Vaughan Small BuSineSS Week OctOBer 20-24, 2014
Vaughan Small Business Week is a provincially driven
program dedicated to celebrating the success of
entrepreneurs as the source for business innovation in
our local economy. The City of Vaughan and the Vaughan
Business Enterprise Centre (VBEC), in collaboration with
VBEC partners, will be hosting five full days of informative
sessions and networking events including business
seminars, workshops and creative presentations.
With more than 600 business attendees anticipated,
Small Business Week will be a be a catalyst for innovation
and a platform for Vaughan’s business community to learn
and collaborate.
Small Business Week program highlights include:
¢ Finance Symposium – Structuring the funding
of your company
¢ Import and Export Opportunities – Insights on
navigating trade with U.S.
¢ Innovation Showcase and Young Entrepreneurs
¢ Media and Marketing Forum
¢ Self-Publish Your Book for Your Business
¢ Arts Exposed Conference – A platform for emerging
artists. Don’t miss the extraordinary presentation:
From the Streets of Montreal to world renowned
powerhouse, The Story of Cirque du Soleil.
For more information, contact VBEC:T. 905-832-8526 E. [email protected] www.vaughan.ca/vBEC
InSIDE ThIS ISSUECultivating a Diverse Economy
Economic Development news
Business Incubation hub
Market Indicators and Tax Rates
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BuSineSS neWS and StatiSticS frOm the city Of Vaughan fall 2014
induStrial and cOmmercial actiVity cOnfirm Vaughan iS the place tO Be
As Vaughan’s industrial availability rate continues to hover around the mid-4 per cent
mark, demand for industrial space is now pushing leading developers to consider
speculative projects. notable developers such as the Sorbara Group, Zzen Group and
Metrus are all expecting to kick off their new speculative projects with each building
exceeding 100,000 square feet according to recent reports from CBRE Limited.
This past quarter saw significant economic growth with 19 transactions completed in Vaughan.
The largest transaction was at 1 Royal Gate Boulevard: a 319,885 square foot property
purchased by Augend Investments Limited. In the Concord area, a recent lease transaction
will bring German-based BASF Canada Inc. to the City. BASF has leased the 81,265 square
foot facility at 59 Administration Drive. The new facility will be outfitted for processing and
assembly of products distributed to BASF’s international manufacturing operations.
Vaughan recently launched a significant institutional Project as part of the Civic Centre
Campus Plan. This past June, site work and construction began on the Civic Centre
Resource Library. Designed by ZAS Architects, this 36,000 square foot facility will be built
to LEED Silver standard, which is in keeping with the City’s commitment to sustainability
and its Green Direction Strategy. The location of the Resource Library will be west of
City hall fronting Major Mackenzie Drive. The library is designed for the information
age, incorporating new technologies, and creating a welcoming hub for the community.
The Library is anticipated to open in late 2015. Finally, Mayor and Members of Council
were joined by representatives from Mackenzie health, the Mackenzie health Board
and Mackenzie health Foundation, and local MPP Steven Del Duca to participate
in the ground-breaking for the early site work on the 82-acre hospital precinct.
For local companies searching for a spot to host corporate meetings and functions,
the new UnIVERSAL EVEnTSPACE, the latest addition to the byPeterandPauls.com
hospitality and Entertainment Group, will be opening its doors in September 2015.
The Zzen Group broke ground on the 85,000 square foot facility in July providing a
much-needed corporate and entertainment venue to complement the holiday Inn
Express and Element hotel properties in the burgeoning Vaughan Enterprise Zone.
Other notable expansions in the City include: the 150,000 square foot addition to Vision
Group and a 269,000 square foot expansion to the home Depot Rapid Deployment
Centre, which opened this past February. Coming this fall, Vaughan Mills will wrap up
construction of its 200,000 square foot addition in time for the holiday shopping season.
Featuring a new entertainment court, a redesigned food court and 50 new retail stores, the
addition will offer retail opportunities for the more than 13 million customers that frequent
Vaughan Mills annually.
UnIVERSAL EVEnTSPACE, an 85,000 sq.ft. conference and event facility opening in September 2015.
Founder of byPeterandPauls.com, Peter Eliopoulos (left), and Z103.5 radio station personality, Tony Monaco (right), celebrated the UnIvErSAl EvEnTSPACE groundbreaking ceremony in July.
