Now that we’re deep in the hazy days of summer, there has been time to reflect upon the first half of the year in Toronto – in particular, on the city’s lively social scene. Between functions that fell flat, over-the-top galas that won’t be forgotten and fundraisers that generated important dollars, some events stood out from the rest.
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This year’s Gardiner SMASH: Nourish was held on Wed June 26, 2019. It was a splendid evening with new and old faces – young and old – art enthusiast and cultural philanthropists alike joining the night of nourishment at the museum.
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Since they first began to emerge in the late 90s, online casinos, poker rooms and other iGaming operators have enjoyed an incredible surge in popularity. More money is being invested in the industry than ever before, with both new and established vendors vying for a bigger share of the market. All that funding is being put to good use, allowing operators to develop their services and offer a more immersive gaming experience in whichever way they can.
Canada has already proven a prime market for ambitious casino brands, particularly in major cities like Toronto. Big brands like Delta, Dolphin and BLG have cemented their reputation in the city’s physical casino market; yet we’re also beginning to see a switch in focus to digital casino offerings, not just in Ontario but across the country. The latest stats from http://www.usgri.org estimate that online casinos collectively pull in over $6 billion every year from the Canadian market.
There’s plenty to suggest that figure is set to explode even further over the next few years – let’s take a look at a few of the key factors involved.
Strength of competition
“online-poker-ranking-reliable” (CC BY 2.0) by Chingster23
Competition within the Canadian iGaming market is fiercer than ever, so much so that it’s becoming increasingly hard for players to choose between the range of online casino brands out there. Naturally, specialist comparison sites like a2zcasinos.org have become a key resource for keen gamers, posting detailed reviews of the best casinos available to play in Canada.
This saves a lot of time for players that are constantly on the lookout for the best deals and promotions. It also adds a level of comfort, security and peace of mind, so new joiners can rest assured that they’re signing up with a reputable casino with a good rating. Even if you begin to think that the market is becoming saturated, it’s hard to argue against the fact that such strong competition is proving vital fuel for rapid development within the industry.
Technology
“Smartphones” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by clasesdeperiodismo
We know that mobile usage in Canada is among the highest of any country in the world, and, according to https://www.statista.com, mobile gaming is the digital game category set to have the highest growth in Canada, which means that more players than ever are now looking to enjoy their favorite casino games on their smartphone, tablet or other mobile devices – anywhere with a decent Internet connection.
In fact, you could argue that mobile gaming has already become more popular than the traditional desktop format. That’s a big deal for iGaming developers who are being forced to switch their focus to producing games that primarily appeal to mobile users. As a result, more and more casinos are investing heavily in HTML5 games, effectively allowing players to log in and play games from any device with minimal hassle or trade-off in quality.
The sky is the limit
One of the most exciting things about the rise of the Canadian iGaming industry is the collective focus on development and evolution of services. Every online casino is looking to attract and retain loyal customers by offering a better service than anybody else, and that’s leading companies to experiment with new technologies and techniques as soon as possible.
That level of commitment to service and product development is unique to this corner of the gaming market – and it’s ultimately what will see an even quicker rate of evolution in years to come. Watch this space!
Now that road-trip-and-patio season is around the corner, Cove Bar and Restaurant in Oakville, Ontario will be the perfect destination for indulging in seafood cuisine, or sipping on tropical cocktails while enjoying the beautiful view of the harbour through their patio, reminiscent of a beach bar.
“The restaurant is known for receiving 2019’s Best Patio Talk of the Town Award.”
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So many people are getting more autonomy and freedom in the way they experience employment. One of the ways this is happening is through the ability to telecommute. For many people, the ability to work from home is ideal. For others, it’s very difficult to get anything done. Because there’s no set time to be in the office or report to a boss, it can be challenging to develop the discipline to get anything done. One of the most popular solutions to this issue is the co-working space. Organizations like We Work have provided co-working spaces all over the globe. Furthermore, there are tons of people who are developing their own co-working spaces within their communities. If you would like to be a part of the co-working movement, there’s a lot of opportunities to consider. As you develop your plans, consider the following components.
Location
When you’re ready to spend money and invest in the perfect location, you’ll want to consider a ton of elements. If it’s in a location that’s inconveniently far from civilization, you might have a tough time filling up the space. You’ll also want to consider the businesses that are nearby. Do your research to find out if the area is projected to have more development in the future. If it’s an up and coming area, that building might be a great investment. You’ll also want to make sure that the building is inspected thoroughly.
Pricing
Once you’ve purchased the building, always set your prices with plant operations in mind. Draft a plan to help you know how much it will cost to run the space on a daily basis. Don’t be afraid to make it exclusive and charge what the experience is truly worth. You’re not investing in this business as a form of charity. Yes, you want to be able to help local entrepreneurs and employees set up an office space away from home, it’s still a business. Plus, when you’re hosting different professionals within one space, they’ll be able to add value to one another. Knowing this, charge fair fees that are still competitive.
Competition
If there aren’t any co-working spaces in your area, you’re setting yourself apart as your own competition. However, consider the closest co-working space. Think about where it is and how you can set yourself apart from it. Do not try to copy what you’ve seen. Instead, consider ways that you can make your co-working space innovating, interesting and efficient. Whether you choose to invest in energy-efficient appliances or serve Starbucks coffee in-house, find a variety of selling points that will easily persuade potential customers to burst through the doors.
Facility
If you take a look at the WeWork’s Instagram page, you’ll quickly realize that people love a stunning space to work in. This is why it’s incredibly important to hire an interior designer who can create the ideal space. In addition to interior design, it’s a great idea to include natural elements like lots of natural light, indoor plants and water features. Within the budget, it’s wise to create space for employees like a barista and a plant manager. The co-working space needs to be clean at all times. If you’re serving food, this is a great way to attract bugs and rodents. If you’re not careful with food handling, things can get messy and unsanitary very quickly. If you have a barista who serves drinks as well as food, you’ll want to make sure to get a food handler’s license to cover the legalities. When you’re dealing with the maintenance of the building, always make sure to contact the right local professionals to make sure that the building is up to code. As you continue to draw up plans for your co-working space, be relentless in your research of what needs to be done for facility upkeep and maintenance.
Marketing
In order to facilitate an effective marketing strategy, you’ll want to employ both online and offline marketing efforts. From an online perspective, it’s wise to develop a website, a strong social media presence and more. When you’re creating a co-working space, know that this concept is beloved by the Millennials. Most Millennials hang out on Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. Knowing this, you’ll want to do the research to know the meaning of SnapChat emojis, how to go live on Instagram and how to connect with the right people with witty banter on Twitter. Your offline strategies might include billboards, newspaper advertisements and radio advertisements. As you become consistent with spreading the word about the co-working space, you might have to create a waiting list. Depending on your location, it’s good to know that so many people are looking for a great co-working space because they want an environment that inspires them. If you can make sure that this inspiration is communicated through marketing, it won’t be too hard to fill up the spaces.