The Advocate Magazine - July | August 2011

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The Greater K-W Chamber of Commerce and the Universities: An Historical Retrospective The evolving WRIEN journey of collaboration & vision Chamber Milestones

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advocate JULY

| AUGUST 2011

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

FEATURE

Art Sinclair

Member testimonials

EDITOR:

COVER STORY

The Greater K-W Chamber of Commerce and the Universities: An Historical Retrospective K.M. McLaughlin

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Heather Hutchings DESIGN AND PRODUCTION:

Cober Evolving Solutions

FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPHY:

WRIEN The evolving WRIEN journey of collaboration and vision

Adamski Photography and Chamber staff ADVERTISING AND SALES:

Peter McFadden

David MacLellan - dmaclellan@greaterkwchamber.com

FEATURE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Chamber Milestones

Mary Sue Fitzpatrick, Jeff MacIntyre, Peter McFadden, K. M. McLaughlin, Ian McLean, Art Sinclair, Jenn Zehr CONTRIBUTORS:

Julie Tedesco

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ADVERTISING AND COPY DEADLINES:

July 28, 2011 for September | October October 3, 2011 for November | December

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Chamber success leads to community success

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Jeff MacIntyre

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Chamber continues to serve after 125 years

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Ian McLean

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ADVOCACY

April 1, 2011 to May 31, 2011

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Art Sinclair

Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology CentreEntrepreneurship in the classroom

PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH CARE

Jenn Zehr

Waterloo Region politicians on the national and provincial stage

The evolution of the Chamber’s physician recruitment initiative Mary Sue Fitzpatrick

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NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

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EVENTS

The Chamber celebrates 125 years!

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ADVOCATE - PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 80 QUEEN STREET NORTH, PO BOX 2367 KITCHENER, ONTARIO N2H 6L4 The Advocate is a bi-monthly membership benefit publication of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Advertising content and the views expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not constitute endorsement by the Chamber.

The Advocate follows the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (1990), copies are available through the Publisher. The Chamber cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur and has the right to edit material submitted. The Chamber will not accept advertising with competitor comparison claims and has the right to refuse advertising that is deemed to be false, misleading, or inappropriate.

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message from the chair

Chamber success leads to community success

BY JEFF MACINTYRE A group of local business leaders came together 125 years ago to create the Berlin Board of Trade. Their goals were focused on local business success. Each member would understand better what each other did and what they needed to grow. It was a collective group of businesses with a trial concept to determine if networking and education would demonstrate value to the group members. As the first meeting ended I imagine some enthusiasm and some action items were created. Some members likely got it right away and stepped up with a passion to make this work. Others likely were more cautious. How could a small manufacturing operation get value from talking to a group of people outside their shop? They needed to be at work filling orders.

If they mapped success it would include everyone meeting each member and articulating what each business did. Success would have been achieved if members walked away from the meeting with a connection or a link to someone that would be interested in their product or service. Success would also be measurable if they were able to schedule another meeting. I would highly doubt they would envision a group of 350 people gathering at the Waterloo Regional Museum to celebrate our many accomplishments over the years.

What started as a small business group with a defined mandate is now 125 years old and while the mandate expanded, the origin of connecting people is achieved. Members shook hands and shared a drink and food, passed business cards, were educated on much of the influence that the Chamber has been involved with and everyone left impressed with what we have done.

There are easy things to directly quantify the Chamber’s involvement and influence such as the creation of the University of Waterloo. Other initiatives with significant Chamber influence were the Conestoga Parkway and the Centre in the Square, the look and feel of our collective cities and townships, and the influence that the combining Kitchener, Waterloo and Woolwich Chambers of Commerce continues to have in shaping, refining and directing our collective business community. It is hard to imagine how many handshakes, coffee meetings, strategic alliances and contracts that have happened as a result of the Chamber.

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What I have learned is that over the years there were many issues where the Chamber made a significant impact on shaping our community. There have been many issues where the Chamber took a lead role and assumed a support position that may not have appealed to the masses. There were other issues where the Chamber was required to oppose a direction from the cities, province, or federal government due to the fact that it was not in the best interest of the Chamber members. This is what leaders do. Support when needed and oppose if best for the group.

The Chamber has succeeded for many years and it would be impossible to list all the reasons. The common theme for success is that the Chamber has focused on community success. The community businesses success was greater than the success of its parts. We have a healthy level of competition which creates checks and balances, but we celebrate others success in the community because we all share the momentum.

Thanks to all who came before us for your effort, your vision and your commitment to the Greater Kitchener Waterloo community.

125 years is a significant milestone that we need to celebrate. We promise to leave it in better shape than we found it and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff MacIntyre CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff MacIntyre is the owner of two small businesses in Waterloo Region. Winexpert Kitchener South is an on-premises winemaking shop. So There Business Solutions assists employers to increase profitability through market access, sales assistance, business development planning strategies, mentoring and training.

message from the president

Chamber continues to serve after 125 years

BY IAN MCLEAN The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has a long and proud tradition of serving local businesses and building community for over 125 years. I am honoured and excited to lead such an important community institution.

Our first 125th Anniversary event held in May at the impressive new Waterloo Region Museum was a tremendous success. We will be organizing a series of functions over the next year to recognize and celebrate the contribution of local business to growth and prosperity. For a century and one quarter, business leaders have been community leaders. They have been the volunteers, philanthropists, job creators and visionaries that have built Waterloo Region.

In 1992, the former Kitchener and Waterloo Chambers merged, followed in 2001 with the addition of the Woolwich Chamber. We have emerged from these amalgamations with a united voice for local employers and a stronger commitment to assisting members on growing their operations, regardless of their sector.

It is interesting to note that 80 percent of our current members are small and medium businesses – they remain the backbone of both the Chamber and local economy. However we also support members in the broader public sector, such as hospitals, municipalities and local post-secondary institutions who employ thousands of local residents. Included amongst the membership is a large assembly of not-for-profit organizations, so we certainly represent a broad spectrum of community interests.

The Chamber of Commerce is itself a small enterprise that is similar to the businesses owned and operated by many of our members. We have 11 employees that work with our impressive network of volunteers to deliver a wide range of events, programs and services for the benefit of the business sector and community at large.

After nearly a year at the Chamber, the commitment and passion demonstrated by our volunteers continues to simply amaze me.

The tireless efforts supplied by members working on event planning or advocacy are a model for other Chambers across Canada. My sincere thanks for all your work since I arrived in October and your efforts in the many preceding years.

Some of our more notable endeavours include the many hours of work required for staging the annual Business Excellence Awards.

