Sunday, 19 February 2012

Stephen Frost - Key London Olympics Official - coming to Toronto to talk Diversity - Pan Am Games

 
Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the London Olympic Games to Speak at Upcoming DBN Supplier Diversity Conference
Olympic Games' Stephen Frost

 

February 17, 2012 (Toronto, Canada) – Stephen Frost, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will be the keynote speaker at The Canadian Supplier Diversity Conference 2012, Diversity Our Economic Strength, presented by RBC, on Friday, March 23, 2012 at the Allstream Centre, Toronto, Canada. Mr. Frost will talk about the work he has been doing to make the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games diverse and inclusive. The upcoming London Games employs a workforce of 200,000 and its procurement spend amounts to £1.2 billion ($1.9 billion Canadian).

Prior to his appointment to head up Diversity and Inclusion Mr. Frost served as Executive Assistant to the Games’ Chief Executive, Paul Deighton. Mr. Frost, among his many jobs, oversees customer service and accessibility, a 9-million ticket program, 134 separate sites including supporting venues, and manages a team responsible for recruitment. He recently launched the LOCOG Diversity and Inclusion Business Charter, the first organization in the United Kingdom to achieve the Diversity Works for London Gold Standard.

Mr. Frost is the recent recipient of the Peter Robertson Award for Equality and Diversity Champions, an annual award given by ORC Worldwide, an international management consulting firm focused on building equitable, inclusive work environments. The Award recognized his longstanding work in the areas of disability, age, gay and lesbian rights, his strong collaboration with community and industry groups to benefit the economically disadvantaged, and his entrepreneurial style that breaks down boundaries and enables real change, even in unreceptive environments.
Mr. Frost has established and led the workplace team at Stonewall, Europe’s largest gay equality organization. He helped build the Diversity Champions program into the largest diversity employer forum in the United Kingdom with over 300 members including The Royal Navy and Manchester City Football Club. He launched the United Kingdom’s first lesbian and gay recruitment guide, established the LGBT Leadership program in conjunction with Harvard University and Henley Management College, and developed the Workplace Equality Index which has become a standard across many leading United Kingdom employers.
 The Canadian Supplier Diversity Conference, an initiative of the Diversity Business Network, (www.diversitybusinessnetwork.com) brings together diverse-owned businesses with government, NGOs and leading Canadian  corporations seeking diversity in their supply chain. First held in the fall of 2010, with more than 300 diverse-owned companies attending, this year’s theme will be on the ROI of diversity for Canadian business. The conference will feature, along with Ms. Castillo, a number of speakers who will talk about the impact diversity in the supply chain is having in their organizations and what it means to their bottom line.

About The Canadian Supplier Diversity Conference 2012

The theme is Diversity Our Economic Strength. The location is the Allstream Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. The date is Friday, March 23, 2012. The conference runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The presenting sponsor is RBC.  Visit www.diversitybusinessnetwork.com/supplier-diversity-conference-overview?pmExp=1448 to learn more.

About LOCOG

LOCOG is the organizing committee responsible for the delivery of The 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Contact Information for DBN and The Canadian Supplier Diversity Conference 2012:
Courtney Betty
President and CEO, Diversity Business Network (DBN)
Tel: 416-968-1181 | Fax: 416-968-7619

Issued by Stephen Weir
Stephen Weir & Associates
Stephen@stephenweir.com

Thursday, 9 February 2012

Canada’s Ultimate Book Club

VALENTINE'S DAY EXCLUSIVE EVENING NON-FICTION EVENT IN TORONTO

The Charles Taylor Prize For Literary Non-Fiction
Presents

Canada’s Ultimate Book Club

Please join Noreen Taylor, Prize Founder for a stimulating discussion with the five finalists shortlisted for The 2012 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction, moderated by Dr. David Staines, C.M. O. Ont.

Wade Davis

Author of INTO THE SILENCE: THE GREAT WAR, MALLORY, AND THE CONQUESTION OF EVEREST

Charlotte Gill

Author of EATING DIRT: DEEP FORESTS, BIG TIMBER AND LIFE WITH THE TREE-PLANTING TRIBE

J J Lee

Author of THE MEASURE OF A MAN: THE STORY OF A FATHER, A SUN AND A SUIT

Madeline Sonik

Author of AFFLICTIONS & DEPARTURES: ESSAYS

Andrew Westoll

Author of THE CHIMPS OF FAUNA SANCTUARY: A CANADIAN STORY OF RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY

This event will be video-taped for later broadcast

February 14, 2012 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

RBC Plaza, Executive Lounge
40th Floor. 200 Bay Street South Tower
Toronto, Ontario
(at the corner of Bay Street and Front Street)

