OWIT-Toronto - What's New

December 2006

Leading-Edge Software Exporter Recognized at Woman Entrepreneur Awards

TORONTO, ON -- Close to 1,000 people gathered to celebrate and support the winners of this year's RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards (CWEA), sponsored by RBC Financial Group, at a ceremony in Toronto on November 21, 2006. The awards provide national recognition to Canada's women entrepreneurs, whose successful businesses and achievements contribute to Canadian and global economies as well as to their communities. 875 nominations were received from across Canada this year, with seven outstanding women selected.

The winner of this year’s BDC Exporter Award, Kyle MacDonald, of London, Ontario-based Phoenix Interactive Design created the only company in Canada, and one of only three worldwide, developing leading-edge software to improve the technology behind financial institutions’ self-service products such as ATM machines. Kyle revolutionized the ATM software solution industry and has traveled millions of miles over the years to develop solid client relationships and turn Phoenix into a global leader. The company’s team of banking professionals, IT experts, and project managers routinely raise the bar in retail banking.

BRAMPTON, ON -- Isabel Alexander , president and founder of Phancorp Inc. has been awarded 34th place in PROFIT magazine’s W100 ranking of the Top 100 Canadian Women Entrepreneurs for 2006. In the November issue of each year’s PROFIT, the W100 ranks Canada’s most successful female entrepreneurs based on company revenue.

Isabel, who has previously presented at an OWIT-Toronto event as a guest speaker, founded Phancorp more than 17 years ago, and the global chemical wholesaler now serves distributors across the North American chemical industry. Phancorp is currently headquartered in Brampton, with satellite offices Chicago and Beijing, China, and another planned for India.

An exporter in a non-traditional field, Isabel has ranked in PROFIT magazine’s W100 every year since 2002. In 2005, Isabel was appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (I.E. Canada), becoming the second woman in I.E. Canada’s 75-year history to hold this position. Isabel is also a director of the Society of Chemical Industry Canada (SCI).

For a complete listing of the Top 100 Canadian Women Entrepreneurs for 2006, please visit PROFIT magazine online.

According to Forbes Magazine in its most recent "100 Most Powerful Women to Watch", highlighting the Gulf States being progressive as women are now voting and running for office in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain. Of equal importance, a 2003 study in Saudi Arabia showed that the majority of heirs to family-owned businesses which amounts to billions of US$$ in the country are women - a fact that calls for greater involvement by Saudi women in managing business, both directly and indirectly. Many family-owned firms are among the largest in the country in terms of assets (billions), operation and manpower. There are at least 460 such businesses; moreover, there are more Saudi women that have direct involvement in these businesses.

The GCC represents the most prosperous grouping in the Middle East and North African region and is a strategic entry point to the larger Middle East / South Asia / East African market. The region has one of the fastest growing GDPs in the world, and is blessed with extensive natural resources. It is estimated that the value of investments in Canada from the Gulf range from between $3-5 billion, mainly from Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and Kuwait.
Two-way trade in merchandise with GCC countries exceeded $3.1 billion in 2005, with Canadian imports ($1.91b) exceeding Canadian exports ($1.28b).
This data may understate our trade, as many Canadian goods are shipped to the region via the United States or other countries.

TAKE NOTICE that the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Organization of Women in International Trade - Toronto (the "Corporation") will be held at the McLeod Room, 63rd Floor, 40 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario on December 4, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) for the following purposes:

Members who are unable to attend the meeting in person are requested to complete, sign, date and return the form of proxy accompanying this notice to Amanda de Vogel by fax: 905-827-6725.
DATED at Toronto, Ontario, this 17th day of November, 2006.

November 2006

COME CELEBRATE!
2006 RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards Gala
On Tuesday November 21, 2006
join the exciting tribute to Canada's most outstanding women entrepreneurs when Awards will be presented in honour of the BDC Exporter, the Deloitte Start Up, The Intel Innovation, The RBC Momentum, The Bell Trailblazer, and The Energy Savings Group Lifetime Achievement categories.

Gala Awards Dinner - Tuesday November 21, 2006
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
255 Front Street West, North Building

To Buy Tickets or for More Information:
Call 416.923.1688 or visit www.theawards.ca

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October 2006

With increasing globalization as well as competition that is chipping away at Canada’s position as the number one exporter to the U.S., both Canada’s Minister of International Trade, David Emerson, and Ontario’s new Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Sandra Pupatello, are open to advice and input from the trade community. Both were guest speakers at the 75 th Annual IE Canada (Importers & Exporters Canada)Conference - Capitalizing on Global Change - in October.