It is truly remarkable how this function has expanded to one of the Region’s premier Galas, based in large part from the talents of members like Janet Taylor. Our events have been complemented by on-going work in physician recruitment and immigrant employment. The Chamber, and the community, has greatly benefitted from the significant financial support of our private sector and municipal government partners in the operation of the Health Care Recruitment Council. The number of Kitchener Waterloo residents seeking a family doctor has decreased, however our efforts will continue until the local physician shortage is eliminated.

Our members have consistently told us that securing the most qualified and skilled employees across the global market is critical for their future success. For the last five years, our Chamber has partnered with many community stakeholders on the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network, or WRIEN. This highly successful and award-winning project is winding down as the new Immigrant Partnership will assume these important responsibilities, however we are grateful for the efforts of Peter McFadden and many volunteers for their commitment to integrating newcomers into our community.

Our 125th Anniversary allows the Chamber to celebrate our successes of the past along with the vision of how we will be the voice of business moving forward over the next 125 years. Based on our experiences, we are in an excellent position to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing global economy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian McLean Ian McLean is President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

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Mark your Calendars!

Notice of Annual General Meeting The 2011 Annual General Meeting has been called for Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at which time the new Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will be installed.

Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Registration: 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm Business Meeting: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm (reception to follow) Location: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel 475 King St. N., Waterloo Please register online at: www.greaterkwchamber.com

For more information, please contact the Chamber office at admin@greaterkwchamber.com or by telephone at 519.576.5000.

advocacy

Waterloo Region politicians on the national and provincial stage

BY ART SINCLAIR Across North American political history, many elected officials have been identified and remembered as much for their constituencies than any of their achievements.

administration lasted four days until King requested a vote on Meighen’s constitutional right to govern, which was lost and an election called.

William Grenville Davis was known as Brampton Bill during his tenure as Ontario Minister of Education in the 1960s and Premier from 1971 to 1984. At that time the population of Brampton, a city on the fringes of Toronto, was considerably less than today leading voters to wonder whether Davis represented a rural or urban population. Since no one in recent memory has occupied the Premier’s Office as long as Brampton Bill, he must have possessed some appeal to both demographics.

Waterloo Region has also been represented by prominent politicians at Queen’s Park. Although no Premier has ever called any local ridings their home constituency, the contributions from our members have been significant.

The most notable politician from Waterloo Region, at the national level, was former Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King.

Born in Berlin and educated at the current Kitchener Collegiate Institute –where his statue sits on the front lawn and stares across King Street to Central Market – he compiled an impressive educational resume prior to his lengthy career in public service.

Over a century has elapsed since King attended the University of Toronto, University of Chicago, and Harvard University, however it seems appropriate that a Prime Minister from Waterloo Region, where post-secondary education remains a critical component of the local economy, acquired such academic credentials.

Some of the more memorable elections in Canadian history were contests between King’s Liberals and the Conservatives under Arthur Meighen. The two politicians were classmates at the University of Toronto and Meighen was originally from Perth County. Meighen’s hometown is frequently designated as St.Marys, however it is actually Anderson, an intersection of two rural roads in the former Blanshard Township. The village of Kirkton, where an entrepreneur named Timothy Eaton opened his first retail store, is only a few kilometres from Anderson.

Waterloo North MPP John Wintermeyer was Ontario Liberal Party Leader from 1958 to 1963. Political historians will recall that the forty-two years from 1943 to 1985 were dominated by the Progressive Conservative Big Blue Machine under George Drew, Leslie Frost, John Robarts and Bill Davis. Wintermeyer landed in the middle of this political engine and joined Liberals such as Bob Nixon, Farqhuar Oliver and Andrew Thompson as would-be Premiers.

Current Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer ran for the Progressive Conservative Party leadership in 2002 and held the senior portfolios of Education and Health Care during the Harris and Eves administrations. Since 2007, Kitchener Centre MPP John Milloy has served as Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, a portfolio of increasing importance to the local and provincial business sector.

There will probably be few politicians who will rival the experiences of MacKenzie King, however the local business sector has been well-served by our provincial and federal elected officials during the past 125 years. Hopefully, across the next century and a quarter, this level of leadership and public service will continue.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

One of the more noteworthy aspects of King’s career was his relatively unusual tenure as Prime Minister. He was elected in 1921, 1925, and 1926, lost in 1930, won again in 1935 and stayed until 1948. In one of the more bizarre eras of Canadian politics, King won a minority in the 1925 election then subsequently lost a vote of confidence and power when the Governor General called on Meighen to form a government. The Conservative

Art Sinclair Art Sinclair is the Vice President Policy and Advocacy for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

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perspective on health care

The evolution of the Chamber’s physician recruitment initiative

BY MARY SUE FITZPATRICK The Chamber’s first physician recruitment efforts evolved out of the Federal & Provincial Affairs Health Subcommittee’s concern that over 40,000 of our residents did not have a family practitioner. In 1998, they responded by establishing the community’s first Physician Recruitment Task Force under the wing of the Chamber and they appealed to the corporate community for funding support.

For eight years, this volunteer driven initiative was led by founding Task Force Chair Glen Mathers of CIBC Wood Gundy and supported by passionate and committed Chamber members.

During those years we successfully recruited 87 family physicians.

While recognizing the success of their volunteer efforts, employers continued to report that access to family physicians was still a critical economic development issue impacting their businesses - their success in recruiting new talent and in maintaining healthy staff to ensure their productivity and prosperity.

In response, an in-depth review of the existing physician recruitment efforts was led by former Chamber Chair Roger Farwell of WalterFedy. It was recognized that beyond recruitment there is also a critical need to enhance opportunities for the future of health care delivery in the community.

A new strategic direction was taken. It represented a change in structure and operations, stronger volunteer-staff and community partnerships and enhanced financial and personnel resources. The result was the creation of the Chamber Health Care Recruitment Council (CHCRC) which was launched in 2006. Bruce Antonello, former President & CEO of St. Mary’s General Hospital agreed to co-chair the Council with Roger Farwell.

initiatives to support physicians looking for new practice opportunities in our region, including the building of either private or community developed medical centres.

Our original visionary, Glen Mathers is still involved as Past Chair and sits as a member of the Health Council’s Family Physician Liaison Task Force which plans our annual physician recruitment weekend for visiting family medicine residents and their partners.

Glen has been succeeded as chair by Jane Jantzi of Deloitte and Jane George of Airways Transit. Chamber Board member Al Hayes of WalterFedy is next to take the lead. Many of the original volunteers are still involved.

Council Chair Bruce Antonello has been succeeded by another former President & CEO of St. Mary’s General Hospital, Moira Taylor. Bruce continues to sit as a Health Council member and Moira co-chairs with Roger Farwell who also chairs our Facilities Task Force. Chamber Board member Karen Mason of Equitable Life has joined the executive leaders of the Council as has Bill Weiler of MedEd, who is our facilities advisor.

