The Advocate Magazine - July | August 2011

The Greater K-WChamber of Commerceand the Universities:An Historical Retrospective

The evolving WRIEN journey ofcollaboration & vision

Chamber Milestones

The Greater K-WChamber of Commerceand the Universities:An Historical Retrospective

The evolving WRIEN journey ofcollaboration & vision

Chamber Milestones

advocateJ U L Y | A U G U S T 2 0 1 1

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advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011 3

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:Art Sinclair

EDITOR:Heather Hutchings

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION:Cober Evolving Solutions

PHOTOGRAPHY:Adamski Photography and Chamber staff

ADVERTISING AND SALES:David MacLellan - [email protected]

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

CONTRIBUTORS:Julie Tedesco

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The Advocate is a bi-monthly membership benefit publication ofthe Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.Advertising content and the views expressed herein are those of thecontributors 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 Chambercannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that mayoccur and has the right to edit material submitted. The Chamberwill not accept advertising with competitor comparison claims andhas the right to refuse advertising that is deemed to be false,misleading, or inappropriate.

features

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

4 Chamber success leads tocommunity successJeff MacIntyre

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

5 Chamber continuesto serve after 125 yearsIan McLean

ADVOCACY

7 Waterloo Region politicianson the national andprovincial stageArt Sinclair

PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH CARE

8 The evolution of the Chamber’sphysician recruitment initiativeMary Sue Fitzpatrick

EVENTS

10 The Chamber celebrates125 years!

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

12 April 1, 2011 toMay 31, 2011

EVENTS

18 Mark your calendar

21 Spring networking

SPONSOR PROFILE

24 Conrad Business,Entrepreneurship andTechnology Centre-Entrepreneurship in theclassroomJenn Zehr

MEMBER NOTABLES

27 Achieving SuccessChamber MembersSPONSORSHIP

31 Chamber Sponsors

departments

FEATURE

9 Member testimonialsCOVER STORY

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

FEATURE

20 WRIENThe evolving WRIEN journey of collaboration and visionPeter McFadden

FEATURE

22 Chamber Milestones

advocateJULY | AUGUST 2011

WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

message from the chair

Chamber success leads to community successBY JEFF MACINTYRE

A group of local business leaders came together 125 years ago tocreate the Berlin Board of Trade. Their goals were focused on localbusiness success. Each member would understand better what eachother did and what they needed to grow. It was a collective groupof businesses with a trial concept to determine if networking andeducation would demonstrate value to the group members. As thefirst meeting ended I imagine some enthusiasm and some actionitems were created. Some members likely got it right away andstepped up with a passion to make this work. Others likely weremore cautious. How could a small manufacturing operation getvalue from talking to a group of people outside their shop? Theyneeded to be at work filling orders.

If they mapped success it would include everyone meeting eachmember and articulating what each business did. Success wouldhave been achieved if members walked away from the meetingwith a connection or a link to someone that would be interested intheir product or service. Success would also be measurable if theywere able to schedule another meeting. I would highly doubt theywould envision a group of 350 people gathering at the WaterlooRegional Museum to celebrate our many accomplishments overthe years.

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

There are easy things to directly quantify the Chamber’sinvolvement and influence such as the creation of the University ofWaterloo. Other initiatives with significant Chamber influencewere the Conestoga Parkway and the Centre in the Square, thelook and feel of our collective cities and townships, and theinfluence that the combining Kitchener, Waterloo and WoolwichChambers of Commerce continues to have in shaping, refiningand directing our collective business community. It is hard toimagine how many handshakes, coffee meetings, strategic alliancesand contracts that have happened as a result of the Chamber.

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

The Chamber has succeeded for many years and it would beimpossible to list all the reasons. The common theme for successis that the Chamber has focused on community success. Thecommunity businesses success was greater than the success of itsparts. We have a healthy level of competition which creates checksand balances, but we celebrate others success in the communitybecause we all share the momentum.

Thanks to all who came before us for your effort, your vision andyour commitment to the Greater Kitchener Waterloo community.125 years is a significant milestone that we need to celebrate. Wepromise to leave it in better shape than we found it and we lookforward to seeing what the future holds.

4 WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff MacIntyreCHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeff MacIntyre is the owner of two smallbusinesses in Waterloo Region. WinexpertKitchener South is an on-premiseswinemaking shop. So There BusinessSolutions assists employers to increaseprofitability through market access, salesassistance, business development planningstrategies, mentoring and training.

message from the president

Chamber continues to serve after 125 yearsBY IAN MCLEAN

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has along and proud tradition of serving local businesses and buildingcommunity for over 125 years. I am honoured and excited to leadsuch an important community institution.

Our first 125th Anniversary event held in May at the impressivenew Waterloo Region Museum was a tremendous success. We willbe organizing a series of functions over the next year to recognizeand celebrate the contribution of local business to growth andprosperity. For a century and one quarter, business leaders havebeen community leaders. They have been the volunteers,philanthropists, job creators and visionaries that have builtWaterloo Region.

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

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

The Chamber of Commerce is itself a small enterprise that issimilar to the businesses owned and operated by many of ourmembers. We have 11 employees that work with our impressivenetwork of volunteers to deliver a wide range of events, programsand services for the benefit of the business sector and communityat large.

After nearly a year at the Chamber, the commitment and passiondemonstrated by our volunteers continues to simply amaze me.The tireless efforts supplied by members working on eventplanning or advocacy are a model for other Chambers acrossCanada. My sincere thanks for all your work since I arrived inOctober and your efforts in the many preceding years.

Some of our more notable endeavours include the many hours ofwork required for staging the annual Business Excellence Awards.It is truly remarkable how this function has expanded to one of theRegion’s premier Galas, based in large part from the talents ofmembers like Janet Taylor. Our events have been complementedby on-going work in physician recruitment and immigrantemployment. The Chamber, and the community, has greatlybenefitted from the significant financial support of our privatesector and municipal government partners in the operation of theHealth Care Recruitment Council. The number of KitchenerWaterloo residents seeking a family doctor has decreased, howeverour efforts will continue until the local physician shortage iseliminated.

