GTA HotNews

April 2007

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 GTMA Activities & Announcements:

GTMA & YTA Joint Luncheon Event, April 26

GTA Launch of the BRANHAM 300 – CANADA’S LEADING IT COMPANIES

Now in its 14th year, the Branham 300 is considered the authoritative listing of Canadian software and IT Services firms and represents a truly unique piece of intelligence on the Canadian Information Technology market. As such, the listing has become pre-eminent the world over as the authoritative indicator for the health of the Information Technology industry in Canada.

Keynote Speaker:

Wayne Gudbranson

President & CEO, Branham Group

Wayne Gudbranson is President and CEO of Branham Group Inc., an international information technology strategy and marketing consulting firm. He is a sought after speaker, having promoted Canada’s IT industry capabilities in more than 25 countries around the world, from Norway to Costa Rica, from Japan to Germany, and from the United States to Mexico. As an IT industry strategist, Wayne actively advises many of the established and emerging brands in global IT Industry.  He has been instrumental in launching and re-launching companies and/or products in the United States, Europe, Canada, and other parts of the world. 

In his presentation, Mr. Gudbranson will:

• Review the Branham 300 including top 20 “movers and shakers”
• How the IT industry has evolved and adjusted to Canadian and Global economic climate
• Discuss the key leaders and how they continue to remain successful during a period of continual economic change.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND TO  REGISTER CLICK ON BRANHAM 300

GTMA's Business Mission to Sweden, Denmark and The Netherlands

THEME: SUSTAINABILITY and the ENVIRONMENT/EN2

June 9-23, 2007

Copenhagen, Malmo, Linkoping, Stockholm, Vasteras, Amsterdam

You are invited to join the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA) and partners from the Regional Municipality of Durham and Norditrade on an extra-special Business Mission to Sweden, Denmark and The Netherlands on the theme of Sustainability and the Environment / EN2: Energy and Environment. Come with us for the entire trip or pick the module that you wish to participate in. Benefit from the contacts and experience that you will gain from this extra-ordinary program.

GTMA Board of Directors Welcomes Paul Green, Enbridge as Director

“All of them!”

Those are the GTMA services that Mobiletron Electronics says it needed to set up its operations in the Greater Toronto Area.

“We had no idea how to get our foot in the door and set up a business in Canada,” said Mobiletron Electronics Canada Director Karin Kessler, leader of the company’s new Canadian operation. “The GTMA was able to advise us and link us with the expertise and resources we needed to get going quickly and efficiently.”

Mobiletron Electronics is a division of the More Group, a Taiwanese manufacturer of quality automotive electronics and power tools, more than 1,500 products in all. The company employs 1,800 people in factories in Taiwan and China, sales and distribution offices in the UK, U.S. and Canada, and its head office in Taichung Ta-Ya, Taiwan. 

Established in 1982, Mobiletron places heavy emphasis on product design, engineering and manufacturing quality. The company operates its own stamping, mould-making, moulding and machining operations, and maintains certified quality assurance witness testing departments.

Mobiletron’s contact with the GTMA began in April 2006 through the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei. The manufacturer had been working for 5 years with a major Canadian national retailer, and was looking for a location in Canada that would enable it to service the account. The company also has its eye on expanding its sales in the Canadian marketplace. It asked for information about locating in the GTA.

“The GTMA made a great presentation,” Kessler said. “They outlined the business advantages of the southern Ontario area, and convinced our directors to locate here.”

Once the decision was made, the GTMA connected Mobiletron to a panoply of resources. GTMA’s network of partners helped the company to find a location (J.J. Barnicke), navigate immigration issues (Green & Spiegel), handle the legal aspects of setting up a business (Gardner Roberts) and build an accounting system (BDO Dunwoody).  “The GTMA was able to pre-screen partners and put us in contact with the appropriate resources,” Kessler said. “We could not have found such excellent professional resources so quickly without the GTMA’s help.”

