nick dawson, rim gives a sneak peek of
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at the 1st annual windsor-essex leaders in innovation technology tradeshow & forum
JAN FEB 2013 VOLUME 44 | No. 1 - 2 | BUSINESS BRIEFS single sports betting 136TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TECH CORNER WWW.WINDSORCHAMBER.ORG Nick Dawson, Director - Enterprise Accounts, Research In Motion Limited
CONTENTS
7
AFTER BUSINESS AT AMICA AT WINDSOR
WERCC | VOLUME 44 | No. 1 - 2 | JANUARY.FEBRUARY 2013
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5
8-9
10-11 12
SINGLE SPORTS BETTING
MEMBERS AND FIRMS IN THE NEWS
NEW MEMBERS
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS
IN THE COMMUNITY
STAY CONNECTED
UPCOMING EVENTS
TECH CORNER
OUR MISSION “Leading the business community for creating regional economic prosperity.” Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce 2575 Ouellette Place, Windsor, Ontario N8X 1L9 Tel: (519) 966-3696 Fax: (519) 966-0603 Email: info@windsorchamber.org Website: www.windsorchamber.org
STAFF
Matt Marchand, President Holly Connelly, Assistant to the President Sherri Dulcamaro, Director of Sales and Marketing Igor Siljanoski, Policy Manager Marianne Burke, Event Manager Crystal Van Aspert, Finance & Office Coordinator Lindsey Rivait, Communications Coordinator Kerri Day, Membership Service Coordinator Barbara Malmberg, Event Coordinator Nahidah Malik, Customer Service and Reception
mmarchand@windsorchamber.org hconnelly@windsorchamber.org sdulcamaro@windsorchamber.org isiljanoski@windsorchamber.org mburke@windsorchamber.org cvanaspert@windsorchamber.org lrivait@windsorchamber.org kday@windsorchamber.org bmalmberg@windsorchamber.org nmalik@windsorchamber.org
ADVERTISING SALES email: adsales@windsorchamber.org
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WELCOME
Letter from the President Happy new year to our WindsorEssex Regional Chamber of Commerce members!
MATT MARCHAND PRESIDENT & CEO
We’re always on the go here at the Chamber, bringing in key speakers our members benefit from as well as actively advocating on our members’ behalf. The Chamber has worked tirelessly to support the New International Trade Crossings, joining with the Ontario and Canadian Chambers to write a letter of support. We also ran a successful “Get the Facts” campaign, urging members to learn and spread the facts on Prop 6 to their friends, family and colleagues.
We’ve gone further in providing our business community and members with information about SR&ED opportunities and initiatives and also brought in The Conference Board of Canada for a workshop on taking advantage of their research. We’ve continued our advocacy on various issues including single sports betting, which would greatly benefit the Windsor-Essex region. Caesars Windsor is one of the largest employers and taxpayers in this city. Single sports betting will help our community grow and create jobs
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce 2012-2013 Board of Directors Mr. Ed Miles Chair** Tax Partner Miles & Co. Chartered Accountants
Mr. Dean Clevett Director** Manager - Technical Engineering Services Canada BASF Canada
Ms. Jennifer Jones Past Chair** President Media Street Productions
Mr. Adam Davis Director President Next Dimensions Inc.
Dr. Bill Anderson Director Chair Transportation Policy Committee Professor, Political Science University of Windsor
Mr. David Diemer Director Chair, Environment & Energy Committee Environmental Engineer Dillon Consulting Ltd.