Our members have consistently told us that securing the mostqualified and skilled employees across the global market is criticalfor their future success. For the last five years, our Chamber haspartnered with many community stakeholders on the WaterlooRegion Immigrant Employment Network, or WRIEN. Thishighly successful and award-winning project is winding down asthe new Immigrant Partnership will assume these importantresponsibilities, however we are grateful for the efforts of PeterMcFadden and many volunteers for their commitment tointegrating newcomers into our community.

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

5advocate JULY | AUGUST 2011

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian McLean

Ian McLean is President and CEO of theGreater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber ofCommerce.

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 [email protected] or

by telephone at 519.576.5000.

advocacy

Waterloo Region politicians on the nationaland provincial stageBY ART SINCLAIR

Across North American political history, many elected officialshave been identified and remembered as much for theirconstituencies than any of their achievements.

William Grenville Davis was known as Brampton Bill during histenure as Ontario Minister of Education in the 1960s and Premierfrom 1971 to 1984. At that time the population of Brampton, a cityon the fringes of Toronto, was considerably less than today leadingvoters to wonder whether Davis represented a rural or urbanpopulation. Since no one in recent memory has occupied thePremier’s Office as long as Brampton Bill, he must have possessedsome appeal to both demographics.

The most notable politician fromWaterloo Region, at the nationallevel, was former Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King.Born in Berlin and educated at the current Kitchener CollegiateInstitute –where his statue sits on the front lawn and stares acrossKing Street to Central Market – he compiled an impressiveeducational resume prior to his lengthy career in public service.Over a century has elapsed since King attended the University ofToronto, University of Chicago, and Harvard University, howeverit seems appropriate that a Prime Minister fromWaterloo Region,where post-secondary education remains a critical component ofthe local economy, acquired such academic credentials.

Some of the more memorable elections in Canadian history werecontests between King’s Liberals and the Conservatives underArthur Meighen. The two politicians were classmates at theUniversity of Toronto and Meighen was originally from PerthCounty. Meighen’s hometown is frequently designated asSt.Marys, however it is actually Anderson, an intersection of tworural roads in the former Blanshard Township. The village ofKirkton, where an entrepreneur named Timothy Eaton opened hisfirst retail store, is only a few kilometres from Anderson.

One of the more noteworthy aspects of King’s career was hisrelatively unusual tenure as Prime Minister. He was elected in1921, 1925, and 1926, lost in 1930, won again in 1935 and stayeduntil 1948. In one of the more bizarre eras of Canadian politics,King won a minority in the 1925 election then subsequently lost avote of confidence and power when the Governor General calledon Meighen to form a government. The Conservative

administration lasted four days until King requested a vote onMeighen’s constitutional right to govern, which was lost and anelection called.

Waterloo Region has also been represented by prominentpoliticians at Queen’s Park. Although no Premier has ever calledany local ridings their home constituency, the contributions fromour members have been significant.

Waterloo North MPP John Wintermeyer was Ontario LiberalParty Leader from 1958 to 1963. Political historians will recall thatthe forty-two years from 1943 to 1985 were dominated by theProgressive Conservative Big Blue Machine under George Drew,Leslie Frost, John Robarts and Bill Davis. Wintermeyer landed inthe middle of this political engine and joined Liberals such as BobNixon, Farqhuar Oliver and Andrew Thompson as would-bePremiers.

Current Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer ran for theProgressive Conservative Party leadership in 2002 and held thesenior portfolios of Education and Health Care during the Harrisand Eves administrations. Since 2007, Kitchener Centre MPPJohn Milloy has served as Minister of Training, Colleges andUniversities, a portfolio of increasing importance to the local andprovincial business sector.

There will probably be few politicians who will rival theexperiences of MacKenzie King, however the local business sectorhas been well-served by our provincial and federal elected officialsduring the past 125 years. Hopefully, across the next century and aquarter, this level of leadership and public service will continue.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Art Sinclair

Art Sinclair is the Vice PresidentPolicy and Advocacy for the GreaterKitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.


perspective on health care

The evolution of the Chamber’s physicianrecruitment initiativeBY MARY SUE FITZPATRICK

The Chamber’s first physician recruitment efforts evolved out ofthe Federal & Provincial Affairs Health Subcommittee’s concernthat over 40,000 of our residents did not have a familypractitioner. In 1998, they responded by establishing thecommunity’s first Physician Recruitment Task Force under thewing of the Chamber and they appealed to the corporatecommunity for funding support.

For eight years, this volunteer driven initiative was led byfounding Task Force Chair Glen Mathers of CIBCWood Gundyand 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 wasstill a critical economic development issue impacting theirbusinesses - their success in recruiting new talent and inmaintaining healthy staff to ensure their productivity andprosperity.

In response, an in-depth review of the existing physicianrecruitment efforts was led by former Chamber Chair RogerFarwell of WalterFedy. It was recognized that beyond recruitmentthere is also a critical need to enhance opportunities for the futureof health care delivery in the community.

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

A fundraising campaign provided significant municipal andcorporate commitments to fund the enhanced initiative. TheChamber committed in kind investment through full time humanresources and administrative support.

Today, over 138 family practitioners have been recruited and thenumber 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 theChamber Health Care Resources Council, as it better reflects ourfocus and mandate beyond physician recruitment and retention,health policy and advocacy. We are also involved in other

initiatives to support physicians looking for new practiceopportunities in our region, including the building of eitherprivate or community developed medical centres.

Our original visionary, Glen Mathers is still involved as Past Chairand sits as a member of the Health Council’s Family PhysicianLiaison Task Force which plans our annual physician recruitmentweekend for visiting family medicine residents and their partners.Glen has been succeeded as chair by Jane Jantzi of Deloitte andJane George of Airways Transit. Chamber Board member AlHayes of WalterFedy is next to take the lead. Many of the originalvolunteers are still involved.

