January/February 2019 Advocate

January | February 2019

Waterloo Region is Open for Business!

We’re here for you You understand the value of working together. So do we.

Our program includes:

As a Chamber Member partner, we work with you in providing flexible insurance and financial needs that can help grow your business.

 Group Home & Auto Insurance

 Group Benefits

The One Source Advantage program offers you and your employee’s exclusive discounts and benefits that can help reduce your cost.

 Business Insurance  Group RRSPs  Employee Assistance Programs  Individual Insurance & Financial Planning

Call Cowan for unparalleled service, advice, and savings.

Cowan Insurance Group | 1-888-333-6337 | chamber@cowangroup.ca | www.cowangroup.ca/chamber

We care about what you care about.

advocate January | February 2019 www.greaterkwchamber.com

features Cover Story 16 Waterloo Region is Open for Business

Tony LaMantia

editor-in-chief:

Feature 22 Meet the 2018-2019 Board of Directors

design and production

Art Sinclair editor:

Heather Hutchings

Feature

Mike Doughty

Sponsor Profile

Allison Bourke

M&T Printing Group Photography: Adamski Photography, Chamber Staff advertising and sales:

23 Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor

Dana Walton – dwalton@greaterkwchamber.com David MacLellan – dmaclellan@greaterkwchamber.com contributing writers:

Allison Bourke, Mike Doughty, Christine Hogle, Tony LaMantia, Ian McLean, Art Sinclair, Sean Sullivan

26 Working with Our Future Leaders

contributors:

Sally Burns and Natalie Hemmerich advertising and copy deadlines:

January 18, 2019 for March-April 2019 March 15, 2019 for May-June 2019 July 19, 2019 for September-October 2019 September 20, 2019 for November-December 2019 subscription and back issue inquiries:

Darlene Jones djones@greaterkwchamber.com submission policy:

Proposals and articles are accepted via mail or email c/o Editor - Advocate. Please do not send originals.

All contributors articles must be accompanied by a head shot in a jpg file and a 40 word author’s bio. publications permit: #40026716 for permissions and reprint requests

Heather Hutchings - hhutchings@greaterkwchamber.com

PRINTED IN CANADA BY:

PUBLICATION OF:

departments

Message from the Board

the Innovation Corridor Sean Sullivan

Message from the President

12 Fall Networking

5 What Waterloo Region Needs to Get Back on Track

Ian McLean

Hi-lighting Members

4 Waterloo Region - Building

Advocacy

7 Closed on Monday but

Open on Tuesday Art Sinclair

Perspective on Health Care

8 Family/Emergency Physicians

New Members

10 October 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018 Networking

18 New Members who Joined in 2018 Events

20 Mark Your Calendar

Member Notables

postmaster address changes c/o

Advocate - Publications Office 80 Queen Streete North, PO Box 2367 Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6L4 519.576.5000 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.

32 Chamber Members Achieving Success

Explore K-W Christine Hogle

advocate January | February 2019

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message from the board

Waterloo Region - Building the Innovation Corridor Waterloo Region has joined Hamilton and the greater Toronto region as part of an economic supercluster which is often referred to as the “Innovation Corridor.” This economic area represents one of North America’s strongest growth markets and represents a significant opportunity for growth and market expansion for a multitude of different types of industry sectors.

The Innovation Corridor consists of over 800,000 businesses and boasts a labour force of more than 4.7 million, attracting approximately 100,000 new immigrants annually. It represents 20% of Canada’s GDP and 40 % of Canada’s businesses have headquarters in the area. In the tech industry alone, the Corridor employs an estimated 200,000 workers, second only to Silicon Valley.

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has seized on this dynamic moment in our Region’s history. The Chamber is a strong proponent of infrastructure essential to the continued development of the Innovation Corridor.

Among other things, the Chamber vigorously advocates for the implementation of two-way, all-day GO service connecting Toronto to Waterloo Region. The Toronto Region Board of Trade estimates that congestion and delays along the Corridor costs Canadian businesses and consumers between $500 and $650 million per year in higher prices of goods.

Conversely, a rapid and frequent rail solution could save $20 billion in passenger travel time savings, road maintenance cost avoidance and reduced congestion. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 Ontarians may use such a service every day. Other benefits of high speed rail include reducing pollution and relieving housing pressure in major urban areas.

As a Partner at Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, I am proud that my firm is contributing to this expansion of the Corridor. In 2020, we will be moving into a new office building located at 345 King St. W in Kitchener. This is the first new office development to be built in downtown Kitchener in more than 25 years and is illustrative of the level of interest in

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Kitchener’s core, now often referred to as the burgeoning “innovation district.” Gowling WLG has made this move partially in anticipation of the development of two-way, allday GO service which would pass in close proximity to our new office. It is reasonable to envision a day when GO trains arrive in the Kitchener-Waterloo area from Toronto every 30 minutes in off peak time and as often as 15 minutes during peak hours.

The Innovation Corridor is rapidly transforming the face of South-Western Ontario. It is essential that government and industry partners move quickly to capitalize on this moment with a major and concerted investment in infrastructure development such as high speed rail. This commitment to growth will ensure that the Corridor achieves its potential as a world class economic powerhouse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sean Sullivan Sean M. Sullivan is a partner in Gowling WLG’s Waterloo Region office and the head of the office’s Advocacy Department.

He specializes in commercial litigation with an emphasis on shareholder disputes, estate litigation, contract disputes, product liability disputes and recovery services.

Sean also serves as a Board Member of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

message from the president

What Waterloo Region Needs to Get Back on Track The local economy remains strong, however as a new administration takes over at Queen’s Park and a federal election looms in the fall both levels of government can take decisive action to assist our business sector.

Firstly, the Ford administration is taking action on the municipal tendering issue. Bill 66, tabled on the last day of the fall legislative session before the winter break, proposed to change the definition of construction employer to exclude municipalities, school boards and other public organizations.

This is exactly what the local business community has been asking for since 2012.

Former MPP and current Region of Waterloo councillor Michael Harris recently noted that now is the time to address municipal tendering restrictions. As he points out, restrictive rules lead to only one developer bidding on the important King Victoria Transit Hub. The developer failed to reach a satisfactory agreement with regional staff and could not proceed further.

An open and fair system not only saves taxpayers money which in turn can be spent on vital and necessary social and support services, it also allows employers such as the regional government and area cities to undertake a comprehensive review of all competing bids and ensure the interests of residential and business taxpayers are protected.

Local contractors and skilled tradespeople, who live here in the region, which pay taxes here, who are absolutely qualified to work on this type of work have not been allowed to bid on projects and that is simply unfair.

Secondly, on the transit file, our Chamber has built an excellent coalition with local municipalities, businesses in all sectors and educational institutions to push the provincial government for All Day 2 Way GO train services into and out of the Region. As the Toronto Region Board of Trade has indicated through a series of research reports, goods need to be moved across southern Ontario and transit to move people will speed up the movement of goods and services.

New international trade agreements will be of no benefit to Canada if Waterloo Region and other communities cannot move products into a position for export.