Mobiletron Electronics Canada Co. Ltd officially opened the doors to its Brampton office in August 2006. Kessler anticipates that the company’s operations in Canada, while initially established to provide product and customer support for one account, will expand its sales and distribution business  in the Canadian market and in the north-eastern U.S. 

Ontario Technology Corridor (OTC) Targets Game Developers Conference

This year the OTC’s California program targeted the Game Developers Conference (GDC), which is the official trade event "by developers for developers" of computer, console, mobile, arcade, online games, and location based entertainment. The GDC attracted over 12,500 attendees to San Francisco, providing educational, networking, and business opportunities for game development professionals driving the $11 billion videogame industry. It is the main global forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas, network, and shape the future of the industry.

This market defining conference featured over 300 lectures, panels, tutorials and round-table discussions on a comprehensive selection of game development topics taught by leading industry experts. The conference also included the ninth annual Independent Games Festival, where new, unpublished games compete for the attention of the publishing community. The GDC expo showcased all of the game development tools, platforms and services for such platforms as dedicated gaming consoles, handheld devices, cell phones, and PDAs. The most innovative companies in the world exhibit at the GDC Expo demonstrating the tools developers will use to create the games of tomorrow. From year to year, the GDC continues to define market innovations and future vision, providing insight into the future of gaming.

This year the GDC Expo attracted over 260 exhibitors of which over 40 had no North American presence.  OTC representatives targeted these firms and met with 11 companies to discuss business opportunities and make the case for expanding into the OTC market place. For many of the company representatives it was the first time they learned of the advantages of doing business in Canada.  North America represents a major market for these firms and several pointed out that their purpose in participating in the Expo was driven by their recognition of the importance of establishing a presence in North America. The firms responded positively to such advantages as access to a skilled workforce, legal system compatibility/IP protection, time zone advantages and a thriving digital media cluster and related infrastructure.  All of the firms that we met with expressed an interest in learning more about doing business in the Technology Corridor.  Most leads found the business cost advantage of interest and were eager to learn more about the R&D and Digital Media Tax Credits.  A detailed information package was left with all of the firms and the OTC Team will follow-up with all to continue the dialogue.  Next year the OTC program will be spearheaded by CTT, which is planning to bring all of the partners together within the next few weeks to begin planning for next year’s program. 

GTMA and CASO co-host Computer Animation Studios FAM Tour

GTMA’s Advanced Manufacturing FAM Tour Features Aerospace and Automotive Industry in Mississauga

GTMA to develop a program to focus on Asia

York University Will Lead Consortium To Boost R&D in GTA's Creative Sector

York University has received funding from the Ontario government to lead a unique public-private partnership that will help fuel the economic development of the GTA's creative and entertainment industries. The Consortium on New Media, Creative, and Entertainment R&D in the Toronto Region (CONCERT) has raised more than $500,000 in support from partner institutions and will now receive $300,000 in matching funds as part of the Ontario government's Entertainment and Creative Cluster Partnerships Fund.

Founded in partnership with The Ontario College of Art & Design and Ryerson University, CONCERT now consists of more than 20 partners. The consortium will bring multinational, mid-sized and small companies in the entertainment, screen-based and other creative industries together with academia, government and industry associations to build a consensus on regional priorities.

"The matching funds provided to CONCERT through the province's Entertainment and Creative Clusters Partnerships Fund are an important investment for the region," says Stan Shapson, vice-president, research & innovation at York University and Chair of the CONCERT Steering Committee.

PEC is well on its way to supplying much needed electricity to downtown Toronto by June 2008. The announcement last fall that PEC would move forward has given at least three developers of major commercial projects the confidence they needed to start construction. At the peak of construction, more than 600 skilled trades workers will be on the PEC site, which is located in Toronto's east end. PEC is a partnership between Ontario Power Generation and Transcanada Energy.

