The big news last week was all about the OCC AGM & Convention - but what I didn't have time to share with you is what happened after racing home last Sunday. I had to get back early to get all gussied up for the Runway to Wellness! Lori Foster from the Dressing Room has been doing fashion shows to support various causes in the region for years and has raised over $100,000 for the local Canadian Cancer Society along with tens of thousands of dollars for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, The Regent Theatre and Alternatives for Women in Picton.
Lori has been a long-time friend (we've known each other far too many years for me to mention) and I was so excited when they joined the Chamber last year - it gave me an opportunity to celebrate the amazing business she's created across the bridge that attracts people from all over! And, it gives me permission to go try on clothes! So when Lori asked if I'd be willing to participate in her spring fashion show fundraiser, I really couldn't say no... then she told me it would be raising money to support the CMHA and our dear friend, Sandie Sidsworth (Cornerstone Mentor 2019) and her team over at 250 Sidney St. and I was honoured to be included. Lori gathered a pretty dynamic group of 16 women to walk the runway last weekend and while I'm not sure I showed off the clothes I wore to what they might have deserved, we had a great afternoon and raised over $7,000 to help support the free community counselling program. The program is in jeopardy and the funds raised will keep it running for another three months - giving Sandie a bit of time to find more long-term funding.
Thanks Lori, Erin & Donna - for everything you did to coordinate this crew and supporting another one of our community's services and member!
|
I started the week on one runway and ended the week in Toronto at the "Runway to Discovery" with my daughter at the 27th Canadian Model & Talent Convention (CMTC). While my daughter's journey through the teen years is like many others and not one I'm inclined to share often (my support for mental health isn't because that's for other people - I've walked the edge many times) - I DO want to share what CMTC is and why it's important for you to know more about it.... you may have heard of Mode-Elle and Audra Anderson. You know, that store on Front St. or the card racks in the Mall - inviting you to be discovered? Maybe not everyone has dreamed about being rich and famous but for many young girls, the possibility of becoming a model or actress is something that crosses their mind and we are very, very fortunate to have the services Mode-Elle provides right here. It's an investment - like hockey or dance - but kids who participate in the programs learn self-confidence, self-respect and even how to set the table! Audra makes that happen here and she attracts families from across the province to her agency. Because Mode-Elle is just the storefront.... what Audra does behind the scenes is create opportunities and bring these dreams to life.
CMTC celebrated its 27th year with nearly 800 hopefuls registered to attend a series of competitions that would be judged and viewed by over 70 casting, talent & modeling agencies from around the world. Kids and adults alike from across the country come to this event - the only one of its kind in Canada - that gives both talent & recruiters a one-stop shopping opportunity. If you've ever read about the hurry up and wait concept of a go-see lineup, it's no surprise Canadian talent is somewhat rare on the North American screen. We went about 6 years ago and I was blown away by the simplicity of the brilliance in this event. I don't know if it's true, but if I were Audra Anderson, wondering how I was going to get kids in Belleville in front of international casting agents that wouldn't cost them a flight to LA or Miami or Tokyo - I would like to think I'd come up with a way to get those agencies and directors here.
|
|
Audra and I had a brief conversation in the hall over the course of the weekend and this event has been going this strong since she started it. She's got a room full of staff coordinating arrivals/departures, events, seminars, competitions and awards (not to mention reprinting badges left at home) in the midst of kids of all ages with their parents, milling about and lining up... truly organized chaos!
While there is a bit of the beauty pageant feel in the hallways with young girls in 4" heels, hoping they might get discovered between competitions (such as singing, dance, runway, improv, casting, photography) - the agents who present explain it like it is. They are here looking for personality. They want to see a blank slate so forget the makeup and no one is fooled by the heels. You're either tall enough, or you're not. There are lots of pretty people out there but when a client is looking for the girl or boy next door, you might be the right one. Don't give up, work hard, be on time and don't forget your own shoes.
A message we can all hope to live by... so here's a quick shout out to Audra Anderson, founder of Mode-Elle & CMTC - another member who is making a global impact right out of Belleville, Ontario.
|
|
"The Children's Safety Village is pleased to invite Chamber members to join us for a tour of the village and an opportunity to learn more about our programs. We look forward to hosting you and hope to see you there!"
|
|
This is a City of Belleville Community Festival, coordinated by the Chamber
|
|
Join us at
535 Ashley St, Foxboro
This evening will be the perfect time to pick up your Spring Seedlings!
MOB SPECIAL - BUY 10 Seedlings & Get 1 FREE
The Village Green features an intoxicating blend of old and new, locally-made and Canadian-sourced, home and garden gifts for all. The Village Green is also the home of Terra Edibles, which offer's organically-grown tomato, vegetable and herb seeds.
|
|
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Save the Dates
|
|
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF BELLEVILLE
MAY 13, 2019 4:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER
|
|
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF BELLEVILLE
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
May 14, 2019 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
CAPERS, BELLEVILLE
|
|
The
City of Belleville
and
Belleville Chamber of Commerce
is thrilled to be launching
VisitBelleville.ca
! This is a great asset for tourism businesses, residents and visitors to our community - your resource for where to stay and explore, eat and drink, experience arts and culture and enjoy the great outdoors! Featuring an events calendar populated for Belleville and the entire Bay of Quinte Region - we can't wait to share it with you!
