Eastern Ontario Economic Showcase featuring Donald Trump

Yes “The Donald” in Ottawa – live and in person – on September 24, 2009 at the Ottawa Civic Centre.

Join Donald J. Trump and other industry and political leaders for this exclusive business development event.

Learn of existing economic development and partnership opportunities in Eastern Ontario. Gain valuable insight from renowned experts on:  Accessing Capital, Innovation, Strategy and Managing Change.

Meet and learn from Donald J. Trump, one of the world’s most recognized and successful entrepreneurs. Mr. Trump will deliver a motivational and inspiring address on what it takes to be a leader and achieve goals in business and in life.  

Be one of only 90 community and business exhibitors at this prestigious and exclusive business development event. Develop strategic partnerships, examine potential commercialization links and network with the best and brightest in Eastern Ontario.

Visit www.ocri.ca/showcase for more info.

OCRI’s Hockey Team Still a Player or Two Away

The 3rd Annual Bell Sensplex/OCRI Technology Hockey Challenge (Feb. 19-20)

This one-of-a-kind hockey tournament provides Ottawa’s technology sector with a unique chance to get together for good times on AND off the ice. A portion of all proceeds benefit The Christmas Cheer Campaign.

As for the OCRI team… they looked good and showed some flashes of brilliance. The four games they played really could have gone either way but unfortunately went in the oppositions’ favour. With the final scores 4-1, 4-2, 3-1 and 4-1 the team is optimistic they can rebound in next year’s tourney. On a side note, there are no better fans than OCRI fans! It seemed like 80% of the fans in the stands were cheering on the good guys.

Thanks to Scott Lawryk and his crew at the Bell Sensplex for putting on such a fun and well-organized event.

2 Actors from Corner Gas + 380 MPI Members = 9882 Breakfasts for Students In-need

Darlene Kelly-Stewart (President, MPI Ottawa Chapter), Gabrielle Miller, Christine Lauzon-Foley (Manager, OCRI School Breakfast Program) and Tara Spencer-Miller 

 

An impromptu live auction broke out at the MPI Charity Auction in support of the OCRI School Breakfast Program at the Westin on February 13th. The prize: roundtrip airfare for two to Regina, accommodations, dinner for the winner, their guest, Tara Spence-Nairn and Gabrielle Miller and a tour of the Corner Gas set. A bidding war broke out and in the end two lucky (and very generous) people shared the winning bid for a combined total donation of $8400. Thank you bidders, Tara, Gabrielle, Tourism Regina and MPI for your support of the program!

Put a little Rock’n Roll in your Life

Do you find when listening to your favourite tunes, your feet start moving, fingers tapping and then all of a sudden you pick up your stapler and start signing?  If you have any of these symptoms then it may be time for you to break out of your cube and put together a band for Ottawa’s Battle of the Technology Bands - Tech Rocks!

Last year OCRI’s Battle of the Technology Bands saw 21 bands hit the stage at O’Connors Pub in Kanata!  So, get out of your office into a garage or studio for some practice time and then sign up at www.techrocks.com.  It’s all about the music – and having fun!

Canada’s Innovation Leaders Supplement 2007

Canada’s Innovation Leaders Supplement 2007 appears today in the Friday, November 2nd edition of the National Post and in the Saturday, November 3rd edition of the Ottawa Citizen (in some areas only). Check out who is on Canada’s Top 100 Corporate R&D Spenders list and Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities list. Read editorials by five leaders from Canada’s innovation community, including OCRI President Jeffrey Dale, on the theme “Can R&D Save Canada?” For more information: www.researchinfosource.com

Chambers Engages Ottawa Audience

John Chambers made a stop in the capital last week to give us a glimpse of how the world can make better use of technology to increase productivity. He was a fantastic speaker. Not only did he have a riveting topic and personality, he moved freely around the theatre and interacted with many of the attendees. This was a fantastic event that opened my eyes to the possibilities that exist with the advancements in today’s technology.

Throughout the presentation he mentioned a scenario where we could watch a Senator’s hockey game and create our own replays from any angle in the rink while trash-talking relatives and friends who were too busy cheering an opposing team. How fitting the presentation ended with a Sen’s jersey. Though he didn’t put it on, he did graciously accept it. 

The Next Phase of the Internet Exciting

I recently attended the OCRI/ITAC sponsored breakfast where John Chambers, the Chairman and CEO, Cisco, was the keynote speaker. It was a phenomenal event not only because it was well executed, but the featured topic was intellectually stimulating. Specifically, Chambers was able to provide a glimpse into the ever-changing world of the Internet and explain to his audience its future direction. His captivated audience held on to every word with anticipation of his next sentence, idea and reasoning.

The subject matter would seem complicated for those not familar with the inner workings of the Internet revolution, especially when it comes to business. Chambers was able to express his thoughts and ideas in very simple terms, while spending the extra time to play with his audience. I must admit that I too played along with Chambers, often stopping to think that he is one of the greatest business and technology-based minds that I have come across. My view is shared by so many who have crossed paths with the extraodinary visionary via attending his lectures, seminars, etc.

I was pleasantly surprised that Chambers was able to discuss the future of the world wide web. I guess this stems from a university course taken where a professor “professed” that the Internet is uncontrollable. Chambers was definately not talking about controlling the “net”, but simply how business will help to transform it to accelerate innovation and productivity.

His speech was indeed a breath of fresh air and it would be my pleasure to hear him speak again.

Ottawa Gala Gives $35,000 to OCRI’s School Breakfast Program

October 2, 2007 —John Baird, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-West Nepean presented a cheque for $35,000 as Honourary Chair of the Ottawa Gala to the OCRI School Breakfast Program. The funds were part of the proceeds from the Ottawa Gala held in April

Mr. Baird, alongside representatives from Fund for a New Generation and Telus, spent the morning serving breakfast to some eager kids at the Grant Alternative School in West Ottawa.  The breakfast program offers a healthy start to the day for 8,500 Ottawa children each school day.

Stars Shine Bright at OCRI Life Sciences Achievement Awards

Winners (left to right): Dr. Andy Adler; Dr. May Griffith; Dr. Syed Sattar; Dr. Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz and Dr. Francisco Diaz-Mitoma.

On Monday, September 24th, members of Ottawa’s Life Sciences community came together to celebrate the achievements of five outstanding award winners. I am always reminded of why we do this event, when I see the joy and the thanks on the winners faces.

The night was a resounding success which finished with inspiring words from Dr. Sattar. Dr. Sattars colleagues are always commenting on the fact that though he is retired, he works harder than ever. To this he responds with words from poet Edna St. Vincent Millay “My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends – It gives a lovely light!”

I am hoping that many people will take Dr. Sattar’s inspiring words and continue to strive to be a light in our community. For more information about the award winners visit www.ocri.ca/achievement.

OCRI Launches 2007 Ottawa Report

This annual initiative provides a comprehensive and authoritative perspective on the most recent economic, technology and educational indicators for Ottawa. The Report compiles statistical data which shows the city’s strengths and points out areas needing improvement to maintain economic growth. A must read for anyone interested in Ottawa as a place to live or to do business.