BUSINESS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020| VOLUME 58 | No.1-2
ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient
Marlene Corey Believe Windsor-Essex Award Recipient
Farrow 30th Annual
Business Excellence Awards
WINDSOR-ESSEX REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Recognized Champion Of A Thriving Business Community Built On Innovation And Partnerships
BUSINESS
BRIEFS January/February 2020 Volume 58 | No.1-2
STAFF Rakesh Naidu President & CEO rnaidu@windsoressexchamber.org X222
Wendy Bretz Communications Coordinator & Executive Assistant wbretz@windsoressexchamber.org X228
Keith Chinnery Director of Membership Services kchinnery@windsoressexchamber.org X223
CONTENTS Greeting from the President and Chair
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Advocacy Update
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Events
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In Our Community
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Spotlight On Our Members
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New Members
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Caitlin Hildenbrand Membership Coordinator childenbrand@windsoressexchamber.org X230
Barbara Malmberg Director of Events bmalmberg@windsoressexchamber.org X231
Marina Poljak Event Coordinator mpoljak@windsoressexchamber.org X221
“The key connector and advocate for the long-term business success of our members. "
Kathleen Westlake
| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
Accounting and Finance Administrator kwestlake@windsoressexchamber.org X227
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Paid advertisements appearing in the Business Briefs magazine may not reflect the opinions of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
WINDSOR-ESSEX REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2575 Ouellette Place Windsor, ON N8X 1L9 Tel: 519-966-3696 Fax: 519-966-0603 info@windsoressexchamber.org www.windsoressexchamber.org
Advertising Sales - info@windsoressexchamber.org The WERCC may choose to generate revenue from many discount programs and services being provided. Twitter @WERCofC
Instagram @windsoressexchamber
Greeting from the President & CEO and Chair Greetings Chamber Members and Friends, On December 4, 2019, the Chamber held its 143rd Annual General Meeting. Board Chair, Jason Ilijanic, unveiled the Chamber's new 2020-2025 Strategic Direction: Engagement, Impact, and Sustainability. Included in the Strategic Plan are updated Mission and Vision statements. The new Mission of the Chamber is to be the key connector and advocate for the long-term business success of our members. The updated Vision is to be the recognized champion of a thriving business community built on innovation and partnerships. For more details on the Strategic Plan, visit www.windsoressexchamber.org/strategicplan/. With Keith Chinnery, our new Director of Membership Services, in place we are thoroughly reviewing our Membership offerings and services. We are seeking new ideas, partnerships, and benefits to make President & CEO Chamber Membership even more valuable. If you would like to discuss partnership with the Chamber to offer a Member-to-Member Deal or Affinity Program please contact Keith today. We are excited about some new programs and partnerships we will be announcing in the next few months. Stay tuned!
Rakesh Naidu
The WERCC will be submitting a policy resolution to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for review at the OCC's Annual General Meeting in Timmins on April 25, 2020. Please turn to the next page for details about how we hope to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in our international student population. I would like to congratulate Marlene Corey, the 2020 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient, and Farrow, the Believe Windsor-Essex Award recipient. Their contributions to the region are truly worthy of being recognized by the receipt of these prestigious awards. Join us as we celebrate these and all the other BEA recipients at the 30th Annual Business Excellence Awards on Thursday, May 21, 2020.