Council Chair Bruce Antonello has been succeeded by anotherformer President & CEO of St. Mary’s General Hospital, MoiraTaylor. Bruce continues to sit as a Health Council member andMoira co-chairs with Roger Farwell who also chairs our FacilitiesTask Force. Chamber Board member Karen Mason of EquitableLife has joined the executive leaders of the Council as has BillWeiler of MedEd, who is our facilities advisor.

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

As we launch a second municipal and corporate fundraisingcampaign, the Chamber will continue to move forward with newstrategic directions and initiatives that will ultimately solve thefamily physician shortage.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Sue Fitzpatrick

Mary Sue is Vice President Family PhysicianResources and Health Advocacy.

testimonials


Member Testimonials

In December 2010 I met with Membership Manager David MacLellanto 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 amember of a CPN group and the Networking Breakfast Committee.As a result of these activities, I have hadhigh-quality interactions with dozens ofnew contacts and solid business relationshipsare developing with several Chambermembers. Active membership in theGKWCC opens a lot of doors and createsmany great opportunities.I heartily endorse it!

Greg SchottPrincipal

Schott Resolutions

The “global village” does not mean local connections are not important!During economic volatility, our neighbourhood economy elevates inimportance as the only way to ensure sustainability at the grass root level.A Chamber member since 2006, I feel dynamically connected to thecommunity at large. The learning forums and networking meetings helpme to cultivate the human touch that I findso imperative in my business, putting a faceto the name Allied Flooring. The Chamberof Commerce is your Chamber ofCommerce. You can grow your ownbusiness, support local businesses and mostimportant of all, connect with your localcommunity.

Gihan SalgadoPresident

Allied Flooring Inc.

Since 2008, I've sat on the Federal & Provincial Affairs Committee ofthe Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and have had anabsolutely fantastic experience. At our Committee meetings, we havefascinating discussions on the issues of theday and I've found it incredibly useful toknow how decisions being made at both thefederal and provincial levels directly affectthe different segments of our local economy.It has been a great learning experience.

Eric M. DavisMunicipal & Planning Law

White, Duncan, Linton LLP

I first became aware of the influence of the Greater Kitchener WaterlooChamber of Commerce in 2003 when I attended events in my capacityas president of the Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtors. From thebeginning I was impressed with the organization and the commitment ofthe members. My subsequent membership and participation on theadvocacy committees, RMAC and then FPAC is a continuing benefit inboth my personal and business capacities. Despite the diversebackgrounds of the businesses and industries represented, the spirit ofcooperation is evident on the FPACcommittee that I chair.

I highly recommend membership andparticipation - it will make a positiveimpact on your personal and business life.You can be more informed and involved inour community

Diane HawrylenkoBroker

Nicholson Realty Inc.

(continued on page 14)

events

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


events


84,600 MORE ADULTS DAILY77,200 MORE ADULTS ON SATURDAY*

THE RECORD REACHES MORE ADULTS THAN THE TORONTO PAPERS COMBINED!

To advertise or partner with the Waterloo Region Record please call 519-894-2250.

*Source: NADbank® 2009

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Photography by Adamski Photography and Chamber staff

new members

April 1, 2011 to May 31, 2011

Acklands Grainger Inc.Industrial Equipment & SuppliesCarlos Grande, Branch Manager107 Manitou DriveKitchener, ON N2C 1L4Email: [email protected] / Web:www.acklandsgrainger.comPhone: (519) 893-3111 / Fax: (519) 893-0311

Alliance of Ontario Food ProcessorsAssociations & OrganizationsJane Graham, Executive Director299 Doon Valley DriveKitchener, ON N2G 4M4Email: [email protected] / Web: www.aofp.caPhone: (519) 896-5967 / Fax: (519) 896-3650

Animal Inn Pet ShopPet Shop & SuppliesGeorge Bakay, Owner550 King Street NorthWaterloo, ON N2L 5W6Email: [email protected] / Web:www.animalinnpetshop.comPhone: (519) 886-1074

AVW Telav Audio Visual SolutionsAudio Visual Equipment & SuppliesKevin Hoffman105 King Street EastKitchener, ON N2G 2K8Email: [email protected] / Web:www.avwtelav.comPhone: (519) 749-2235

Basil McDonald Law OfficeLawyersBasil McDonald, Lawyer9 Ahrens Street WestKitchener, ON N2H 4B6Email: [email protected]: (519) 576-6500 / Fax: (519) 744-7811

Bell Mobility Inc. - Ammar SubhanCellular & Wireless Telephones,Equipment&SuppliesAmmar Subhan, Account Executive5099 Creekbank Road, Unit 2EMississauga, ON L4W 5N2Email: [email protected]: (519) 502-7233 / Fax: (905) 282-4695

Bluebird PaintingPainting ContractorsBen Koenig, Owner369 GatestoneWaterloo, ON N2T 2J6Email: [email protected] / Web:www.bluebirdpainting.caPhone: (519) 574-7084

BMO Bank of MontrealBanksSusan Brown, Senior Vice-President OntarioRegional Division20 Erb Street West, Suite 400Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2Email: [email protected] / Web:www.bmo.comPhone: (519) 885-1944 / Fax: (519) 885-0922

Bramante Studio Matcorp Inc.Church Furnishings & SuppliesAbraham Mathew, President8 Queen Street North,Kitchener, ON N2H 2G8Email: [email protected] / Web:www.bramante.comPhone: (519) 570-2908 / Fax: (519) 570-2706

Cali Marketing CommunicationsAdvertising Agencies & Consultants , Event PlanningCathy Lumb, Marketing Consultant28 Schneider AvenueKitchener, ON N2G 1K6Email: [email protected] / Web:www.calicom.caPhone: (519) 886-4198 / Fax: (519) 886-6090

CircumferenceBusiness ConsultantsJohn Peacock, Owner185 Appalachian CresentKitchener, ON N2E 1A3Email: [email protected] / Web:www.circumference.caPhone: (519) 279-1734

e-dimensionz Web SolutionsWebsite Design & DevelopmentMelissa Guille, PresidentCedar Street SouthKitchener, ON N2G 3L3Email: [email protected] / Web:www.e-dimensionz.comPhone: (519) 635-3744

