Category: Business

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Summer In The City: New York City, Orlando and Chicago top travelers’ lists

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Marriott International Finds Cities Top The List For Vacation Plans

Marriott International’s newly released Second Annual U.S. Summer Travel Trends Report says that travelers are favoring cities over beaches in Summer 2018 and planning to take an average of two trips. And among families with children, it’s becoming more common for the kids to pick the destination, the report shows.

“Pack your walking shoes because for the second year in a row, city destinations are at the top of travelers’ lists,” said Brian King, Global Officer, Digital, Distribution & Global Sales, Marriott International.  “Travelers are heading to the cities to soak up the summer sun in urban destinations like New York City and Chicago which come alive in the summer with amazing food, festivals, and live outdoor concerts.”

So where are people going this summer? Here’s a peak at the top five destinations for vacations this summer’s most heavily traveled weekends, based on an analysis of over 1 million Marriott.com searches and bookings:

Memorial Day Weekend Travel

The first official holiday weekend of summer promises to be a busy one when it comes to weekend getaways. The top five most booked cities for Memorial Day Weekend travel topping the list: Continue reading “Summer In The City: New York City, Orlando and Chicago top travelers’ lists”

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Mississauga Gathers Dignitaries to Mark 90 Years of Canada-Japan Diplomatic Relations

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 The City of Mississauga hosted a reception at the Mississauga Civic Centre last week to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations.

The reception, hosted by Mayor Bonnie Crombie and the City’s Economic Development Office, was attended by Ms. Takako Ito, Consul General of Japan in Toronto, Members of City Council, as well as members of Mississauga’s Japanese business community.

“Mississauga shares a special, long-standing relationship with Japan that is deeply rooted in our shared values and strong economic ties. That’s why Mississauga is honoured to be hosting a reception to acknowledge 90 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” said Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga.

Mississauga is home to nearly 100 globally-respected, successful and innovative Japanese companies. This number represents almost half of all Japanese companies located in Ontario and more companies than any other city within Canada. Some recent additions to the list of Japanese companies in Mississauga are Eisai Limited, MHI Canada Aerospace, KinderKids, IKO Thompson Bearings Canada and Tohmei Industries.

The City’s Economic Development Office works closely with the Japanese business community to support their growth in Canada. Japanese companies provide a major economic boost to Mississauga in the life sciences, aerospace, information and communications technology, logistics and transportation, and various advanced manufacturing sectors. In three years, Japan has moved from the third to the second highest source of foreign direct investment to Mississauga, after the United States. Continue reading “Mississauga Gathers Dignitaries to Mark 90 Years of Canada-Japan Diplomatic Relations”

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GRAND HYATT KOCHI BOLGATTY OPENS IN KERALA, INDIA

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The Destination Resort Marks the First Grand Hyatt Hotel in South India

 Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced today the opening of Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, the third Grand Hyatt branded hotel in India. The 264-room luxury hotel is a waterfront urban resort situated in Kochi in the south Indian state of Kerala, known for its palm-lined beaches, backwaters and historic Spice Route in India. With its striking architecture, dramatic landscapes, opulent guestrooms and suites, dining destinations, and one of the largest event spaces in South India, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is expected to be an iconic destination for impressive views, unforgettable experiences and grand events in the city.

“We are delighted to introduce the Grand Hyatt brand to Kerala and grow our brand footprint in the region, said Sunjae Sharma, Hyatt’s vice president of operations for India. “Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is a spectacular destination resort setting a new standard for living grand in the city. Both inside and out, the hotel’s design, cuisine and grand experiences celebrate the hospitality of Kochi.

Designed by architects from Wimberly Allison Tong and Goo UK Limited, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is located near the historic and picturesque town of Fort Kochi. The resort is owned by Lulu Group International and is adjacent to the sprawling Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Center, the largest in South India.

