Members in the News
PPPC Scholarship Program - Financial Support for Students is Just The Beginning
by Jae M. Rang, MAS, Chair of the PPPC Scholarship Committee
“Your generosity and concern in the commitment of helping to build futures for students like me is inspirational,” says Kristina Wiech, a recipient of a PPPC scholarship bursary. It’s only one of many compliments we receive from recipients. And, for the PPPC, providing financial support for students like Kristina is the just the beginning.
The pillars of this program are leadership, education and growth. Kristina applied for scholarship money so she could concentrate more on her studies and less on having to raise the funds to support them. While education is a foundation for a thriving economy, for Kristina, pursuing her degree might have remained a dream had it not been for this program.
This $3.9-billion promotional industry in Canada continues to thrive as the only tangible, one-to-one communication medium. PPPC is taking a leadership role, not only in changing individuals’ lives, but also in changing the way in which our medium is taught. The message about promotional products, often seen as giveaways with little or no measurable ROI, needs to change. This medium is powerful.
Under the education pillar, PPPC annually offers 14 scholarships worth $1500 to aspiring professionals studying sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, business or programs related to our industry. Students must be studying full time and make application to the scholarship committee who enthusiastically review the submissions. Since its inception four years ago, 30 students have appreciatively received their cheques.
Students across the country have a standing invitation to attend PPPC chapter events and professional development sessions at the annual PPPC conference in Toronto in January. Further, PPPC ambassadors visit colleges and universities across the country to enlighten students and faculty on the depth of the industry. Creating this two-way dialogue is critical to accomplishing growth.
We’re seeing growth on many levels. What’s most exciting is the new talent pool we’re bringing into the industry as a result of communicating with colleges and universities. We’re discovering motivated individuals who, ultimately, could be great assets to our diverse membership base.
The scholarship program itself is taking traction; in fact, three members have purchased corporate scholarships of $1500 under the PPPC umbrella and Atlantic Canada became the first regional chapter to develop a chapter scholarship. Regional chapters are encouraged to host “student events” to not only generate applications, but also introduce students to the world of promotional products. The financial gifts are growing; however, there hasn’t been one year in which all scholarship funds were entirely spent. Who do you know who is studying sales, marketing, business or media arts and could use a $1500 boost?
Applications are available online at www.pppc.ca. Applicants must complete the application and submit it with a letter of endorsement from a faculty member, an official transcript and a 1500-word essay outlining how this scholarship will support their goals. The next deadline for application is May 31, 2012. For more information on the PPPC Scholarship Program, visit www. pppc.ca or contact Chantal Fontaine: Chantal@pppc.ca.
MICHAEL LEBLANC APPOINTED FCT’S CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, Jan 10, 2012 – Patrick Chetcuti, President, FCT, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael LeBlanc as Executive Vice‐President and Chief Operating Officer. Michael will be responsible for the day‐to‐day operations at FCT and will lead all offices and businesses across Canada, including FCT’s more than 850 employees who serve lawyers, lenders and real estate professionals.
LeBlanc has held leadership roles in every department since he began his career with FCT as Regional Director for Atlantic Canada and Director of Business Initiatives for Canada in 1995. Michael moved on to be the Senior Vice President responsible for the Lenderʹs Advantage Division, Sales and Business Development, Marketing, Legal, Claims and Underwriting
Divisions.
Prior to joining FCT, Michael practiced law in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as a partner with the law firm of Boyne Clarke. Michael has an extensive legal background in real‐estate‐related matters, appearing before the Supreme Court on both commercial and civil matters.
Michael holds a law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1978 and is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristerʹs Society. Michael is a regular speaker at industry conferences and events, focusing on title insurance and how it relates to real estate issues. He is also actively involved in many community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and United Way, as well as holding positions on several volunteer boards.
Through offices in major Canadian cities, FCT offers a full range of risk management solutions from residential and commercial title insurance to title processing; debt recovery and valuation services to document processing. The services company does not provide insurance products
Downtown Oakville Designated Tourism Exempt!
Oakville...Oakville’s downtown core has been declared a “tourist destination” by the Region of Halton and Town of Oakville. “This is fantastic news for downtown Oakville!” Says Joseph Diodati, Chair of the Downtown Oakville BIA.
The mandate of the Downtown Oakville BIA is to promote and enhance the downtown area and make improvements to municipally owned properties. With that mandate comes over $900,000.00 in investment from the BIA members which goes into the promotion and enhancement of the downtown area. Approximately $750,000 is through the BIA Levy – an additional tax above the commercial tax levy and the rest comes from corporate sponsorship, donations, revenue generation and grants.
“This little gem called downtown Oakville is dynamic, its’ cultured and most importantly progressive” Says Marcia Small, Downtown Oakville Board member and business owner who was instrumental in this exemption. ”All of the success factors for our downtown area make shopping, dining, and gallery & museum hopping a real treat and the new designation is another great reason to visit Oakville’s downtown core!”
Big events such as the Jazz Festival, Midnight Madness, A Taste of Downtown and the Runway Show draw people from all over the GTA and have a significant economic impact on the local economy. These festival continually encourage people who live in the GTA to keep coming back to Oakville’s downtown core, which is situated amongst natural, built and cultural heritage attractions as well as the Oakville Arts Galleries, Oakville Museum and the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.
The economic impact of any special event is positive but when you have more people or an increase in outside dollars coming into the local economy this tends to have a ripple effect on a number of industries in Oakville. “Over the past five years we have had several businesses vocalize the need for this designation and we are pleased to say that downtown Oakville is open for business on Statutory Holiday’s commencing with Canada Day 2011” Says manager Suzy Godefroy, Downtown Oakville BIA.
This designation means that all businesses in the Downtown Oakville BIA are exempt from the Retail Business Holiday Act, and that businesses are permitted to be open, effective July 1, 2011, and any future Statutory Holidays. The Retail Holiday Exemption does not mean that all businesses must stay open; rather it is an option or choice for those who may not necessarily want to stay open. The good news is that all downtown businesses are permitted to conduct business, legally, on any of the following recognized Statutory Holidays;
- New Year’s Day,
- Family Day
- Good Friday,
- Victoria Day,
- Canada Day,
- Labour Day,
- Thanksgiving Day,
- Christmas Day,
- Boxing Day
www.oakvilledowntown.com
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The Downtown Oakville Business Improvement Area is a non-profit organization that represents over 450 Oakville businesses located between Allan, Church, Robinson, and Navy Street. The Downtown Oakville BIA is completely funded by those businesses. Its primary mission is to promote and enhance Downtown Oakville and to make improvements to municipally owned properties.
For more information call 905-844-4520 or visit www.oakvilledowntown.com