We share a vision with community stakeholders to establish the area as a leading edge, interdisciplinary centre of excellence for health sciences and the ideal community, not only for family physicians and specialists, but also other health care professionals.

As we launch a second municipal and corporate fundraising campaign, the Chamber will continue to move forward with new strategic directions and initiatives that will ultimately solve the family physician shortage.

Five years from now we want to be able to say that every resident in Kitchener-Waterloo-Woolwich has access to a family physician and the best primary care possible.

A fundraising campaign provided significant municipal and corporate commitments to fund the enhanced initiative. The Chamber committed in kind investment through full time human resources and administrative support.

Today, over 138 family practitioners have been recruited and the number of people without a family physician has been cut in half, from over 40,000 in 1998 to just over 20,000 today.

The CHCRC has evolved significantly. We are now known as the Chamber Health Care Resources Council, as it better reflects our focus and mandate beyond physician recruitment and retention, health policy and advocacy. We are also involved in other

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Sue Fitzpatrick Mary Sue is Vice President Family Physician Resources and Health Advocacy.

testimonials

Member Testimonials In December 2010 I met with Membership Manager David MacLellan to discuss the benefits of joining the GKWCC. His advice was simple, “To realize full potential from membership, you need to get involved”.

So I did. Since then I have attended most Chamber events. I am also a member of a CPN group and the Networking Breakfast Committee.

As a result of these activities, I have had high-quality interactions with dozens of new contacts and solid business relationships are developing with several Chamber members. Active membership in the GKWCC opens a lot of doors and creates many great opportunities.

I heartily endorse it!

Greg Schott Principal Schott Resolutions

I first became aware of the influence of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce in 2003 when I attended events in my capacity as president of the Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtors. From the beginning I was impressed with the organization and the commitment of the members. My subsequent membership and participation on the advocacy committees, RMAC and then FPAC is a continuing benefit in both my personal and business capacities. Despite the diverse backgrounds of the businesses and industries represented, the spirit of cooperation is evident on the FPAC committee that I chair.

I highly recommend membership and participation - it will make a positive impact on your personal and business life.

You can be more informed and involved in our community

The “global village” does not mean local connections are not important!

During economic volatility, our neighbourhood economy elevates in importance as the only way to ensure sustainability at the grass root level.

A Chamber member since 2006, I feel dynamically connected to the community at large. The learning forums and networking meetings help me to cultivate the human touch that I find so imperative in my business, putting a face to the name Allied Flooring. The Chamber of Commerce is your Chamber of Commerce. You can grow your own business, support local businesses and most important of all, connect with your local community.

Gihan Salgado President Allied Flooring Inc.

Since 2008, I've sat on the Federal & Provincial Affairs Committee of the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and have had an absolutely fantastic experience. At our Committee meetings, we have fascinating discussions on the issues of the day and I've found it incredibly useful to know how decisions being made at both the federal and provincial levels directly affect the different segments of our local economy.

It has been a great learning experience.

Eric M. Davis Municipal & Planning Law White, Duncan, Linton LLP

Diane Hawrylenko Broker Nicholson Realty Inc.

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events

The Chamber begins celebrating 125 years with a birthday party at the Waterloo Region Museum.

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events

Photography by Adamski Photography and Chamber staff

THE RECORD REACHES MORE ADULTS THAN THE TORONTO PAPERS COMBINED!

84,600 MORE ADULTS DAILY 77,200 MORE ADULTS ON SATURDAY*

TToo aadvertise dvertise oorr ppartner artner w with ith tthe he W Waterloo aterloo R Region egion R Record ecord please call 519-894 519-894-2250.

4-2250.

*Source: NADbank速 2009

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new members

April 1, 2011 to May 31, 2011 Acklands Grainger Inc.

Bluebird Painting

Edward Jones - Suresh Arangath

Industrial Equipment & Supplies Carlos Grande, Branch Manager 107 Manitou Drive Kitchener, ON N2C 1L4 Email: grandec@agi.ca / Web: www.acklandsgrainger.com Phone: (519) 893-3111 / Fax: (519) 893-0311

Painting Contractors Ben Koenig, Owner 369 Gatestone Waterloo, ON N2T 2J6 Email: bluebirdpainting@hotmail.com / Web: www.bluebirdpainting.ca Phone: (519) 574-7084

Investments Suresh Arangath, Financial Advisor 370 University Avenue East, Suite 104 Waterloo, ON N2K 3N2 Email: suresh.arangath@edwardjones.com / Web: www.edwardjones.com Phone: (519) 746-5092 / Fax: (866) 633-5970

Alliance of Ontario Food Processors

BMO Bank of Montreal

Hacienda Sarria

Associations & Organizations Jane Graham, Executive Director 299 Doon Valley Drive Kitchener, ON N2G 4M4 Email: alliance@aofp.ca / Web: www.aofp.ca Phone: (519) 896-5967 / Fax: (519) 896-3650

Banks Susan Brown, Senior Vice-President Ontario Regional Division 20 Erb Street West, Suite 400 Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2 Email: susan.brown@bmo.com / Web: www.bmo.com Phone: (519) 885-1944 / Fax: (519) 885-0922

Wedding Planning, Services & Supplies Nadine Day, Owner 1254 Union Street Kitchener, ON N2H 6K4 Email: haciendasarria@live.com / Web: www.haciendasarriakw.com Phone: (519) 577-2225

Animal Inn Pet Shop Pet Shop & Supplies George Bakay, Owner 550 King Street North Waterloo, ON N2L 5W6 Email: gbakay801@rogers.com / Web: www.animalinnpetshop.com Phone: (519) 886-1074

AVW Telav Audio Visual Solutions Audio Visual Equipment & Supplies Kevin Hoffman 105 King Street East Kitchener, ON N2G 2K8 Email: khoffman@avwtelav.com / Web: www.avwtelav.com Phone: (519) 749-2235

Basil McDonald Law Office Lawyers Basil McDonald, Lawyer 9 Ahrens Street West Kitchener, ON N2H 4B6 Email: basilmcdonald@on.aibn.com Phone: (519) 576-6500 / Fax: (519) 744-7811

Bell Mobility Inc. - Ammar Subhan Cellular & Wireless Telephones, Equipment&Supplies Ammar Subhan, Account Executive 5099 Creekbank Road, Unit 2E Mississauga, ON L4W 5N2 Email: ammar.subhan@bell.ca Phone: (519) 502-7233 / Fax: (905) 282-4695

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Hawksview Homes Ltd Bramante Studio Matcorp Inc. Church Furnishings & Supplies Abraham Mathew, President 8 Queen Street North, Kitchener, ON N2H 2G8 Email: info@bramante.com / Web: www.bramante.com Phone: (519) 570-2908 / Fax: (519) 570-2706