Edward Jones - Suresh ArangathInvestmentsSuresh Arangath, Financial Advisor370 University Avenue East, Suite 104Waterloo, ON N2K 3N2Email: [email protected] /Web: www.edwardjones.comPhone: (519) 746-5092 / Fax: (866) 633-5970

Hacienda SarriaWedding Planning, Services & SuppliesNadine Day, Owner1254 Union StreetKitchener, ON N2H 6K4Email: [email protected] / Web:www.haciendasarriakw.comPhone: (519) 577-2225

Hawksview Homes LtdHome BuildersHon. David Reid, President7201 Line 86, RR #3Wallenstein, ON N0B 2S0Email: [email protected] / Web:www.hawksviewhomes.comPhone: (519) 669-3100 / Fax: (519) 669-1213

J & J Cards & Collectibles LtdCollectiblesJim Schill, President230 Weber Street NorthWaterloo, ON N2J 3H4Email: [email protected] / Web:www.jjcards.comPhone: (519) 725-0443 / Fax: (877) 868-6897

Kidproof Canada Waterloo RegionEducational Teaching Aids & SuppliesAndy Constantinou, President67 Norwood CrescentWaterloo, ON N2L 2P5Email: [email protected] /Web: www.kidproofsafety.comPhone: (519) 954-5422 / Fax: (519) 885-1103

Kimagine Graphic DesignGraphic DesignersKim Graham, Graphic Designer/Owner48 Windom Road, Unit FKitchener, ON N2A 2P4Email: [email protected]: (519) 208-2863



LA Fitness Sports ClubsHealth, Fitness & Exercise ServiceMike Richert, District Vice President264 Victoria Street NorthKitchener, ON N2H 5C8Email: [email protected] / Web:www.lafitness.comPhone: (519) 741-0144

MacDonald Awnings & SignsAwnings & SignsBill Stoody, Dealer Network Sales125 Weber Street WestKitchener, ON N2H 3Z8Email: [email protected] / Web:www.macdonaldawning.comPhone: (519) 579-3950 / Fax: (519) 579-2533

Modevation MediaVideo ProductionChris Meidell, President151 Charles Street West, Suite 115Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6Email: [email protected] / Web:www.modevation.comPhone: (519) 804-2236

Ogilvie Daugherty Financial ServicesFinancial Planning ConsultantsBrian Ogilvie, President70 Victoria Street North, Suite HKitchener, ON N2H 5C2Email: [email protected] / Web: www.ogilvie.caPhone: (519) 744-4083 / Fax: (519) 745-2943

OilchangersOil Changes & Lubricant Service , Emissions - TestsDave Bankay, Owner1065 Victoria Street NorthKitchener, ON N2B 3C7Email: [email protected] / Web:www.oilchangers.caPhone: (519) 584-0287 / Fax: (519) 584-2269

Ontario Cremation ServicesFuneral HomesGreg D'Hulster, Manager1601 River Road, Unit 28AKitchener, ON N2A 3Y4Email: [email protected] / Web:www.ontariocremationservices.caPhone: (519) 504-2876 / Fax: (519) 472-2290

Pepi's PizzaRestaurantsJohn Guy, Vice President87 Water Street NorthKitchener, ON N2H 5A6Email: [email protected] / Web:www.pepispizza.comPhone: (519) 578-6640 / Fax: (519) 954-6544

Project Management Strategic Trainingand Resources (PM Star)Management Training & DevelopmentCindy Bell, President102 Monte Vista CrescentLondon, ON N6J 4P3Email: [email protected] / Web:www.pmstar.orgPhone: (519) 870-7815

The Kiwanis Club of Twin CitiesCharitable & Community OrganizationsJohn Wilson, Membership ChairPharma Plus Postal Station, 537 FrederickStreet, PO Box 23010Kitchener, ON N2B 3V1Email: [email protected] / Web:www.twincitieskiwanis.orgPhone: (519) 744-4141

University of Guelph - Co-operativeEducation & Career ServicesCareer Counselling & EducationLinda Hart, Assistant Director50 Stone Road East, University Centre, 3rdFloorGuelph, ON N1G 2W1Email: [email protected] / Web:www.recruitguelph.caPhone: (519) 824-4120 / Fax: (519) 829-3065

new members

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testimonials


Member Testimonials

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has been astrong partner with BMO Financial Group on events and initiatives forthe business sector and broader community.Chamber events provide a uniqueopportunity to connect with employers acrossWaterloo Region and ensure we areproviding the services they require to becompetitive and profitable.

Janet Peddigrew, MBAVice-President

Mid-Western Ontario DistrictBMO Bank of Montreal

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce’s work inphysician recruitment is critically important. As the population ofWaterloo Region expands, we requireworld-class health care facilities andprofessionals to ensure we can attract andmaintain businesses and employees for anemerging knowledge- based economy. Icommend the Chamber for their efforts todate and am confident we as a communitycan continue to address these issues.

Murray GamblePresident

The C3 Group of Companies

“The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce supports thelocal business community by ensuring that relevant concerns areadvanced to all levels of government.Smaller businesses often do not possess thenecessary resources to address these issues,however collectively through the Chamberwe can be certain that local officials areaware of developments and hopefully theycan address any matters that negativelyimpact business.”

Michael AlkierPresident

Victoria Star Motors Inc.

The K-W Chamber of Commerce is an energetic and vibrantorganization which caters to many different types and sizes of business.The Chamber has provided me with a reliable source of networkingevents which are always well attended with an active group ofentrepreneurs. The diversity and range of the Chamber events is whatmakes the chamber so relevant to the local community. The Chamber hasa passion for helping every business whichis evident by the speakers chosen and eventsplanned. I have thoroughly enjoyed beinga part of the Chamber and have benefitedfrom meeting many new contacts, peersand friends.

