This week’s round-up of regional business news includes Peterborough’s NV Media Productions rebranding as 705 Creative, Peterborough County honouring local businesses with 2019 Recognition Awards, and the Campfires & Cocktails event raising $40,250 for educational programming at The Canadian Canoe Museum.
Also featured this week are the Government of Ontario providing $71 million to Eastern Ontario Regional Network for mobile broadband services, the Town of Cobourg hiring Antonio Sarmiento as artistic and creative consultant, nominations closing for the Peterborough Business Excellence Awards, and the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre now open with extended summer hours.
New regional events added this week include the Business Advisory Centre’s business planning workshop in Peterborough on May 28th, the Port Hope Chamber’s Women in Business Breakfast Series in Port Hope on June 4th, the Trent Hills Chamber’s sales workshop in Campbellford on June 10th, the Business Advisory Centre’s new venture session in Peterborough on June 11th, Artspace’s annual general meeting in Peterborough on June 18th, Kawartha Chamber’s Stoney Lake boat cruise on June 20th, and the United Way Peterborough’s annual general meeting in Peterborough on June 24th.
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Peterborough’s NV Media Productions rebrands as 705 Creative
Peterborough’s NV Media Productions is rebranding as 705 Creative.
Co-founded by Bianca Nucaro-Viteri and Mercedez Nucaro in 2016, while the two sisters were attending Trent University, the company is best known for its video production services, although it also provides a range of content marketing solutions including branding and graphic design, website development and search engine optimization, and photography and digital ad management.
Bianca and Mercedez decided to rebrand their company, which now has a team of four people, with a name that includes a local touch: “705” to represent the area code for Peterborough and most of central of central and northeastern Ontario, and “Creative” to represent the company’s range of services.
“The Peterborough and Kawartha region has truly allowed our company to thrive,” Bianca says. “With our new branding, we hope to signify our commitment to helping establishments in the region bring their ideas to life through content creation.”
One of 705 Creative’s specialties is digital content development and marketing.
“According to Forbes, millennials spend an average of eleven hours per day engaging with digital content,” a media release from the company states. “As that number continues to rise, more small to medium-sized businesses are starting to utilize social media to gain customers. That’s where 705 Creative comes in.”
The company’s clients have included the Peterborough Humane Society, the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes, Pulse Physiotherapy, Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio, and more.
“I found working with Bianca and Mercedez to be really helpful,” says Shannon Gray, owner of Sugar Me Right! Beauty Studio in downtown Peterborough. “They are professional, punctual, and deliver everything you could need. They did our company headshots, promotional video, and branded music for radio. Working with them has really made a big difference to our business.”
The company is currently working with kawarthaNOW.com to provide video news content as well as web and social media video.
“We have a lot of exciting projects coming up that we are excited to announce,” Mercedez says. “We hope to continue increasing our presence in the region and helping companies share their stories the right way.”
For more information about 705 Creative, visit 705creative.ca.
Peterborough County honours local businesses with 2019 Recognition Awards
Peterborough County has honoured a number of local businesses and with the 2019 Recognition Awards, with the recipients announced last Wednesday (May 15) at the regular council meeting.
One business in each township in Peterborough County received the Business Leadership award, which recognizes new or established businesses that have made oustanding contributions to the county or demonstrated excellence in the promotion of tourism. The recipients are:
- Pat Taylor – Taylor Made Signs (Cavan Monaghan)
- Ray Johnston & Sons Heating & Air Conditioning (Douro-Dummer)
- Cag One Skate Sharpeners (Havelock-Belmont-Methuen)
- Accurate Accounting and Tax Service (North Kawartha)
- Rolling Grape Vineyard (Otonabee-South Monaghan)
- The Bridgenorth Deli (Selwyn)
Farms and farming individuals were also honoured with the Agricultural Leadership award, recognizing innovations and agricultural promotion as well as involvement in agricultural organizations and leadership in the agricultural community. The recipients are:
- Allan Bigelow (Cavan Monaghan)
- Norhill Farms (Douro-Dummer)
- Indian River Acres (Otonabee-South Monaghan)
- Glenn & Nora Darling (Selwyn)
In addition, Peterborough County awarded the Accessibility Recognition award (recognizing a group, individual or business who has contributed to accessibility improvements within the county) to Peterborough Curling Club of Cavan Monaghan, and Acts of Heorism awards (people displaying bravery in the face of personal risk, injury, or death) to: Ryan McIlwain (Douro-Dummer); Evan King, Jeff King and Devin Gerow (Havelock-Belmont-Methuen); and Martin Schady and Craig Willoughby (Selwyn).