Together, the hotel and convention center offer an abundance of authentic experiences for guests, helping them create moments of more through several offerings, including:

Guestrooms

The hotel features 264 bold, luxurious guestrooms including 38 suites, comprised of 33 Grand Suites, four Executive Suites, and one Presidential Suite, as well as three two-bedroom villas and one three-bedroom villa. Continue reading “GRAND HYATT KOCHI BOLGATTY OPENS IN KERALA, INDIA”

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Mississauga Scores a Second Boxed Soccer Pitch for the Downtown Core

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The City of Mississauga is constructing a second outdoor boxed soccer pitch in the city’s downtown core — the second pitch of its kind in Canada. The new pitch will be located at Mississauga Valley Park  and will provide outdoor recreational opportunities to residents while promoting and encouraging informal soccer play.

“I’m excited for the installation of a second boxed soccer pitch for Ward 4 and our downtown,” said Ward 4 Councillor John Kovac. “Creating outdoor recreational spaces for residents, especially our youth, is important to the quality of life in densely populated areas of the city.  The new pitch, which will be just the second in Canada, arrives one year after the installation of the very first – also located here in Ward 4, in City Centre. Our second boxed soccer pitch will encourage residents to get outdoors and will help build a stronger, healthier and engaged community. For this, I am truly excited!”

City staff investigated the feasibility of installing an additional pitch at Mississauga Valley Park earlier this spring. With a high volume of park visitors, staff felt the highly-populated area with limited parkland would be the ideal location for the pitch.

“With the growing popularity of soccer in Mississauga, this second pitch is an opportunity to create a place where residents of all ages and abilities can enjoy watching or playing the game,” said Jodi Robillos, Acting Director, Parks and Forestry. “The City’s Downtown Growth Area Provision Strategy recommends the use of “pop-up” spaces to support healthy and active lifestyles.”

Under the pop-up sport concept, the pitch will not be formally programmed by the City but will continue to promote informal, drop-in soccer games. Continue reading “Mississauga Scores a Second Boxed Soccer Pitch for the Downtown Core”

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JW Marriott and FOOD & WINE Announce Full Lineup of Star-Studded Talent for Venice Food & Wine Festival

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JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts and FOOD & WINE are thrilled to announce the addition of notable talent for the inaugural Venice Food & Wine Festival, including award-winning singer and songwriter Emeli Sandé, who will headline the festival’s grand finale concert. Culinary legends, Michelin-starred Chef Missy Robbins, food artist, baker and owner of Flour Shop Amirah Kassem, and Chef and Food Stylist Camille Becerra, have also joined the impressive roster of celebrated and established epicureans.

Tickets are available to the highly-anticipated Venice Food & Wine Festival, which will take place at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa from May 3-6. Hosted by FOOD & WINE Editor-in-Chief Hunter Lewis, the festival will join celebrity chefs, renowned winemakers, and epicurean insiders for a spectacular three-day weekend showcasing the finest Italian cuisines, wines, and spirits, with a focus on local Veneto traditions and the magnetism of the Venetian islands. Guests will have personal access to internationally-celebrated chefs and wine and spirits experts including:

  • Michelin-starred chef Giancarlo Perbellini and chef Federico Belluco of JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa’s Michelin-starred Dopolavoro restaurant
  • James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef, author, restaurateur and 2004 FOOD & WINE Best New Chef Scott Conant
  • Michelin-starred chef and owner of Lilia Missy Robbins
  • Food artist, baker and owner of Flour Shop Amirah Kassem
  • 2002 FOOD & WINE Best New Chef and James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Fabio Trabocchi
  • James Beard Award-winning chef Jonathan Waxman
  • Chef and food stylist Camille Becerra Continue reading “JW Marriott and FOOD & WINE Announce Full Lineup of Star-Studded Talent for Venice Food & Wine Festival”
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Province greenlights new Ryerson University campus in downtown Brampton

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Includes Sheridan College as academic partner, project to spark transformation

Political and business leaders from Brampton and around the GTHA gathered at a Brampton Board of Trade event today to celebrate the announcement of a significant education infrastructure project that will transform the city. The Honourable Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, along with Harinder Malhi, MPP Brampton-Springdale and Minister of the Status of Women, announced the establishment of a new Ryerson University campus, with Sheridan College as an academic partner, in downtown Brampton.