Sabrina Fitzgerald, CASenior Manager, Tax ServicesPricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

I have continually been impressed by the level of service and commitmentof the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to this region.The Chamber continues to be involved in important communityinitiatives such as health care, WRIEN and networking/mentorship foryoung professionals. The Chamber takes aholistic approach to the variety of businessesin the community and draws all of thebusinesses together as one voice and onecommon community. I am delighted to bepart of this initiative and contribute to theKW community in this way.

Rosa LupoPartner

Gowlings Waterloo Region Office


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cover story

The Greater K-W Chamber of Commerceand the Universities: An Historical RetrospectiveBY K.M. MCLAUGHLIN

The Chambers of Commerce and their predecessors, the Boards ofTrade, have had a profound impact on Kitchener and Waterlooand few public institutions can match their legacy of communityconcern and vision. The university story begins there in 1911. Onbehalf of the Waterloo Board of Trade, its president, J.C. Mueller,offered to donate five acres of land free-and-clear to theEvangelical Lutheran Synod of Canada to locate its proposedLutheran seminary in Waterloo. Waterloo's Board of Tradeunanimously subscribed $1,750 for the proposed five acreseminary site. The Mayor of Waterloo, the President of the Boardof Trade, and three communityleaders conducted a successfulcampaign to collectsubscriptions. Three membersof the Council of the Board ofTrade remained as trustees ofthe property until July 10 1924,when the title deeds werehanded over to the seminary.Shortly after, Waterloo Collegewas established on part of theseminary land purchased by theBoard of Trade. The collegeimmediately became a valuedcommunity institution,attracting many, like Jack Harper, who went on to establishbusinesses or professions in this community. Today that originalfive acre site forms the nucleus of Wilfrid Laurier University and itwas there in 1957 that the original temporary buildings of theUniversity of Waterloo were first located.

The veterans who returned home from overseas at the end of theSecond World War created a revolution in university educationthroughout Canada. The technical skills and leadership providedby the universities in Canada's prosecution of the war haddemonstrated that universities had a vital role to play in themodern nation, while the need to renew Canada's democracy alsoled many others to pursue a university degree. As the nationreturned to peacetime, the Kitchener Board of Trade, nowreconstituted as a Chamber of Commerce, began to plan for thefuture well-being of the community. In 1948, the Chamber'sSecretary Manager, Vic McKenty, wrote to the president of St.Jerome's College, the Roman Catholic college which had been aprominent part of Kitchener's educational landscape since 1866,

and to the president of the Lutheran-affiliated Waterloo College,inviting them to meet with a special committee of the Chamber ofCommerce, for the purpose of discussing a joint [university] site intheir [the colleges'] development plans for the future. McKentyexplained that "It is the feeling of the board of Directors of theChamber that considerable saving to both institutions would resultif they could see their way clear to share certain buildings, as wellas campus and recreational facilities. Each, of course, would haveits separate seminary." The Chamber's ideas were prescient andtimely. Both St. Jerome's and Waterloo College were hoping to

expand and both would becoming to the community forfinancial support. Unfortunately,in 1948 neither of thedenominational colleges wasable to see the ecumenicaladvantages or the opportunitiesoffered in the chamber'sproposal. The chamber's idea,however, would emerge in aslightly amended form in 1959as the University of Waterlooand this time St. Jerome's wouldmove its arts and mathematicsprograms to Waterloo as afounding college of theUniversity of Waterloo.

Carl Pollock, a past-president ofthe Kitchener Chamber ofCommerce, had chaired thechamber's 1948 committee onpost-secondary education. Alongwith Ira Needles, another activemember of the chamber, Pollockplayed a leading role inestablishing the University ofWaterloo, ultimately serving as

the chair of its Board of Governors and also as its Chancellor—twoposts which Ira Needles had also held. Peter Sims, another pastchair of the Chamber of Commerce also served on the Universityof Waterloo’s Board of Governors, and John Pollock, a prominentChamber member went on to become Chancellor of WilfridLaurier University. Both universities in Waterloo have often


cover story

turned to the Chamber of Commerce and have continued todevelop a strong relationship with the community. One need onlylook at the UW School of Pharmacy and the satellite campus ofMcMaster University’s DeGroote School of Medicine located inKitchener on the site where Ira Needles and Gerry Hagey onceworked together at the B.F. Goodrich plant and where many ideasof bettering the community had been formed. Or that the WilfridLaurier School of Social Work now exists in the former St.Jerome’s College building on Duke Street in Kitchener. In astrange way this is what Vic McKenty and the Chamber had firstproposed in 1947. Members of the Greater Kitchener WaterlooChamber of Commerce can take great pride in knowing that theirinitiatives and their foresight played no small part in makingKitchener-Waterloo one of the foremost university centres inNorth America. One can hardly imagine another community inCanada in which these two universities would ever have beencreated, let alone emerged as internationally-acclaimed centres ofadvanced research and learning. Nor is it one that we shouldsimply take for granted. It took faith and foresight, leadership and

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


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K.M. McLaughlin

Local historian and author, Dr. KennethMcLaughlin is a Distinguished ProfessorEmeritus – University of Waterloo.Recipient of a number of local heritageand arts awards, Professor McLaughlinhas authored many historical books, mostnotably,Waterloo an Illustrated History1857 – 2007 commemorating the City ofWaterloo’s 150th Anniversary and Out ofthe Shadow of Orthodoxy: Waterloo@50commemorating the University ofWaterloo’s 50th Anniversary.

events

Mark your calendarBY CHAMBER STAFF


July 14, 2011

Research In MotionChamber Young ProfessionalsNetworking Event

5:00-7:00pmLocation: The Flying Dog341 Marsland Drive, WaterlooMember Advantage: $5General Admission: $10

You are invited to join us to develop keyrelationships, build your business networkand connect with other youngprofessionals and business leaders at thiscasual networking event.

