh, play and be kids again.

If your child has been sexually abused, please contact Little Warriors at littlewarriors.ca/BeBraveRanch.

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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*The Be Brave Ranch is an evidence based program designed in collaboration with University of Alberta researchers and offers over 200 hours of treatment for the child and family.

Official Nomination Form

Go Online to www.businessinedmonton.com/leaders Submissions Directions: Please complete the application in its entirety. Send the form via email to leaders@businessinedmonton.com; fax to 587.520.5701; or mail to us at: Suite 1780, 10020 - 101 A Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 3G2

Eligibility: All nominees must own, be a partner, CEO, or President of a private or public company, and be a primary stakeholder responsible for the recent performance of the company. In addition, the nominee’s company must be Edmonton-based and have been in existence for a minimum of three years.

Judging Panel and Criteria: The independent panel of judges will consist of a selection of successful business leaders from the community. The judges will analyze an extensive list of criteria that will include finances, strategic direction, product or service innovation, company leadership (including personal integrity, values and key employee initiatives), community involvement and philanthropic activities. As part of the judging process one or more of the judges will tour the business and meet with the nominee.

Nominee

Nominee’s Name: Title: Company Name: General Company Phone:

Print or Type Only Please

Business Address: City:

Province:

Postal Code:

Company Website: Nature of Business:

Nominee’s Phone:

Nominee’s Email:

Assistant’s Name: Assistant’s Phone:

Assistant’s Email:

Has Nominee previously been nominated for Consideration? Yes / No Year(s): For any questions or follow up related to this information; please designate a contact, or confirm nominee or assistant as primary contact.

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HUMAN RESOURCES INSTITUTE OF ALBERTA

SECTION EDMONTON.COM TITLE

SOUND, LIGHT & MOTION EVENT CELEBRATES THE MAKING OF A WORLD CLASS, EDMONTON-MADE FILM PRODUCTION

M

ake Something Edmonton hosted a packed Winspear Centre on December 8, 2014, for Sound, Light & Motion, an event to celebrate the unique way Edmontonians make things. Featuring a dozen projects and even more artists and performers, the evening was a true celebration of Edmonton’s creativity and propensity for making, inventing and building in Edmonton, and from Edmonton to the world.

The event was built around one massive and truly Edmonton undertaking: Clearwater Documentary’s ambitious production of The Great Human Odyssey for CBC’s documentary series The Nature of Things. This cuttingedge documentary travels the world to tell the story of our evolutionary origins, and it was made by a community of Edmonton filmmakers including cinematographers, sound specialists, editors, researchers, producers and one anthropologist director and host, Niobe Thompson, over the past two years.

The musical score presented a dilemma. The tradition of live-recording film scores is almost non-existent today. Many productions, even those with large budgets, use a combination of synthesized scores and recording sessions with low-cost ensembles in Eastern Europe and Asia. However, Clearwater Documentary was determined to do things differently by producing a full score with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Pro Coro Canada choir and even former Edmontonian composer Darren Fung, in their home city of Edmonton.

The audience at Sound, Light & Motion got a sneak peek at The Great Human Odyssey as scenes came together live at the Winspear. Clips showed on the big screen as the

orchestra and choir put music to the scenes for the first time, and Thompson narrated live from the podium.

The unique recording session embraced the idea that Edmonton can be a launch pad for internationally ambitious film projects and film-and-music collaborations; and the Sound, Light & Motion event brought the city together in a wider celebration of the creativity and courage of Edmonton’s people to take an idea to reality, to build and to make something. We do things differently here, and there’s a community eager to support this and bring ideas to life.

If you would like to learn more about this project and others taking off in Edmonton, visit www.makesomethingedmonton.ca. Here, you will find an interview with Thompson about the adventures and misadventures of making The Great Human Odyssey, and many other seeds of inspiration. What are you building? How can we help?

The Great Human Odyssey will air on CBC starting February 12, 2015. •

www.businessinedmonton.com | Business In Edmonton Magazine | February 2015

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EDMONTON.COM

TITLE

EDMONTON TOURISM WINS AT CMA AWARDS Edmonton Tourism, in partnership with DDB Canada and Tribal Worldwide, took home bronze at the largest marketing awards event in the country, the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) Awards Gala. The award recognized ExploreEdmonton.com in the category of digital consumer services. Edmonton Tourism’s website was a finalist alongside major national brands WestJet Airlines and Yellow Pages.

Launched in April 2014, ExploreEdmonton.com was designed to show the originality of the visitor experience in Edmonton using exhilarating visuals, authentic experiences, and feature stories to move potential visitors through the path to purchase and inspire extended stays.

Edmonton Tourism has also been recognized with two Alto awards: Excellence in Marketing over $50K for Edmonton Tourism’s cheeky “Winter in Edmonton” campaign, and the Marketing Partnership Award for Edmonton International Airport’s collaboration with Icelandair and Edmonton Tourism for the “Icelandmania” campaign, in addition to a nod by Communication Arts as webpick of the week and by Applied Arts magazine as the 2014 interactive media award winner in the category of entertainment, arts and tourism. •

VISIT SHAW CONFERENCE CENTRE’S NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE

W

hether you are an event planner or attending an event, you’ll find everything you need on our new and improved website at www.shawconferencecentre.com.

The conference centre is always hopping and the best way to find out what is happening is to visit our event calendar. Meeting planners will find valuable resources with easy, online booking inquiries and detailed information about our facility and the services we offer. •

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February 2015 | Business In Edmonton Magazine | www.businessinedmonton.com

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Brittney & Breanne Ramsay | Owners of Britt Land Services | Business Magnates | Savvy Sisters

Meet sisters, Brittney and Breanne. When family events unexpectedly put them in charge of their father’s business, they didn’t flinch. Instead, they hit the ground running.

ATB’s experts helped their cash flow and growth along the way. Now, they look forward to expanding their business even more. And we look forward to supporting the sisters as they make their mark across Alberta—and beyond.

Learn more about Brittney & Breanne at atb.com/WeGrowAlberta

Who helps with your succession plan? We do.

BUSINESS ACCOUNTS І CASH FLOW І FINANCING І KNOW-HOW atb.com/businessbeat helped us with our facts. Visit atb.com/wegrowalberta for more information. ™ Trademarks of Alberta Treasury Branches.