This “Connect the Corridor” coalition of business and government leaders is committed to good jobs and pushing our economy forward through reliable, fast and frequent, rapid transit across the Toronto-Waterloo Region Innovation Corridor. Our objective is to secure a commitment and appropriate funding from the provincial government in the upcoming spring budget.

A rapid and frequent rail solution could save $20 billion in passenger travel time, savings, road maintenance cost avoidance and reduced congestion, The Toronto Region Board of Trade currently estimates that congestion and delays along the corridor costs Canadian businesses and consumers between $500 and $650 million annually in higher prices for goods.

Waterloo Region has tremendous economic potential that can only be fully realized with targeted and strategic investments, policies and legislation from the Ontario government. Now is the time for elected official to deliver.

Simple economics dictates that when you have less competition prices increase. If a homeowner gets only one bid for renovations instead of three, there are no benefits for that homeowner.

A private member’s bill was tabled by Mr. Harris in 2013 that was supported by his colleagues in the Progressive Conservative Caucus. Many of those MPPS remain as members of the Legislature and some in ministerial positions. Bill 66 is the responsible and accountable approach to addressing this issue and we ask all MPPs to support immediate passage when the Legislature returns so that Waterloo Region tendering can be open for the spring 2019 construction season. We applaud our local MPP’s Amy Fee, Mike Harris and Belinda Karahalios for championing this issue, and will work with them and the government until it gets passed into law.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

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advocacy

Closed on Monday but Open on Tuesday In early November Premier Doug Ford’s office organized a relatively significant media event in Sarnia where a prototype sign was unveiled proclaiming that Ontario was now “Open for Business.”

The site of the announcement beside the Bluewater Bridge and St. Clair River clearly indicated that the message was directed at the other side – not just Port Huron Michigan but all of America. After fifteen years of anti-business policies from the Wynne and McGuinty administrations the engine that used to drive the national economy was again firing on all cylinders.

However as often happens in Ontario politics a conspiracy of events outside Ottawa and Queen’s Park control surfaced on the road to paradise.

Late in the afternoon of Sunday November 25 unconfirmed media reports emerged indicating the day Durham Region and potentially all of Ontario has been dreading for the last decade had arrived – General Motors would formally announce, on the following day, the closure of their Oshawa assembly plant.

The departure of manufacturing facilities is not new to southern Ontario including Waterloo Region. Some of us remember a bleak winter day in February 2008 when Martinrea indicated that their plant on Homer Watson known for years simply as Budd was finished. That decision still stings but Oshawa has resonated on a different political and emotional level. Very few closures of any business generated similar media and political attention across Ontario and Canada. A city, province and country lost far more than a factory.

And, above all, GM is not bankrupt – they’re still breathing.

The public sentiment is the company abandoned Canada.

Adding to the vitriolic debate is the Canadian and Ontario government contribution of billions to a bailout package of General Motors approximately a decade ago. In the United States the debate continues over bailing out Chrysler and GM against Wall Street. That feud will never end. The current American president has also pointed out that he gets plant closures in key Republican/Democratic battleground states in exchange for bailouts from the last president.

By late afternoon on November 26, opinion columns began appearing in major media outlets proclaiming that Ontario is in fact not Open for Business. Martin Regg Cohn of The Toronto Star claimed that Oshawa’s loss is Ontario’s disaster.

It was a Detroit decision but Ontario is not open for business, rather it is closed until further notice.

In another truly remarkable turn of events, hours after the formal announcement from GM headquarters in Detroit which is downstream from Sarnia, reports emerged in London that the following day Maple Leaf Foods would invest $660 million into the most advanced food processing plant on the planet.

The highly significant aspect of the Maple Leaf announcement is that for many years the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has been sending submissions to the federal and provincial governments recommending escalated public support for new technological applications in food processing and auto manufacturing. Both Ottawa and Queen’s Park provided financial contributions to Maple Leaf which amplified our message on the importance of such investments.

In 1992, Texas billionaire Ross Perot ran for president against Democrat Bill Clinton and incumbent Republican George H.W. Bush. Perot was a tech entrepreneur whose biggest success was Electronic Data Systems or EDS. Not lacking in financial resources, Perot purchased large volumes of air time on all three major US networks (this was 1992 and American television was primarily CBS, NBC and ABC) where he preached that Bill Clinton, as Governor of Arkansas, turned the state into a jurisdiction of “chicken pluckers” by supporting the poultry industry. Not exactly, according to Perot, building a knowledge-based economy, Maple Leaf in London is not chicken plucking – the new plant is world class food technology and Canada is assuming global leadership.

Also, anxiety was high across Ontario during the summer as trade talks with Mexico and the United States placed Canadian dairy and poultry farmers in a vulnerable position.

Those anxieties are somewhat gone – for awhile.

Is Ontario Open for Business? Depends on the day of the week.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

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perspective on health care

Family/Emergency Physicians Explore K-W This past November, local family physicians, emergency physicians, business and community leaders joined volunteers of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce in hosting 16 family medicine residents and 4 emergency residents and their partners from across Ontario.

Our 20th Annual Family/Emergency Medicine Resident Weekend was the largest recruitment weekend to promote Kitchener-Waterloo as a great place to live and practice. This weekend is planned and organized with the support of the amazing volunteers of the Chamber Health Care Resources Council and our Community Partners.

During their three-day community visit, family medicine residents toured the Medical Centre at The Boardwalk and Grand River Hospital while the emergency residents toured both St. Mary’s and Grand River Hospital. Their partners toured our rural and urban communities including the St. Jacob’s Farmers Market and had the opportunity to explore employment opportunities. Over the weekend, the residents and their partners met some high profile business and community leaders and learned more about the Region’s diversity and its strong innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Chamber Health Care Resources Council initiatives are only made possible by the generous support and investment of our sponsors which are recognized on page 6. Along with these major corporate and community investors, the Chamber Health Council extends special thanks to this year’s resident weekend supporters who added the special touches that thoroughly impressed our visiting family medicine residents and their partners: Brentwood Livery, Communitech, Catalyst 137, Delta Waterloo, Tomasz Adamski and Angie’s Country Kitchen.

Members of the Health Council’s Family Physician Liaison Task Force are to be congratulated on another successful Family/Emergency Medicine Resident Weekend. Your support and involvement and that of Chamber Board members and local business and community leaders over this important annual weekend made it especially warm and welcoming for our visiting residents and their partners.

Working with community partners, the Chamber has helped to attract well over 200 family physicians since 1998 with the number of people without a family doctor being cut in half.

Residents and partners were guests of Communitech at a special luncheon prepared by Angie’s Country Kitchen while Communitech’s Iain Klugman spoke about our leading-edge, collaborative and innovative communities along with special guest, Stephen Lake of North. In addition, the group also enjoyed a personal guided tour of Catalyst137.

