Features
Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc.’s International Ambassador Reception welcomes former Prime Minster
A highly respected former Canadian Prime Minister will be on the menu as keynote speaker at an upcoming dinner event hosted by Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc. (CTT). The Right Honourable Joe Clark, Canada’s 16th Prime Minister, will deliver the keynote address at CTT’s 3rd Annual International Ambassador Reception and Dinner on Thursday, December 1 at the Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel in Waterloo. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Mr. Clark, who became Canada’s youngest-ever Prime Minister in 1979 at the age of 39, is one of the country’s most-recognizable politicians and a former international business consultant. Mr. Clark’s address is expected to draw on his widely respected reputation for integrity, commitment and a passion for the betterment of Canada.
“We are thrilled to present a speaker the caliber of the Right Honourable Joe Clark at CCT’s Ambassador Reception. Mr. Clark’s insight into the political workings of Canada and his experience in the international business community will provide for a fascinating night,” said John G. Jung, CEO of Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc.
It is expected that representatives from nearly 20 countries will join CTT CEO John Jung and others on tour of Waterloo Region’s world class companies and institutions. Ambassadorial and consular representatives confirmed to-date include:
- Jonathan Dart, British Consulate General
- Jerome Cauchard, Consulate General de France a Toronto
- Fancisco Pascual de la Parte, Cónsul General del Reino de España
- Kevin Johnson, Consultate General of the United States
- Afonso Cardosa, Consultate General of Brazil
- Preeti Saran, Consulate General of India
- Júlio Vilela, Consulate General of the Portuguese Republic
- Manfred Auster, Embassy of the Republic of Germany
- Bruno Van Der Pluijm, Ambassador to Belgium
Following a full-day program that allows these international intermediaries to learn more about the renowned innovations of Waterloo Region’s global business and institutional community, these international guests will enjoy a reception and dinner with business and community leaders.
“The Ambassador event is an exclusive opportunity for participants to network with Ambassadors and Consul Generals from key international markets, as well as local corporate and municipal leaders,” said Jung. Last year’s event, featuring Ken Taylor, former Canadian Ambassador to Iran, drew 254 guests from 14 countries.
CTT would like to offer a sincere thanks to our event sponsors to date:
Ticket Information
Tickets for this premier event are $140.00 per person or $1000 for a table (seats 8) plus HST. For more information, please contact Crissy Wright, Events and Special Projects Coordinator at 519-747-2541 ext 301 or crissy@techtriangle.com.
For information on how to turn your table purchase into an advantageous sponsorship, contact Ann Gray, Director of Corporate Development, CTT at ann@techtriangle.com or 519-747-2541 ext 102 for details.
Follow us on twitter at @techtriangle or visit http://www.techtriangle.com/3rd_annual_international_reception_and_dinner_-_a_ctt_ambassador_event for details.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Limited sponsorship opportunities are available, including a single speaker sponsorship, and corporate sponsorships. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to showcase your organization at this prestigious event. Advantages of sponsorship include the opportunity to meet the Right Honourable Joe Clark and Ambassadors, participation in VIP familiarization tours, and attendance at a private pre-dinner social. Please note that not all benefits apply to all levels of sponsorship. Please contact Ann Gray, Director of Corporate Development, CTT at ann@techtriangle.com or 519-747-2541 ext 102 for details.
RIM is competitive, RIM has a concrete plan and RIM is here to stay.
John G. Jung, CEO, CTT, reflects on RIM's strength and longevity in the technology market.
We live in a world that is constantly changing. Anything can happen. It’s still very early days in this market and it’s always in transition and flux. I recall the dark days of Apple Computing and today its market cap is through the roof. RIM’s new operating system, it bodes well for the product, the company and for the Waterloo Region, where the headquarters of RIM is located. There is a lot of negativity in the press about RIM these days, but as I travel the world on business ventures, I see a lot of confidence about RIM’s product and its security. You can’t count them out and here is why:
RIM is competitive.