Campfires & Cocktails event raises $40,250 for educational programming at The Canadian Canoe Museum
The Canadian Canoe Museum’s first-ever Campfires and Cocktails event, which was held on May 4th, raised $40,250 for educational programming at The Canadian Canoe Museum.
More than 200 people attended the event to enjoy food and drink from eight local vendors, live music by local country-folk-pop trio the Dixie Hicks, and a live auction featuring paddles painted by 15 local artists and distinguished Canadian/
“We are so grateful for all the support the museum received,” says Caroline Anderson, the museum’s annual giving coordinator. “From the organizing committee led by Jane Ulrich, to the local businesses who brought such incredible creativity to the table, we were amazed by the initiative and interest.”
Organizing committee volunteers included Jane Ulrich, Mary Bucholtz, Nan Campbell, Emma Cox, Julie Davie, Lisa Dixon, Kathy Gillis, Sarah McDougall-Perrin, Lauren McGee, and Pamela St. Onge.
The museum plans to hold the event again next year.
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Government of Ontario provides $71 million to Eastern Ontario Regional Network for mobile broadband services
Last Friday (May 17), Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton was in Roseneath in Northumberland County to announce a commitment of $71 million to the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN).
EORN was created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and has already completed a major project to build a high-capacity fibre-optic backbone network in Eastern Ontario. The group has developed a $213 million public-private partnership to improve both the reach and quality of mobile broadband services in the region.
EORN states that the gaps in rural mobile broadband services are the result of market failure, as rural areas don’t generate enough revenue for mobile carriers to build adequate services. The CRTC recently designated both mobile and fixed broadband as basic services for all Canadians. EORN’s public-private partnership will reduce carriers’ infrastructure costs, creating a stronger business case to improve services and meet the CRTC’s basic service goals.
The $71 million in provincial funding represents one third of the project’s public funding, with EORN seeking another third fromg the federal government. All members of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and most municipalities within the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus have committed to contributing to the $10 million municipal share. Mobile carriers, who will be selected through a competitive bidding process, are expected to provide the balance of the funding.
Town of Cobourg hires Antonio Sarmiento as artistic and creative consultant
The Town of Cobourg’s community services division has hired Antonio Sarmiento as an artistic and creative consultant to develop a strategic and operational plan for the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall over the next year.
Best known as the former artistic director and general manager of the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre in Port Hope, Sarmiento has more than 20 years’ experience in similar roles across a variety of national and international theatre and performing arts centres.
He has produced a variety of live theatre productions and received a number of awards and accolades for his achievements from the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Business Achievement Awards.
The Concert Hall at Victoria Hall provides a central venue for plays, concerts, and musical theatre performed by both local, national, and international guest artists.
Cobourg’s community services division will be launching a strategic review of the venue over the next year, which will be led by Sarmiento with the support of city staff.
“The Concert Hall has been a significant cultural asset for the town and surrounding region for almost 160 years,” said Dean Hustwick, director of community services for the Town of Cobourg. “Antonio Sarmiento has been a cultural and artistic leader in this area for many years and has had many great achievements throughout his career. Together, along with our community services division staff, we will position the Concert Hall for even greater success as a cultural anchor in this community.”
Sarmiento holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in theatre and fine arts from Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York and is also a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy & College, the Hollywood Film Institute,and the Disney Institute.
“I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue my creative career in the Town of Cobourg, the place my family and I have been so lucky to call our home for 10 years now,” Sarmiento says . “The Concert Hall at Victoria Hall is a magnificent venue that’s central to our community. I look forward to engaging Council, Town staff and citizens on how we can continue to deliver innovative artistic experiences we can all be proud of.”
Nominations close this week for Peterborough Business Excellence Awards
Nominations for the 2019 Peterborough Business Excellence Awards close at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22nd.
Award categories are Entrepreneurial Spirit, Skilled Trades, Tourism, Hospitality, Micro Business – Fewer Than 5 Employees, Retail, Professional Services, Customer First, Local Focus, Innovation / Research & Development, Commercial Development Or Renovation, Marketing & Promotion, Environmental Practices, Health & Wellness, Not-For-Profit, Employer Of The Year, Business Citizen Of The Year, 4-Under-40 Profiles, and Immigrant Entrepreneur Of The Year.