Despite the benefits that NAFTA has brought Canada in terms of business, trade and economic opportunities, there are troubling signs evident in slowing export growth, Emerson warned, and “we must sharpen our competitive instincts”. Among the federal government’s initiatives to strengthen trade ties and Canada’s competitive position are the Asia-Pacific Gateway strategy to take advantage of the shifting economic centre of gravity to Asia and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to ensure safe but effective border controls. Streamlining the regulatory regime and accelerating key trade agreements are other priorities.

Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada has strong foundations in place, Emerson notes, “but we need to redefine how to work with the private sector and broaden our focus beyond traditional export assistance…Every step we take to increase engagement is critical. We need your advice and capacity for action.”

In her presentation, Ontario’s Sandra Pupatello encouraged participants to become a part of advice-giving on trade to the province. She also said that the provincial government is expanding its global presence by adding more International Marketing Centres around the world and by leading business and trade missions, such as one to India and Pakistan in early 2007. Organizations can give government advice on how to move forward in re-establishing Ontario’s international position, she said.

Toronto, ON -- The Hon. Sarmite D. Bulte, Member of Parliament for Parkdale-High Park (1997 - January 2006) is this year’s recipient of the JoAnna Townsend Award, presented by the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) – Toronto. The award, supported by Ann Wylie Toal Designs, Export Development Canada, Hodgson Russ LLP, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, recognizes an outstanding woman in Ontario who, through her business and personal networks, fosters opportunities that actively support women entrepreneurs to achieve success in international business. It was presented at a ceremony in Toronto on September 27, sponsored by TLI – The Mandarin School.

“When you work hard to do things because of your passion and desire to make a difference, it means a great deal to be acknowledged,” said Sarmite. She was selected for her tireless work, as both a volunteer and politician, in fostering growth and opportunities for businesswomen and entrepreneurs for over 25 years. She has been very involved in many national and international women’s business organizations, including being a founder of Women Entrepreneurs of Canada (WEC). Once elected as MP for Parkdale-High Park in 1997, she continued to champion the cause for women in business and trade, garnering numerous national and international awards. She was also appointed Chair of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs in 2002.

Consultant Betty Wood was honoured as runner up – recognized, among other things, for the work she did to help women expand into the international arena when she was National Director of Women’s Market Strategies for RBC Royal Bank.

Award finalists included Darlene A. Homonko, Executive Director, Golden Horseshoe BioSciences Network, Samantha Kane, Founding Partner, Kane-MacKay & Associates Ltd., Mikah Lee, CEO, LPR Global Inc., Donna Messer, President, ConnectUs Communications, Sonja Perovic, President, Loopmedia Inc., and Angela Santomieri, CEO, Langu-EDGE Solutions Inc.

The award honours the memory of JoAnna Townsend, a champion of women exporters who spearheaded the groundbreaking Beyond Borders report, the first research of its kind in the world on women and their role in international trade.

Other highlights of the evening included keynote speaker Marg Hachey, Executive Vice-President, Duocom Communications of Canada Inc., who shared insights on how to use technology to streamline international business and leapfrog to success in the global marketplace.

Toronto, ON -- The winner of the 3rd annual JoAnna Townsend Award, which recognizes an outstanding woman in Ontario who actively supports women entrepreneurs, helping them achieve success in international business, will be announced by the Organization of Women in International Trade – Toronto (www.owit-toronto.ca) on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at its Annual Summer BBQ. OWIT-Toronto launched the JoAnna Townsend Award in memory of JoAnna Townsend, a trailblazing champion of women exporters who died in 2004 after a courageous battle with cancer. The event – the theme of which is “In Praise of OWIT Women” – is generously sponsored by TLI - The Mandarin School. Award supporters include: Hodgson Russ LLP , Ann Wylie-Toal Designs, Export Development Canada (EDC), and International Trade Canada (ITC).

Sarmite D. Bulte
Member of Parliament for Parkdale-High Park (1997 - January 2006)

Darlene A. Homonko
Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, Executive Director, Golden Horseshoe BioSciences Network

The event will also feature speaker Nadja Piatka, the founder and President of Nadja Foods and the author of two best-selling cookbooks. She will deliver the event’s keynote presentation - “From Home Kitchen to Oprah - Lessons Learned from a Savvy Foodservice Exporter”. Nadja, who has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and tours as a motivational speaker across North America, will share her experience of starting a business out of her home kitchen with a $100 investment and turning it into a multi-million dollar international food manufacturing company that now supplies healthy, nutritious food choices to McDonald’s®, Subway®, Sodexho® and public schools across North America. Nadja will also talk about her special connection to JoAnna Townsend, who introduced her to the world of exporting.

June 2006

Canadian Clinches International Trade Award
TORONTO, ON - The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) has named Canada's Andrina Lever - a pioneer and a long-time advocate and champion for the advancement of women's entrepreneurship internationally, both in public policy circles and with respect to access to international markets - as the 2006 recipient of its prestigious Woman of the Year Award. It is given annually to a woman who has furthered trade through excellence and innovation and who by doing so has enhanced the status of women in international trade and business.