- 10.6 million devices were shipped in Q2 FY12
- Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 was $4.2 billion
- Service revenue surpassed $1 billion for the first time in RIM’s history reflecting the over 40% growth in our subscriber base over the past year
- The BlackBerry subscriber base has surpassed 70 million
- Strong balance sheet with $1.4 billion in cash in Q2 FY12
- There are 625 carriers and distribution partners offering BlackBerry products and services in over 175 countries around the world
- RIM has sold over 165 million BlackBerry smartphones worldwide
- RIM has over 70 million subscribers
- There are more than 45 million active BBM users world-wide
- Over 1 billion apps downloaded to date and over 4 million daily downloads
RIM has a concrete plan
- The company is going through a transition but they are still providing their 70 million customers globally
- Recently launched BB7 products, BBM 6 and continuing to innovate with QNX for tablet and smartphones in the future
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BlackBerry 7 marks the largest and most successful global launch of BlackBerry smartphones in its history
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Furthering the BBM platform, BBM6 allows developers to integrate their applications BBM RIM is here to stay
This is a young and changing market and there is tremendous opportunity in it. Just watch them grow! Clearly we in the Waterloo Region root for the home team and we are proud to be associated with this giant multinational in our midst. It has spawned so many other firms in the region and has put the region on the map. The company and its leaders have also helped the community in so many other ways from their philanthropic support such as the Centre for International Governance and Innovation and the Basillie School of International Affairs, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, employment for so many people in the region, and helping to raise the region’s smart quotient. For instance we punch well above our weight in the innovation arena with over 4 times the number of patents per capita than any other region in Canada. Here at CTT, we look forward to many more years of their vibrancy as an innovator, as a huge multinational that keeps our region prosperous and as a friend of the community.
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Regional Economic Development News
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Events
September Events in Review
Passport to Success: A Showcase of Innovation in Waterloo Region
Once again, Canada’s Technology Triangle along with the Oktoberfest Committee, Municipal and Corporate partners, has wrapped up another Passport to Success program. The two-day, which took place October 12 and 13, showcased the Region and provided networking opportunities with members from our thriving business community. Passport to Success participants visited, toured, and listened to presentations from:
- Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
- Centre for Innovation and International Governance and the Balsillie School of International Affairs
- Google
- Communitech Hub: Digital Media and Mobile Accelerator
A luncheon hosted by Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty, Communitech and the Greater Waterloo and Cambridge Chambers of Commerce featured keynote speaker, John Baker, CEO and founder of Desire2Learn. Mr. Baker shared the story of Desire2Learn's evolution and the support they've received from community, municpal and business leaders. Said Baker, "When I first began talking about Desire2Learn at a local business event, I was worried about getting laughed out of the room. Instead, people came up to me afterwards asking how they could help the company to grow, and they weren’t doing it to earn money". | more |
With a strong sense of collaboration, access to a wealth of talent and the constant desire to drive positive change, it is no wonder the 2011 Passport to Success event left our VIP's impressed and ready to consider making Waterloo Region home! Said one attendee, Wayne Chang, Ph.D. President, Pivotry Consulting Group Inc. “Thank you very much for inviting me to this year’s Passport to Success event. I learned so much more and gained tremendous perspectives about the Region’s economic development plans and latest success stories. This community is…Vibrant & Versatile, Innovative & International, Progressive & Productive.”
For more information, please contact Crissy Wright, Events and Special Projects Coordinator, crissy@techtriangle.com.
Upcoming Chairman's Breakfasts - November Event Open to the General Public
International Business Opportunities in Columbia’s Emerging Economy | Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Join us in welcoming the Colombian Government Trade Commission in Canada as we explore business opportunities for ICT companies in Columbia – one of the most important emerging markets in South America. Columbia is home to a population of 46 million, and is looking for innovative products and services in ICT, Biotechnology, and Research and Development to support economic growth.