Slated to open for classes in the Fall of 2022, the new campus will focus on providing students data-driven science and business programming paired with experiential learning. Plans include the new campus, a partnership for a National Centre for Cybersecurity, and a centre for innovation – a joint-use facility which will include public and academic libraries and an innovation zone. The new campus will be built adjacent to the downtown GO Station. The centre of innovation will be located on the land surrounding the existing Nelson Square parking garage.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Brampton, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be partnering with two leading institutions – Ryerson University and Sheridan College – in bringing a new campus and centre for innovation to downtown Brampton,” said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey. “Today’s exciting announcement marks the start of transformation for Brampton, and new opportunities for our residents. We are looking forward to continuing our excellent partnership with Ryerson and Sheridan to make Brampton a destination for learning and innovation.”

Bringing a new university to Brampton has been a key priority for the City. In September 2017, Brampton City Council made a historic commitment of up to $150 million for a new university and centre for innovation. Continue reading “Province greenlights new Ryerson University campus in downtown Brampton”

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World’s First Diamond Trading on BlockChain Unveiled! Experience Unique Crypto-Assets!

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AL KASIR GROUP LAUNCHES DIAMOND TRADING ON THE BLOCKCHAIN

On April 15th, at an event held at the iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Members of the Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Obaid Al Maktoum – AL KASIR JEWELLERY TRADING L.L.C & AL KASIR PORTAL L.L.C announced the launch of Diamond Trading on the Blockchain with three Diamond backed Crypto Assets.

Al Kasir Group is a joint venture between Dr. Amit Lakhanpal and Private office of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Obaid Al Maktoum who belongs to the members of royal family of the ruler of Dubai.

Dr. Lakhanpal is an Indian entrepreneur, property developer and author. Dr. Lakhanpal is the founder and CEO of the Money Trade Coin Group. He is the author of the book “The World of Crypto Currency”. Dr. Lakhanpal is also called the Chief Managing Director of real estate development agency Flintstone Group and the founder of FlintBeats, an event agency founded in 2015.

Cryptocurrencies with their underlying Blockchain technology are increasingly popular amongst individuals, financial institutions and governments, however many of them view cryptocurrencies as objects of radical speculation and high volatility. Since they are subject to potentially huge price corrections, most cryptocurrencies are practically a poor store of value and means a barter-like exchange. This gives rise to a need for a more secure alternative.

For the first time ever, the world is about to experience a set of three crypto-assets by IGI certified real diamonds. Being backed by a real-world Asset, these three crypto-assets; AL, AL HAQEEK & AL FALAH are better capable to store and translate value due to a base measure or gauge around which their value revolves. Diamonds are an ideal asset backing for crypto-assets since they are rare, taking a billion years to develop, have several millennia of history as a recognized store of value, and are small and therefore easily stored and transported. Continue reading “World’s First Diamond Trading on BlockChain Unveiled! Experience Unique Crypto-Assets!”

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The Chevrolet Bolt was named Overall Winner of the 2018 Canadian Green Car Award

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During this past weekend’s Green Living Show, The Chevrolet Bolt was  named Overall Winner of the 2018 Canadian Green Car Award.

The Chevrolet Bolt was also named Overall Winner in 2017, marking the first time in the Award’s six-year history that a vehicle has won back to back.
A panel of 12 top Canadian automotive journalists selected the Bolt, a groundbreaking electric vehicle with a 383-kilometre range, from among four category winners as the vehicle that best combines environmental benefits and mass-market appeal.

“Chevrolet is honoured to accept the Canadian Green Car Award for the third consecutive year”, said Ester Bucci, brand, product and technology communications manager at Chevrolet Canada. “This award reinforces Chevrolet’s commitment to offering an affordable, world-changing vehicle that delivers on the promise of an electric car for the masses. Chevrolet is dedicated to continued innovation in electrification, that will bring the thrill of driving an electric vehicle to many more Canadians.”