Mr. Marty Beneteau Director Publisher and Editor-in-Chief The Windsor Star
Mr. Mark Egbedeyi-Emmanuel Director District Manager Windsor/Chatham Union Gas Ltd, Windsor
Ms. Pamela Breault Director Chair Membership Services Committee Operations Manager Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex Ms. Carolyn Brown Chair-Elect** Vice President, Administration Detroit-Windsor Tunnel LLC
Dr. Janice Forsyth Director** President Foresight Management Consulting Mr. Jason Ilijanic Director Chair Finance & Taxation Committee Relationship Manager TD Commercial Banking Southwestern Ontario Region
Mr. Kevin Laforet Director President and CEO Caesars Windsor Mr. Jeffrey MacKinnon Director Partner McTague Law Firm LLP Mr. Gordon Moore Treasurer** President Moore Consulting Corp. Mr. David Musyj Director President and CEO Windsor Regional Hospital Ms. Ann-Marie Athavale Non-Voting Chair ATHENA Committee VP - Sales/Marketing Empire Communications Inc. Dr. Alfie Morgan Director Emeritus Professor Emeritus of Business Administration University of Windsor ** Denotes member of Executive Committee
in Windsor-Essex. The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Ontario and Greater Niagara Chambers to support single sports betting, sending a joint letter of support to senate. I also participated in a conference call in December with The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, concerning prebudget consultations. The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce was chosen as one of a handful of Chambers across the country. Our Multi-Business Holiday Party at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts was a festive and fun success. Many more great events are on the horizon, including a luncheon with Union Gas president Steve Baker on January 14, our first After Business networking event of the year on February 7 at Level 3 Vodka Emporium, and the Regional After Business Tradeshow on April 4th. Stay tuned for more exciting updates! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss anything.
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SPORTS BETTING
Windsor-Essex Regional, Greater Niagara, and Ontario Chambers of Commerce Join Forces to Support Single Sports Betting The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Greater Niagara and Ontario Chambers of Commerce to advocate for single sports betting in Ontario. In a joint letter, the Windsor, Niagara, and Ontario Chambers call for the support of Bill C-290, which would delete specific provisions of the Criminal Code that make it illegal to bet on “any race or fight, or on a single sports event or athletic contest.” From there, each province would be able to decide whether or not, and under what conditions, wagering on single sporting events will be permitted to occur. Bill C-290 has received support from all parties in the House of Commons. The Bill would contribute to the creation of additional jobs at provincially-operated/regulated casinos, attracting U.S. citizens to Canadian casinos, and reducing organized crime associated with single event betting. The bill is currently in the Senate.
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“With Windsor’s proximity to Detroit, our upscale casino, and the need for jobs in this region, we would definitely see an improvement to our local and provincial economy should Bill C-290 pass. The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce greatly appreciates the help and support of the Greater Niagara and Ontario Chambers of Commerce on this issue,” said Matt Marchand, President and CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Bill C-290 provides an opportunity for communities to generate valuable economic activity from safe and legal sports betting that can have additional benefits on revenues that provinces use to fund important programs and services,” said Walter Sendzik CEO of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce. “This Bill is a great opportunity to take advantage of potential revenues and jobs that will help benefit and grow local economies while controlling criminal activity associated with illegal sports betting,” continued Sendzik.
NEWS.COMMUNITY
MEMBERS | FIRMS IN THE NEWS
Collins Barrow Windsor LLP recently announced Tax Partner Scott Dupuis as the newest addition to their growing practice. Scott has over 20 years of practical experience in virtually every industry. He will assist clients with personal and corporate tax planning, estate and succession planning, cross border structuring and transactions, corporate reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions and SR&ED claims. For further information contact Denise Hrastovec, Managing Partner, at (519) 258-5800.