Jason Ilijanic Chair
2019-2020 Ms. Maureen Lucas Treasurer**
Chair – ATHENA Committee 1999 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient
Ms. Allison Hawkins Director CPA-CA Hawkins & Co. Accounting
Entrepreneur in Residence EpiCentre, University of Windsor
Ms. Shelley Fellows Director
Mr. Jason Ilijanic Chair**
Ms. Mila Lucio Chair Elect**
Vice President Communications AIS Technologies
Director, Commercial Services WFCU Credit Union
EVP Human Resources and Social Impact Green Shield Canada
CEO Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island
Mr. Romeo Girardi Director
Mr. Scott Jenkins Vice Chair**
Mr. Jeffrey MacKinnon Past Chair**
Dr. Francine Schlosser Director
Director of Advertising Caesars Windsor
Partner McTague Law Firm LLP
Ms. Beverly Becker Director
Ms. Lee Anne Doyle Director / Non-Voting
National Director, Local Marketing Windsor Star
Ms. Marie Campagna Vice Chair** Executive Vice President Operations / CFO Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
Mr. Joshua Cheifetz Director Emerging Leaders Representative Partner Strosberg Sasso Sutts LLP
Executive Vice President Farrow
Dr. Alfie Morgan Director Emeritus Non-Voting Professor Emeritus of Business Administration University of Windsor
Mr. Gordon Orr Director
Professor Odette School of Business University of Windsor
**denotes member of Executive Committee
| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
Gold Circle
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Advocacy Update
Advocates for International Student Entrepreneurs April 24-26, 2020, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) will hold its 108th Annual General Meeting in Timmins, Ontario. This meeting of Chamber delegates from across Ontario will vote on policy resolutions that help focus the OCC's policy and advocacy efforts to advance economic prosperity across the province. The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce will bring forward a new resolution for discussion this year. Entitled Investing in Ontario's International Student Entrepreneurs, this resolution will highlight the need to provide a pathway for entrepreneurial international students to obtain permanent residency status upon graduation. Ontario has seen a dramatic influx of international students in recent years. Many of these students come from families with a business background. There is a sizable opportunity to expand these family-run businesses to Ontario. Currently, international students must find employment to obtain a work permit in order to remain in Canada after graduation. This places their entrepreneurial goals on hold.
Often, these new graduates must move to larger cities to find employment. After two years they are eligible to apply for Permanent Residence status. Upon receipt of their status, these individuals can leave their employment and commence their business plans. The majority will choose to start their new business in the city of their employment - not the smaller city where they completed their studies. This is a huge loss for the smaller cities of Ontario. If these students start their businesses shortly after graduation, they become not an employee but an employer, boosting the local economy to a greater extent. The investment stays local, new ideas are brought to the region, and a new talent pipeline is created. The WERCC policy resolution will recommend that the Government of Ontario create an immigration recruitment and selection program for international students. This program would nominate students to the Canadian Government who can meet provincial labour market and economic needs, and who intend to establish themselves in Ontario.
UPCOMING EVENTS February After Business Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Fionn MacCools 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Warden’s Lunch Wednesday, March 25, 2020 11:30 am – 1:30 pm 30th Annual Business Excellence Awards Thursday, May 21, 2020 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm 84th Annual Golf Tournament Monday, June 1, 2020 Pointe West Golf Course 11:30 am – 8:30 pm Chamber 144 with Lifetime Achievement Award Friday, June 26, 2020 Upcoming Events – check www.windsoressexchamber.org for details on upcoming and new events
| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
CEO MEETINGS
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Accelerator Partnership Announcement
Caroline Mulroney Minister of Transportation & Francophone Affairs
The President speaking to Roseland Rotary
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| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
Events
PAST BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 2006 - 2010
Tunnel Duty Free Shop - Award: Company of the Year 2006 · Family owned and operated business, serving Windsor Detroit Tunnel commuters since 1986. · The first tax and duty free shop in Ontario and the first land border duty free shop in Canada. · A one-stop shop to a first-class collection of world-renowned brand name products. · One of the best selections in land border duty free in the areas of liquor and beer, including the finest collection of single malt scotches, cognacs and fine Ontario wines. Passa Associates Architect - Award: Technology 2006 · Multiple award recipient, including The Windsor Construction Association Award of Excellence (2000), ERCA Conservation Award for Education (2000), and the Ontario Heritage Trust Appointment (2007). · Projects include commercial, educational, recreational and residential properties. Familiar local projects include Rotary Children's Safety Village, Tecumseh Medical Centre (TMC), and Pelissier Parking Garage. · A leader in the Green Building Movement of sustainable design, developing some of the most energy efficient projects in the country. Empire Communications - Award: Small Company of the Year 2007 · Southwestern Ontario's premier provider of IT Business Solutions since 1998 has grown to have locations in Windsor, Chatham, Cambridge, Toronto and metro Detroit. · Providing solutions to small and medium-sized businesses that connect, protect and empower their clients. · The Empire Team works closely with their clients to implement everything from telephone systems to network services, wireless LAN solutions and more. Catering By Mimmo of Koolini's - Award: Tourism & Hospitality 2007 · In business for more than 15 years, Koolini Italian Eatery first opened as a restaurant then closed the dining room in 2014 to focus exclusively on catering. Koolini's has exclusive catering at J.P Wisers Brand Centre and caters some of the best venues in the city including the Art Gallery of Windsor, Mackenzie Hall, and Water's Edge. · The Koolini culinary team is committed to providing the freshest ingredients and the highest possible quality, all beautifully prepared and presented. · Koolini's has catered some of Windsor's largest events including Super Bowl XL and the Auto Show Media Night.
| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
2020 Business Excellence Award Recipients
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ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient Marlene Corey
Believe Windsor-Essex Award Recipient Farrow
Marlene Corey is an accomplished and enthusiastic corporate communications professional with over 30 years of experience in broadcast media, event management and community relations. She has been actively involved in many prominent local events and fundraising initiatives. Marlene has been recognized professionally on numerous occasions which includes being presented with the CUC Broadcasting President’s Award. In addition, she has received Cogeco Awards of Excellence for producing “Remembering The Big 8 CKLW”, “Municipal Vote 2003”, “The Hospice Face to Face Campaign Kick Off” and the “Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies” provincial broadcast. Marlene also contributes much of her energy to local organizations and charities. She has volunteered with Transition to Betterness, the Hospice of Windsor Essex County, Big Brothers Big Sisters Windsor Essex, In Honour of the Ones We Love, United Way Centraide, and Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. She also recently completed a 6 year volunteer term on the Board of Governors at St. Clair College. Marlene enjoys the support of her husband Brett Corey and their two daughters, Blair and Erika. Together, they value and have a strong belief in community service. They also love to travel and enjoy music, gardening, and golfing as a family.
As Canada’s premier customs broker, Farrow’s operations are comprised of an extensive network of offices and affiliates across North America. Farrow provides immediate customs compliant clearance solutions for its clients. Farrow is a six-time winner of Canada’s Best Managed Company of the Year along with many other business excellence awards due to their service-orientated philosophy. This family-owned business was started by Russell Alexander Farrow 108 years ago and has continued to expand local and international operations throughout the second and third generations. Today, Richard Farrow is the Chairman & CEO. With 43 offices across Canada and the United States, Farrow gives back to the communities in which it operates and beyond with donations, sponsorships, and scholarships. Farrow donated $500,000 to the Riverside Miracle Park, $50,000 to Rotary 1918 for the Ghana Africa project, and $30,000 over the past two years to the United Way Backpacks for Success campaign. Farrow’s 700 employees receive the benefit of paid days off for volunteering.
Events SEPTEMBER AFTER BUSINESS
WAKE UP WINDSOR-ESSEX
TECH SHOW
EMERGING LEADERS
HOLIDAY PARTY
ATHENA SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
FEDERAL DEBATES
WERCC 143rd AGM
CROSSING THE BORDER: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
OCTOBER AFTER BUSINESS
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SPOTLIGHT On Our Members
Gold Circle
AAR is a leading provider of aviation services to commercial airlines and governments worldwide, and the largest independent provider of airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in North America. AAR's MRO facility, located at the Windsor Airport, spans 143,000 square feet and employs 140 team members. From the first day AAR Windsor began operating the facility in September of 2017, the importance of community engagement and giving back was incorporated into the company culture. The Windsor team was thrilled to participate in the local 2019 MS Walk, as well as sponsor and attend the Chamber's Annual Golf Tournament and the Windsor Flying Club's 75th Anniversary Fly-In Festival. AAR is honored to join the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, strengthen its relationships within the business community, and contribute to the economic growth, job creation and long-term success of the region — attracting more companies to build and grow their business here.