This even is open to the general public. For more information about participating in this event, please contact Crissy Wright, Events and Special Projects Coordinator at crissy@techtriangle.com or 519.747.2541 ext. 301.
Area Events
RAM | Rethinking Art & Machine | The Museum
Rethinking Art & Machine is the exciting and highly interactive new fall exhibition featured at THEMUSEUM. RAM showcases the work of pioneer artists who have addressed the intersection between art and electronic technology, light, graphics, robots, and virtual reality dating back to the 1960's. From the grandfather of computer generated art Manfred Mohr to contemporaries like internationally famous Jim Campbell and Canadian David Rokeby, this exhibition will challenge the audience to rethink their own relationship with technology and art through their interactions with over 60 pieces of work. Developed by THEMUSEUM in partnership with Curator Marla Wasser, RAM is truly a product of Waterloo Region’s focus on technology and is set to travel to museums and art galleries throughout Canada and China in the new year. THEMUSEUM also features complementary events and speakers for the duration of this exhibition, including CBC’s Jian Ghomeshi on November 12th. RAM runs until January 22nd, 2012 at THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener. For more details, please visit www.THEMUSEUM.ca.
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Business Development
Canada's Technology Triangle's International Team
Bill Elliot, Vice-President Business Development, CTT writes about his recent experiences working to promote the competitive advantages of Waterloo Region abroad.
Over the past several months, I’ve travelled North America, Asia, South America, and Europe to promote Waterloo Region as a choice location for Investment, Capital, Career Opportunities and Research & Development Collaboration. To be successful in these endeavours requires a coordinated team approach both at home and abroad for planning, execution and most importantly – follow up. The unsung heroes of our team are the Canadian Trade Commissioners, Investment Officers and Ontario International Marketing Centre staff – all of whom provide orientation, corporate targeting, translation and all manner of assistance in doing business in a foreign jurisdiction.
The Trade Commissioner Service is a great partner for Canadian companies looking to expand internationally. Some of their services include:
- Market Reports
- Funding Opportunities
- Export / Import Controls
- Preparing for International Markets
- Assessing Market Potential
- Finding Qualified Contacts
- Resolving Problems
To find out more visit http://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca. Stay tuned for updates on sectors, missions and opportunities that we continue to develop with our International Team. In the meantime, I offer a short, but gracious thank you to those who have worked with us.
Looking for personal introduction? Please don’t hesitate to contact me at bill@techtriangle.com or 519.574.3322.
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Media and other news
The Right Honourable Joe Clark to deliver Keynote Address at Canada's Technology Triangle's International Reception and Dinner - October 12, 2011
University of Waterloo signs agreements with Brazilian research and education institutes on Canada’s Technology Triangle Business Mission - October 7, 2011
Passport to Success: Showcasing Research and Innovation in Waterloo Region - October 7, 2011
Partners
CTT relies on its private sector partners for financial support, advice and expertise. With their help, we have attracted over 60 new companies to Waterloo Region over the years. We wanted to give special thanks this month to our longest running partners, Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. (supporter since 2002) and Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel (since 2003). Other partners that have renewed their CTT support for more than five years include Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Miller Thomson LLP, Bank of Montreal, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, McDonald-Green and University of Waterloo. We appreciate all our partners, and invite you to consider joining this stellar group of local leading companies. Contact Ann Gray, Director of Corporate Development at ann@techtriangle.com or 519.747.2541 ext. 102 for more information on becoming a CTT partner.
Partner News
Machteld Faas Xander—a 30 year old creative design firm that has a history of quality work with regional, national and international clients, is proud to announce the formation of a new venture—Overlap Associates. MFX has always applied the principles of human–centered, empathy-based “Design Thinking” to all branding, marketing and communication projects. Now…Overlap Associates officially brings this methodology to organizational strategy. Overlap Associates is there to empower people to solve big, messy, complex problems, using their own creativity. Having two separate companies, we think, keeps this simple. Congratulations to Machteld Faas Xander and Overlap Associates on this new venture!