Title Sponsor:

Host Sponsor:

Promotional Sponsor:

August 11, 2011

20th Annual Chamber GolfScramble

9:00am-7:00pmLocation: Deer Ridge Golf Club

The Chamber Golf Scramble sells out yearafter year and brings local businesses andorganizations together in the spirit offriendly competition for a fun-filled daythat encourages teambuilding, camaraderieand networking. The day includes golf,cart, driving range, BBQ lunch, Steak &Lobster Dinner, and full use of lockerroom amenities. Although the tournamentis sold out for golfers, there are stillsponsorship opportunities available, pleasecontact Heather [email protected] 519-749-6036.

Tournament Sponsor:

Reception Sponsor:

Half Way House Sponsor:

Tournament Gift Sponsor:

Lunch Sponsor:

Locker Room Sponsor:

Ultimate Draw Sponsor:

Feature Hole Sponsors:

events


At the Waterloo Inn475 King St. N., Waterloo, 519-884-0220

www.rushes.ca

SummerCourtyard

Lunch & Dinner

Hole Sponsors: August 14, 2011

Chamber Day at Bingemans

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

Looking for a way to make the most of ahot summer Sunday? Bingemans is hostinga special one-day event in support of theChamber, and we invite you (and yourfamily and friends) to come share in thefun! For $20, enjoy a Big Splash Pass(height restrictions in effect) and a BBQlunch. When purchasing tickets, please usethe following link:http://bingemans.com/greaterkwchamber

September 14, 2011

Greater Kitchener WaterlooChamber of Commerce AnnualGeneral Meeting

4:30-6:30pmLocation: Waterloo Inn Conference HotelMember: Complimentary

Discover the wide spectrum of currentbusiness trends and concerns and what theChamber is doing to meet the demands ofour diverse membership and the public.The new Board of Directors will beinstalled during this event.

September 20, 201111th Annual Chamber After 5regional tradeshow

4:00–8:00pmBingemans425 Bingemans Centre Dr, KitchenerMembers & General Admission:Complimentary Admission

The Chamber After 5 regional tradeshow,jointly hosted by the Chambers of Guelph,Cambridge and Greater KitchenerWaterloo, offers an ideal opportunity forbusinesses looking to promote themselves.Regularly attracting over 1,200 attendees,this tradeshow features over 200 exhibitorsfrom across the membership of the threeChambers.

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feature


The evolving WRIEN journeyof collaboration and visionBY PETER McFADDEN

At the end of July 2011, the integration of the Waterloo RegionImmigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) into the ImmigrationPartnership of Waterloo Region will officially take place. Thejourney has been 1½ years in the making and will signal thecompletion of WRIEN’s mandate as a community based multi-stakeholder network formed to provide leadership in the area ofimproving immigrant employment within Waterloo Region.

WRIEN’s role has been to act as a facilitator and catalyst to bringcross sectoral partners together to help employers looking fortalent to better connect with the local immigrant job ready talentpool that often contains the skill sets they need. The connectingprocess has involved the creation of strategic programs andrelationships.

Programs such as the Mentorship Partnership of Waterloo Region,the Waterloo Region Internship Program for InternationallyTrained Individuals, the Waterloo Region Immigrant LoanProgram and the New Canadian Employment ConnectionsProgram are delivered by the YMCA Cross Cultural andImmigrant Services group, Conestoga College Institute ofTechnology and Advanced Learning, the Working Centre withLibro Financial as the financial partner and WRIEN respectively.Subject to program funding being available it is hoped all of theseprograms will continue.

Acting as a catalyst for leadership WRIEN brought the ImmigrantWeb Portal Project and the Local Immigration Partnership (LIP)Project to the attention of local leaders and both, led and/orfacilitated by the Region of Waterloo, have moved forward. Theportal at www.newwr.ca and the LIP have evolved to becomestrategic community assets.

In addition to employers and their organizations, service providerpartners, educators and governments at all 4 levels it is importantto recognize WRIEN’s funders that provided the resourcesnecessary for WRIEN to achieve what it has. Core fundersincluded: The Region of Waterloo, United Way of KitchenerWaterloo and Area, United Way of Cambridge and NorthDumfries, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Bridgeway

Foundation, The Kitchener and Waterloo CommunityFoundation and the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation. Project fundingwas provided by the Bridge Training Program funded by theGovernment of Ontario, Global Experience @ Work Programthrough the Ontario Chamber of Commerce with support andfunding from the Government of Ontario, and private sectorassistance from Research in Motion, Libro Financial and TheEconomical Insurance Group.

As my time as Executive Director concludes July 31, I would liketo take this opportunity to thank our Host, the Greater KWChamber of Commerce and the many volunteer leaders that cameto the WRIEN table to guide and direct activities and programsthat resulted in its local success and national recognition as anImmigrant Employment Council, now 1 of 10 in Canada. Thanksalso to the Maytree and McConnell Foundations for creatingALLIES (Assisting Local Leader with Immigrant EmploymentStrategies) for leadership in bringing IECs from Halifax toVancouver together to share ideas and learn from each other.

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

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter McFadden

Peter McFadden is the Executive Director forWRIEN and former President and CEO ofthe Southern Ontario Tourism Organization.

networking


Spring Networking

HEFFNER WOMEN’SLEADERSHIP SERIESLuncheon-April 13, 2011

ENERGY &ENVIRONMENT FORUMApril 19, 2011

ROGERSCHAMBER CONNECTIONSNetworking EventJune 7, 2011

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1) MODELS: SARAH MCLELLAN, MONI LAGONIA,LIANNE FROM BIBA BOUTIQUE AND NAHLA KOR.

2) LIANNE, SUZANNE GROSS AND IMAGE CONSULTANTSYLVIA STUTZ.

3) SOME OF THE HEFFNER WOMEN’S LEADERSHIPLUNCHEON ATTENDEES AT CHICOPEE.

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

7) LISE ANNE JARVIS, JANICE KOCHAN, KIMBERLY PERKINSAND LINDA DANCEY.

8) THE GROUP LISTENS TO THE GUEST SPEAKERS

9) PAUL ROSTRUP OF SCOTIA BANK WITH DAN JACKMANFROM HEATLAY.