Home Builders Hon. David Reid, President 7201 Line 86, RR #3 Wallenstein, ON N0B 2S0 Email: info@hawksviewhomes.com / Web: www.hawksviewhomes.com Phone: (519) 669-3100 / Fax: (519) 669-1213

J & J Cards & Collectibles Ltd Cali Marketing Communications Advertising Agencies & Consultants , Event Planning Cathy Lumb, Marketing Consultant 28 Schneider Avenue Kitchener, ON N2G 1K6 Email: cathy@calicom.ca / Web: www.calicom.ca Phone: (519) 886-4198 / Fax: (519) 886-6090

Collectibles Jim Schill, President 230 Weber Street North Waterloo, ON N2J 3H4 Email: sales@jjcards.com / Web: www.jjcards.com Phone: (519) 725-0443 / Fax: (877) 868-6897

Kidproof Canada Waterloo Region Circumference Business Consultants John Peacock, Owner 185 Appalachian Cresent Kitchener, ON N2E 1A3 Email: jpeacock@circumference.ca / Web: www.circumference.ca Phone: (519) 279-1734

Educational Teaching Aids & Supplies Andy Constantinou, President 67 Norwood Crescent Waterloo, ON N2L 2P5 Email: waterlooregion@kidproofcanada.com / Web: www.kidproofsafety.com Phone: (519) 954-5422 / Fax: (519) 885-1103

Kimagine Graphic Design e-dimensionz Web Solutions Website Design & Development Melissa Guille, President Cedar Street South Kitchener, ON N2G 3L3 Email: support@e-dimensionz.com / Web: www.e-dimensionz.com Phone: (519) 635-3744

Graphic Designers Kim Graham, Graphic Designer/Owner 48 Windom Road, Unit F Kitchener, ON N2A 2P4 Email: kimagine@rogers.com Phone: (519) 208-2863

new members

LA Fitness Sports Clubs

Oilchangers

The Kiwanis Club of Twin Cities

Health, Fitness & Exercise Service Mike Richert, District Vice President 264 Victoria Street North Kitchener, ON N2H 5C8 Email: mike.richert@lafitness.com / Web: www.lafitness.com Phone: (519) 741-0144

Oil Changes & Lubricant Service , Emissions - Tests Dave Bankay, Owner 1065 Victoria Street North Kitchener, ON N2B 3C7 Email: davebankay@rogers.com / Web: www.oilchangers.ca Phone: (519) 584-0287 / Fax: (519) 584-2269

Charitable & Community Organizations John Wilson, Membership Chair Pharma Plus Postal Station, 537 Frederick Street, PO Box 23010 Kitchener, ON N2B 3V1 Email: jwilsonalliance@sympatico.ca / Web: www.twincitieskiwanis.org Phone: (519) 744-4141

MacDonald Awnings & Signs

Ontario Cremation Services

Awnings & Signs Bill Stoody, Dealer Network Sales 125 Weber Street West Kitchener, ON N2H 3Z8 Email: info@macdonaldawning.com / Web: www.macdonaldawning.com Phone: (519) 579-3950 / Fax: (519) 579-2533

Funeral Homes Greg D'Hulster, Manager 1601 River Road, Unit 28A Kitchener, ON N2A 3Y4 Email: ontariocremation@bellnet.ca / Web: www.ontariocremationservices.ca Phone: (519) 504-2876 / Fax: (519) 472-2290

Modevation Media

Pepi's Pizza

Video Production Chris Meidell, President 151 Charles Street West, Suite 115 Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6 Email: chris@modevation.com / Web: www.modevation.com Phone: (519) 804-2236

Restaurants John Guy, Vice President 87 Water Street North Kitchener, ON N2H 5A6 Email: john@pepispizza.ca / Web: www.pepispizza.com Phone: (519) 578-6640 / Fax: (519) 954-6544

Ogilvie Daugherty Financial Services

Project Management Strategic Training and Resources (PM Star)

Career Counselling & Education Linda Hart, Assistant Director 50 Stone Road East, University Centre, 3rd Floor Guelph, ON N1G 2W1 Email: lhart01@uoguelph.ca / Web: www.recruitguelph.ca Phone: (519) 824-4120 / Fax: (519) 829-3065

Management Training & Development Cindy Bell, President 102 Monte Vista Crescent London, ON N6J 4P3 Email: cindybell@pmstar.org / Web: www.pmstar.org Phone: (519) 870-7815

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Financial Planning Consultants Brian Ogilvie, President 70 Victoria Street North, Suite H Kitchener, ON N2H 5C2 Email: beth@ogilvie.ca / Web: www.ogilvie.ca Phone: (519) 744-4083 / Fax: (519) 745-2943

University of Guelph - Co-operative Education & Career Services

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testimonials

Member Testimonials I have continually been impressed by the level of service and commitment of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to this region.

The Chamber continues to be involved in important community initiatives such as health care, WRIEN and networking/mentorship for young professionals. The Chamber takes a holistic approach to the variety of businesses in the community and draws all of the businesses together as one voice and one common community. I am delighted to be part of this initiative and contribute to the KW community in this way.

Rosa Lupo Partner Gowlings Waterloo Region Office

The K-W Chamber of Commerce is an energetic and vibrant organization which caters to many different types and sizes of business.

The Chamber has provided me with a reliable source of networking events which are always well attended with an active group of entrepreneurs. The diversity and range of the Chamber events is what makes the chamber so relevant to the local community. The Chamber has a passion for helping every business which is evident by the speakers chosen and events planned. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Chamber and have benefited from meeting many new contacts, peers and friends.

Sabrina Fitzgerald, CA Senior Manager, Tax Services PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

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The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has been a strong partner with BMO Financial Group on events and initiatives for the business sector and broader community.

Chamber events provide a unique opportunity to connect with employers across Waterloo Region and ensure we are providing the services they require to be competitive and profitable.

Janet Peddigrew, MBA Vice-President Mid-Western Ontario District BMO Bank of Montreal

“The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce supports the local business community by ensuring that relevant concerns are advanced to all levels of government.

Smaller businesses often do not possess the necessary resources to address these issues, however collectively through the Chamber we can be certain that local officials are aware of developments and hopefully they can address any matters that negatively impact business.�

Michael Alkier President Victoria Star Motors Inc.

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce’s work in physician recruitment is critically important. As the population of Waterloo Region expands, we require world-class health care facilities and professionals to ensure we can attract and maintain businesses and employees for an emerging knowledge- based economy. I commend the Chamber for their efforts to date and am confident we as a community can continue to address these issues.

