Comments Off on A look at the Toronto Region Board of Trade for special events
With an understated name like the “Toronto Region Board of Trade”, you wouldn’t know at first glance that it’s a premiere event space in the financial district of downtown Toronto, but when you dig deeper actually it is so much more. It’s located in First Canadian Place which is my favourite of all the Toronto financial district plazas. And since September 2008, the reputable restaurant and catering experts, Oliver & Bonacini, have continued their exclusive service partnership with the TROB.
So a couple weeks ago guests, wedding, event planners and media were invited to sample the event space being greeted with sparkling wine mixed with dissolved cotton candy as well as liquid nitrogen popcorn. Of course there was much more inside.
THE FOOD
O&B brought their portfolio of restaurants:
Representing Toronto Region Board of Trade, Alan Van Heerden, Chef de Cuisine, serving Poached Salmon Sliders
Representing Malaparte, Guillermo Russo, Chef de Cuisine, serving Seared Rice Cakes and Pork Belly
Representing Arcadian, Michael Robertson, Executive Chef, Arcadian, serving Smoked Lake Huron White Fish
EVENT SPACE
As an event space, the Toronto Region Board of Trade boasts over 30,000 square feet of modern decor. The updated design was done by designer “Designum Design,” the same designers who updated the other trendy event space, Arcadian Loft. Recent renovations include:
Ballroom: raised ceiling, great sound proofing, built in AV, lighting
Renovated 4th floor washrooms
New 3rd floor washrooms
Stairwell addition from 3rd floor to 2nd floor
Upgraded look with paint, wallpaper and lighting
QUICK FACTS
30,000+ square feet
Seated capacity: 350
Reception capacity: 400
Chef: Alan Van Heerden, Chef de Cuisine, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Claiming to be one of the most affordable modern event venues in downtown Toronto, it’s worth taking a look at for meetings and special events.
Comments Off on In Photos: Advertising Week’s Ad Ball
Advertisers, marketers and communication experts (and those just getting into the field) get together in Toronto for ideas and creativity in the industry for the ICA’s “FFWD Advertising & Marketing Week”. With a series of events including galas and awards, it draws in top influencers from companies such as Google, Facebook, Yahoo and many more.
So “Galaxy” was the theme of this year’s Ad Ball held at Uniun last night and it turns out “ad men” know how to throw a smashing party (last year was pretty great, too). Here are the photos:
2nd from left: Steve Levy (Chief Operating Officer, Ipsos Reid), Mark Childs (Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics Canada), Gillian Graham (CEO, Institute of Communication Agencies), Stephen Graham (Chief Marketing Officers, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.)
Chicken tacos
More photos:
Fabio
r: Dan Levy
Jon Gauthier
Chicken tacos with piri piri sauce
Chicken tacos with piri piri sauce
l: Susan Willemsen
2nd from left: Steve Levy (Chief Operating Officer, Ipsos Reid), Mark Childs (Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics Canada), Gillian Graham (CEO, Institute of Communication Agencies), Stephen Graham (Chief Marketing Officers, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.)
l: Sari Colt, r: Tanya Hsu
Ashleigh Mair, Alexandra Kwan, Laurie Hall
By the way, the annual list of the “Most Influential Brands in Canada” were revealed by Ipsos Reid surveying 5,008 Canadians. Here’s the top 10:
1. Google
2. Microsoft
3. Apple
4. Facebook
5. Visa
6. Coca-Cola
7. Samsung
8. YouTube
9. MasterCard
10. Procter & Gamble
It’s interesting to note that the only non-US brand is Samsung and Google maintains it’s lead from last year.
ABOUT THE ICA
The Institute of Communication Agencies or the ICA (www.icacanada.ca) is the professional business association which represents Canada’s communication and advertising agencies. The ICA’s mission is to champion commercial creativity, amplify the industry’s economic impact, and to embrace and drive change. As such, the ICA promotes thought leadership, higher standards and best practices. It serves as the largest source of information, advice, education and training for Canada’s communication and advertising industry. ICA’s member agencies and subsidiaries account for over 75 per cent of all national advertising in Canada, with an economic impact worth more than $19 billion annually. More information about the ICA and its initiatives can be found at www.icacanada.ca or follow on Twitter @adweekcdn or @icacanada.
Comments Off on The 25th anniversary of Dragon Ball celebrated the Year of the Horse
Celebrating their 25th annual Dragon Ball, the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation‘s signature fundraising event pulled out all the stops for this commemorative occasion in this Year of the Horse in accordance with the Chinese zodiac. Over 1,000 patrons were in attendance at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (for me it was conveniently taking place in the same North Building as the Interior Design Show last weekend). It’s also very timely to start getting in the mood for Chinese New Year celebrations (officially tomorrow, January 31st!)