According to Chamber President & CEO, Ian McLean, this weekend has been crucial in residents’ decisions to establish their practices in the area. “New family doctors are sought after by communities across Ontario, Canada and the U.S. This weekend is an opportunity to highlight all that Waterloo Region offers as a place for them to practice, their partners to build a career and for them to raise a family. We are very fortunate to have wonderful sponsors, partners, and volunteers that showcase our community.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christine Hogle Christine Hogle is the Physician Recruitment Lead for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

perspective on health care

advocate January | February 2019

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new members

October 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018 Active Business Services

Energy Consultants & Management

Rick MacIntosh, Business Development Manager 79 Inge Crt Kitchener, ON N2K 3V7 rick.macintosh@ActiveBusinessServices.com ActiveBusinessServices.com Phone: (226) 808-0458 Anurag Sharma - ReMax Twin City Sharma Realty Inc. Real Estate Brokers & Agents

Anurag Sharma, Broker of Record 901 Victoria St N Kitchener, ON N2B 3C3 anuraghomes@gmail.com anuraghomes.ca Phone: (519) 579-4110 Fax: (519) 579-3442 Apex Truck and Trailer Inc

Truck/Trailer Repair & Maintenance

Kyle Huff, Owner 597 Colby Dr, Unit 6 Waterloo, ON N2V 1A1 kyle@apextruckandtrailer.ca apextruckandtrailer.ca Phone: (519) 885-9166

Arabesque Family Restaurant Restaurants

Mamoun Yane, Owner 869 Victoria St N Kitchener, ON N2B 3C3 arabesquekw@hotmail.com arabesquecafekw.com Phone: (519) 954-2212 Best Version Media Publishers

Christine Guth, Publisher Jennifer Gloin, Publisher cguth@bestversionmedia.com jgloin@bestversionmedia.com bestversionmedia.com Phone: (519) 588-6700 BMO Nesbitt Burns - Shayne Campbell

Financial Planning Consultants

Shayne Campbell, Investment Advisor 20 Erb St W, 4th fl Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2 shayne.campbell@nbpcd.com Phone: (519) 885-4282

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Bonfire

Computer Software

Meghan Hennessey, Marketing Communications Manager hello@gobonfire.com gobonfire.com Phone: (800) 354-8010 BorgWarner

Research & Development

Samantha Mudaly, Head of Talent Development 137 Glasgow St, Unit 430 Kitchener, ON N2G 4X8 smudaly@borgwarner.com borgwarner.com Phone: (226) 476-1253 Fax: (866) 866-9391 BridesMade (2513788 Ontario Inc.) Retail

Mallory McKewen, President & CEO 108 Ahrens St W, Unit 6A Kitchener, ON N2H 4C3 mallory@bridesmade.ca bridesmade.ca Phone: (647) 216-4993 Document Imaging Partners Photocopiers & Supplies

Sherri-Lynn Teri, President 280 Woolwich St S, Unit 600 Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 info@docpartners.ca docpartners.ca Phone: (519) 648-9420 Fax: (877) 648-3327

Graffiti Market (Ignite Restaurant Group Inc.)

Restaurants

Ryan Lloyd-Craig, Co-Owner 137 Glasgow St, Unit 385 Kitchener, ON N2G 4X8 info@graffitimarket.ca graffitimarket.ca Phone: (519) 514-1820 Hicknell Ergonomic Solutions Ergonomics

Paula Hicknell, Owner/Principle Consultant 44 Wolfe’s Crt Kitchener, ON N2B 2Z1 paula@hicknellergonomics.com hicknellergonomics.com Phone: (519) 590-9996 Human Synergistics Canada Organizational Development

Ashley Davis-Annett, Project Manager-Consultant 246 James St S, PO Box 2380 St Mary’s, ON N4X 1A2 info@hscanada.ca www.humansynergistics.ca Phone: (519) 284-4135 Hurley Plastics Inc. Plastics

Tom Hurley, President 610 McMurray Rd, Unit 4 Waterloo, ON N2V 2E7 tom@hurleyplastics.com www.hurleyplastics.com Phone: (905) 699-2910

Earthscape

Jamil Shamji Law

Laura Hilliard, Communication/ Marketing Director 7215 Wellington Rd 86 Wallenstein, ON N0B 2S0 info@earthscapeplay.com earthscapeplay.com Phone: (519) 804-6854

Jamil Shamji, Principal 370 Frederick St, Suite A Kitchener, ON N2H 2P3 jamil@jamilshamji.com jamilshamji.com Phone: (888) 585-2645 Fax: (888) 585-2645

Landscape Contractors & Designers

Lawyers

Glenbriar Home Hardware

Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo

Rick Bolzon, Manager 262 Weber St N Waterloo, ON N2J 3H6 rick.bolzon@homehardware.ca homehardware.ca Phone: (519) 886-2950 Fax: (519) 886-3968

John Wilson, Membership Chair 226 Ingleside Pl Kitchener, ON N2M 2H2 sdescotes@rogers.com kwkiwanis.org Phone: (519) 572-1818

Retail

Charitable & Community Organizations

new members

October 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018 KW Career Counselling Career Counselling

Nel Slater, Founder/Principle Counsellor 521 Rush Meadow Cr Kitchener, ON N2R 1T2 nslater@kwcareercounselling.com kwcareercounselling.com Phone: (226) 989-5533 Lightworks Inc Energy Consultants & Management

Nathan LeFave, Project Manager, Small Business Lighting Program nathan.lefave@lightworksinc.ca Phone: (289) 231-3029 Fax: (905) 830-5112 Lori Straus, Freelance Writer Writers

Lori Straus, Owner loristraus@loristraus.com loristraus.com Phone: (519) 503-7098 Management First Property Management

Andrew Macallum, President 25 Roosevelt Ave Waterloo, ON N2L 2N2 andrew.macallum@gmail.com Phone: (519) 501-2506 Massage Addict Cambridge Massage Therapists - Registered

Darren Jolley, President 180 Holiday Inn Dr, Unit 4.2 Cambridge, ON N3C 1Z4 cambridgenorth@massageaddict.ca massageaddict.ca Phone: (519) 260-3555 MCAP Service Corporation Mortgage Brokers

Patti Creed, Vice President - IT 451 Phillip St Waterloo, ON N2L 3X2 patti.creed@mcap.com mcap.com Phone: (519) 743-9144

MicroAge Kitchener

Information Technology

David Orr, Marketing Manager 100 Sheldon Dr, Unit 41 Cambridge, ON N1R 7S7 info@microage-kitchener.ca microage-kitchener.ca Phone: (226) 336-6259 Minuteman Press - Waterloo Printers

Attal Ibrahimi, President 620 Davenport Rd, Unit 16 Waterloo, ON N2V 2C2 waterloo@minutemanpress.com www.waterloo.minutemanpress.ca Phone: (519) 725-4441 Mouser Electronics Canada Electronics

Jeremy Nuhn, Manager 137 Glasgow St, Unit 475A Kitchener, ON N2G 4X8 jeremy.nuhn@mouser.com www.mouser.ca Phone: (226) 748-8341 Northern Crown Trading Inc. (Corporation Number 5004451) Import & Export Services

Reza Poorsaleh, Chairman, Co-Owner 125 Hillview Rd Aurora, ON L4G 2M6 info@ncrowng.ca www.ncrowng.ca Phone: (647) 562-0234

