businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
This week’s business and organizational news features robotics company Servo Socks winning the grand prize at the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards, Paper Planter Project and Eco-Care Project winning FastStart Peterborough’s Pitch It! competition, Showplace Performance Centre naming its lobby in honour of Sean Eyre, 4th Line Theatre recommending playwrights to receive funding, and other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas.
New regional business events added this week include the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture’s AGM in Keene on October 30th, the Trent Hills Chamber’s coffee chat with Mayor Bob Crate in Campbellford on November 1st, the WDB/LEPC’s information session for employers on managing different generations in Cobourg on November 6th, and the WDB/LEPC’s Experiential Learning Fair in Peterborough on November 8th.
Other newly added events include the Peterborough Chamber’s breakfast meeting in Peterborough on November 12th, the Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre marketing strategies and social media workshop in Lindsay on November 12th, Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland’s marketing seminar in Cobourg on November 13th, Port Hope Chamber’s lunch seminar on managing stress in Port Hope on November 20th, and the Bobcaygeon Chamber’s AGM in Bobcaygeon on November 27th.
Robotics company Servo Socks wins grand prize at the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards
Servo Socks took home the grand prize in the 21st annual Kawartha Lakes Small Business Innovation Awards last Friday (October 25) at the Lindsay Golf & Country Club.
The Kawartha Lakes company, owned and operated by Dan Kitchen and Jon Edwards, produces cases made out of recycled plastic that snap over a servo motor, used in robotics. The cases can be cut, drilled and otherwise modified to fit over the servo motor.
Servo Socks are intended to improve access to robotics by simplifying the motorization process, while making it less intimidating and more fun.
Cyber security firm Netmechanics won second prize for its web-based platform Trybersecurity, which helps small-to-medium-sized businesses perform their own cyber security risk assessments, and implement tailored awareness training to staff and management through “gamified” video learning.
Aging GPS, a consulting firm for seniors and their families that helps them identify care solutions in the Kawarthas for their needs, won third prize.
Servo Socks won a cash prize of $750 for first place, Netmechanics won $500 for second place, and Aging GPS won $250 for third place.
Paper Planter Project and Eco-Care Project win FastStart Peterborough’s Pitch It! competition
Two teams of student entrepreneurs won FastStart Peterborough’s 5th annual Pitch It! competition, held last Tuesday (October 22) at VentureNorth in downtown Peterborough.
The competition, which was limited to students from Trent University and Fleming College, saw 13 student groups competing for prizes at the final pitch event.
Paper Planter Project, led by Vanessa Mathieu, won first place and a $350 cash prize. The social enterprise uses compostable planting containers as educational modules to teach children through experiential learning about gardening, growing their own food, sustainability, and patience.
Eco-Care Project, led by Shane Willis, won second place and a $150 cash prize for providing lawn care services in an eco-friendly way by reducing the use of traditional gas engines by using electric engines.
The Dragons’ Den style competition was judged by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development president and CEO Ronda Keenan, Peterborough Region Angel Network executive director Yves LaFortune, and Innovation Cluster president and CEO John Gillis.
Showplace Performance Centre lobby to be named in honour of Sean Eyre
Downtown Peterborough performance venue Showplace Performance Centre will be officially naming its lobby to honour well-known Peterborough personality Sean “Sunshine” Eyre.
The native of Timmins began his career in 1961 as a weather man at CHEX TV in Peterborough, where he later hosted the “Live from the Wired Woodshed” country music program on CHEX radio for 12 years. Eyre also was an actor with the Peterborough Theatre Guild, served as Peterborough’s Town Crier, was a member of Peterborough City Council, and was a founding board member of Showplace Performance Centre.
As well as running his own record label, which promoted artists including the Leahy family, he formed independent production company Rocklands Entertainment in 1981 with Brian Edwards. In 1998, Eyre established the “Pathway of Fame” that recognizes people from all walks of life in the Peterborough area for their support and dedication to their community.
Eyre will be at a public ceremony and recpetion for the naming of the Showplace lobby in his honour, which takes place at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 1st, on the occasion of Eyre’s 80th birthday. The public is welcome to attend, meet Eyre, and have some birthday cake.
4th Line Theatre recommending playwrights to receive funding
4th Line Theatre in Millbook will be recommending playwrights to receive funding of between $1,000 and $5,000 to develop new works through the Ontario Arts Council’s Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators program.