The Essex Region Conservation Foundation presented some of its accomplishments and priorities at the Conservation Authority’s Board meeting on November 8, which include raising funds for reforestation and greening, planting new forests, supporting Conservation Education, restoring wetlands, protecting cultural heritage, and increasing green connections through trail acquisition and development. For more information contact Danielle Breault Stuebing, Director of Communications and Education, (519) 776-5209 ext. 352 or dstuebing@erca.org
Congratulations to Gauthier Roofing and Siding, who were presented with a finalist award at the Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario Business Integrity Awards banquet in London. The Business Integrity Awards are presented annually by the Better Business Bureau to companies that meet high ethical standards of behaviour toward customers, suppliers, shareholders, employees and the community in which they do business. Visit Gauthier Roofing and Siding online at www.exteriorhomeimprovements.com
Personnel by PROSTAFF has recently been certified by WEConnect International through WEConnect Canada. WEConnect is a Multinational organization designed to enhance and connect large companies with female-owned enterprises. This certification is critical for use in Supplier Diversity Programs and crucial to multinational corporations and government procurement departments that want to demonstrate and measure diversity in their procurement practices. It also opens up opportunities to deal with international companies eager to diversify their supply chains. Visit PROSTAFF online at www.prostaffworks.ca
Bentall Kennedy is proud to announce the results of their National Fare Fight for Food campaign. After eight months of an intense fundraising competition between Bentall Kennedy managed shopping centres, they will donate $279,115.00 and 366,291 lbs. of food to benefit food banks in 22 communities across Canada. Windsor Crossing partnered with The Windsor Essex Food Bank Association and collected 118,174 lbs. of food and fundraised $17,469. Windsor Crossing received a $10,000 grant to present to the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association for the largest amount of non-perishable food collected.
The Rotary Club of Windsor-St. Clair and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Windsor thank all participants at TVCogeco Auction, who helped raise $47,500, allowing important service work to be undertaken in our community. “We would also be remiss in not recognizing the incredible contributions of TVCogeco,” said Chris Woodrow, President of the Rotary Club of Windsor-St. Clair. “It is only because of their generosity, hard work, and volunteer contributions that we are able to host this very unique event.” For more information, contact Danielle Breault Stuebing, Public Relations Officer, at (519) 728-1841 or daniellebreault@bell.net
Congratulations to the 2012 Biz X Award winners! The 15th annual Biz X Awards event was held at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts on November 16, 2012. The evening featured a gourmet dinner and an awards ceremony with a “Night of Stars” theme honouring local business professionals. For details, a full list of winners, and to see an online copy of the Nov/Dec 2012 magazine, visit www.bizxmagazine.com
Rick and John Farrow, Chairman/CEO and Vice Chairman, Farrow Group together announced their annual charitable donation to local food banks companywide totalling over $40,000. Fifteen recipients were selected for donations based on input from local area managers, employees and clients. Five of these were from the Windsor-Essex region: Downtown Mission (Windsor), Essex Area Food Bank, Salvation Army (Windsor), Windsor Goodfellows, and Windsor Lifeline Outreach. Visit R.A. Farrow online at www.farrow.com
Michele Toldo, Anthony G. Toldo, Josephine Toldo and Marcus Toldo gather in front of the Anthony Peter Toldo In-Patient Dialysis Unit named in honour of the family patriarch.
Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital Foundation recognized business leader and philanthropist Anthony Toldo Sr.’s lasting legacy to health care in our community, by naming the in-patient dialysis unit on the hospital’s 7th floor the Anthony Peter Toldo In-Patient Dialysis Unit. Prior to his death in 2009, Mr. Toldo generously donated $500,000 to the Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital’s regional renal program that supports patients with acute and chronic kidney disease in Windsor and Essex County.
Amica at Windsor distributed 65 Holiday gift baskets to seniors in need. This December thanks to Amica HELPING HANDS and the dedication and care of the residents and staff of every Amica Mature Lifestyles’ retirement residence, more than 1,500 seniors across Canada living on or below the poverty line, will each receive a gift basket filled with non-perishable foods, a gift certificate to spend at their local supermarket, a warm blanket and some personal luxury items. “Both our residents and staff are committed to ensuring that every December as many seniors in need as possible each receive a basket. These baskets are usually the only gift they will receive over the Holiday,” says Christine Melynk, General Manager at Amica Windsor.For more information contact Lisa Rufo, Community Relations Manager, Amica at Windsor, at (519) 948-5500 or l.rufo@amica.ca
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CHAMBER EVENTS
WINDSOR-ESSEX LEADERS IN INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY FORUM & TRADESHOW
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
TELEPHONE • DATA • SECURITY
136TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SPONSORED BY
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CHAMBER EVENTS
November After Business at Amica at Windsor
Special Thanks to our host and sponsor of our October 2012 After Business networking event, Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards!