Milton Welcomes Trans Pro Freight Systems

TransPro Freight Systems Limited, a provider of transportation services throughout Canada and the United States, will soon be making Milton their home. TransPro and its 180 employees will be moving into a brand new 85,000 square-foot facility in May 2007. The facility is currently being constructed in the Escarpment Business Community, just west of Regional Road 25, north of Highway 401. TransPro is a rapidly growing business that has doubled in size over the past three years. Also, TransPro has received many accolades to date. TransPro has twice been named to the Top 100 Fastest Growing companies in all of Canada, is a former recipient of the Small Business of the Year award in Mississauga, and was a finalist for Canada’s Top 50 Best Private Companies.

2006 Census Data Confirms Milton as the Fastest Growth Community In Canada

Data from the 2006 Census released y by Statistics Canada has declared Milton as the fastest-growing community in Canada.

Stronach School Aims To Rev Up Auto Innovation

Frank Stronach, Chairman and founder of Magna International has teamed up with the Ontario government to establish The Stronach Centre for Innovation at Magna’s world headquarters in Aurora.  The centre will open this fall and offer an intensive 18-month program leading to master’s degree in engineering and innovation.

The centre will train engineers to become “innovation professionals” so good ideas can get to auto production lines efficiently. Magna and the network, including the University of Toronto's professional development centre, have worked on a curriculum for more than a year.

"We want to create a centre of excellence and innovation here in Ontario that will set the global standard of what manufacturing innovation is," said Magna spokesperson Dan Donovan, vice-president of public and government affairs.

"To realize that, it had to be an industry-led initiative that allowed us to work with the best university and college practitioners to realize the full potential of the manufacturing sector."

East Gwillimbury, Durham Set To Become Next GTA Boom Areas

Conair To Open New Canadian Headquarters in Vaughan

Conair® is set to open its new Canadian headquarters in the Vaughan Enterprise Zone this spring.   Started by the Rizzuto family in 1959, Conair has grown to become one of the world’s largest, privately-held personal care and small kitchen appliances companies. 

Conair made its modest entry into the Canadian market more than 17 years ago and its, new 320,000 square foot Canadian headquarters and state-of-the-art, energy-efficient, distribution facility - which includes four showrooms and a service centre - is a testament to the company’s success in Canada. 

General Manager Paul Sullivan attributes the company’s success to its 140 employees, some of whom have been with Conair for over a decade.  “Our business relies on relationships. When we help our customers deliver meaningful product knowledge to their consumers we end up personalizing and growing our brands.”  The Cuisinart® and Waring® lines regularly appear on national television programs and are highly desired by serious gourmands and avid amateur cooks.

KML Building Solutions

Advanced and innovative manufacturing technologies are fundamental in economic development and are vital in the competitive global marketplace. Vaughan’s business cost advantages continue to attract advanced manufacturers such as the new 70,000 square foot KML Building Solutions’ facility to open in Vaughan this year.

KML Building Solutions is the leading provider of Genesis® structural light-steel framing systems for the residential and commercial construction market since 1997. The Genesis building system implemented by KML, increases energy efficiency, reduces waste, and utilizes environmentally responsible steel framing processes recognized by international standards such as LEEDSTM. The Environmental Choice Program recognizes steel for use in construction products as an environmentally responsible choice.

Update on Passport Requirements for Travel to the U.S.

The U.S.' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) became effective January 23, 2007 and requires anyone travelling by air (including Americans) to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present passports or other secured documents to enter or re-enter the U.S. NEXUS cards are recognized as acceptable passport alternatives when used at NEXUS kiosks.

Therefore, Canadians planning to travel into or out of the U.S. by air should obtain a passport.

The date for the implementation of the WHTI for those traveling by land and sea into the United States has been pushed back to no later than June 1st, 2009; however, it may be implemented as early as January 1st, 2008.

The U.S. has announced a proposal to relax passport requirements for U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 15 and younger. They may be allowed to cross the border by land or sea with birth certificates instead of a passport.