Congratulations to Security ONE Alarm Systems Ltd. on its acquisition of R&T Security Services.
Congratulations to Sunray Group on its grand opening of the first Fionn MacCool's and Four Points by Sheraton Windsor Downtown.
Congratulations to Lakeview Montessori School on the completion of its multipurpose facility which includes the new gymnasium and robotics lab/tech centre.
Congratulations to KPMG on the acquisition of Renaud Partners LLP, a Windsor-based firm that specializes in serving SMEs and not-for-profit organizations.
| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
Congratulations to Caesars Windsor on becoming the first hotel in Windsor to use green energy. Caesars has partnered with Bullfrog Power to use green energy to power its 107 digital screens.
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Congratulations to Essex Powerlines on its Go Paperless with a Purpose campaign that raised $4,030 for Coats for Kids –Unemployed Help Centre.
Congratulations to WFCU Credit Union on the opening of its new branch in Kingsville.
Congratulations to Freeds of Windsor on its 90th Anniversary. Freeds is the Chamber's longest standing member!
Congratulations to Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island on winning the Tourism Marketing and Travel Media Award of Excellence at the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario's Tourism Summit. Congratulations to Port Windsor on the grand opening of Prosperity Place – a new outdoor marine museum that tells the story of marine trade and commerce for over 10,000 years at the location in Sandwich.
Congratulations to BizX magazine on its 22nd Annual Biz X Awards.
Thank you to Next Dimension for becoming a national partner of Build a Dream, a Windsor-based non-profit that provides programming to encourage young women to learn, question, explore and experience different career paths.
New Members - October & November GOLD CIRCLE Bridging North America Transportation / Infrastructure Mr. Aaron Epstein CEO & Project Director 35 Prospect Ave. Windsor, ON N9C 3G3 Tel: 226-242-1042 Email: aaron.epstein@bnagp.com www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.co m/en
CONNECTOR Deol Road Carrier Ltd. Transportation Services Mr. Julian Aftim Sales Manager 2031 County Rd 42 Belle River, ON N0R 1A0 Phone: (519) 728-9200 Email: julian@deolroad.com www.deolroad.com
BUSINESS BUILDER The Art Chamber Art Gallery, Dealers, Consultants Mr. Cam Franzoi, President 1030 Walker Road Windsor, ON N8Y 2N5 Phone: (519)965-7290 Email: camfranzoi1@gmail.com
Chintan Virani Architect Inc. Architects Ms. Anuja Virani 9898 Holly Crescent Windsor, ON N8R 1Y6 Phone: 519-551-8900 Email: chintan@live.ca www.chintan.ca
Elevation PTY Management Inc. Real Estate Investment Dr. Wole Oduntan, CEO Tel: (306) 621-9484 Email: wole90@hotmail.com
Ocean Bottom Soap Company Eco-friendly Beauty & Gifts Ms. Charmaine Gillis, Owner 1614 Lesperance Road, Unit 4 Tecumseh, ON N8N 1Y3 Phone: (226) 676-0228 Email: sales@oceanbottomsoap.com www.oceanbottomsoap.com PinPoint Local Windsor Tecumseh Digital Marketing Mr. Tarek Fakhuri, Owner Phone: (519) 919-6585 Email:info@windsorwebsitesolutions.com www.windsorwebsitesolutions.com Roseland Golf and Curling Club Golf Courses Mr. Dave Deluzio, General Manager 455 Kennedy Drive West Windsor, ON N9G 1S8 Phone: (519) 969-5112 Email: roseland@city.windsor.on.ca www.citywindsor.ca/residents/Recreation/ Golf-and-Curling-atRoseland/Pages/Roseland-Golf-andCurling-Club.aspx
Industry Professionals Prompt & Friendly Service
FULL SERVICE
PRINTING • Banners & Signs • Print Products • Forms & Labels
519.988.0159 www.facebook.com/printworld
Order Online@ www.myprintsupplier.com
Conveniently located
1490 Tecumseh Rd. E. (at Gladstone) Windsor
| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
LARGE FORMAT | DIGITAL | OFFSET