ServiceMaster Clean, Region of Waterloo

Cleaning Service-Residential/ Commercial/Industrial

Trish Baverstock, Floor Covering/ Maintenance/Restorative Cleaning Consultant trish@smcleanregionofwaterloo.ca smcleanregionofwaterloo.ca Phone: (519) 744-1008 Settle In Relocation Services Inc Relocation Services

Hilde Bouckenooghe, Owner 464 Old Oak Dr Waterloo, ON N2T 2V8 hilde@settleinrelocation.com www.settleinrelocation.com Phone: (519) 589-3250 Sharon Parsons - Realtor Real Estate Sharon Parsons, Realtor sharon@sharonparsons.com Phone: (519) 500-1993

Smart Choice Electronic Recycling

Waste Management & Recycling Services

Clayton Teet, Owner 261 Hespeler Rd Cambridge, ON N1R 3H8 teet33@hotmail.com Phone: (519) 242-3630 The Geeky Squad

Brand Strategy & Design Services

Rolf Malthaner

Prabhjot Khera, Owner info@thegeekysquad.com thegeekysquad.com Phone: (226) 507-1919 Tinker TradeSpaces

Rolf Malthaner, Real Estate Representative malthaner1015@rogers.com rolfsellshomes.ca Phone: (519) 998-4203

Dayna Barnes, Owner 5 Manor Dr Kitchener, ON N2A 2T9 tinkertradespaces@gmail.com https://tinkertradespaces.ca Phone: (519) 503-7076

Real Estate Brokers & Agents

Sewing Courses & Schools

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networking

Fall Networking

Some festive Oktoberfest outfits at the Chamberfest event.

Great connections being made at the 100 Mile Feast event, hosted at the Delta Waterloo

A few happy attendees enjoying the keg tapping at the annual Chamberfest event at Concordia Club

Photos by Adamski Photography

City of Waterloo Councillor Diane Freeman, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, Ian McLean, Mayor Dave Jaworsky and Carolina Soares enjoying the welcome reception at the 100 Mile Feast, hosted at the Delta Waterloo

Chef D passing out a sample of his delicious soup at the Annual Business Expo, hosted at Bingemans

A group of networkers making some new connections bright and early at the MNP Networking Breakfast at the Inn of Waterloo.

Mike Farwell and Andrew Coppolino, our Auctioneer and MC for the evening at the Annual 100 Mile Feast

Income Splitting - The Game Has Changed On July 18, 2017 the government of Canada released proposed income tax changes relating to passive income earned within a corporation. Despite strong opposition they have now implemented some of these changes, impacting many small business owners.

Need more information?

Visit www.dskcpa.ca/insights and media 12

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networking

One of the courses beautifully prepared by local chefs at our Annual 100 Mile Feast hosted at the Delta Waterloo

Anytime Fitness put on quite the show at the Business Expo, hosted at Bingemans

All of the local chefs that prepared the outstanding meal at the 100 Mile Feast, hosted at the Delta Waterloo

Some great prizes were won from Grand River Raceway at the Annual Business Expo, hosted at Bingemans

Bob Foster and Miss Oktoberfest laughing as they direct people into the room at Chamberfest, hosted at Concordia Club

Waterloo Region Chief of Police, Bryan Larkin, chatting with Ian McLean at the season kick-off MNP Networking Breakfast at the Inn of Waterloo.

The Mulrooney & Associates team sporting matching outfits at the Annual Business Expo at Bingemans

Photos by Adamski Photography

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greaterkwchamber.com

advocate January | February 2019

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cover story

Waterloo Region is Open for Business Three years ago, I was appointed Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation’s first President & CEO, and I have felt privileged ever since to lead our community’s investment promotion and economic development agency. It has been gratifying to witness the increasing and wide-spread prosperity of this vibrant Region, and I genuinely believe that the best is yet to come. Waterloo Region is open for business and it is a willing host community for companies and talent committed to improving social and economic life here.

As we move forward, Waterloo EDC remains guided by its founding goals and principles: to foster a collaborative and coordinated approach to economic development; to promote Waterloo Region as a leading centre for innovation, an ideal investment destination, and a competitive location for new and expanding business; and to help make our Region the truly livable ‘community of choice’ for talented people from across Canada and around the world. In other words, our task is to ensure that being “open for business” is not just a slogan, but a common and consistent practice – one that allows us to build-up a commercial eco-system rich in creative entrepreneurship and invent the future.

2018 was a great year for Waterloo Region We serve as the first point of contact for companies looking to locate, relocate or expand in Waterloo Region.

Waterloo EDC’s team of job-creation specialists made 2018 another year of strong results: hosting 63 inbound business development delegations from across the globe; organizing 13 outbound investment-attraction missions to key jurisdictions like Japan, California, Germany, and New York; and playing a direct role in securing $320+ million in new investments (representing 900+ high quality new jobs) to our Region. In short, it was a year of tangible economic results, leading to measurable job creation and benefits for the community as a whole.

This past year saw Toyota re-affirm its confidence in Waterloo Region with $1.4 billion in new investment. There was

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also the impressive ‘scaling stories’ of several home-grown companies, including: North (formerly Thalmic Labs), a start-up with backing from Amazon that recently unveiled a set of smart glasses dubbed “Focals”; Clearpath Robotics, which continues to develop some of the world’s best robot development platforms; and Vidyard, recognized by Deloitte’s “Fast 50” for its innovation and rapid revenue growth rate – a remarkable 1000% over the last 4 years. It is no wonder that the UK-based firm Expert Market named Waterloo Region the best place in Canada to start a tech company. Its “Canadian Tech Startup Cities Index” surveyed cities all across the country in terms of talent, entrepreneurial spirit and venture capital, and ranked Waterloo Region #1.

Collaboration is a part of our DNA As I reflect back on this past year’s successes and on our founding principles, I am convinced that strategic collaboration is the key to building a vibrant local economy, and the many social benefits that come with it. At Waterloo EDC, collaboration is part of our DNA, the continually finetuned ‘blueprint’ for our organization. Foreign investments or business re-location decisions are not made haphazardly, nor are the benefits that accrue to our community accidental.

They are facilitated by the joint and long-term efforts of a range of economic development contributors, including: our post-secondary institutions, with their academic-industry partnerships; local governments and politicians, who are key players in selling the benefits of the Region; our partners in establishing the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor, which has positioned us as Canada’s technology epicentre and best opportunity for a global Top-5 centre for innovation; and the financial support provided by our various levels of government, as in the $230 million in funding for Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, which demonstrated that coordinating our diverse and aligned set of strengths can create an expanding circle of opportunity.

This collaborative approach was also brought to life in the Toronto Region Amazon HQ2 bid, a pitch that included Waterloo Region and that was the only one in Canada to be

cover story

shortlisted by the giant on-line retailer. The ‘bid book’ was downloaded over 17,000 times, and delivered our message loud and clear: our Corridor is an open, innovative and talent-rich community hungry to solve real-world challenges and to make an impact on the global stage. And that is a very appealing ‘brand’ indeed.