Murray Gamble President The C3 Group of Companies

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cover story

The Greater K-W Chamber of Commerce and the Universities: An Historical Retrospective

BY K.M. MCLAUGHLIN The Chambers of Commerce and their predecessors, the Boards of Trade, have had a profound impact on Kitchener and Waterloo and few public institutions can match their legacy of community concern and vision. The university story begins there in 1911. On behalf of the Waterloo Board of Trade, its president, J.C. Mueller, offered to donate five acres of land free-and-clear to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Canada to locate its proposed Lutheran seminary in Waterloo. Waterloo's Board of Trade unanimously subscribed $1,750 for the proposed five acre seminary site. The Mayor of Waterloo, the President of the Board of Trade, and three community leaders conducted a successful campaign to collect subscriptions. Three members of the Council of the Board of Trade remained as trustees of the property until July 10 1924, when the title deeds were handed over to the seminary.

Shortly after, Waterloo College was established on part of the seminary land purchased by the Board of Trade. The college immediately became a valued community institution, attracting many, like Jack Harper, who went on to establish businesses or professions in this community. Today that original five acre site forms the nucleus of Wilfrid Laurier University and it was there in 1957 that the original temporary buildings of the University of Waterloo were first located.

The veterans who returned home from overseas at the end of the Second World War created a revolution in university education throughout Canada. The technical skills and leadership provided by the universities in Canada's prosecution of the war had demonstrated that universities had a vital role to play in the modern nation, while the need to renew Canada's democracy also led many others to pursue a university degree. As the nation returned to peacetime, the Kitchener Board of Trade, now reconstituted as a Chamber of Commerce, began to plan for the future well-being of the community. In 1948, the Chamber's Secretary Manager, Vic McKenty, wrote to the president of St. Jerome's College, the Roman Catholic college which had been a prominent part of Kitchener's educational landscape since 1866,

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and to the president of the Lutheran-affiliated Waterloo College, inviting them to meet with a special committee of the Chamber of Commerce, for the purpose of discussing a joint [university] site in their [the colleges'] development plans for the future. McKenty explained that "It is the feeling of the board of Directors of the Chamber that considerable saving to both institutions would result if they could see their way clear to share certain buildings, as well as campus and recreational facilities. Each, of course, would have its separate seminary." The Chamber's ideas were prescient and timely. Both St. Jerome's and Waterloo College were hoping to expand and both would be coming to the community for financial support. Unfortunately, in 1948 neither of the denominational colleges was able to see the ecumenical advantages or the opportunities offered in the chamber's proposal. The chamber's idea, however, would emerge in a slightly amended form in 1959 as the University of Waterloo and this time St. Jerome's would move its arts and mathematics programs to Waterloo as a founding college of the University of Waterloo.

Carl Pollock, a past-president of the Kitchener Chamber of Commerce, had chaired the chamber's 1948 committee on post-secondary education. Along with Ira Needles, another active member of the chamber, Pollock played a leading role in establishing the University of Waterloo, ultimately serving as the chair of its Board of Governors and also as its Chancellor—two posts which Ira Needles had also held. Peter Sims, another past chair of the Chamber of Commerce also served on the University of Waterloo’s Board of Governors, and John Pollock, a prominent Chamber member went on to become Chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University. Both universities in Waterloo have often

cover story

turned to the Chamber of Commerce and have continued to develop a strong relationship with the community. One need only look at the UW School of Pharmacy and the satellite campus of McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Medicine located in Kitchener on the site where Ira Needles and Gerry Hagey once worked together at the B.F. Goodrich plant and where many ideas of bettering the community had been formed. Or that the Wilfrid Laurier School of Social Work now exists in the former St. Jerome’s College building on Duke Street in Kitchener. In a strange way this is what Vic McKenty and the Chamber had first proposed in 1947. Members of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce can take great pride in knowing that their initiatives and their foresight played no small part in making Kitchener-Waterloo one of the foremost university centres in North America. One can hardly imagine another community in Canada in which these two universities would ever have been created, let alone emerged as internationally-acclaimed centres of advanced research and learning. Nor is it one that we should simply take for granted. It took faith and foresight, leadership and

courage, and the members of the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce are among those who saw their communities’ interests and acted to bring them into fruition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K.M. McLaughlin Local historian and author, Dr. Kenneth McLaughlin is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus – University of Waterloo.

Recipient of a number of local heritage and arts awards, Professor McLaughlin has authored many historical books, most notably, Waterloo an Illustrated History 1857 – 2007 commemorating the City of Waterloo’s 150th Anniversary and Out of the Shadow of Orthodoxy: Waterloo@50 commemorating the University of Waterloo’s 50th Anniversary.

advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

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events

Mark your calendar

BY CHAMBER STAFF

July 14, 2011

August 11, 2011

Research In Motion Chamber Young Professionals Networking Event

20th Annual Chamber Golf Scramble

5:00-7:00pm Location: The Flying Dog 341 Marsland Drive, Waterloo Member Advantage: $5 General Admission: $10 You are invited to join us to develop key relationships, build your business network and connect with other young professionals and business leaders at this casual networking event.

Title Sponsor:

Host Sponsor:

9:00am-7:00pm Location: Deer Ridge Golf Club The Chamber Golf Scramble sells out year after year and brings local businesses and organizations together in the spirit of friendly competition for a fun-filled day that encourages teambuilding, camaraderie and networking. The day includes golf, cart, driving range, BBQ lunch, Steak & Lobster Dinner, and full use of locker room amenities. Although the tournament is sold out for golfers, there are still sponsorship opportunities available, please contact Heather at hhutchings@greaterkwchamber.com or 519-749-6036.

Tournament Sponsor:

Reception Sponsor: Promotional Sponsor:

Half Way House Sponsor:

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Tournament Gift Sponsor:

Lunch Sponsor:

Locker Room Sponsor:

Ultimate Draw Sponsor:

Feature Hole Sponsors:

events

Hole Sponsors:

August 14, 2011

September 14, 2011

Chamber Day at Bingemans

Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting

10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Big Splash Waterpark) 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (FunworX) (Meals start at 12:30pm) Location: Bingemans FunworX and Big Splash Waterpark Admission: $20 (Children under age 2 complimentary)

TM

Staffing...Simplified! www.priorresource.com 519-570-1100

Looking for a way to make the most of a hot summer Sunday? Bingemans is hosting a special one-day event in support of the Chamber, and we invite you (and your family and friends) to come share in the fun! For $20, enjoy a Big Splash Pass (height restrictions in effect) and a BBQ lunch. When purchasing tickets, please use the following link: http://bingemans.com/greaterkwchamber

4:30-6:30pm Location: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel Member: Complimentary Discover the wide spectrum of current business trends and concerns and what the Chamber is doing to meet the demands of our diverse membership and the public.