Andrina, who will be honoured at OWIT's 2006 World Conference in San Francisco this fall, is President of Toronto-based Lever Enterprises, a consulting firm specializing in international trade, finance and commercial development. She is also a founding partner of JIT International Ltd., a UK based not-for-profit firm specializing in assisting and training women entrepreneurs in developing countries and countries in transition. Andrina has trained women in more than 25 countries on all continents, most recently in the Republic of Georgia.

“As part of the founding Board of the first Canadian chapter of OWIT in Toronto in 2000, this honour from OWIT at the international level is very special indeed,” says Andrina. “It is a unique organization which brings together women from all over the world in all different sectors who have an interest or stake in international trade. It is important to support organizations like OWIT which can help educate us, create networks for us and in general support us in our businesses. There are huge opportunities in international trade, especially in the service sector, that women need to know about. It is even more important that women are aware of the implications of poor trade policy on their businesses - well-intentioned policy may have the adverse effect because women have not been at the negotiating table.”

Andrina has spearheaded and participated in a number of initiatives which were important to underlining the role of businesswomen in the world of international trade as well as identifying their unique policy needs and concerns.

Among her accomplishments:

Founded the Women Leaders Network of APEC, the Women Leaders Network of the Americas and the Commonwealth Businesswomen Leaders Network

Instrumental in advising and developing policy recommendations on women entrepreneurs for APEC SME Ministers and OECD since 1996, covering more than 100 governments

Organized the first Canadian women’s trade mission in 1997 to Washington, DC and the 1999 Canada/USA Businesswomen’s Trade Summit

Canadian Prime Minister’s Representative to the APEC Business Council
(1998 - present) and a member of the Trade Minister’s SME Advisory Board
(2002 – present)

For more information about OWIT and the upcoming World Conference in San Francisco, visit www.owit.org.

OWIT-Toronto
Contact: Susan Baka,
Tel: 416-410-1654
E-mail: susanb@owit-toronto.ca

View in PDF format

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March 2006

Kane-MacKay and Associates Receives Global Traders Award
Belleville—Telecom consulting firm Kane-MacKay and Associates has been recognized as one of Ontario’s top exporters, and an outstanding contributor to Ontario’s economic growth.

The Belleville, Ontario-based company is a recipient of a 2006 Ontario Global Traders Award honoring top achievement in both the domestic and international marketplaces.

Kane-MacKay and Associates is a technology consulting firm specializing in strategic planning for the telecom industry, and in the design and implementation of customer service environments such as call centres and help desks.

The firm services companies in the manufacturing, utilities, retail, transportation, healthcare and media industries, and currently exports to the United States, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica.

The Ontario Global Traders Awards are the province’s premier export recognition program. First introduced in 1998, the Awards recognize the outstanding export achievements of the most innovative and successful small and medium-sized enterprises, leaders and students in Ontario. The Awards are coordinated by Ontario Exports Inc., the Government of Ontario’s export development agency with support from their partners in trade.

Kane-MacKay and Associates has been recognized for its accomplishments in the Market Expansion category.

"Since Kane-MacKay and Associates was founded in 1989, our company has worked to deliver the skills and services required by the international marketplace," says Samantha Kane, President. "We are honored to receive this recognition from Ontario Exports Inc. and its esteemed sponsors and partners."

Official presentation of the 8th Annual Global Traders Awards (Eastern Region) will take place in Kingston, Ontario on April 12, 2006.

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March 2006

Seeking Successful Women Exporters for Prestigious Award

Nominations for qualified candidates are now open for the 2006 RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards (CWEA). An exciting addition this year to the Award categories is The Business Development Bank (BDC) Exporter Award. This will be given to a woman who has a profitable business in a global marketplace and has increased sales significantly by developing international markets for her products and/or services. The recipient must provide evidence that at least 30% of her company sales come from outside Canada and demonstrate consistent year over year growth in International sales over the past three fiscal years.

It's well worth it to apply. The awards, which will be presented at a gala ceremony in Toronto on November 16, are the biggest and most prestigious national honour for women business owners.

Nomination Deadline: July 17, 2006
Application Deadline: August 14, 2006 - All nominees will be sent a package.

Eligibility: Any woman who owns a profitable business (not a franchise) that has been registered and operating in Canada for three full years as of May 31, 2006, earns her primary income from it and is responsible for its day-to-day management. Nominated businesses must have three complete 12-month periods of financial statements.

To nominate yourself or a candidate, visit www.theawards.ca

E-mail: info@powerpointgroup.com or
Tel: 416-923-1688
Toll-free: 1-800-354-3303.

For additional info, visit www.rbcroyalbank.com/sme/women

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