We must be “open for business” It is a positive sign for the future that our governments, both nationally and provincially, recognize the importance of signaling a pro-business environment. Our task now is to continue to parlay a winning collaborative strategy and that business-friendly attitude into sustainable economic growth and a high quality of life – right here in Waterloo Region, where we all live, work, study, shop, and play. That task includes reaching out and listening to local companies as they outline the challenges they face, in particular talent, connectivity and the cost of business. These are challenges that we need to address, creatively and with coordinated effort – lest we risk making “open for business” all sizzle and no steak.

Talent and connectivity are inter-related – we need excellent transit systems and connectivity in order to attract and retain the best available talent in a fiercely competitive global environment. To put it bluntly, being able to ‘connect’ to Toronto, North America’s 4th largest city, in less than 2.5 hours is critical. Mayors from across the Corridor have been working together to advocate for these much-needed transit upgrades, and it behooves us all to continue to lobby other levels of government on this important issue. If we are not moving forward in this regard, we will be moving backwards.

Talent is also a global challenge, and the jurisdictions that win the war on talent will be the ones that most continue to prosper. Waterloo Region is well positioned in this regard: our renowned post-secondary institutions are significant generators of world-class and work-ready talent across the whole continuum of needs, from skilled workers to sales and marketing talent to STEM to entrepreneurs; but we must

continue to work together to ensure that our home-grown talent stays here, at home, and that it becomes a magnet for attracting more talent from elsewhere. Similarly, business costs are a challenge that we share with major jurisdictions across the globe; tackling the issue begins by recognizing that factors such as a complex regulatory environment might be as much a ‘cost’ as salaries and corporate tax rates.

In essence: I believe that we’re all in this together; that there is a direct correlation between a strong and well-supported business community and a healthy and well-rounded society; and that collaborative efforts to keep Waterloo Region “open for business” will continue to generate a wide-array of benefits and opportunities for all our citizens. I also believe that with the right focus and attitude the sky is the limit for our community’s rich social, cultural and economic life.

Indeed, we have so much more to achieve together. The best is yet to come.

Let’s get to work!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony LaMantia, President & CEO, Waterloo EDC Tony LaMantia’s career spans more than 25 years of experience in large public sector and private sector growth-oriented companies. Prior to joining Waterloo EDC in 2015 as the President & CEO, Tony held executive-level roles with innovative, entrepreneurial companies.

advocate January | February 2019

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hi-lighting members

New Members who Joined in 2018 Good Hands Group Insurance Program

Members of the Good Hands Group Insurance® program benefit from savings on quality home and auto insurance from Allstate. With quality products, competitive rates, helpful advisors, 24/7 claims service and guaranteed repairs, You’re in Good Hands with Allstate®.

Williamsburg Town Centre 1187 Fischer Hallman Road, Unit 606 Kitchener, ON Terri Meadows, Agency Manager (519) 578-9037 or 1-866-594-1398 https://agents.allstate.ca/on/kitchener/ 1187-fischer-hallman-rd.html

CSA Security Inc.

CSA Security Inc.

Granite Homes

Granite Homes

Granite Homes has been constructing new homes for over 15 years, becoming experts at our craft. We’re proud to offer distinctive designs, premium features and finishes, a steadfast commitment to quality and an unwavering dedication to genuine customer service.

7 Edinburgh Road South, Guelph, ON (519) 822-3988 info@granitehomes.ca www.granitehomes.ca

Hadjiyianni Financial Group

Hadjiyianni Financial Group

– Paulina Hadjiyianni, CFP, CExP As Wealth Advisors and Certified Exit Planners, we are specialized in helping business owners plan to exit their businesses successfully.

We are also dedicated to helping professionals manage the wealth and finances of their families through the various stages of life.

330 Marsland Drive Waterloo, ON (519) 725-8895 Toll-Free: 1-800-491-8446 Fax: (519) 725-5525 paulina@ipcsecurities.com

HeartZAP Services Inc.

HeartZAP Services Inc.

Kelly Services (Canada) Ltd

Kelly Services (Canada) Ltd.

Key Element Solutions

Key Element Solutions

CSA Security Inc provides Security Guard Services, Protective Services, Travel Security, and Camera & Monitoring Services within the Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Transportation sectors.

We create true synergistic solutions for clients by fusing modern technology & approaches with proven past practices.

HeartZAP Services is a health and safety company providing quality health and safety training. Our programs are accessible in a variety of formats. They help employees understand how to prevent workplace injuries, and prepare them to handle any Health & Safety situation.

As a global leader in providing workforce solutions, Kelly® manages direct-hire, temporary placements and many other talent supply chain solutions across a spectrum of skill sets including office/clerical, manufacturing & logistics, marketing, finance & accounting, engineering, science, and information technology.

Accomplish goals, elevate productivity, and unlock greater profit!

The ONLY Canadian certified 12 Week Year trainer, Cheryl Himburg helps you break down annualized thinking to achieve 4x faster.

Keynote speaker, facilitator, and business leader, Cheryl leads through dedication and innovation.

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Allstate Insurance

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2000 Argentia Rd, Plaza 1, Suite 105 Mississauga, ON (888) 753-3264 info@csasecuritygroup.ca https://csasecuritygroup.ca/

190 Turnbull Court, Suite 4 Cambridge, ON (226) 887-0254 raysnow@heartzap.ca www.heartzap.ca

22 Frederick St, 7th Floor Kitchener, ON (519) 772-7737 julie.chretien@kellyservices.com www.kellyservices.ca

1267 Old Zeller Dr Kitchener, ON (226) 789-1920 success@keyelement.ca www.keyelement.ca

hi-lighting members

New Members who Joined in 2018 Leave it to Kliever: Connecting Seniors to Services

Leave it to Kliever

Christine Kliever, Owner (519) 502-0863 christine@kliever.ca kliever.ca

Leave it to Kliever shares their insider knowledge of the senior care community to ensure you are confident in navigating the maze of available services. We help you understand, evaluate and access the best combination of services for YOU.

Minuteman Press of Waterloo

Minuteman Press

620 Davenport Rd, Unit 16 Waterloo, ON (519) 725-4441 waterloo@minutemanpress.com www.waterloo.minutemanpress.ca

Minuteman Press of Waterloo is a full-service design, print and marketing centre serving the entire business community. We can take care of all your printing needs from business cards & brochures, flyers, stickers to large banners and signs. “We Design, Print & Promote You”

Northsail Software Inc.

Northsail Software Inc.

Rock Insurance Kitchener

Rock Insurance Kitchener

Sugar Savvy Body Sugaring

Sugar Savvy Body Sugaring

300-22 King Street South Waterloo, ON hello@northsail.io https://northsail.io

235 Frederick St, Unit 2 Kitchener, ON (519) 576-2529 insurancekitchener@rockins.com www.rockinsurance.ca

201 - 684 Belmont Avenue West Kitchener, ON Located in the Belmont Village!

(226) 929-2451 Info@SugarSavvy.ca

We’re a small, but mighty boutique offering high-end software solutions; digital products & platforms for both mobile & web; intelligent business apps that automate & streamline processes. As your partner, we’ll be on-hand when you need to go hands-on.