The new Board of Directors will be installed during this event.

September 20, 2011 11th Annual Chamber After 5 regional tradeshow 4:00–8:00pm Bingemans 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener Members & General Admission: Complimentary Admission The Chamber After 5 regional tradeshow, jointly hosted by the Chambers of Guelph, Cambridge and Greater Kitchener Waterloo, offers an ideal opportunity for businesses looking to promote themselves.

Regularly attracting over 1,200 attendees, this tradeshow features over 200 exhibitors from across the membership of the three Chambers.

Summer Courtyard

Lunch & Dinner At the Waterloo Inn 475 King St. N., Waterloo, 519-884-0220 www.rushes.ca

advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

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feature

The evolving WRIEN journey of collaboration and vision

BY PETER McFADDEN At the end of July 2011, the integration of the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) into the Immigration Partnership of Waterloo Region will officially take place. The journey has been 1½ years in the making and will signal the completion of WRIEN’s mandate as a community based multistakeholder network formed to provide leadership in the area of improving immigrant employment within Waterloo Region.

WRIEN’s role has been to act as a facilitator and catalyst to bring cross sectoral partners together to help employers looking for talent to better connect with the local immigrant job ready talent pool that often contains the skill sets they need. The connecting process has involved the creation of strategic programs and relationships.

Programs such as the Mentorship Partnership of Waterloo Region, the Waterloo Region Internship Program for Internationally Trained Individuals, the Waterloo Region Immigrant Loan Program and the New Canadian Employment Connections Program are delivered by the YMCA Cross Cultural and Immigrant Services group, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, the Working Centre with Libro Financial as the financial partner and WRIEN respectively.

Subject to program funding being available it is hoped all of these programs will continue.

Acting as a catalyst for leadership WRIEN brought the Immigrant Web Portal Project and the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Project to the attention of local leaders and both, led and/or facilitated by the Region of Waterloo, have moved forward. The portal at www.newwr.ca and the LIP have evolved to become strategic community assets.

In addition to employers and their organizations, service provider partners, educators and governments at all 4 levels it is important to recognize WRIEN’s funders that provided the resources necessary for WRIEN to achieve what it has. Core funders included: The Region of Waterloo, United Way of Kitchener Waterloo and Area, United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Bridgeway

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Foundation, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation and the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation. Project funding was provided by the Bridge Training Program funded by the Government of Ontario, Global Experience @ Work Program through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce with support and funding from the Government of Ontario, and private sector assistance from Research in Motion, Libro Financial and The Economical Insurance Group.

As my time as Executive Director concludes July 31, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Host, the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce and the many volunteer leaders that came to the WRIEN table to guide and direct activities and programs that resulted in its local success and national recognition as an Immigrant Employment Council, now 1 of 10 in Canada. Thanks also to the Maytree and McConnell Foundations for creating ALLIES (Assisting Local Leader with Immigrant Employment Strategies) for leadership in bringing IECs from Halifax to Vancouver together to share ideas and learn from each other.

And I would be remiss if I did not recognize the significant contribution made by our committed WRIEN staff team – Agueda, Kumanan and Nora, thank you!

In closing, I wish Arran Rowles, IP Manager, and her team every success as they continue to move forward the three pillars of the Immigration Partnership: work, settle and belong. Stay tuned for new developments in the months to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter McFadden Peter McFadden is the Executive Director for WRIEN and former President and CEO of the Southern Ontario Tourism Organization.

networking

Spring Networking HEFFNER WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SERIES Luncheon-April 13, 2011 1

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT FORUM April 19, 2011 4

ROGERS CHAMBER CONNECTIONS Networking Event June 7, 2011 7

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5

2

9

3

6

1) MODELS: SARAH MCLELLAN, MONI LAGONIA, LIANNE FROM BIBA BOUTIQUE AND NAHLA KOR. 2) LIANNE, SUZANNE GROSS AND IMAGE CONSULTANT SYLVIA STUTZ. 3) SOME OF THE HEFFNER WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON ATTENDEES AT CHICOPEE.

4) JOHN BRUM AND LARRY REINHARDT OF GRCA. 5) REPRESENTATIVES FROM NATURAL RESOURCE SOLUTIONS INC. 6) FRED LEHMAN OF YOURLOCALELECTRICIANS.CA.

Photography by Adamski Photography and Chamber staff

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7) LISE ANNE JARVIS, JANICE KOCHAN, KIMBERLY PERKINS AND LINDA DANCEY. 8) THE GROUP LISTENS TO THE GUEST SPEAKERS 9) PAUL ROSTRUP OF SCOTIA BANK WITH DAN JACKMAN FROM HEATLAY. 10) SARA THORNE VAN DAMME AND MARION THOMPSON HOWELL, BOTH FROM SHAUGHNESSYHOWELL INC.

advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

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feature

CELEBRATING

Berlin Board of Trade Incorporated

Waterloo Board of Trade Incorporated

Elmira Board of Trade Incorporated

1886

1890

1895

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1907

Berlin Board initiated municipal ownership of Berlin & Waterloo Street Railway Co. is obtained

1910

Chamber surveys local industry to ascertain future land requirements

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1984

1987 Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge Chambers assist with development of Waterloo Region Crime Stoppers

1911

1916

1929

Board’s efforts for an airport are realized with the building of Kitchener-Waterloo Airport

Waterloo Board gives 5 acres of land for Waterloo Lutheran Seminary (now Wilfrid Laurier University)

100 1973

Berlin changes name to Kitchener

Arrival of Hydro Power in Berlin

Launch of first official website

Chamber moves to 80 Queen Street N., Kitchener

1991

1992

1994

Incorporation of The Chamber of Commerce of Kitchener & Waterloo and launch of K-W Visitor & Convention Bureau

1996

1997

Physician Recruitment Task Force initiative begins

1998

Chamber releases vision and precursor to the operational model of Canada’s Technology Triangle

feature

Chamber Milestones

125 50 Junior Board of Trade hosts first meeting in Kitchener

1939

YEARS

75

Group Insurance established

1951

1940

1952

Leadership Local chambers Waterloo launch Region campaign in founded by support of regional Waterloo chambers and Region Airport community

2000

1957

1967

1968

1969

Business leaders support program to train engineers & technicians (now University of Waterloo)

Instrumental in formation of Federation of Charities

1999

1955

Chamber sponsors first Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

First Prosperity Forum in partnership with Cambridge Chamber, CTT and Communitech.

Prosperity Council is formed

2001 Kitchener Waterloo and Elmira Woolwich Chambers form the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

2003

125 Chamber celebrates 125 years!

2005

2006

2009

2010

2011

Chamber launches Health Care Recruitment Council.