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Renewing Members - October & November PILLAR MEMBERS BASF Canada Inc. Windsor Coatings COMMUNITY BUILDER MEMBERS Canadian Tire Store #199 RBC Royal Bank RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities CONNECTOR MEMBERS Advance Business Systems (Windsor) Inc. FIS Flexible Industrial Solutions Inc. Penske Truck Rental
| Business Briefs - January/February 2020
BUSINESS BUILDER MEMBERS Accucomp Bookkeeping Services Accu-Staff Resource Systems Advanced Commercial Dishmachine Service Inc. AIM Professional Services Ltd. Anderdon Machine Tool And Manufacturing Inc. ArcelorMittal Windsor Architecttura Inc. Architects Better Blinds and Drapery Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario Buckingham Realty (Windsor) Ltd. Brokerage Cleardeck Systems Ltd. Clicom Environment Systems Commissionaires Computers for Kids Coxon's Sales and Rentals Ltd. CS Logistics D & D Professional Services Dattilo Realty Inc. Brokerage
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DXN Canada Elevation Health - Nantais Chiropractic Export Development Canada Fahrhall Home Comfort Specialists Foresight Management Consulting Freedom 55 Financial / A Division of London Life Insurance Company Generator Design of Canada Inc. Great Lakes Safety Products Inc. Ground Effects Ltd. Holland Cleaning Solutions Ltd. HPS Canada HRPA of Toronto International Seating & DĂŠcor Ltd. Kaspardlov & Associates Kniaziew Optometry Lacasse Printing Company Ltd. Lakeview Montessori School LC Platinum Realty Inc. Brokerage Liberty Business Brokers of Ontario M.T.E. Controls Corporation Martha Young & Associates Mathnasium of Tecumseh Melco Community Housing Corporation Nedco, A Rexel Division Onfreight Logistics Onyx Engineering Ltd. Paroian Skipper Lawyers Paul Davis Popp Russo Leno LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Re/Max Capital Inc. Brokerage
RGR Pharma Ltd. Roland's Neon Signs Roma Tile Rose City Gymnastics Security ONE Alarm Systems Ltd. Seguin Financial Group Ltd. Sentient Controls and Engineering Inc. Shibley Righton LLP SRT Accounting Inc. StreetSeen Media Summit Flooring & Window Fashions TAB Windsor-Essex The Alternative Board Tessonics Inc. The Healthy Image The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island Town and Country Animal Clinic Town of Tecumseh Visions of Canada Vito Masonry Ltd. Windsor Beauty Supply Inc. Windsor Beauty Supply Inc. - Leamington Store Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets Windsor Essex Brokerage for Personal Supports Windsor Yacht Club Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST Inc.) Interested in learning how YOUR BUSINESS can become one of our Premiere-level members as noted above? Contact our Membership Team at (519) 966-3696 ext. 230 for more information.
KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE CHAMBER? To consider membership with us and to learn about potential savings in conjunction with our programs, contact Keith Chinnery, Director of Membership Services at: kchinnery@windsoressexchamber.org or call (519) 966-3696 ext. 223. Please Note: the members listed are only for the months indicated. For a full Membership Directory, please visit:
www.windsoressexchamber.org
Save the Date Join us for the 30th Annual
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINDSOR-ESSEX REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Thursday, May 21, 2020 5:00pm - 10:00pm Chrysler Theatre - St. Clair Centre for the Arts
TIERED MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM CONNECT
PROMOTE
LEAD
Tiered Membership Packages Include: Increased logo exposure and market visibility. Strategic Marketing and Customized Advertising Packages. Plus More! To learn more about becoming an industry leader contact Keith Chinnery, Director of Membership Services kchinnery@windsoressexchamber.org 519.966.3696 ext. 223