Self-nominations are encouraged, or you can nominate another business or business leader in the community. Businesses and individuals within the City and County of Peterborough are eligible, and do not need to be members of the Chamber.
Submit your nominations at www.excellencepeterborough.ca/nominate/.
Award finalists will be announced on August 8th, with the recipients selected at an awards ceremony on October 16t at Showplace Performance Centre.
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United Way Peterborough seeking two board directors
The United Way Peterborough is looking to fill two positions on its board of directors.
Each position is for a three-year term, with the potential to renew for a second term.
Board members attend two-hour monthly meetings to review the organization’s business and volunteer for committees or projects to further the goals of the organization.
While anyone can apply, United Way Peterborough is particularly seeking people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Those interested in this position should apply by 4:30 p.m. on May 21st by sending their CV along with a brief letter of interest to Jim Russell at [email protected].
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre now open with extended summer hours
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre, located in Suite 101 of VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough), is now open with extended summer hours.
Now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays during the summer (Canada Day and the Civic Holiday), the centre provides a wide selection of free information including travel guides, brochures, road maps, and trail guides.
Trained travel counsellors are also available to assist visitors to the area in person, over the phone, and online with the “live chat” function on thekawarthas.ca (available during business hours).
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism will offer its mobile visitor services program again this year at more than 30 locations, including Indian River Reptile Zoo (Asphodel-Norwood), Lock 31 – Buckhorn (Trent Lakes), and Burleigh Falls Inn (North Kawartha).
“We look forward to welcoming new and return visitors to the region and to the Visitor Centre this summer,” says Tracie Bertrand, the organization’s director of tourism and communications.
“We are encouraging our visitors, as well as our locals, to try something new this summer in Peterborough and the Kawarthas and explore some of our region’s hidden gems and treasured favourites. Our trained travel counsellors are here to provide a full-service itinerary planning as well as resources to have a summer of fun.”
A division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism is the region’s official destination marketing organization.
For more information on the Visitor Centre, visit thekawarthas.ca/visitor-centre/.
Venture13 celebrates one-year anniversary on May 21 in Cobourg
Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre is celebrating its one-year anniversary from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21st at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The agenda will include a review of the past year’s accomplishments, the economic impact to date, and Venture13’s future strategy, as well as announcements regarding funding, community partnerships, and innovation in action.
Tech expert and entrepreneur Takara Small will deliver a keynote address about creating and encouraging rural and urban linkages, driving innovation and growth, and creating the exchange and flow of people, investment, and resources.
Following the keynote address, there will be a self-guided tour of the VentureZone where booths and demos will be set up to showcase Venture13’s entrepreneurs and community partners. A community BBQ hosted by the Cobourg Police Service will be taking place just outside of the building, with all proceeds going towards Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre and Rebound Child & Youth Services Northumberland.
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Business Advisory Centre presents business planning workshop in Peterborough on May 28
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre is presenting “Business Fundamentals: Business Planning” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28th in the lower-level boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The workshop is designed to give you a strong foundation in business planning and to explain the importance of a comprehensive business plan. The session will share tools available for creating a business plan and provide top tips for creating a plan ready to share with banks and funding agencies to secure financing.
To register for the free workshop, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/business-fundamentals-business-planning-tickets-61309857434?.
Innovation Cluster holds annual general meeting in Peterborough on May 30
The Innovation Cluster Peterborough & the Kawarthas is holding its annual general meeting from 2;30 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 30th at The Cube at VentureNorth (270 George St. N, Peterborough).
This is an opportunity for the public to hear highlights from 2018 and meet some of the regions most promising startups.
The meeting is open to the public and there is no cost to attend, but registration is requested at www.eventbrite.com/e/the-innovation-cluster-annual-general-meeting-tickets-60143673346.
Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce holds annual general meeting in Carnarvon on June 4
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4th at Rhubarb Restaurant (9201 Highway 118, Carnarvon).
The meeting will feature a look back at our 2018-19 accomplishments, Board of Director elections, and more.
The cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.
To register, visit events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egbij6eed032a751.