10) SARA THORNE VAN DAMME AND MARION THOMPSONHOWELL, BOTH FROM SHAUGHNESSYHOWELL INC.

1

Photography by Adamski Photography and Chamber staff

CELEBRATING

1973 1984 1987 1991 1992 1994 1996 1997 1998

100 Chamber moves to80 Queen Street N.,

Kitchener

Chamber surveyslocal industry toascertain future

land requirements

Kitchener, Waterloo andCambridge Chambers

assist with developmentof Waterloo Region Crime

Stoppers

Incorporation of TheChamber of Commerce of

Kitchener & Waterlooand launch of K-W Visitor &

Convention Bureau

Chamber releases visionand precursor to the operational model ofCanada’s Technology

Triangle

Launch offirst official

website

Physician Recruitment Task Forceinitiative

begins

251886 1890 1895 1907 1910 1911 1916 1929

Berlin Board ofTrade

Incorporated

WaterlooBoard of Trade Incorporated

Elmira Boardof Trade

IncorporatedArrival of HydroPower in Berlin

Berlin changesname to

Kitchener

Berlin Board initiated

municipalownership of

Berlin & WaterlooStreet Railway Co.

is obtained

Waterloo Board gives5 acres ofland for

Waterloo LutheranSeminary (nowWilfrid Laurier

University)

Board’s efforts foran airport are

realized with the building of

Kitchener-Waterloo Airport

feature


1251999 20112000 2001 2003 2005 2006 2009 2010

YEARS125

Local chamberslaunch

campaign insupport ofWaterloo

Region Airport

LeadershipWaterloo

Regionfounded by

regionalchambers and

community

First Prosperity Forum inpartnership with

Cambridge Chamber, CTTand Communitech. Prosperity Council is

formed

Kitchener Waterlooand Elmira WoolwichChambers form theGreater Kitchener

Waterloo Chamber ofCommerce

Chamber launches Health Care Recruitment Council.Chamber hosts Waterloo

Region Immigrant Employment Network

(WRIEN)

Chamber celebrates 125

years!

1939 1940 1951 1952 1955

1957 1967 1968 1969

7550Instrumental in

formation ofFederation of

Charities

Business leaderssupport program to train engineers

& technicians (now University of

Waterloo)

Junior Board ofTrade hosts first

meeting inKitchener

GroupInsurance

established

Chamber sponsors first

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

feature


Chamber Milestones

sponsor profile

Canada’s pressing need for more innovation is well known.Managing and mobilizing new opportunities into commerciallyviable products and businesses is essential in today’s competitivebusiness landscape.

In 2002 the University of Waterloo opened the Centre forBusiness, Entrepreneurship and Technology to explore new waysof commercializing ideas and tohelp entrepreneurs fosterinnovation, create new venturesand identify new markets.

In April 2010, the centre wasrenamed to honour localphilanthropist Manfred Conradand his family. The centre isnow known as the ConradBusiness, Entrepreneurship andTechnology Centre and wecontinue to develop the businessleaders of tomorrow.

The centre received a $3-milliondonation from Manfred Conrad, founder of The Cora Group anddeveloper of three buildings in the David Johnston Research andTechnology Park at the University of Waterloo, including theAccelerator Building where the centre is located. The donation, inaddition to a previous $2-million gift from Manfred and his sonAdrian Conrad, continues to allow the centre to expand itsentrepreneurial academic, research and outreach activities inCanada and internationally.

"Thanks to Manfred Conrad's far-sighted gifts, the Conrad Centrehas achieved a combination of talent and expertise that is quicklygaining us the reputation as one of Canada's most needed, andmost unique, graduate business programs," said David Johnston,former president of the University of Waterloo. "Conrad now is amagnet as it draws high quality entrepreneurial students, universityand government support, and the engagement of local and nationalbusiness leaders."

The Conrad family made the choice to support thisentrepreneurship centre because “we feel that we are not onlycontributing in some small way to the quality of education, but insupporting these young entrepreneurs who will one day change theface of our community, I think we help to ensure that our regioncontinues to grow and prosper.”

The MBET ExperienceConrad’s flagship offering is a specialized business program, theMaster of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET)program. This intensive business program was developed torespond to Canada’s pressing need for more innovation and buildson the Region’s distinctive energies in technology andentrepreneurship.

The program is designed totransforms ideas from inventioninto innovation and commercialsuccess. MBET is an industry-facing program that attractsindividuals passionate about newventure creation, or who want tointroduce disruptive product intotechnology-based companies.What sets the MBET programapart from other businessprograms across the educationsystem is its balance of academics

and practical application. The MBET academic model isstrategically mapped to simulate the entrepreneurial process andprovides the knowledge, the tools, the network and the experiencesto bring new technologies to market and achieve entrepreneurialsuccess.

At the core of the program is the commercialization practicumwhere students spend eight-months integrating what they havelearned in the classroom by working in a team environment tobring a product to a market-ready stage. Business ideas oftenbelong to the students themselves but many come frompartnerships with local start ups, established tech firms anduniversity researchers.


Entrepreneurship in the ClassroomBY JENN ZEHR

CONRAD DIRECTOR ROD MCNAUGHTON WITH A STUDENT

THE CENTRE IS LOCATED IN THE ACCELERATOR BUILDING, PART OF THE DAVIDJOHNSTON RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PARK

sponsor profile

And there’s proofthat this new modelof entrepreneurialeducation is working.Since 2003, close to50 companies havebeen launched byMBET graduatesand the program hasgained internationalrecognition, with 36per cent of thestudents comingfrom countries

around the world. Matt Rendall enrolled in the MBET programafter completing an undergraduate degree in Mechatronics fromWaterloo with a plan to develop a robotic minesweeping system.During the program he connected with investors, experts andbusiness leaders. “The support structure incorporated into theprogram is incredible” says Rendall. Today, his company ClearpathRobotics is a leading provider of unmanned vehicle systems forresearchers in industrial, government and academic organizations.The Clearpath office is located in the Tannery District inDowntown Kitchener.