RSVP REQUIRED: 647-447-6000
junedickenson@cogeco.ca

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

It Is Not Very Often That Mayor Ford Gets Praised By Social Media

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford (left), Councillor Doug Ford (middle) and Councillor Joe Mihevic at Carnival Parade 2011
ROB FORD PRAISED FOR RECOGNIZING BOB MARLEY IN TORONTO
It is not very often that people on social media sites like Facebook have something nice to say about Toronto mayor Rob Ford .... till yesterday. Courtney Betty founder of the Bob Marley Awards and Diversity Business Network sent a note around praising the mayor for making yesterday Bob Marley Day!
"This marks the 21st year the Mayor of Toronto has officially declared Bob Marley Day" wrote Courtney Betty. "In the proclamation the Mayor stated’ I Mayor Rob Ford, on behalf of Toronto City Council do hereby proclaim February 6, 2012 as “Bob Marley Day” and join with residents to salute a great musician and humanitarian.
According to Courtney Betty, founder of Bob Marley day; Toronto has come a long way in developing our Diversity. I am proud that Bob Marley Day has been able to serve as a connecting bridge bringing people together and helping us understand Bob Marley’s message of One Love, One Race, the human race”. Since its beginning policing and recognition of Police Officers has always been a focus of Bob Marley Day. Former Deputy Chief Keith Forde and present Chief of Police Peter Solely are both past Bob Marley Day award recipients. 
Courney Betty being photographed by Sway Magazine

Mr Betty continued by saying, "The advancements in diversity of Metro Police are a beacon for all other organizations to follow. We must also now build on our successes and develop similar strategies to ensure that the economic aspects of diversity are also developed. In this regard the Diversity Business Conference on March 23rd 2012, presented by Royal Bank of Canada provides a path for us to see how Toronto can be an economic beacon by fulfilling the City’s motto “Diversity Our Strength”.
www.diversitybusinessnetwork.com.

stephenweir's photostream

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Recipe - Icelandic Dirt Breadsign of deathI actually forgot to remember this chair for the rest of my lifeIn Honour of the Flying WedgieTweet before you eatFallen Angel
There is a hole in the ozonewooden fishfibreglass seahorse under a balcony in IcelandA different kind of breakdancingDon't you dare  try to jay walkFish made of reeds, towers over floating village, Lake Titicaca, peru
Cement Dolphin from PeruMichu Picchu Nut Bar AlertIn the storage area of a Cusco cathederal art showPointy-Headed People from PeruThe Fords and Joe  put their weight behind the opening of the Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean CarnivalRogers show about Morrisseau

Recent photographs posted to Flickr, in addition to photographs posted on www.stephenweir.com

Friday, 27 January 2012

How to beat the high cost of personal and public relations' photography

.
City of Toronto pitches in to reduce the cost of photography!
from a recent popular Stephen Weir Facebook posting 

 Valentine's Day is coming and you want to give the friends back in Renfrew a family portrait but you can't afford the high photographer's fee? Found a cheap(ish) solution. Load the family in the car and drive through a yellow light at Yonge and Lawrence. Printing is free and the post-office delivers! Thanks City Hall - the $350 photo fee was worth it, I now have a great VD greeting card to show the folks back home how cheap it is to live in the Big Smoke.  
I am now working on a series of photos for an upcoming PR campaign. Just having problems convincing my clients to stand on a flatbed truck as I roar through the intersection three times (I bracket my shots!).


Thursday, 26 January 2012

Toronto inventor and pan player reaching for the Stars (and needs our vote)

Salmon Cupid's invention - the E-Pan. Weir photo from 2010 Carnival launch
 TROLLING FOR VOTES FOR TORONTO PAN ORCHESTRA AND E-PAN INVENTOR
Never knew about Pan till I started working with Bill Bobek on Caribana 1999 (now Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival). Since then, it has become a passion. I even know what it means "when steel talks". 
One of my favourites is music teacher, e-pan inventor and pan master Salmon Cupid. He recently took the Toronto All Stars onto TV for CANADA'S GOT TALENT.  Salmon helped with the verbage. So here this ... have you ever watched these TV PROGRAMS and thought that STEELPAN could be on a program like this? Well YES. It is happening and I must tell you that TORONTO ALL STARS from TORONTO Canada has been chosen in the LAST 20 SPOTS http://bit.ly/AgRasJ
Check it out. He needs our votes!

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Canada's largest outdoor event announces its 2012 calendar - July and August - Jump Up Time