Multi-Business Holiday Party
Register for all events online at www.windsorchamber.org To see more photos, visit the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Windsor-Essex-Regional-Chamber-of-Commerce/125412597496221
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NEW MEMBERS
MEET YOUR NEW MEMBERS OCT - NOV 2012 The Auxilium Group Data Management Thomas Lynk President & CEO 880 North Service Rd. East Unit 101 Windsor, ON N8X 3G5 Phone: (519) 962-9934 Fax:(519) 800-1366 tlynk@auxiliumgroup.ca www.auxiliumgroup.ca Conceive - IT Corp. Software Developer Paul Boeykens Owner 1035 Eastlawn Ave. Windsor, ON N8S 3H8 Phone: (519) 818-1008 paul.boeykens@conceive-it.com www.conceive-it.com Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network Insurance - Life & Financial Planning Cam Franzoi Managing Director 321 Tecumseh Road East Unit 1 Windsor, ON N8X 2R5 Phone: (519) 968-3599 Fax:(519) 968-3588 dfsin-windsor@dfs.ca Employment Services Consulting Training & Development James Armstrong Owner 2384 Tranquility Ave. Windsor, ON N8P 1R8 Phone: (519) 992-7485 jarmstrong@employmentservicesconsulting.com www.employmentservicesconsulting.com Honeywell Building Solutions Heating & Cooling Contractors Michael Naccarat Field Service Supervisor, Windsor & Essex County 3096 Devon Drive Windsor, ON N8X 4L2 Phone: (519) 250-2879 Fax:(519) 290-2004 al.kruc@honeywell.com www.honeywell.com Stephen Lutvak Chartered Accountant Chartered Accountants Stephen Lutvak President 500 Ouellette Avenue Suite 900 Windsor, ON N9A 1B3 Phone: (519) 977-6621 Fax:(519) 977-1594 smlutvak@lutvak.ca www.lutvak.ca
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Mona Marketing Solutions Marketing Luan Aldcorn Attridge Owner 6540 Tuscany Oaks Drive Windsor, ON N9J 0B6 Phone: (226) 975-2613 luan@monamarketingsolutions.com www.monamarketingsolutions.com Rose City Gymnastics Associations & Organizations Diana Giorgi President, Board of Directors 4365 Division Road, Unit 1 Windsor, ON N9A 6J3 Phone: (519) 972-1619 Fax:(519) 972-5354 admin@rosecitygymnastics.comwww. rosecitygymnastics.com Town of Tecumseh Government - Municipal Tony Haddad Chief Administrative Officer 917 Lesperance Road Tecumseh, ON N8N 1W9 Phone: (519) 735-2184 Fax:(519) 735-8326 info@tecumseh.ca www.tecumseh.ca Vision Wealth Consultants Inc. Financial Planning Consultants Marlo Bondy & Todd Hopper Owners 2679 Howard Ave. Windsor, ON N8X 3X2 Phone: (519) 972-8887 Fax:(519) 972-8848 mbondy@visionwealth.ca www.visionwealth.ca Visions of Canada Opticians Paul Boyko President 80 Park Street West Windsor, ON N9A 7A8 Phone: (519) 254-8488 Fax:(519) 254-8420 paul@visionsofcanada.com www.visionsofcanada.com LC Platinum Realty Inc. Brokerage Real Estate Caitlin Thibert Office Administrator 150 Ouellette Pl., Suite 170 Windsor, ON N8X 1L9 Phone: (519) 972-3888 Fax: (519) 972-3898 info@lcplatinumrealty.com www.lcplatinumrealty.com
Exclusive to Chamber members is our Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan Over 25,000 member firms across Canada participate in the Chambers Plan, the leading program of its kind. Only Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade members can participate and it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, whether you’re a one-person firm or have 50 employees. WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE ASSIST OUR MEMBERS IN ACHIEVING THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS THROUGH OUR MARKETING INITIATIVES? KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CHAMBER? CONTACT
SHERRI DULCAMARO
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING
sdulcamaro@windsorchamber.org or 519.966.3696 Ext. 23
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CHAMBER’S AFFINITY PROGRAMS AND OTHER MEMBER BENEFITS? CONTACT
KERRI DAY
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
kday@windsorchamber.org or 519.966.3696 Ext. 30
Please note,the members listed are only for the months indicated. For a full membership directory, Please visit www.windsorchamber.org
for a complete listing of our current members or request your latest electronic version available exclusively to our membership.