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

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

Helping Make Waterloo Region Even BetterAs David Johnston would say, Waterloo Region is built on theculture of “barn-raising,” a tradition where neighbours helpneighbours and collectively we are able to accomplish more. Thissame culture is infused into the MBET program curriculum.Students explore the concept of corporate social responsibility andits role in business management decisions. Each year Conradpartners with local organizations to examine the role socialentrepreneurship plays within our community and how thiscontributes to positive social change.

This past year a group of passionate social entrepreneurs in theMBET program worked with Capacity Waterloo Region todevelop and organize the P3: Conference on Corporate SocialResponsibility. The event was designed to educate and inspirebusinesses to develop or deepen their corporate socialresponsibility (CSR) practices. P3 demonstrated how effectiveCSR strategies lead to increased profitability.

Other community-focused organizations MBET students haveworked with this past year include:

• Junior Achievement of the Waterloo RegionMBET students taught and mentored high school students todevelop business and entrepreneurial skills. Conrad has partneredwith Junior Achievement for the past five-years, and will continueto share the spirit of entrepreneurialism.

• Social Planning Council of Kitchener-WaterlooConrad works with the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo to collaborate for positive social change and createcapacity in the not-for-profit sector. MBET students workedwith this organization to develop performance managementstrategies.

• United Way of KW AreaStudents helped them by applying business models to nonprofitorganizations to increase their revenue/donations/awareness.Students would look at existing business models and modifiedthem to fit the needs of United Way.

Conrad is pleased to be a member of the Greater KitchenerWaterloo Chamber of Commerce. We applaud the Chamber fortaking a proactive approach with economic development in theRegion of Waterloo and for making the area a rewarding place toconduct business. We are proud to partner with the Chamber bypreparing the business leaders of our Region for a successful future!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenn Zehr

Jenn Zehr is the Manager of Marketing andCommunity Relations at the ConradBusiness, Entrepreneurship and TechnologyCentre at the University of Waterloo.

HOWARD ARMITAGE (ON RIGHT), FOUNDER OFCONRAD WITH MANFRED CONRAD

testimonials


Member Testimonials

Participation in the Chamber provides a terrific opportunity to get toknow the community better, connect with new people and explore ways topromote your organization and help get the word out. And as avolunteer with the Chamber, thatexperience is just so much richer. It alwaysimpresses me how eager people here are tonetwork. Everyone seems so open tomaking new connections, and so genuinelywarm in welcoming newcomers. I thinkour Region, and this Chamber, are bothexceptional in this regard.

Caroline OliverDirector of Development and Marketing

Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery

My experiences with the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce havehelped mold and shape my new business. I have made extremely valuablecontacts over the dozens of events that Ihave attended over the years and gainedvaluable exposure after being named YoungEntrepreneur of the Year in 2009 and2011.

Paul MaxwellPresident

Maxwell’s Music House

King Street Trio Uptown is open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner seven nights a week. Our fantastic openconcept kitchen and unique designwill have you captivated from themoment you arrive.

King CrabOyster 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 www.kingcraboysterbar.com

We’d love to see you for dinner...“How About Tonight?”

As an entrepreneur, the value that lies within Chamber membership isvast. Whether seeking support for business, incredible networkingopportunities or volunteering, GKWCC is ready for your needs. It trulyis an organization that explores thepossibilities of business building communityfor all it is worth. As we uproot andrelocate to California this summer, whathas been gained from the GKWCC willundoubtedly travel with and help guide thebusiness.

Bessie SchenkFounder/Owner

Bessie Schenk Communications

As a small and rapidly growing business serving clients across WaterlooRegion, we at Xylotek find the Chamber is critical for developing andmaintaining an entrepreneurialenvironment throughout the communitiesit serves. The Chamber allows us tonetwork with other organizations, providesavenues for professional and personaldevelopment, and makes Waterloo Regionan exceptional location for business.

Douglas W. GrosfieldPresident & CEO

Xylotek Solutions Inc.

member notables


Member Notables are taken from local news sources and member submissions. In order to be considered “notable” an item must be an accomplishmentor 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.

Member notables


Waterloo Region Homebuilders’ Association AnnouncesNew President

Jamie Adams of Pioneer Craftsmen Limited was recently appointed President ofthe Waterloo Region Homebuilders’ Association (WRHBA). He succeeds JaniceKochan of Eastforest Homes.

Jamie has served on the WRHBA Board of Directors for six years and the lastthree years on their Executive Committee. He is a graduate of ConestogaCollege and last year became President of the company his grandfather founded58 years ago.

United Way KW celebrates 70 years

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

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

United Way KW was there to help back in 1941, and thanks to the ongoingsupport 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 GalleryGoemans, located in the Old Tannery Building, Kitchener.

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

A very unique 4,000 sq. ft. location with a state of the art live kitchen is open forclient 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 oflaundry.

“An Experience Like No Other.”

Waterloo Region Home Builders’

Association

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 at1351 Strasburg Road, Kitchener.

Over 400 business people attended this event. They were treated to guided tours of the facilityand shown how Cober has evolved from a printer to a “total solutions provider.” With newtechnologies 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 jazzband in an outdoor tent.

Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill featured as Cover Story in CanadianBusiness Franchise Magazine

Shoeless Joe’s, the operator of 38 restaurant outlets across Ontario, was the cover feature in theJuly/August edition of Canadian Business Franchise Magazine.

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

Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region announces plans toimprove Haven House

In June of 2011, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region announced a capital campaign forrenovations 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 besupplemented by support from the federal and provincial governments. A series of renovationsincluding a new commercial kitchen, dining room, and a more energy efficient mechanicalsystem 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 therebuilding 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 JohnMilloy announced the provincial government will invest $72.6 million in the Global InnovationExchange facility at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo campus. This is the largest singlecapital investment in the university’s history.

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

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The Advocate Magazine - July | August 2011

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Transcript of The Advocate Magazine - July | August 2011