Chamber hosts Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN)

advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

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sponsor profile

Entrepreneurship in the Classroom

BY JENN ZEHR Canada’s pressing need for more innovation is well known.

Managing and mobilizing new opportunities into commercially viable products and businesses is essential in today’s competitive business landscape.

In 2002 the University of Waterloo opened the Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology to explore new ways of commercializing ideas and to help entrepreneurs foster innovation, create new ventures and identify new markets.

The MBET Experience Conrad’s flagship offering is a specialized business program, the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program. This intensive business program was developed to respond to Canada’s pressing need for more innovation and builds on the Region’s distinctive energies in technology and entrepreneurship.

The program is designed to transforms ideas from invention into innovation and commercial success. MBET is an industryIn April 2010, the centre was facing program that attracts renamed to honour local individuals passionate about new philanthropist Manfred Conrad venture creation, or who want to and his family. The centre is introduce disruptive product into now known as the Conrad technology-based companies.

Business, Entrepreneurship and What sets the MBET program Technology Centre and we apart from other business continue to develop the business THE CENTRE IS LOCATED IN THE ACCELERATOR BUILDING, PART OF THE DAVID programs across the education JOHNSTON RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PARK leaders of tomorrow. system is its balance of academics The centre received a $3-million and practical application. The MBET academic model is donation from Manfred Conrad, founder of The Cora Group and strategically mapped to simulate the entrepreneurial process and developer of three buildings in the David Johnston Research and provides the knowledge, the tools, the network and the experiences Technology Park at the University of Waterloo, including the to bring new technologies to market and achieve entrepreneurial Accelerator Building where the centre is located. The donation, in success. addition to a previous $2-million gift from Manfred and his son At the core of the program is the commercialization practicum Adrian Conrad, continues to allow the centre to expand its where students spend eight-months integrating what they have entrepreneurial academic, research and outreach activities in learned in the classroom by working in a team environment to Canada and internationally. bring a product to a market-ready stage. Business ideas often "Thanks to Manfred Conrad's far-sighted gifts, the Conrad Centre belong to the students themselves but many come from has achieved a combination of talent and expertise that is quickly partnerships with local start ups, established tech firms and gaining us the reputation as one of Canada's most needed, and university researchers. most unique, graduate business programs," said David Johnston, former president of the University of Waterloo. "Conrad now is a magnet as it draws high quality entrepreneurial students, university and government support, and the engagement of local and national business leaders."

The Conrad family made the choice to support this entrepreneurship centre because “we feel that we are not only contributing in some small way to the quality of education, but in supporting these young entrepreneurs who will one day change the face of our community, I think we help to ensure that our region continues to grow and prosper.”

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CONRAD DIRECTOR ROD MCNAUGHTON WITH A STUDENT

sponsor profile

And there’s proof that this new model of entrepreneurial education is working.

Since 2003, close to 50 companies have been launched by MBET graduates and the program has gained international recognition, with 36 per cent of the HOWARD ARMITAGE (ON RIGHT), FOUNDER OF students coming CONRAD WITH MANFRED CONRAD from countries around the world. Matt Rendall enrolled in the MBET program after completing an undergraduate degree in Mechatronics from Waterloo with a plan to develop a robotic minesweeping system.

During the program he connected with investors, experts and business leaders. “The support structure incorporated into the program is incredible” says Rendall. Today, his company Clearpath Robotics is a leading provider of unmanned vehicle systems for researchers in industrial, government and academic organizations.

The Clearpath office is located in the Tannery District in Downtown Kitchener.

Raymond Reddy, another graduate of the MBET program, spent four years working with Research In Motion’s mergers and acquisition team after earning his MBET degree.

“I’m a big believer in the benefit of industry experience,” said Reddy. “MBET steered us toward real-world experiences. The rubber-to-the-road approach is something you can’t learn from a textbook.” Reddy has since left RIM, and he started his own techbased business that was acquired by Google in April 2011.

This past year a group of passionate social entrepreneurs in the MBET program worked with Capacity Waterloo Region to develop and organize the P3: Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility. The event was designed to educate and inspire businesses to develop or deepen their corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. P3 demonstrated how effective CSR strategies lead to increased profitability.

Other community-focused organizations MBET students have worked with this past year include: • Junior Achievement of the Waterloo Region MBET students taught and mentored high school students to develop business and entrepreneurial skills. Conrad has partnered with Junior Achievement for the past five-years, and will continue to share the spirit of entrepreneurialism.

• Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo Conrad works with the Social Planning Council of KitchenerWaterloo to collaborate for positive social change and create capacity in the not-for-profit sector. MBET students worked with this organization to develop performance management strategies.

• United Way of KW Area Students helped them by applying business models to nonprofit organizations to increase their revenue/donations/awareness.

Students would look at existing business models and modified them to fit the needs of United Way. Conrad is pleased to be a member of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. We applaud the Chamber for taking a proactive approach with economic development in the Region of Waterloo and for making the area a rewarding place to conduct business. We are proud to partner with the Chamber by preparing the business leaders of our Region for a successful future!

Helping Make Waterloo Region Even Better As David Johnston would say, Waterloo Region is built on the culture of “barn-raising,” a tradition where neighbours help neighbours and collectively we are able to accomplish more. This same culture is infused into the MBET program curriculum.

Students explore the concept of corporate social responsibility and its role in business management decisions. Each year Conrad partners with local organizations to examine the role social entrepreneurship plays within our community and how this contributes to positive social change.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenn Zehr Jenn Zehr is the Manager of Marketing and Community Relations at the Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre at the University of Waterloo.

advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

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testimonials

Member Testimonials Participation in the Chamber provides a terrific opportunity to get to know the community better, connect with new people and explore ways to promote your organization and help get the word out. And as a volunteer with the Chamber, that experience is just so much richer. It always impresses me how eager people here are to network. Everyone seems so open to making new connections, and so genuinely warm in welcoming newcomers. I think our Region, and this Chamber, are both exceptional in this regard.

As an entrepreneur, the value that lies within Chamber membership is vast. Whether seeking support for business, incredible networking opportunities or volunteering, GKWCC is ready for your needs. It truly is an organization that explores the possibilities of business building community for all it is worth. As we uproot and relocate to California this summer, what has been gained from the GKWCC will undoubtedly travel with and help guide the business.

Bessie Schenk Founder/Owner Bessie Schenk Communications

Caroline Oliver Director of Development and Marketing Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery

My experiences with the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce have helped mold and shape my new business. I have made extremely valuable contacts over the dozens of events that I have attended over the years and gained valuable exposure after being named Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009 and 2011.