CONNECTED
STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP OCT - NOV 2012 RENEWING MEMBERS 2026317 Ontario Ltd Absolute Tool Technologies Inc. Accu-Staff Resource Systems Advanced Basement Systems Advanced Commercial Dishmachine Service Inc. AMEC Enviroment and Infastructure Antonino’s Original Pizza AON Reed Stenhouse Inc. Appleshore Restaurants Inc. Applied Computer Solutions Inc. Architecttura Inc. Architects At Ease Men’s Apparel ATM Instant Cash Audio Two Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario Boodles of Baskets Canadian Tire - David Morrison Enterprises Ltd. Carrier Truck Centers Cleardeck Systems Ltd. Clinical Orthotic Consultants of Windsor Inc. Club Alouette Collection Service of Windsor Ltd. Colonial Tool Group Inc. Continental Rail Gateway Coral Medical Health Spa Coxon’s Service Limited CS Logistics Dale Carnegie Training Delta Media Inc. Diligent Communications Inc
Disher Stoesz Solutions Double AA Roofing Inc. Dr. Snjezana Ljeti Dental Office Drive Logistics Edward Jones Investments Enterprise Canada Export Development Canada Famous Players SilverCity Windsor Floor Coverings International Freedom 55 Financial / A Division of London Life G S Engineering Consultants Inc Goodwill Industries Essex-Kent-Lambton G. W. Goudreau Personnel Services Ltd. Graphix Plus Ground Effects Ltd. Guardian Alarm Company of Canada Limited Windsor Essex County Health Unit Healthy Connections The Healthy Image Hi Neighbor Floor Covering Company Limited Hinton the Mover / United Van Lines Horseshoe Battery & Electric Service Ltd. Hotham Building Materials Inc. HouseSpec Consulting IGB Automotive Ltd. Impact Staffing Inc. Jacobs Farm Equipment Ltd. John McGivney Children’s Centre JP Thomson Architects Ltd
Kingsville Golf and Country Club Limited Leadership Windsor/Essex Lindham Industries Limited M.T.E. Controls Corporation M.W.H. Petroleum Equipment Inc Main Flame Industrial Services Manz Contracting Services Inc. MC Business Solutions - Windsor MMARCO International Services Inc. Moe Mailloux Financial Services Inc. Morton Industrial Sales & Service Ltd. Nedco, A Rexel Division Onfreight Logistics Onsort Material Management Inc. Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Onyx Engineering Ltd. Paroian Skipper Lawyers Preferred Restorations Windsor Ltd. R Lucente Engineering Inc Re/Max Capital Inc, Brokerage Re/Max Preferred Realty Ltd. Brokerage Revs Windsor Rose Bowl RGR Pharma Ltd Sauve Automotive Schwab’s Finest in Meats Sentient Controls and Engineering Inc. Shibley Righton LLP
Southern Mechanical Contractors Limited Stantec Consulting Ltd. Store-N-Save LP StreetSeen Media Strone Sutherland Global Services Ltd. T & J Tire & Auto Centre Inc. Comstar Mobility Inc. Tessonics Inc. Toldo Corporation Services tyco SimplexGrinnell Tyler Hard Chrome Inc. Varco Industrial Sales Ltd. Vets Cab Victoria Steel Corporation Vollmer Inc. Volpatti Construction Inc. VR Windsor Inc Walk In Law Firm Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc (WEST Inc) Western Equipment Limited Wholesale Service Windsor Essex Brokerage for Personal Supports Windsor Homes Coalition Inc. Windsor Laser Eye Institute Wireless Express Yablonsky’s Auto Clinic Zehrs Great Food (#572)
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SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS NEW member
Renewing member
Rose City Gymnastics
MMARCO International Services Inc.