Ontario-based professional theatre artists and artists’ collectives are eligible to apply to 4th Line Theatre by the closing date of January 17, 2020 at 1 p.m. The Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of the government of Ontario, is the primary funding body for professional arts activities in the province.
4th Line Theatre will administer the granting program, with the primary goal of supporting as many worthy regional playwriting projects as possible. As a secondary priority, the theatre company will also be looking for projects that align with its artistic mandate: to preserve our Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally based, environmentally staged historical dramas.
Special consideration will be given to culturally diverse artists and collectives, artists living with a disability, and regional playwrights.
Application forms are available at arts.on.ca/grants/recommender-grants-for-theatre-creators. The applications will be reviewed by 4th Line’s managing artistic director Kim Blackwell.
Other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas
Here’s a summary of other notable business and organizational news from across the Kawarthas over the past week:
- New grocery store development planned for Milltown Mini Golf Site on Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough
- Bank of Montreal building in downtown Peterborough conditionally sold
- Lakefield Pantry celebrates its 39th anniversary
- High-end flooring company Dane and Jute opens in Port Hope
- Ontario government provides $400,000 for extension of Pemberton Drive in Port Hope
- Merrett Home Hardware Run for Mental Health raises $21,063.66
- Beaver Club Gala raises $107,375 to support educational programming at The Canadian Canoe Museum
- Sharpe’s Food Market in Campbellford won a 2019 Master Merchandising Award from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
- Curry Chevrolet Buick GMC in Haliburton receives President’s Club Award from GM Canada.
Annual TD Economic Outlook Luncheon in Peterborough on October 30
TD Bank Group vice-president and deputy chief economist Derek Burleton will speak at the 2019 TD Economic Outlook Luncheon. (Photo courtesy of Derek Burleton)
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, along with TD Bank Group and Baker Tilly, are presenting the 2019 TD Economic Outlook Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30th at Peterborough Golf and Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
The annual event explores trends, opportunities, and challenges within communities in Peterborough and the Kawarthas and across the globe. It features TD Bank Group vice-president and deputy chief economist Derek Burleton and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development president and CEO Rhonda Keenan.
Note: Registration for this event closed on October 23rd.
Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture holds its AGM in Keene on October 30
The Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture is holding its annual general meeting from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30th in the McCloskey Great Hall (the new barn) at Lang Pioneer Village Museum (146 Lang Rd. N., Keene).
All Peterborough County farmers are invited to attend the AGM, which will feature several guest speakers, including Peterborough County deputy mayor, City of Peterborough deputy mayor Andrew Beamer, Peterborough & Kawartha Economic Development president and CEO Rhonda Keenan, and more.
This free event will update local members on past achievements and help develop a new strategic plan for 2019-2020. Elections will also be held for new board members.
For more information and to RSVP, visit eventbrite.ca/e/pcfa-2019-agm-tickets-75056561195.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts coffee chat with Mayor Bob Crate in Campbellford on November 1
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a coffee chat with Trent Hills mayor Bob Crate from 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, November 1st at the Campbellford & District Curling & Racquet Club (381 Front St. N., Campbellford).
This event is for Chamber members only and there is no cost to attend. Muffins, coffee, and tea will be served.
RSVP by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30th at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/coffee-chat-with-mayor-bob-crate-4014.
Haliburton Chamber presents The Breakfast Club with Catherine Oosterbaan in Irondale on November 5
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is presenting its next Breakfast Club from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5th at Bark Lake Leadership and Conference Centre (1551 Bark Lake Dr., Irondale).
The event features Catherine Oosterbaan, agriculture and rural economic development advisor with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, on the topic “The Role of Business in Community Economic Development”.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Register in advance at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lu6q9flab&oeidk=a07eghooqzcd857ace5.
Peterborough Chamber hosts PBX at the Holiday Inn in Peterborough on November 5
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5th at the Holiday Inn Peterborough-Waterfront (150 George St. N., Peterborough)
All are invited to attend the free networking event.
For more information, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.
WDB/LEPC hosts information session for employers on managing different generations in Cobourg on November 6
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council (WDB/LEPC) is hosting “Managing Different Generations”, an information session for employers, from 8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6th at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The event features guest speaker Michelle Dagnino, executive director of the Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre in Toronto, who will be sharing best practices for employers to navigate the issue of managing different generations in the workplace.
The event is free. Register at eventbrite.ca/e/employer-education-series-managing-different-generations-info-session-tickets-75720932347.
For those unable to attend in person, a webinar opportunity is available.
