In this issue - December 16, 2011

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MBOT NEWS

Mississauga Board of Trade Annual General Meeting featured U.S. Consul General and Election of New Chair

Mississauga Board of Trade was pleased to welcome over 150 of its members and guests to its Annual General Meeting at the International Centre on December 14, which featured a keynote address from U.S. Consul General, Kevin Johnson.

The business of MBOT's Annual General Meeting included remarks from outgoing 2011 Chair, Ian MacFadden (Business Development Bank of Canada), who spoke on the highlights of an active and successful year for MBOT, including the hosting of over 40 events, contributing to policy development at the local, provincial and national level, and enhancing its leadership role in the community. Mr. MacFadden thanked the members, volunteers, sponsors, Board of Directors and MBOT management and staff for its support.

"Your board of trade has been very busy and productive over the past year, and we are, I believe, well-positioned to carry forward with our mandate to support and advocate for you, our members, and for the Mississauga business community, as a partner in your success."

New members elected to join MBOT's Board of Directors included: Surinder (Sam) Sharma, Power Saving Systems Inc.; Dero Sabatini, TD Commercial Banking; and Sherry-Anne Bedminster, RBC Royal Bank.

Grant Clark was introduced as the new 2012 Chair, mentioning that his long-term relationship with MBOT has been "truly rewarding, both personally and professionally."

"I would like to thank my fellow directors on the 2012 Board for both the honour and faith they have placed in me to serve as their Chair for the coming year. I am humbled by your support, excited at the opportunity, and pledge to serve you, the members of MBOT and the business community of Mississauga, to the best of my ability, with enthusiasm and conviction," said Clark.

Grant is the President of Solutions for HR Inc., a Mississauga-based human resource management consulting firm he founded in 1995. He is a seasoned business executive with more than 35 years of business leadership and consulting experience ranging from small entrepreneurial companies to large, complex international organizations. He is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario and holds a CHRP designation.

A long-term resident of Mississauga, Grant has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Mississauga Board of Trade since 2007. His community service also includes serving on the Steering Committee of the Mississauga Summit, a citizen-based group working with local government, businesses and community-based organizations to develop initiatives beneficial to the city and its stakeholders. He also works with Acces Employment, a non-profit organization providing assistance to foreign-trained professionals from diverse backgrounds to integrate into the Canadian job market.

MBOT welcomed U.S. Consul General, Kevin Johnson, as the keynote speaker for the 2011 AGM. Mr. Johnson has represented the United States as Consul General in Toronto, Canada since August of 2009, and spoke extensively on US-Canada trade relations and security.

"We're in a golden moment right now because there is more trust between the U.S. and Canada, than there ever has been," said Johnson, who suspects that President Obama's presence has something to do with the closer relationship.

Mr. Johnson also spoke to such subjects as: the New International Trade Crossing, the importance of Nexus passes, the plan for renewable energy in the U.S. and the importance of exporting. "If we can make trade better, it's a win for everyone."

Event sponsors included the International Centre and Business Development Bank of Canada, who were thanked for their support.    

AGM photos will be available soon - please click here to view past event photos. 

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MBOT EVENTS

Good Morning Mississauga (GMM) - January

Wednesday, January 11, 2012
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Mississauga Convention Centre
75 Derry Road West

L5W 1G3

Meet 150 potential business clients, partners and suppliers before the start of your workday!  

Sponsored by: The Credit Valley Hospital Foundation 

Fees:

Mississauga Business Xchange (MBX - January

Growth & Power Breakfast Series - January

 Thursday, January 26, 2012

7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Glenerin Inn

1695 The Collegeway 

 Mississauga, ON L5L 3S7

Featuring: Ron Foxcroft
Owner, Fox 40 International 

 Owner of Fox 40 International who make 40,000 whistles/ day. Used by search and rescue professionals in major catastrophes like the San Francisco earthquake and Oklahoma bombing, and collapse of the World Trade Center. Also used by Major League sports officials around the world including the summer and winter Olympics. Foxcroft was the first Canadian to serve as a referee in the NCAA and helped pave the way for several others who have worked in the U.S.

Sponsored by: KPMG Enterprise & Pallett Valo LLP 

Fees:
MBOT Member: $55 | MBOT Member - Table of 8: $390
Non-Member: $75 | Non-Member - Table of 8: $540

NEW MEMBERS -
NOVEMBER 2011