Rose City Gymnastics, located at 4365 Division Road, Unit 1 in Windsor is a not-for-profit sporting organization that has been providing gymnastics and related activities to Windsor-Essex youth for over 35 years. They offer classes for 18 months to adults, for those interested in recreational gymnastics to Olympic hopefuls, and for boys and girls. The organization operates a safe, well-maintained 14,000 square foot facility housing state of the art equipment and specialized activity stations for all ages. Rose City Gymnastics has numerous programs, including Recreational, Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Tumbling Gymnastics, and Cheerleading. They are also available for special occasions such as field trips for day cares and schools or birthday parties. Gymnastics training provides children with power, unparalleled balance, agility and grace. Other benefits include perseverance, poise, confidence, attention to detail and concentration. Last year, Rose City Gymnastics was represented by 21 athletes at Provincial Championships bringing home 11 ribbons, seven medals and four special awards. Lily Gates won Eastern Canadian Championships in Power Tumbling. From April 5-7, 2013 Rose City Gymnastics is hosting the 2013 Ontario Gymnastics Championships and are looking for volunteers for publicity, equipment, hosting, admissions, competition scoring, floor scorers, raffles/vendors, announcing, awards, clean-up and decorations. They are also looking for general volunteers. For more information, visit them online at www.rosecitygymnastics.com
MMARCO International Services Inc. offers its clients ways to improve their company’s performance through better business management strategies. MMARCO can facilitate a proven strategic planning process that will set the organization on a path of sustainable growth and profitability. This consulting business is run by Maurice Marwood, BSc., MSc., MBA, a Business Performance Improvement Professional with over 40 years of international business experience. Marwood specializes in helping SMEs improve sales, profitability and cash flow through strategic and business planning, domestic and international marketing, product distribution, restructuring, change management and executive coaching. MMARCO has been a member of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce since 2009 and Marwood currently sits on the Chamber’s Transportation Committee. New for MMARCO this year is an affiliation with STS Capital Partners, an international investment banking firm focused on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and strategic consulting for small and mid-market family and private businesses in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. “It is a particularly good fit with MMARCO International Services Inc. since much of my business experience has dealt with business restructuring and international business management. With this affiliation I am joining a global team of experts who understand how to maximize value for families or entrepreneurs selling businesses, or buyers looking for strategic opportunities,” explained Marwood. As for the future of MMARCO, “Although the firm will remain relatively small, I expect it to see steady growth as a boutique business advisory service aimed at entrepreneurs and SMEs,” said Marwood. Visit MMARCO online at www.mmarcoservices.com
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COMMUNITY & TECH
IN THE COMMUNITY
The Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County is having their Mardi Gras Dinner Party celebrations on Friday, March 22, 2013 at the Ciociaro Club (3745 N. Talbot Rd.). Cocktails start at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person or $950 for a table of 10. They will be presenting two awards that night, the Founders’ Award and the Community Philanthropy Award. For more information or for tickets call (519) 974-2220 ext. 225.