It’s well attended by top business leaders, media personalities and politicians including Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto, Mayor Hazel McCallion of Mississauga and Mayor Frank Scarpitti of Markham, Olivia Chow and more.
Everything about Dragon Ball is grand including the silent auction, live auction and raffle prizes. The pre-dinner reception is also, always of grand scale and for this 25th occasion it was no different including the largest table of oysters and clams by Raw Bar, foie gras offerings from George Brown and Humber College culinary schools as well as an amazing special Michelin 3-Star Chef.
One amazing highlight this year was that the dinner menu was designed by Chef Alvin Leung, star of the new MasterChef Canada TV show on CTV (and fondly named “Demon Chef”). And, yes, he’s also recently been crowned a Michelin 3-Star Chef. He demonstrated his “X-treme” cuisine at the gala reception mixing ice cream with the Chinese liquors Moutai and “Rose Dew”.
Chef Alvin Leung’s gala dinner consisted of a fusion menu of 3 courses where he kicked things off with the prosperity toss “Lo Hei” consisting of a combination of coleslaw with salmon terrine and preserved kumquat. The main course was an incredibly savoury beef tenderloin serving with chocolate Bakkutteh sauce. My mouth is still watering as I write this.
There was much fanfare with Toronto’s own headline-making sensation, Mayor Rob Ford. Sorry, there was no drama to report upon. Everyone was polite to him while requesting photo opportunities and Ford patiently obliged to each and every single photo request. So, that’s why you didn’t hear about him in the news, unlike all the antics at the following Monday at the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
Mayor Rob Ford was a popular guy at Dragon Ball
Supporters of the Yee Hong’s Dragon Ball are always treated with respect in the spirit of helping one another with the ongoing, united goal of improving geritric care.
It’s also one of the few charity galas in Toronto where you can still win a car (a brand new 2014 Lexus IS 250 RWD valued at $44,555.28 donated by Lexus Canada) in the raffle grand prize draw with no strings attached and not for just a weekend or a lease.
City’s Melanie Ng and Roger Petersen were the emcees.
Melanie Ng (City), Chef Alvin Leung, Roger Peterson (City)
There was lots of entertainment including a grand traditional opening ceremony with 25 lions and a dragon
Live music started off with a performance by Musique chinoise Yuefang, a group of 9 young female musicians to usher in the Year of the Horse.
Performance by Musique chinoise Yuefang
There was also a 40 minute mini-concert by “Asia’s Queen of Song”, Teresa Carpio, and her beautiful Broadway musical singing daughter T.V. Carpio.
Teresa Carpio playing piano
Teresa Carpio
Broadway singer and actress, T.V. Carpio (Teresa Carpio’s daughter)
Yee Hong Founder and Foundation Chair Dr. Joseph Wong fondly describes Dragon Ball as “a shining symbol of a community’s spirit of selfless generosity.” He said the 25th anniversary “is an occasion to take stock: to celebrate the past but also, and more importantly, to look ahead to the next 25 years.”
And in reference to a recent Toronto Star editorial “Our elders deserve better“, Dr Joseph Wong said “Today, our major challenge is to close the gap between the cost of all the services we provide, from palliative care to day programs, and the financial support we receive. Governments can give only so much. And it’s simply not enough.”
Dr. Joseph Wong and Mayor Hazel McCallion
Over the last 25 years, the Dragon Ball has raised about $25 million for geriatric care and other services and programs for the seniors provided by the four Yee Hong centres in Scarborough, Markham and Mississauga. Today, Yee Hong is serving over 15,000 seniors and their families and with Canada’s aging population you know this type of need will become increasingly more important.
Thanks for allowing me the honour and opportunity to attend again this year, wishing much success to the Yee Hong for another 25 years.
For more information about the Yee Hong Geriatric Centre and the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, please visit: www.yeehong.com.
Cynthia Mulligan (City)
Chef Alvin Leung was hilarious on stage
Check out our impromptu video of Teresa Carpio singing “Habanera” Carmen in Mandarin.