Continental breakfast provided
|
|
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Convention represents one of the most significant opportunities for business leaders from across the province to come together to network with peers, debate policy issues important to the Ontario business community, and shape our advocacy agenda for the year ahead.
Over 110 delegates, representing over 90 chambers of commerce and boards of trade gathered in Muskoka for the 107th AGM & Convention. To see what we did over the weekend and review the policy resolutions brought to the floor,
click here
We spend this time every year, going through resolutions and wondering how the OCC staff are really going to do what we're asking of them. If you're at all curious about what they really do and why I believe the voice of business matters, take a look at the
|
|
AccessAbility - $16.8-billion GDP Boost Canadians Need
|
|
Accessibility in Canada is inadequately addressing the barriers nearly four million Canadians face. Within the next 20 years, that number is expected to soar to over nine million, but by creating a more accessible Canada, there is a potential to unlock $16.8 billion in GDP by increasing our economy’s productive capacity by 2030, according to the
Conference Board of Canada
.
|
|
Member Discounts & Affinity Programs
|
|
Chambers Plan is the employee benefits plan for small business. It helps you attract the high-calibre talent you need to be competitive – and hold onto them, too.
|
|
Or contact your local representative
Matthew Howell
for more information.
|
|
Chamber Trip Opportunity!
|
|
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE THE SPACE & SPEAKER
NO FEE REQUIRED - CASH BAR AVAILABLE
|
|
New Member Diamond Physiotherapy's Grand Opening
|
|
Congratulations on Your Grand Opening!
President Jon Tuer was pleased to present Diamond Physiotherapy owner Nicola Robertson with a certificate of congratulations on the grand opening of her new clinic.
|
|
“The City of Belleville Older Adult (50+) Information Fair
Older adults, caregivers and spouses welcome!
Thursday May 30th, 2019 11am-3pm
Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre 265 Cannifton Road, Belleville 613-966-4632
Free admission
Information on:
-Health, fitness & recreational activities
-Housing, retirement and nursing homes
-Home support -Safety and Fraud
-Travel
-Health & Beauty
-Service Clubs
-Seminars & Demonstrations
This event is hosted by the City of Belleville, Recreation, Culture & Community Services, in partnership with the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO) and sponsored by the Ministry of Seniors Affairs (MSA)”
|
|
QUINTE BALLET SCHOOL’S
DANCE OF SPRING SHOWCASE
|
|
Quinte Ballet School of Canada (QBSC) presents ‘Dance of Spring Showcase’ at 7:00pm on Saturday, June 8th at Centennial Secondary School’s theatre auditorium, 160 Palmer Road in Belleville. Professional dance program students will perform highlights from The Sleeping Beauty and Bournonville ballet classics in addition to original works in Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop and Flamenco. Reserved seating tickets are adults $22 with discounts for seniors, students and children, and can be purchased at QBSC, 196 Palmer Road, Belleville, by calling 613-962-9274 (Helen/Teresa) or at the door.
|
|
Quinte Young Professionals present:
|
|
Speaker Panel
Julie Sweeny
Ryan Turcotte
Amanda Lorbetski
Caroline Reiss
David Foote
Meighen Hodgen
Key-Note Speaker, Christian Jaehn Kreibaum.
|
|
- Ontario Budget: New Ministry of Labour vision statement
- Ontario passes legislation to cut red tape and create jobs
- Amendments to Ministry of Labour legislation
- Ontario protecting jobs and investing in Northern Ontario
- Ministry of Labour continuing digital evolution
- Health and safety compliance plans
- Feedback is needed for a new occupational health and safety strategy
- Small businesses: Health and safety resources
- New guidance for firefighters
- Falls Awareness Week – May 6 to 10
- NAOSH Week – May 5 to 11
- Mental Health Week – May 6 to 12
- Expiring collective bargaining agreements
- Video tutorials on collective bargaining reports
- WSIB monthly webinars
|
|
CDC Quinte is celebrating it’s 30th Anniversary! Please join us for this exciting event featuring world renowned author & speaker Gord Hume, and emcee’d by Quinte’s very own Dug Stevenson.
Gord Hume is recognized as one of Canada’s leading voices on strengthening local government, and is an articulate and thoughtful commentator on municipal governance and community issues. He is the best-selling author of seven books on building strong, prosperous and creative cities, and the co-author of two others. His books are now in more than 22 countries around the world.
Although this is a celebration, the aim of our event is to bring various sectors of our community together to inspire partnerships and to build a stronger Quinte together.
|
|
We need your help!
Leon’s Trenton is hosting an Official
Guinness World Records
Attempt for Largest Human Maple Leaf, with the help of their Partners, on June 29, 2019 in appreciation of our
Canadian Armed Forces
. The goal is to have 5,000 PEOPLE from the Bay of Quinte Region take part. It’s a big goal, but we can do it! Over 1300 participants registered so far.
IT’S FREE to register!!!
|
|
Looking for more Great Events?
|
|
Closing Thought For The Week...
|
|
|
5 Moira Street East
Belleville On, K8N 5B3
(613) 962-4597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|