Port Hope Chamber presents Women in Business Breakfast Series in Port Hope on June 4
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce presents the Women in Business Breakfast Series from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4th at the Jack Burger Sports Complex (60 Highland Dr., Port Hope).
A panel of professionals from the Port Hope Health Centre will discuss the importance of self-care and resources available locally.
The cost is $5 per person at the door.
Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce hosts Evening of Excellence Awards Celebration in Bobcaygeon on June 7
The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Evening of Excellence Awards Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 7th at Lakeview Arts Barn (2300 Pigeon Lake Rd., Bobcaygeon).
The evening will feature networking, a silent auction, a gourmet dinner, and award presentations. Gourmet catering will be provided by Lakeview Arts Barn with photography by Laura Elizabeth Photography.
The cost is $120 per person, or $800 for a table of eight. Tickets must be reserved by Friday, May 24th, at lindsaydistrictchamberofcommerce.wildapricot.org/event-3300025.
Trent Hills Chamber presents sales workshop in Campbellford on June 10
Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is presenting a sales workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, June 10th at the Campbellford Community Resource Centre (65 Bridge St. E., Campbellford).
Led by David Cohen, the workshop will detail the sales process and how to approach each step from customer attraction and lead generation to closing the sale. Each participant will take away steps to access a more effective way to sell and work with a prospective client in a way that is easy to manage.
The workshop is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. Advance registration is required at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/sales-workshop-with-david-cohen-3257
Business Advisory Centre presents new venture session in Peterborough on June 11
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Business Advisory Centre is presenting “New Venture Session” from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11th in the lower-level boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The session will cover the foundations of starting and running a business, resources and programs available to entrepreneurs in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, how to work with the Business Advisory Centre, building a plan of action for your business, and completing the start-up checklist.
To register for the free workshop, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/business-fundamentals-business-planning-tickets-61309857434?.
Kawarthas Northumberland Tourism hosts annual partner meeting in Keene on June 18
Kawarthas Northumberland Tourism is hosting its annual partner meeting from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18th at Elmhirst’s Resort (1045 Settlers Line, Keene).
Open to active Kawarthas Northumberland Tourism partners whose tourism businesses reside within the region, the meeting provides the opportunity to meet board members, staff, ministry representatives and advisors, and to network with other tourism operators.
Dr. Nancy Arsenault, co-founder of the Tourism Cafe in British Columbia and an expert on experiential travel, will be the guest speaker.
The event is free, but registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/kawarthas-northumberland-annual-partner-meeting-2019-tickets-60306103178. Registration closes at 12 p.m. on Friday, June 14th.
Artspace holds its annual general meeting in Peterborough on June 18
Artspace is holding its annual general meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18th in the main gallery at Artspace (378 Aylmer St. N., Peterborough).
The agenda will include a review of the previous year’s operations, including highlights from exhibitions and programming, as well as a presentation of the centre’s audited financial statements.
Artspace will also seek nominations for new members for its board of directors. While Artspace encourages all members of the public to attend, only members in good standing are eligible to participate in voting and run for a position on the board.
To become a member or renew your membership, visit artspace-arc.org/product/artspace-membership/ online please click here.
The meeting will be held in a physically accessible space.
Kawartha Chamber hosts a Stoney Lake boat cruise on June 20
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s next Business After Hours event features boat cruise on Stoney Lake from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 22nd at Stoney Lake Cruises (610 Mount Julian – Viamede Rd., Woodview).
Participants will board at 4:30 p.m. and the cruise will happen from 5 to 7 p.m. (rain or shine).
Appetizers will be provided by Burleigh Falls Inn (email [email protected] if you have any dietary restrictions).
Tickets are $20 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members. Register at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/stoney-lake-boat-cruise-with-the-kawartha-chamber-10422.
United Way Peterborough holds annual general meeting in Peterborough on June 24
The United Way Peterborough is holding its annual general meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 24th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
The meeting will showcase the recipients of the 2019 Neighbourhood Fund, which provides small one-time grants to support informal groups of people who are working together to improve their neighbourhood or demographic community within the city and county of Peterborough.
To RSVP, call 705-742-8839 x21 or email [email protected].
Peterborough DBIA holds its 2019 annual general meeting in Peterborough on June 26
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is holding its 2019 annual general meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26th in the Nexicom Studio at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting, although only DBIA members can vote.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.