Photos by Nick Lee
Grand silent auction room
Silent auction item
Remembering 25 years of Yee Hong’s Dragon Ball
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
Hazel McCallion and Chef Alvin Leung
Chef Alvin Leung interviewed by Omni TV
l: Chef Alvin Leung
Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Mayor Hazel McCallion
MP Olivia Chow
Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Mayor Hazel McCallion
National Bank being awarded
Yee Hong Foundation Founder Dr. Joseph Wong and Yee Hong Foundation President Stephen Siu
Yee Hong Foundation Founder Dr. Joseph Wong
Chef Alvin Leung on stage
Chef Alvin Leung was hilarious on stage
Cynthia Mulligan (City)
Mayor Rob Ford was a popular guy at Dragon Ball
Performance by Musique chinoise Yuefang
Mayor Rob Ford
Teresa Carpio
Teresa Carpio
Teresa Carpio
Teresa Carpio
Teresa Carpio
T.V. Carpio
T.V. Carpio
Broadway singer and actress, T.V. Carpio (Teresa Carpio’s daughter)
T.V. Carpio
Melanie Ng (City), Chef Alvin Leung, Roger Petersen (City)
Teresa Carpio and her daughters
Teresa Carpio and her daughters
Teresa Carpio and her daughters
Teresa Carpio playing piano
Teresa Carpio
Dr. Joseph Wong and Mayor Hazel McCallion
The Grand Prize Lexus IS250 RWD valued at $45,000
Melanie Ng drawing the raffle prizes including the Grand Prize 2014 Lexus IS 250 RWD
Comments Off on Multitasking with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)
Following in the footsteps of the popular Galaxy Note 3 smartphone, Samsung’s flagship full-size tablet right now is the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition. It’s one of the top tablet contenders to the Apple iPad Air. Featuring an ultra-thin profile, sharp resolution and a fast processor, it’s a great multimedia, all-purpose, go-anywhere tablet. Compared to other smartphones and tablets including the iPad Air, the Note 10.1 does really well at multitasking with the ability to open apps side-by-side.
But what really stands out is the stylus (dubbed “S-Pen”) with improved features over the previous Note 10.1 iteration. You can just pull out the S-Pen, draw a rectangle and you get to start a new application including a YouTube video or a notepad. Running apps side by side and advanced tasks such as drag-and-dropping across those windows make for great possibilities in getting tasks done. There’s more versatile uses shown in Samsung’s hands-on video above.
Here’s just some of the key highlights
Improved S-Pen with features such as Air Command, Action Memo, Scrapbook and Pen Window.
8MP camera at the back with the ability to record full HD videos
10.1-inch WQXGA TFT screen with a resolution of 2560×1600 pixels
An Exynos 8-core processor
3GB of RAM
A microSD card slot for extra storage beyond the 16, 32, or 64 GB storage that is included
A large 8220 mAh battery
Operating System: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
“The new GALAXY Note 10.1 is our most progressive 10-inch tablet yet, delivering one of the best viewing and multitasking experiences on the market,” said Paul Brannen, Vice President Enterprise Business Division, Samsung Canada. “Not only is this device both fashionable and portable, but it also demonstrates our continued focus on constant product innovation and our commitment to providing a variety of products that Canadians can choose from to help make their lives easier and more enjoyable.”
By the way, here a few previously unreleased photos of the Galaxy Note 3 party at 99 Sudbury where many got to have their first hands-on look at the Samsung Galaxy Gear watch which pairs with the Galaxy Note 3.
Jully Black
Jully Black
SEE ALSO
The latest in Samsung TVs: UHD and Curved OLED with Multi View
Photos from the Samsung Galaxy S4 Preview Party Toronto featuring Walk off the Earth
Comments Off on Touring the Interior Design Show 2014
Interior design professionals and firms from all around the world gather at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to showcase and inspire with the latest in interior design trends at the annual Interior Design Show taking place this weekend. This year’s Interior Design Show 2014 focuses on lighting with the theme of “See the Light” and getting the right lighting in interior design can set the perfect tone.
Overlooking the Interior Design Show at the Metro Convention Centre North Building
Must-see exhibits include IKEA, Miele, Caesarstone, Andrew Richards Designs, Solo House and Korhani Home (featuring designer rugs from the fashion label Korhani with appearances in Toronto Fashion Week).
Personally I always enjoy seeing the Enomatic wine system (restaurants in Toronto that have this innovative wine dispensing system include Destingo and Touro Brazilian Steakhouse).
I really liked the Solo Home exhibit featuring the latest technology including a 4K HDTV and Sennheiser home theatre installed by Bay Bloor radio. A Solo Home like this starts from $93,500
The Solo Home
Caesarstone showcases their specialties in kitchen countertops with the theme of drop-in cabinets in collaboration with Raw Edges design. Check out the Caesarstone video below.
Here are the IDS 2014 hours this weekend
Saturday, January 25
10 am – 7 pm: The Globe & Mail Style Saturday (Consumer Day)
Sunday, January 26
10 am – 6 pm: House & Home Sunday (Consumer Day)
Guests in attendance at the IDS opening party this year included Scott McGillivray, Glen Peloso, David Rocco, David Dixon and Glenn Dixon, Rachel David, Mike Chalut and more.
Great food included Destingo, Tabule Restaurant, Trinity Taverna, El Caballito Tequila Bar (new on King West), Distillery Events (El Catrin, Pure Spirits), Food Dudes, Gourmet Gringos and more.
Libations: Cocktails by Barchef, Absolut Elyx, Crystal Head vodka, Great Lakes Brewery, Steamwhistle, and more