The Chevrolet Volt was named overall winner in 2016.  Other previous overall winners include the Kia Soul EV (2015), the Honda Accord Hybrid (2014) and the Ford Fusion Hybrid (2013).

For this year’s Canadian Green Car Award, the Bolt had won the Zero Emissions category, in an earlier selection round, after extensive testing and assessments by the judges.

The category winners include:

1. Zero Emission                                                           –  Chevrolet Bolt
2. Plug-in Hybrid                                                           –  Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
3. Conventional Hybrid                                                  – Hyundai Ioniq
4. Efficient Internal Combustion                                    – Honda Civic

Continue reading “The Chevrolet Bolt was named Overall Winner of the 2018 Canadian Green Car Award”

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Balanced Budget: Stimulates and Supports

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Last week, the Finance Minister of Ontario, Mr. Charles Sousa and the Premier, presented the Budget 2018 to multicultural media. In several aspects, Budget 2018 is one which stimulates and supports growth and investments creating a plethora of opportunities.

Healthcare

First and foremost, they addressed what was meant by ‘A Plan for Care and Opportunity’ wherein the needs for accessible and affordable childcare, eldercare and long-term care for families that need these is the prime focus. Budget 2018 addresses these burning issues so that   extended health benefits, prescription drugs and dental care are made available to all families.

A caring government will enable many seniors to stay in their own homes, and also there will be long-term care beds which would include spaces for culturally approved. An increase of over 2 billion over the next four years to enhance the level of care and access for mental health and addiction services, including publicly funded psychotherapy and supportive housing.

Women Empowerment

Efforts to boost the economy include Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy which will invest in initiatives to support women’s access to opportunities. Support will be provided for female entrepreneurs and women’s corporate leadership. Equally important, it will develop a return-to-work program and continue to encourage sharing of caregiving responsibilities.

Education

Ontario is investing almost $16 billion in capital grants over 10 years for new and improved schools. This year alone, the Province is investing $784 million to build 39 schools and renovate 40 existing ones. The government is providing over $250 million in new funding over 3 years to eliminate waitlists for special education, ensuring that students with special needs have timely access to individualized needs and chart a path to success. Continue reading “Balanced Budget: Stimulates and Supports”

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Jo Alcorn’s Top Spring Trends

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by Jo Alcorn , Design Specialist, B.A. whitewash & co , @Jo_Alcorn  
I love spring! It’s a time to switch things up, refresh and renew your home and, more importantly, your backyard! I’ll be at the Backyard Living Expo coming up on April 6 for an on-stage presentation at 1:15pm and would love for you to join me to talk about all things backyard décor and design! As a sneak preview, here are my top 5 tips and trends for this season.

High Performance Outdoor Sound – I love music! I play it all day long and there’s no exception when I go outside to relax and enjoy the warmer weather. I love the high performance outdoor sound that Paradigm has to offer. Long gone are the days of the boom box or the huge speaker systems. This company offers discrete luxury speakers that can be wall mounted, deck mounted, faux rocks that can mix right into you garden and even garden oasis systems with an underground subwoofer for large areas.

Shading Style – While I love the outdoors, shade is of the utmost importance. This year I am obsessed with Pergolas. They have retractable systems that allow the light to shine in when you want a few rays, but you can also crank the roof closed when you need some shade. The great thing about these systems is that they can be built to spec for odd shapes, attached to an existing structure or they also have great stand alone units.

Grilling Galore – There is nothing Canadian’s love more than firing up the grill and as a designer when your grill can match your décor it’s even better! I love the new Weber Spirit ll series that comes in four bold colours so you can add the perfect barbeque to match your décor. My choice this year would be the gorgeous Ivory to add to my small space patio.  Spirit II gas grills are powered by Weber’s innovative GS4 grilling system to ensure every aspect of your grilling experience is easy and reliable. They are also iGrill 3 compatible and are backed by a 10-year 100% Weber Guarantee Warranty – from lid to wheels! Continue reading “Jo Alcorn’s Top Spring Trends”