CALLING ALL ARTISTS...

Are you a jeweler, woodworker, seamstress, or weaver?

Have you ever thought about selling your art to the general public? Art in the Heart is a juried outdoor art market that takes place in downtown Bracebridge weekends from July 9 to August 7. Call  705-645-5264 and get more information about this innovative art market and how you can participate. Art in the Heart is open to all visual art forms and the deadline to apply is May 14, 2011.

Participants must be Muskoka residents or Muskoka seasonal residents.

Here is the link to the application form and more information (Call for Entry)

REMINDER - ACHIEVING ACCESSIBLE SERVICE EXCELLENCE - WKSP

Providing excellent service to all customers makes good business sense and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) mandates that all business in Ontario meet the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service by January 1, 2012. As a business owner or manager you need to know the steps to take to meet the requirements.

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) and the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) invite you to a training workshop, Accessibility Standards for Customer Service: Helping You Comply and Achieve Accessible Service Excellence. This training workshop gives you the information and tools you need to comply and to ensure your business is better able to serve customers with disabilities.

Date:  March 24, 2011
Location:  Nipissing University, Bracebirdge

To register

For more information visit TIAO's Accessibilty microsite

Muskoka Tourism Annual General Meeting

Below is an invitation from Muskoka Tourism.

You are cordially invited to attend Muskoka Tourism’s annual general meeting on March 23, 2011 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at Touchstone On Lake Muskoka, 1869 Muskoka Road, Hwy 118 West http://www.touchstoneonlakemuskoka.com/index2.html

This will be an opportunity to conduct the usual business of an AGM that includes Board elections, financial statements and to celebrate 75 years of Muskoka’s tourism industry working together. It is an opportunity for you to network with your colleagues before another busy season begins and gain insight about some of the many changes going on around us in the tourism industry.

Key note speakers include Ms. Robin Garrett, President and CEO of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership (OTMP). OTMP has completed an operational review which helped sharpen their governance, priorities and programs enabling them to work smarter in a very competitive marketplace. The province has created 13 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTO) in Ontario. Mr. Jamie Hopkins a Board member from RT0 12 (comprising Muskoka, Algonquin Park, Georgian Bay Country and South Algonquin Township) will be able to share their priorities and programs.

Through Robin and Jamie, you will have an opportunity to see how the interests of your business can be advanced.

Please RSVP to Pat by calling 1-800-267-9700 or e-mail info@muskokatourism.ca by Monday March 21. Look forward to seeing you at the AGM on March 23.

2011 Dutch Environmental Trade Mission to Toronto - March 25, 2011

The focus of this trade mission is on waste management and processing, soil and groundwater remediation, water/wastewater treatment and recycling and recovery.

ATM Moerdijk
http://www.atmmoerdijk.nl

Looking to meet with Canadian companies in the waste processing market and to meet with large firms looking to expand their waste treatment options.

GICOM Composting Systems B.V.
http://www.gicom.nl

Looking to learn about the Canadian market for organic composting and biological drying. GICOM is also looking for potential end users for its technology. Also looking for a potential agent- contact person in the field of organic waste.

Bakker Magnetics B.V.
http://www.bakkermagnetics.com

Looking for potential local agents and distributors for their technology, as well as any firm that can provide information on Canada’s recycling industry.

Christiaens Controls
http://www.christiaensgroup.com

Looking to establish contact with design building companies that have experience with organic waste or wastewater treatment.

International Bulk Handling Technology B.V.
http://www.ibtbulk.nl

Looking to meet with Canadian environmental firms, in particular large environmental consultants and contractors, engineering firms, and soil remediation and waste processing companies.

Providentia Environment Solutions B.V.
http://www.providentia-environment-solutions.nl/

Looking for new partnerships with firms interested in minimizing their end waste, and expanding their technological options for wastewater treatment.

For more information or to set up a meeting with any of these companies please contact Jennifer Chapman jennifer@bconnections.ca. (905) 901-3409

Jennifer Chapman
Director, Business Connections Canada
(905) 901-3409
www.bconnections.ca

RTO 12 - SEEKING BOARD MEMBERS

The Region 12 RTO is one of the 13 RTO's set in place by the Ministry of Tourism & Culture to identify and implement regional priorities allowing for more consistent marketing of Ontario's Tourism Regions. The region 12 RTO coverage area includes Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Georgian Bay Country, Muskoka and the Township of South Algonquin. 

The mandate is: leadership and strategic planning, developing strong partnerships and collaboration, investment attractions, innovation, marketing, workforce development and skills training.

Currently an Interim Board has been working at forming the organization and implementing a number of projects.

The group is looking for Board members to take over for the Interim Board.  Below is information and a link to the nomination form.  DEADLINE is April 1, 2011.  Also check out their website for more information.

Information Package

Nomination Form

SUPPLY CHAIN RISK MANAGEMENT FORUM - March 29

The Supply Chain Risk Management Forum is taking place in less than one month, and space is filling fast! Don't miss your chance to hear from Supply Chain experts from Canada and the United States.

The Forum Agenda, including the full speaker list, is available online. View it here.

Each attendee will receive a copy of Keep it Moving: Improving the Resiliency of Global Supply Chains, a brand new report from the Conference Board's Center for National Security. Whether a supply chain disruption is caused by a lockout, strike, or security incident, it can have ramifications far beyond a single organization. This report takes an in-depth look at these disruptions and studies the consequences for supply chain security and resiliency. For more information on this report, please click here.

I hope you'll join us on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at the Doubletree by Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel, Toronto to examine the challenges and opportunities in optimizing supply chain risk management throughout the supplier-customer network.

Register online by March 4 to save $200 off the total registration fee! Be sure to quote priority code E7 when registering to receive this special rate.

If you have any questions about this event, or the agenda, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Joel Elliott, Conference Marketer, Conference Division
The Conference Board of Canada, 255 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M7
Tel 613-526-3090 x236; Fax 613-526-4857 elliott@conferenceboard.ca
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/

Are you in need of some help for your business?

Have you talked to your banker?  Most of our local business bankers have told us that their websites are full of great information and resources for small business owners PLUS they are now offering webinars.  Webinars are great - some are scheduled, some can be viewed at any time.  Visit your local bank website for more information.

Kawartha Credit Union

Bank of Montreal

National Bank

RBC Royal Bank

Scotiabank

TD Canada Trust