2012 List of Events – Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival – Our City’s best summer festival – July 16 to August 12, 2012
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The Festival Management Committee presents Toronto’s biggest summer Carnival and festival – from July 16 to August 2, 2012 with:
·       Living Art through the presentation of stunning costumes known popularly as Mas’ at the Junior Carnival for kids age  2 to 16 years and Marquee Lakeshore Boulevard parades in a cosmopolitan Toronto.
·       Performance Art capturing the original music in its diverse forms - soca, calypso, pan, and chutney music to animate the masqueraders and propel their dance steps as well as spectators.
·       Ritualism motivating millions of visitors that have continued to make the city of Toronto the destination of choice for an absolute stunning Carnival event.
Our festival takes place at various locations in Toronto engaging many sectors of our city and citizens.  This year we are offering improvements to the traditional events.
Junior Carnival Official launch – July 16. It’s all about the kids. This year, the event would be moved to a new location. Downsview Park.
Festival Official Launch – July 10:  It’s the event that attracts wide media coverage especially by our media sponsors – television, radio, print media, and social media. It presents a snapshot of what’s on for the Festival.
GTAA Launch – July 20. It’s another year for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority partnership with the Festival Management Committee to promote the festival at the gateway to the City of Toronto with Caribbean entertainment and tastings.
Citizenship Ceremony – TBD  Witness new Canadians being sworn in as citizens of Canada within a welcoming flavour of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival and Festival.
Location:  North York Civic Centre
Carnival Art – July 29 to August 12 – A unique display of Carnival costumes and the history of the festival featuring photography capturing Carnival around the city and also featuring the pioneers of the festival with the recollection of the festival over the years..
Media Conference at the Royal Ontario Museum - July 12
Junior Carnival – July 21. The kid’s version of the Marquee parade attracting over 30,000 spectator visitors comprising families and featuring 2,000 mini masquerades, some as young as two years taking place close to one the city’s priority neighbourhood with partners such as 31 & 32 Division of the Metropolitan Police. This year the festival would be at the Downsview Park.
Trudeau at the CTV 2011 BB-Que
CTV/CP24 BBQ – July TBD – It was so successful the last two years that they’ve decided to do it again – an outdoor BBQ from Queen Street to Richmond Street that celebrates the festival with costumes, music, and of course, delicious food.
Annual Gala– July 27. An elegant evening at the Liberty Grand that showcases masquerade models, music, dancing, exotic food, and signature drinks – sensational sights, sounds, and tastes. Attended by sponsors, donors, and partners, this event attracts the well-heeled clientele who bid on exciting prizes to support an identified cause.
Location: Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex located on the waterfront - the epitome of luxury and elegance.
The Calypso Tent Music Series (CTMS) – The Calypso Tent Music Series (CTMS) will run for 5 weeks on weekends beginning 
June 9th and ending July 8th.
Location:  TBD
Kaiso 365 - Calypso Monarch Finals – July 23
After weeks of performances, calypsonians that have made the final cut will compete for the crown!!! Finalists compete for Canada's top Calypso prize. Humour, double entendre and wit, lyrics range from personal to political, social commentary to celebration.
Location:  TBD
Calypso STARS Showcase – August 1
Gareth Burgess, Carnival Arts characters: Moko Jumbies (Swizzlestick Theatre), interactive Sailor Dancers (Hummingbird Dance Co.), and the Midnight Robber (Afro-Caribbean Dance Co.), Ossie Gurley & Calypso All Stars.
Location:  Harbourfront Centre.
King and Queen Competition and Show – August 2.  A spectacular display of the talent and artistic skill of the designers and costume builders of the King, Queen, male and female individual costumes paraded in front of a captivated audience. These masqueraders compete in costumes that weigh two to three times their body weight.
Location: Allan Lamport Stadium – capacity 6000 spectators.
Pan Alive – TBD. This event showcases the talent of steel pan performers ranging in age from early teens to adults as they perform their original renditions to the aficionados and judges at the Allan Lamport Stadium.  We are planning to move the event to a full day event as opposed to an evening event.
Location: Allan Lamport Stadium
Grand Parade – August 4. This is the marquee parade that is the showcase of the Festival.  After months of preparation, masqueraders in colourful and striking costumes and steel pan bands wind their way from the assembly area at Exhibition Place along a 3.5 kilometre stretch on Lakeshore Boulevard.  This performance of bejewelled masqueraders continues to draw millions from all over the world to see the live performing street art year after year. With opportunities for VIP seating in designated, controlled areas which will include upgraded seating, tents, and marketplace.
Location: Exhibition Place, Ontario Place, Lakeshore Boulevard.  .

Tropical Rhythm Food Festival – Islands Come to the Islands at Ontario Place – August 5 and August 6. Continuing the tropical Caribbean ambience of the festival, cool down on the south beach at Ontario Place or have fun in the park while enjoying ‘de lime’ with food, music, dance, and an array of fun activities for two days. Be up close and personal with the Bahamian Jankanoo band, ShortKnee performers from Grenada and the Rhyming chef who combines his unique talent of cooking and rhyming – the best way to end the long weekend. Enjoy the Tropical food festival and island hop to tasty, spicy morsels of Caribbean islands.
Location – Ontario Place, a cultural and entertainment park within easy reach of the city.
Canada Rugby League – TBD. A new event featuring fans of rugby league is adding the sporting dimension to the festival. “Governed by the Rugby League International Federation, the sport is officially played in 57 countries across the world. Most popular in England, Australia, New Zealand and across the Pacific, the largest professional associations are the National Rugby League and the European Super League, with a combined fan base of over 100 million”. The event in Toronto will feature a matchup between the Jamaican international team and Canada for the first annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival Cup) and include a concert featuring artistes from Jamaica. 
Location: TBD: 

Issued By:

Stephen Weir
Festival Publicist| stephen@stephenweir.com
or sweir5492@rogers.com
2482 Yonge Street, Unit 45032, Toronto, ONT.
CANADA. M4P 3E3
Tel: 416-489-5868 | Cell: 416-801-3101
www.stephenweir.com