The Essex and Kent Scottish in partnership with The Humanities Research Group (University of Windsor) will present the 8th Annual Windsor Military Studies Conference at the Tilston Armoury, 4007 Sandwich on February 8 and 9, 2013. Tickets are $20 (adults) and $10 (students), which includes lunch on Saturday. To register contact Humanities Research Group at (519) 253-3000 ext. 3508 or hrgmail@uwindsor.ca
Tech Corner: The Samsung Galaxy S III Smartphone “Anyone looking for a state-of-art smartphone that’s easy to use will not be disappointed.” Being a Gadget Guy, people are always asking me my opinion on smartphones and their respective platforms. I guess this is because I have had them all: Blackberry, Windows, Apple iOS and Android. The Blackberry and the iPhone have been around for a while and Microsoft has launched the new Windows 8 phone, but it’s Samsung that’s making all the noise. At the top of every Android fans’ gadget wish list is the amazing new Galaxy S III smartphone from Samsung. The Galaxy lineage goes way back in history to 2009 (that’s an eternity in the smartphone world) and has resulted in some pretty great phones, but the launch of the all new Galaxy S III this past May has been nothing short of amazing. There are over 550,000 Android apps available now for the Galaxy S III through the Google Play store and in November Samsung announced that it has sold 30 million of them since then making it the company’s fastest selling smartphone to date. That’s 170,000 phones per day! As impressive as that is, the iPhone is still outselling the Galaxy S III – Industry insiders expect Apple to ship 40-50 million iPhones by December. But the Galaxy S III is only one model Samsung sells, and when you add up their other models, they say they have shipped twice as many smartphones as Apple. But when it comes down to choosing one over the other, I always ask “what are you comfortable with?” If the answer is “I have a lot of Apple products and really like them, they are so easy to use,” I say “Then get an iPhone.” If you are looking for something else, “Get the Galaxy S III or the new Galaxy S III mini!” If you like a bigger screen, the S III sports an amazingly crisp 4.8” screen that will be perfect for you. If that’s too big, the new S III Mini’s 4” Super AMOLED display may be just the ticket. Either way you go, you won’t be disappointed. The Galaxy internet browser is fast and I even like the QWERTY touchscreen keyboard, although coming from a Blackberry takes some getting used to. I wasn’t too sure I would be able to adapt, but I did and now really like the touchscreen and the predictive text that come along with it. The biggest drawback with these phones is of course battery life. Big screens draw big power which drains the battery. I recommend a home charging station like the ISDAPT i4 Universal Charger or get an extra battery and charger when you get the phone. Rob Whent (rwhent@think-2-Learn.com) is the Entrepreneur in Residence at WEtech Alliance, a Regional Innovation Centre and a pioneer in the digital media space, founding two technology companies. His start-up, Think-2-Learn, is developing adaptive video game technology to identify and improve cognitive strengths and weaknesses in school-aged children. Follow him on Twitter @swento
Join us at the second annual Windsor-Essex Leaders in Innovation Technology Forum & Tradeshow on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at the Caboto Club!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
UNION GAS LUNCHEON Featuring Guest Speaker Steve Baker, President, Union Gas Limited TOPIC : NATURAL GAS SUPPLY RESHAPING THE ENERGY DIALOGUE monday, january 14, 2013 LOCATION
Caboto Club 2175 Parent Ave. TIME
11:30pm - 1:30pm TICKETS
After Business
economic OUTLOOK luncheon
Thursday, february 7, 2013 LOCATION
level 3 vodka emporium (above city grill) 375 Ouellette Avenue
Featuring rbc royal bank senior vice president & chief economist craig wright
TIME
wednesday, march 27, 2013
5:00pm - 7:00pm
LOCATION
TICKETS
Caboto Club 2175 Parent Ave.
$10 Members in advance $20 General Admission
TIME
No Exhibitors Space Available Sponsored and Hosted by
11:30pm - 1:30pm TICKETS
$35 Members in advance $40 General Admission
$35 Members, $40 General Admission SPONSORED BY
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR BEA 2013 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2013 CIOCIARO CLUB
Register for all events online at www.windsorchamber.org
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Celebrating 60 great years in Canada