At Rock Insurance we’ll tailor the right insurance coverage for you.

We offer all lines of commercial, personal and life insurance to build a sensible plan to meet the unique needs of you and your family. Ask about our “Insure For Your Cause” charitable giving program, and our group rates for USW and UFCW Union Members too!

Sugar Savvy offers exceptional service to meet all of your hair removal and spray-tan needs. The Sugar & Co. Paste is Canadian, all-natural, containing no harsh chemicals. Our Organic St. Tropez Spray-Tans are custom airbrushed for the perfect glow!

UWork Inc.

UWork Inc.

Wroute Inc.

Wroute Inc.

105 University Ave E, Unit 9 Waterloo, ON (519) 747-2955 thomas@uworkapp.com www.uworkapp.com

Unit B101 - 148 Manitou Dr, Kitchener, ON N2C 1L3 Contact: Holly Janenko 1-888-976-8831 x110 www.wroute.com

UWork is an employment services application that empowers businesses and job-seekers to create opportunities for each other through collaboration. UWork is dedicated to working directly with our employees and clients to match the most qualified candidates to our available jobs.

Wroute Inc. provides a high-frequency passenger service, connecting our communities with an all-electric fleet. The initial service launched in September of 2018 with trips from Fairway Station in Kitchener to Guelph Central Station for as little as $9.99 per trip.

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events

Mark Your Calendar January 10, 2019

January 17, 2019

January 29, 2019

MNP Networking Breakfast presents Annual Speed Networking

TITANSFEST

Manulife Chamber Academy presents All You Need to Know About SEO

7:15 -9:00am Location: The Inn of Waterloo Members: $35.00 • Future Members: $45.00 Maximize your networking opportunities with other professionals a few minutes at a time! Meet dozens of local business professionals in a single event and leave with connections that you never knew were out there!

5:45 pm – Networking Reception 7:00 pm – Game Time Location: Kitchener Waterloo Auditorium Complex Wright Auto Sales Lounge KW Titans vs London Lightning Tickets: $50 • Group of 8: $375 Don’t miss this opportunity to entertain clients or enjoy a fun night out with co-workers and support our local team!

Title Sponsor:

Title Sponsor:

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January 24, 2019 Libro Chamber Young Professionals present a Mentor Mix & Mingle

January 16, 2019 Manulife Chamber Academy presents How to Choose A Platform 8:00-9:30am Location: KPL Facilitated by: Jordan Snider, CTO & CO-founder of TOKEN Creative Services Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, oh my! Join Token and explore social media in today’s day and age. Ever wanted to know how to effectively manage your social media as a business owner?

Join us while we take you top down to build an understanding of the intricacies of all varieties of social platforms. Learn about the different use cases for each, and how to formulate a strong brand presence. Utilize each platform to its fullest potential and take away a more comprehensive awareness of social media management.

Title Sponsor:

5:30-7:30pm at Maxwell’s Concerts & Events Members: $10 General Admission $15 You are invited to join us for fun and inspiring networking where you develop key relationships, expand your business network and make valuable connects with other business professionals.

You will have the opportunity to connect with seasoned local mentors and entrepreneurs from various industries in a relaxed and informal setting.

Title Sponsor:

Event Sponsor:

8:00-9:30am Location: KPL Facilitated by Robert Murray, Co-founder of Intrigue Media Search Engine Optimization is changing every day and becoming more complex along the way.

In this session, Intrigue will break down the 4 categories of SEO, what each of them mean to you, and how you can begin taking advantage of them right away. The good news is the sooner you start working at it, the longer you’ll stay ahead of the pack. Learn about the most effective methods for dominating your space locally on Google.

Title Sponsor:

February 5, 2019 Manulife Chamber Academy Learning About LinkedIn 8:00-9:30am Location: KLP Facilitated by Mark Morrison, Intrigue Media From recruitment, to networking, and closing the deal. LinkedIn provides a platform for finding and connecting with the right people. In this session, Intrigue will break down the essential principles for being successful on LinkedIn. You’ll learn how to build an All-Star profile and company page that will help you recruit more effectively and connect with your ideal customers. From building block essentials to communication best practices, this session will set you up for success using LinkedIn to drive your business forward.

Title Sponsor:

We’ve Moved Lackner McLennan Insurance Ltd. and Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers are now receiving clients at 818 Victoria Street North, Kitchener.

See what we’re up to by following us on Social Media: @LacknerMcLennan and @ErbAndErb

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events

Mark Your Calendar February 7, 2019

February 21, 2019

March 1, 2019

Home Hardware Business After 5

Business Excellence Awards Gala

5:00-7:00pm Location to be announced Members: Complimentary Future Members: $10 Exhibit Booth$60 Come out to this casual B2B networking event with friendly faces and easy conversation

6:00-10:00pm Location: Bingemans Member Tickets: $175 Member Table of 8: $1350 Future Member: $200 Future Member Table of 8: $1600 The regions premier networking Gala event with over 900 attendees present: 13 awards to Chamber members who have made exceptional contributions through their involvement and leadership for the betterment of our community.

Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast

Media Sponsors:

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Print Sponsor: PRINT

February 12, 2019 Rangersfest 6:00-10:00pm Location: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex/Subscribers Lounge Tickets: $50 Groups of 8: $375 Don’t miss an opportunity to entertain your clients or enjoy a fun night out with co-workers at Rangersfest! Enjoy a complimentary beer, yummy snacks, plenty of networking, opportunity to win prizes and of course the game!! Come support Kitchener’s Team, the Kitchener Rangers vs. Erie Otters

Title Sponsor:

Presenting Sponsor:

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February 26, 2019

Jewellery Sponsor:

Manulife Chamber Academy presents Sessions Traditional Media

Design Sponsor:

8:00 – 9:30am Location: KLP Facilitated by: Jill Clark, Director of Marketing & Communications, Cober Solutions In the time of Digital Marketing frequently traditional mediums are removed or have been put to the side. This is for many reasons such as cost, the speed of deployment, or a lack of understanding. Traditional media such as print and radio have a place in the marketing mix it’s just a matter of identifying where, and how to measure their success alongside digital marketing mediums. During this session, we will look at the power of print and where it can fit into your marketing mix. We will review direct mail and how to execute intelligent and integrated direct mail campaigns. Most importantly we will look at different methods to measure the success of traditional marketing.

Title Sponsor:

Print Sponsor: &

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7:00 – 9:00am at The Inn of Waterloo The Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast is an event held in partnership with the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and respected community leader Karen Redman. This breakfast aims to celebrate all that women have done in our community and around the world.

PRINT

March 5, 2019 Manulife Chamber Academy Branding for Your Business 8:00-9:30am Location: KPL Facilitated by: Mohsan Abdullah, CEO & Co-Founder TOKEN Creative Services Just how important is branding? Whether it’s your first encounter with a business card, or customers on your website, your branding communicates everything a customer should know about your business. Learn about the importance of branding, consistency and visual appeals in all areas of your business. We will walk you through what it takes as a business owner to represent your brand & communicate today’s digital age. Let us help you tell the world your story.