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Cultivating A Diverse Economy.
hEALThCARE InDUSTRy OPPORTUnITIES In ITALy: Piemonte health & Beauty Partnering Event in Torino, Italy: December 10-11, 2014
Piemonte health & Beauty Trade Fair is an opportunity for Vaughan companies
to participate in a partnering event aimed at matching key player’s needs
within the healthcare sector in Canada and Italy. The focus of the event
is the promotion of business and trade relationships between Canadian
organizations and approximately 60 participating Piemontese companies.
The cost of the stay in Torino is covered by the event organizers. Participants
will also receive the following complimentary program services: B2B
pre-scheduled meetings, onsite company visits, and networking reception.
The event is jointly coordinated by the City of Vaughan, the Italian Chamber
of Commerce of Ontario, Project Piemonte health & Wellness, the Piemonte
Agency on behalf of Regione Piemonte, and Torino, Cuneo and novara
Chambers of Commerce, together with the technical support of the BioPmed
innovation hub in Italy.
For more information or to register, contact Mike Launslager, Economic
Development Officer:
T. 905-832-8585 ext. 8472
E. [email protected] www.vaughan.ca/Italy
CALL FOR SUBMISSIOn IS On!
The third annual Vaughan Film Festival (VFF)
organizers are getting ready for an amazing
2015 VFF program, starting with the call-for-
submissions in four major categories: Film,
Art Exhibition, Student Film, and Scholarship.
Submissions are now open. The early bird
deadline is December 31, and all entries must
be received by January 31, 2015.
BOOkMARk ThE DATE
you’re invited to attend the exciting Vaughan
Film Festival 2015 media launch on Thursday,
november 6, 2014 at 7 pm located at Vaughan’s
City hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive.
rSvP to [email protected]
to confirm your attendance.
PAIn & WELLnESS CEnTRE EXPAnDS In VAUGhAn
The availability of medical professionals plays a critical role in the attractiveness
of any given community. While the Greater Toronto Area is the center of medical
research, services, and health innovations for the nation, access to local
healthcare is crucial to the attraction of new residents and industries.
The arrival of the Pain & Wellness Centre is exciting news for Vaughan.
headed by Dr. Angela Mailis, one of Canada’s leading researchers and clinical
practitioners in chronic pain management, the Pain & Wellness Centre
is the first multi-disciplinary pain clinic in Vaughan. With an extensive team
that includes doctors, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, neuropsychologist,
naturopath, electro-physiologist, massage therapists and chiropractors,
the Pain & Wellness Centre provides an integrated approach to treating
complex ailments.
As Canada’s population grows older, and chronic diseases become more
prevalent, pain management will be increasingly important in delivering
quality of life. “Pain is so prevalent in our society. It’s a leading cause of
employee absenteeism, diminished productivity and a voracious consumer of
healthcare dollars. We want to lead with a national pain management strategy,”
said Dr. Mailis. This centre demonstrates integrated healthcare, combining
research and educational linkages with healthcare practitioner training,
clinical work and public education. Dr. Mailis’s enthusiasm and energy has
led to the establishment of an Armed Forces clinic, post-concussion program,
and post-cancer pain treatment programs.
The Pain & Wellness Centre, located at 2301 Major Mackenzie Drive, opened
in September 2014. For more information visit:
www.painandwellnesscentre.com
SAy yES TO ThE DRESS CAnADA COMInG TO VAUGhAn
Popular TLC program, Say yes to the Dress, is
coming to Canada and more specifically, Vaughan.
Woodbridge’s Amanda-Lina’s Sposa Boutique
is the site for the Canadian edition of the reality
show. Say yes to the Dress Canada will premier
in 2015 on the W network, which enjoys more
than 10 million viewers on average every month.
Amanda-Lina’s has been in business for 35
years and is part of a group of 250 businesses
in Vaughan’s wedding and events industry.
The arrival of this program is already triggering
economic spin-offs for Vaughan. With the help
of the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre’s
Summer Company program, local entrepreneur
Adam Berze launched his social media
management company, hatch Marketing, in
June 2014. In just a short period of time, he
has grown his small business to more than
eight clients, managing 20 social media
accounts. his biggest success to date as
a young entrepreneur is landing Amanda-Lina’s
Sposa Boutique as a client.
InDUSTRy SEMInAR: hOLLyWOOD STUnT TRAInInG: October 18-19, 2014
VFF also offers unique industry seminars
created to help artists further develop their
skills. hollywood Stunt Training is a two-day
event that will educate actors on the basics
and logistics of hollywood stunts. Attendees
will be trained in wire work, free falls, hand-to-
hand combat, weapons training and being set
on fire! Each exercise will be documented in
a demo reel for actors to add to their resume
and enrich their professional acting career.