As a small and rapidly growing business serving clients across Waterloo Region, we at Xylotek find the Chamber is critical for developing and maintaining an entrepreneurial environment throughout the communities it serves. The Chamber allows us to network with other organizations, provides avenues for professional and personal development, and makes Waterloo Region an exceptional location for business.

Paul Maxwell President Maxwell’s Music House

Douglas W. Grosfield President & CEO Xylotek Solutions Inc.

We’d love to see you for dinner...

“How About Tonight?”

King Street Trio Uptown is open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner seven nights a week. Our fantastic open concept kitchen and unique design will have you captivated from the moment you arrive.

King Crab Oyster Bar & Grill continues to serve the region’s finest seafood and our patio beacons all summer long.

Online reservations are available on our websites with real time confirmations 24 hours per day.

www.kingstreettrio.com 26

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www.kingcraboysterbar.com

member notables

Member notables Waterloo Region Homebuilders’ Association Announces New President Jamie Adams of Pioneer Craftsmen Limited was recently appointed President of the Waterloo Region Homebuilders’ Association (WRHBA). He succeeds Janice Kochan of Eastforest Homes.

Jamie has served on the WRHBA Board of Directors for six years and the last three years on their Executive Committee. He is a graduate of Conestoga College and last year became President of the company his grandfather founded 58 years ago.

Waterloo Region Home Builders’ Association

United Way KW celebrates 70 years With age comes wisdom, and 2011 marks the 70th year that United Way KW has been gathering wisdom about our community, its social service needs and the best way for these needs to be met.

Starting out in 1941 as Kitchener-Waterloo Federated Charities, a fundraising appeal initiated by a small group of community and business leaders to raise funds for local efforts supporting the Second World War, the organization has grown into the United Way KW we are familiar with today.

United Way KW was there to help back in 1941, and thanks to the ongoing support of so many in our community, United Way will be helping to be change, make change and see change in the KW area another 70 years as well.

Goemans Appliances opens boutique style store Goemans Appliances is proud to announce the opening of their Miele Gallery Goemans, located in the Old Tannery Building, Kitchener.

Their latest venture is a boutique style store showcasing the latest in European Appliance Technology from Miele Master Cool Refrigeration built in coffee makers, induction, speed and steam cooking along with laundry.

“An Experience Like No Other.”

A very unique 4,000 sq. ft. location with a state of the art live kitchen is open for client enjoyment and product education. Please feel free to stop by and browse, enjoy a cappuccino and interact with the product. You can even do a load of laundry.

(continued on page 28)

Member Notables are taken from local news sources and member submissions. In order to be considered “notable” an item must be an accomplishment or event that is outside of the ordinary course of business and therefore deemed newsworthy. While we would like to include all submissions, space constraints make it necessary for the Advocate editors to choose items that best fit the above criteria and are most timely.

advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

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member notables

(continued from page 27)

Cober Open House for business community Cober Evolving Solutions hosted an open house on June 9, 2011 to celebrate their new home at 1351 Strasburg Road, Kitchener.

Over 400 business people attended this event. They were treated to guided tours of the facility and shown how Cober has evolved from a printer to a “total solutions provider.” With new technologies and tools Cober can offer sheet fed, digital and wide format printing, direct mail, fullfillment and warehousing along with digital solutions for web-to-print and 360° marketing.

The event was not all business – after the tour guests were catered to and entertained by a jazz band in an outdoor tent.

Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill featured as Cover Story in Canadian Business Franchise Magazine Shoeless Joe’s, the operator of 38 restaurant outlets across Ontario, was the cover feature in the July/August edition of Canadian Business Franchise Magazine.

The company was established in 1985 and hopes to have 80 franchised units across the province by 2014. Shoeless Joe’s CEO Fred Lopreiato initially opened a highly successful facility in downtown Toronto and began franchising in 1997. Their community initiatives include the Home Team Advantage school sponsorship fundraiser, MVP Program in conjunction with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, and charity golf tournaments.

Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region announces plans to improve Haven House In June of 2011, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region announced a capital campaign for renovations to Haven House, their shelter in Cambridge for abused women and their children.

The campaign is estimated at $4 million and will focus on community fundraising to be supplemented by support from the federal and provincial governments. A series of renovations including a new commercial kitchen, dining room, and a more energy efficient mechanical system will increase the facility’s capacity from 30 to 35 women and their children.

The same committee of Vince Varga, Greg Voisin and Paul Dietrich who assisted with the rebuilding of Anselma House in Kitchener will continue with the new Cambridge project.

Wilfrid Laurier Secures Provincial Funding Commitment On June 20, Kitchener Centre MPP and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy announced the provincial government will invest $72.6 million in the Global Innovation Exchange facility at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo campus. This is the largest single capital investment in the university’s history.

The new facility will allow WLU to meet the growing demand for enrolment in their business and math programs. The faculties of Arts, Science and Graduate Studies will also benefit from increased available space in the current Arts, Bricker Academic, Schlegel and Peters buildings.

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16,000 sq.ft.

155 W Washburn a ashburn DDrive, rive, Kit Kitchener chener 519-570-42111 Mon. Mon n. to to Thurs.: Thurs.: 5PM – 8PM | Sat. Sat. & Sun.: Sun.: 1PM – 5PM

www.eastforesthomes.com www w.eastforesthomes.com m advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

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greater kitchener waterloo chamber of commerce

member rewards program membership has its advantages – sign up to save Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce One Source Advantage™ insurance package built for both Chamber Members and their employees.

Merchant Services

Discount Program Save money with preferential credit card and debit card transaction rates, discount rates on equipment rentals, and waived set-up fees.

Esso Business and Fleet Card Fuel Discount Program Receive a full three-and-ahalf (3.5) cents per litre fuel pump price purchased in Canada at Esso-Branded service stations.

Obtain a special group discount of 15% for an annual subscription to access Biddingo.com’s business lead service where registered companies gain access to governmental bid information.

Sign up with the Canada Get Your Business Online Program and get your business online with a free, easy to build website, a free domain for 12 months and free advice to help your business grow.

~ coming this fall ~ office supplies savings loyalty program offerings smart phone directory Zhite paper development buy local programs publications savings sign up @ www.greaterkwchamber.com

sponsors

Helping us make our vision possible A special Thank You to each of these Chamber Sponsors.

CHAMBER CHAIR’S CIRCLE

CHAMBER PATRON

CHAMBER

CONNECTIONS Manulife Financial

TITLE SPONSOR

Leadership Series

CHAMBER TRUSTEE

MEDIA PARTNERS advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

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it’s our 125th anniversary! join us to celebrate a year of special events may 2011 to may 2012 www.greaterkwchamber.com