Title Sponsor:

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Meet the 2018-2019 Board of Directors

Top row (from left to right): Patrick Klann, Andrea Vrbanac, Adam Smith, Ian McLean, Allison Bourke, Rene Gatien, Kris Ronan Bottom row (from left to right): Thomas Manuel, Sean Sullivan, Mark Christensen, Renata Rusiniak, Kelly McManus, Glenn Thorpe, Scott Gilfillan.

Absent from photo: Julie Barker-Merz, Jeff MacIntyre, Ted McKechnie

Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council Over 2 years ago, the new President of the Toronto Region Board of Trade (TRBOT) met with Ian to discuss ways to work closer together.

This was the seed of which Canada's Innovation Corridor working group was formed. This group includes the CEO's of the Chambers and Boards of Trade from: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Guelph, Cambridge, Halton Hills, Milton, Hamilton and Greater Kitchener Waterloo.

We were fortunate to have this group active March 2017 when the Federal Government announced the Super Cluster Innovation fund. Our Innovation Corridor group was able to spring into action to convene business, academic and community partners from Toronto right through the Region of Waterloo.

Our Innovation Corridor working group continues our other work on Policy and Infrastructure advocacy that is so critical for our Toronto-Waterloo Corridor to thrive and grow.

We have work in the field or completed on issues ranging from Immigration, Movement of Goods and Services, Transit, Transportation, and All Day 2 Way Go Service.

The work plan is heavy and important but this Innovation Corridor Working Group is strong and up to the task. Learn more online at: thecorridor.ca Thanks to the Greater KW Chamber partners that sponsor our efforts on this important initiative.

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feature

Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor The Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor is a hot spot for one of the world’s most sophisticated financial sectors, employs 200,000 tech workers (second only to Silicon Valley), and is home to 15,000 tech companies.

This makes the Corridor an economic engine for both Ontario and Canada, with roughly 17% of the nation’s GDP being generated by the 6 million residents along the corridor. A common frustration for residents, employees and companies across Southern Ontario are commute times and traffic congestion.

Inhibiting growth and productivity With large offices in both Kitchener-Waterloo and Toronto, we feel this all too often at Manulife. We have 10,000 employees living and working along the Corridor, many of whom spend hours crawling along the 401, exacting a heavy toll on their health, work-life balance and productivity.

This impact is amplified at the corporate level, with companies also hit by the chronic congestion all along the 401. The traffic and lack of consistent transit along the corridor make it difficult for companies to grow productively and compete internationally.

What exactly would improved transit look like? A great first step would be consistent, fast, two-way, all-day GO train service to better connect downtown Toronto and KitchenerWaterloo. This would also see stops in major cities like Brampton, Georgetown and Guelph along the way.

A recent survey conducted by Earnscliffe found that 80 percent of Ontarians support two-way, all-day GO service.

In the same survey, 500,000 Ontarians claimed they would use the service every day to commute to work or school.

In addition, over 1.3 million Ontarians said they would use the service at least once a week for work, leisure or medical appointments.

Advocating together At Manulife, we’ll continue to make transit a priority in discussions with the federal and provincial governments. We look forward to working with our fellow Coalition members from along the Corridor to make rail happen.

To compete globally, we need fast, reliable transit between the two hubs. And this access is something the whole business community can get onboard with!

The Toronto Region Board of Trade estimates that traffic congestion along the Corridor costs businesses and consumers between $500 and $650 million per year in delays.

Reducing commute times would not only help attract and retain top talent in the Region. It would also significantly reduce transportation costs.

Finding solutions That’s why Manulife has been committed to working closely with the cities, universities and businesses along the Corridor to push for better and faster transit between Toronto and KW. For this reason, we’re proud to be a founding member of the Connect the Corridor Coalition. The Coalition represents the Region’s business leaders, innovators and job creators and aims to connect people to their jobs while pushing Ontario’s economy forward with rapid transit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Doughty Mike Doughty is President and CEO of Manulife Canada. Prior to his current role, Mike served as interim President & CEO at John Hancock, Manulife’s U.S. Division. Mike is an active supporter in the community and was a founding member of the Tufts University Nutrition Council

advocate January | February 2019

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RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

RBC Dominion Securities Waterloo is hiring new Investment Advisors

Header

RBC Dominion Securities in Waterloo is seeking motivated individuals for a fulfilling career in the wealth management industry.

If you’re looking for the support you need to build a successful career, RBC Dominion Securities offers several advantages:

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Strength and stability Independence with support Powerful tools and technology Top-calibre training

With an independent focus that encourages and rewards initiative, industry-leading investment and

wealth management support, and the backing of Canada’s largest financial institution, RBC Dominion Securities is the premier choice for investment professionals who want to build a successful wealth management practice.

For more details, please contact Vice-President and Branch Manager Mark Hodson at 519-747-7790 or mark.hodson@rbc.com.

We value diversity in the workplace, are committed to Employment Equity and will provide reasonable workplace accommodation to applicants with disabilities. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2017 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 17_90561_001

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Our service is free, so call now to see what we can do for you while funds last.

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D OW N TOW N K I TC H E N E R advocate January | February 2019

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sponsor profile

Working with Our Future Leaders “Continuous effort-not strength or intelligence –is the key to unlocking our potential.” – Winston Churchill At Oxford Learning Waterloo our daily goal is to nurture our students so they are a step closer to reaching their potential.

Oxford Learning is a Canadian Franchise established in London, Ontario in 1984. My particular location is at the corner of Erb and Fischer-Hallman and opened its doors in 1997. I have had the privilege of working in all possible positions at Oxford Waterloo since joining the company in 2006. In 2013, I took a big leap and purchased the Waterloo centre from the former owner. It was the best and scariest decision of my life; that is until I purchased a second centre that I have since sold.

We are more than just helping with subjects at Oxford Waterloo. We help how children feel about the entire concept of school and learning. Motivation is the key to school success, and we help students find what motivates them so they are on track and looking ahead to success down the road. Our students receive a customized learning plan, learning strategies to implement in school, study and organization tips, regular classes that balance one-on-one time with self-directed work, and improved school habits.

We consult with classroom teachers, read report cards, and engage our students to participate beyond the classroom to develop a greater sense of their goals and dreams, so that we can help turn them into realities.

Oxford’s way of operating and engaging with families is one of the reasons I joined the Chamber of Commerce. The staff

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at the Chamber take the time to get to know you and your business and will even go the extra mile to match you up with another member who could help you grow. I’ve been a member of the Chamber and its various committees since 2013. I am currently serving my second year on the Board of Directors.

These opportunities have led to partnerships as well as new clients. The additional Chamber benefits with Esso and Cowan Insurance have also been invaluable. The Chamber acts as a hub for knowledge on what is happening in the business world and in our community that I would be unlikely to source out myself.