Passport Rules for Travelling to the U.S.
Press Release Re: Relaxation of Passport Requirements for Children

For further information on Immigration @Gowlings, contact Evelyne Ackah at evelyn.ackah@gowlings.com

The Top Five Enterprise Technologies Being Tested This Year

The technologies being assessed now at companies both large and small could well turn out to be the ones to watch in 2007, with early adopters hard at work blazing the trail for others to follow. These aren't new, but are clearly seen as having the most potential. Here's a look inside five companies that have taken these technologies for a test-drive - and are getting early payback.

People News:

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow and Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan have been appointed to the GO Transit board.

Regional Chair Gary Carr Appointed to GTTA Board

Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr has been appointed to a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA).  “It is a great honour to be nominated by my peers on Regional Council,” said Regional Chair, Gary Carr. “Transit infrastructure, traffic congestion and meeting the needs of commuters are critical issues in Halton Region. I look forward to working with my counterparts across the GTTA to ensure that these important issues are addressed.” 

Upcoming Events:

HKCBA National Business Forum 2007 • April 23

"A Winning China Strategy for Canada: Hong Kong and Fujian"

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Room 105

This year we are pleased to have the involvement and participation of Invest Hong Kong and the Fujian Provincial Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation – we will have approximately 40 business and government people from the Province of Fujian participating.

Connect With Utah • April 24

Ontario Investment Service

Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. of Utah will be in Toronto on April 24th accompanied by a delegation of leading Utah life sciences companies and research institutions. This delegation is excited by the potential for collaborating and partnering with Ontario and is interested in meeting with you.

Please join us for a partnering session, followed by a networking luncheon, with the following organizations from Utah: Utah State University; USTAR, University of Utah; vSprings Capital; World Trade Centre Utah; Utah Technology Council; Nelson Labs; InnovaBio; Lineagen Partners; Varian; DAW Tech; Bard Access; Tharos Laboratories Inc.; and TechniScan Medical.

Canada-India Corporate Partnership Dinner • April 26

Arcadian Court, Simpson Tower

Experience the Ontario Of Tomorrow At The Discovery 07  • May 1

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

 Learn about exciting successes and emerging trends through panel discussions and provocative addresses. Explore a huge showcase of promising ideas across numerous research and industrial sectors. Connect with the luminaries, leaders, dreamers and doers who are driving Ontario’s innovation revolution.  Meet business leaders and important decision makers from industry, government and academia.

Discovery 2007 is shaping up to provide an even more stimulating experience than the inaugural event in 2006, which attracted over 1,200 business leaders, and influential speakers on the cutting edge of innovation, who offered their insights into the future of Ontario.

Intelligent Community Forum’s BUILDING the BROADBAND ECONOMY 2007 • May 17 and 18

New York City

Join the GTMA’s Special Group Rate, the lowest possible rate at this time since ICF’s early bird rate, which has now ended. For only $445US you can attend this gathering that brings leaders from around the globe together for a fast paced two days in NYC to discuss what makes a city successful and “intelligent”. But you must go through GTMA’s John Jung at jjung@greatertoronto.org  to get this special rate.

“It’s a broader discussion than simply wiring a city or providing wireless hotspots, no matter what the size”, says John Jung, GTMA’s VP of International Marketing, who has been involved with ICF since its inception and is its current Chairman. “It’s about those other unique aspects of creating, attracting and retaining skilled knowledge workers; being creative and innovative and engaging the community to take strategic risks; finding and sustaining leadership in the community; developing collaborative means to implement and sustain these initiatives and ensuring that everyone is included in the digital age. It’s also about advocacy and marketing and ensuring that governments develop policies and resources to back it up. Creating a new culture that uses these wired and wireless tools for the betterment of the city’s quality of life and social, cultural and economic gain are the ultimate goals of these intelligent communities. ICF looks at that unique and special nexus of the digital and physical domains. No other global think tank does this.”