Kawartha Chamber hosts speed networking event in Burleigh Falls on November 7
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is hosting a speed networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 7th at Burleigh Falls Inn (4791 Highway 28, North Kawartha).
With speed networking, you spend a few minutes of one-on-one time with another participant, and then rotate to the next person when the bell rings.
The event is free to attend. Register at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/kawartha-chamber-speed-networking-10686
WDB/LEPC hosts Experiential Learning Fair in Peterborough on November 8
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council (WDB/LEPC) is hosting the Experiential Learning Fair from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, November 8th at the Holiday Inn – Waterfront (150 George St. N., Peterborough).
The event features a morning information session, where guest speakers will describe the benefits of experiential learning to employers, and an afternoon trade show where employers can connect with organizations offering funding for experiential learning opportunities.
Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be offered at this free event. To register, visit eventbrite.ca/e/experiential-learning-fair-information-session-trade-show-tickets-71548311927.
Equinox Family Consulting hosts parenting a child with autism workshop in Peterborough on November 9
Sue Simmons of Equinox Family Consulting is hosting a workshop for mothers of children on the autism spectrum from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9th in the mutli-purpose room at the Peterborough Public Library (345 Alymer St. N., Peterborough).
Simmons is a Certified Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Practitioner and Emotional Success Coach, a Certified Professional Coach, ASD Parenting Coach (RDI trained), and a mother of two young adults with autism.
During the experiential workshop, she will share how EFT — also known as “tapping”, a gentle and evidence-based mind-body technique — can bring relief to your emotional suffering.
The event will also be streamed live online for those who can’t attend in person.
The cost is $25 per person, and light refreshments will be served. Register at parentingautism.eventbrite.ca/ or call 705-875-4605.
Peterborough Chamber hosts Chamber AM breakfast meeting in Peterborough on November 12
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Chamber AM breakfast meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Networking begins at 7 a.m., with breakfast orders taken at The Edison at 7:30 a.m. At 7:45 a.m., you can make your best 30-second elevator speech to the room), followed by a mystery guest speaker at 8 a.m.
There is no cost for the event (order what you like and pay for what you order).
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre presents marketing strategies and social media workshop in Lindsay on November 12
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre is presenting a workshop on marketing strategies and social media from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12th in the downstairs meeting room at the Lindsay Library (190 Kent St. W., Lindsay).
Facilitated by Sandy Greenberg, established business coach and former business advisor at Centennial College Centre of Entrepreneurship, the workshop will cover topics including target marketing, developing your brand, reviewing your marketing channels, online and offline marketing strategies, and monitoring the effectiveness of your marketing activities.
Wi-fi access is available, but bring your own laptop and refreshments. The cost for the workshop is $10; register at eventbrite.ca/e/marketing-strategies-and-social-media-workshop-tickets-73487891261
Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland hosts marketing seminar in Cobourg on November 13
Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN) is hosting “Stand Out, Connect & Grow: Creating & Sharing Exceptional Marketing Messages” from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13th in the BECN boardroom (600 William St., Cobourg).
Kevin Bulmer will provide a fun and engaging group coaching session on crafting unique and effective marketing messages and creative online content to help attract, sustain and grow new sales to your business.
Register at forms.northumberland.ca/BECN/Creating-Sharing-Exceptional-Marketing-Messages.
Port Hope Chamber hosts lunch seminar on managing stress in Port Hope on November 20
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Lunch and Learn: 10 ways to simplify the Holidays!” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20th at the Port Hope Public Library (31 Queen St., Port Hope).
Professional organizer Louise Nettleton of Simplify will discuss ways for you to lower stress during the holiday season.
Haliburton Chamber hosts lunchtime bookkeeping seminar in Haliburton on November 21
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting a lunch-and-learn seminar from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 21st at the Chamber office (195 Highland Ave., Haliburton).
Angelwings Solutions will lead the seminar, called “Bookkeeping 101”.
The seminar is free for Chamber members or $15 for non-members. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lu6q9flab&oeidk=a07egoiwp9eb67041f2.
Bobcaygeon Chamber holds its AGM in Bobcaygeon on November 27
The Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual general meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27th at the Bobcaygeon Municipal Service Centre (123 East St. S., Bobcaygeon).
The Chamber is currently accepting applications from members in good standing for new directors for 2020. The directors will be confirmed at the meeting.
For more information and to apply, download a PDF application at bobcaygeon.org.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