I try my best to “pay-it-forward” by speaking to new entrepreneurs in the community, helping them grow their businesses, and I’m always looking for new opportunities to share what I’ve learned from my successes and failures. I’ve had the honour of being nominated for a WOW of Waterloo Region award, The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards for the category of “Young Entrepreneur of the Year,” been featured in the Women of Merit publication and my team is regularly voted as the Favourite Tutoring Company in the annual Record Reader Awards by our fantastic and loyal clients.

Being a leader in this community has brought with it some great opportunities for giving back. Oxford Learning Waterloo sponsors SWO soccer Canada, where I am lucky to serve as the Academic Advisor for a group of highly talented athletes looking to head to some top Canadian and American Post-

Secondary Institutions. We sponsor Sydfit Health Centre’s Amateur Boxing team, some of our students who play for the Waterloo Wolves, as well as the KW Titans Basketball team.

As an Owner Representative for Libro, I had the opportunity to be on the selection committee for their Prosperity Grant Program which provides opportunities for new ventures within our community. Oxford Waterloo has taken part in giving back initiatives with Habitat Waterloo Region, The Working Centre, The United Way and the Food Bank. I also partner with some local principals at both the Public and Catholic school boards. We choose from a list of their

students and I offer our services at no charge for the school year to help them get ahead.

We at Oxford Waterloo are working on our second Girl Empowerment Day, set for spring 2019. There’s a cost for attendance, but there are about 30 scholarship spots being offered which we cover. We educate these young leaders with the help of some of our partners on money management, physical fitness, self-care, mental health, goal planning and more.

My mission for Oxford Waterloo is to continue helping as many students reach their potential as possible. I also want to be able to help my employees reach their potential at this current point in their life, to become better than they were when they initially walked through my door.

I believe that making connections is integral to achieving happiness. That one connection can change the course of your life, or the life of the person you are meeting.

Never underestimate your presence in this world, as you could be the shining light in someone’s dark space. Make a connection today and make it count!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allison Bourke Allison is the owner and CEO of Oxford Learning Waterloo. Raised in KW, Allison loves this region and serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. In her minimal spare time she loves to play guitar and perform. waterloo@oxfordlearning.com

advocate January | February 2019

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BINGEMANSCATERING Phone: (519) 744-1555 Toll Free: 1-800-677-0833 Web: bingemans.com

feature

Helping Us Make Our Vision Possible A special Thank You to each of these Chamber Sponsors.

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advocate January | February 2019

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Member Notables

Member Notables Veteran Emergency Physician and Healthcare Leader Named President at St. Mary’s Hospital A veteran healthcare leader and emergency department physician from Ottawa has been chosen as incoming President at St. Mary’s General Hospital.

Dr. Andrew Falconer will begin his new role at St. Mary’s on February 4, 2019. He is currently a Vice President and Chief of Staff at Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa where his responsibilities include mental health, cardiopulmonary services, and diagnostic imaging.

Dr. Falconer replaces Don Shilton, who retired as St. Mary’s President in June of 2018.

Marco Terlevic, Vice President Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer at St Mary’s, will continue as Acting President until Dr. Falconer assumes his new role.

The Chamber congratulates Dr. Falconer on this appointment and extends a sincere welcome to our community as we collectively move forward on the provision of local health care services for a growing population.

Leadership Waterloo Region appoints new CEO The Board of Directors of Leadership Waterloo Region (LWR) recently appointed Diane Wiles as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Ms. Wiles is a 2002 graduate of LWR’s community leadership development program and has more than 20 years experience as a professional fundraiser. Her previous work experience includes the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Guelph, and faculty positions at Conestoga and Georgian Colleges. She assumed her new responsibilities on November 5, 2018.

Rosemary Smith, past board chair of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, served as interim Executive Director of Leadership Waterloo Region during the recruitment process.

Mary D’Alton Joins the Cowan Foundation as Executive Director In early December 2018 the Cowan Foundation announced that Mary D’Alton will join the organization as Executive Director effective January 2, 2019. She replaces Terry Reidel who has served in the position for the past ten years.

Mary’s past leadership roles include board chair at the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, KW Community Foundation, St. Mary’s Hospital, and the Waterloo Economic Development Committee.

The Cowan Foundation started in 1995 in honour of Frank Cowan, founder of the Frank Cowan Company. Their goal is to make positive differences in the lives of Canadians and the broader well-being of our communities.

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Member Notables

Member Notables Conestoga Waterloo Campus Named for Long-Serving President On October 18, 2018, Conestoga College marked the grand opening of their newlyexpanded Waterloo Campus on University Avenue East.

The $58 million expansion project provides 150,000 additional square feet of classroom, lab and student space. Special features include state-of-the-art culinary and hospitality labs, a new and expanded student managed restaurant open to the public, and the Cowan Welcome Centre to support newcomers to Canada and individuals seeking career counseling.

An announcement was also made on October 18 that the Waterloo site will be known as the John W. Tibbits Campus of Conestoga College to recognize the extraordinary efforts of the current president who has served the institution with high distinction for over 30 years.

Brian Santos New President of Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors Brian Santos of Peak Realty is the new president of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors (KWAR). He is a managing broker of Peak Realty’s five offices serving Waterloo Region and the Stratford area.

Joining Mr. Santos as officers of the Association are Tony Schmidt of Howie Schmidt Realty, Colleen Koehler of RE/MAX Twin City Realty as 1st Vice President, Nicole Pohl of RE/MAX Twin City as 2nd Vice President, and Executive Officer Bill Duce. New to the directors this year are Jeff Gingerich of Century 21 Heritage House and Andrea Gschoesser of Royal LePage Wolle Realty.

Returning as directors are Megan Bell of Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty, James Craig of CBRE, Leon Martin of Re/Max Solid Realty, and Jim Watson of Homes by Watson Realty and Appraisals.

Elmira-based Earthscape Recognized for Design Excellence From their early beginnings designing and constructing local residential landscapes, Elmirabased Earthscape was recently recognized for excellence in municipal playground design.

The Mississauga Urban Design Awards, celebrating their 35th anniversary, honored the local custom playground company with three of its five awards for two recent additions to the Mississauga cityscape.

Earthscape’s work on Paul Coffey Park received an Award of Merit for excellence in defining the city’s identity and boosting the quality of community public space. Jaycee Park was recognized with an Award of Merit for enhancing public space and sustainably responding to site character and context. Jaycee Park also won the People’s Choice Award.

advocate January | February 2019

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OFFICE | 25,000 SF 565 KUMPF DR, WATERLOO

INDUSTRIAL | 13,632 SF 486 WEBER ST. N, WATERLOO

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RETAIL | 1,200-9,900 SF 2480 HOMER WATSON, KITCHENER

OFFICE | 65,000 SF 4273 KING ST. E, KITCHENER

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RETAIL PLAZA | 13,792 SF 427 ST. CLAIR ST, CHATHAM

INDUSTRIAL, OFFICE | 7,186 SF 216 BATHURST DR, WATERLOO

OFFICE | 14,700 SF 48 ONTARIO ST N, KITCHENER

RETAIL/OFFICE | 1,000-10,000 SF 651 COLBY DR, WATERLOO

OFFICE | 4,650-21,600 SF 595 PARKSIDE DR, WATERLOO

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