To register for the industry seminar email
info@vaughanfilmfestival.
For more information about VFF:
www.vaughanfilmfestival.com
The City of vaughan and Deloitte co-hosted the celebration of business excellence in vaughan at Pfaff Audi showroom.
Business Incubation Hub.
Market Indicators and Tax Rates.
CAnADA’S BEST MAnAGED COMPAnIES nOMInATIOnS LAUnChED In VAUGhAn
On June 26, the City of Vaughan in collaboration with Deloitte — a leading
professional services firm with an office in Vaughan — announced the 2014
Canada’s Best Managed Companies call-for-participation to more than 100
business attendees. Together with Vaughan City officials and senior
representatives from Deloitte, past winners of the program were honoured
and Vaughan-based companies were encouraged to apply for the
prestigious designation.
The Canada’s Best Managed Companies awards program recognizes
companies operating at the highest levels of business performance. In its
22nd year, the Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation symbolizes
Canadian entrepreneurial success: companies focused on their core vision,
creating stakeholder value and excelling in the global economy.
Participating in the Canada’s Best Managed Companies awards program
has invaluable benefits from strategic planning to business innovation
and expanding operations and securing evermore complex projects by
vertically integrating operations to become one-stop shops for customers.
The vision for Canada’s Best Managed Companies program is to help all
Canadian enterprises build their businesses by highlighting success stories
so everyone can realize the possibilities.
To learn more about Canada’s Best Managed Companies program, or
view event highlights and a list of Canada’s Best Managed Companies
in Vaughan, visit the City of Vaughan’s website: www.vaughan.ca/
BestManagedCompanies
hOUSInG PRICES GAIn GROUnD
Average housing price (all home types) for existing homes in Vaughan
was $710,890 in August 2014 according to the Toronto Real Estate Board’s
(TREB). This represents a 13.5 per cent increase over the same period,
August 2013. In comparison, average selling prices in the Greater Toronto
Area was 8.9 per cent. The number of listings in August was down in
comparison to last year, but the number of sales held steady.
With respect to the specific segments, detached homes gained 13 per cent
in value, year over year. Semi-detached homes gained 9.5 per cent whereas
condos prices rose 9.1 per cent over the previous year.
“The last full month of summer ended on a high note. As we look toward
the fall market, I expect that demand for ownership will remain strong.
The fact that sales were up for all major home types in August suggests
that first-time buyers and existing home owners remain very active in
today’s marketplace,” said TREB President Paul Etherington.
SUPPORTInG ThE nEXT WAVE OF EnTREPREnEURS
The future of Vaughan depends on providing young people with the right
skills, experiences and support they need to succeed in today’s competitive
marketplace. The Summer Company Program gives students aged 15 to 29
the chance to start and operate their own summer businesses.
This year, VBEC, with its partners, supported 28 young entrepreneurs as
they launched their businesses through Summer Company. Working in
everything from home repair to automotive care, educational services to
robotics, Vaughan’s Summer Company participants demonstrated drive,
innovation and ambition. Ranging in age from 16 to 29 years old, Summer
Company operators contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Vaughan’s
economy this summer. VBEC is proud to have worked with such an
enthusiastic group of entrepreneurs and looks forward to helping them in
their next business venture!
Jonny hovich is just one outstanding example of
Summer Company youth entrepreneurship to
have been supported by VBEC in 2014. A grade 11
student at Stephen Lewis Secondary, Jonny
operated his window cleaning company, Clearly
the Best, and earned almost 25% of the total grossed by VBEC’s Summer
Company participants. he employed a sales and cleaning team that served
residential and commercial clients across the GTA. Like many of his
colleagues, Jonny is planning to build on his success and continue his
business throughout the year.
Congratulations, Jonny!
MUnICIPALITy InDUSTRIAL OCCUPIED COMMERCIAL OCCUPIED
vaughan 2.08506% 1.79203%
Mississauga 2.46911% 2.10152%
Brampton 2.71844% 2.30473%
Milton 2.87652% 1.76006%
Toronto 2.94059% 2.89780%
Oakville 3.10523% 1.90121%
Pickering 4.04315% 2.74665%
hamilton 5.09902% 3.64555%
Source: Survey of Municipal Websites, August 2014.
SElECTED grEATEr TOrOnTO hAMIlTOn ArEA CITIES AnD PrOPErTY TAx rATES
Printed in Canada © City of Vaughan 2014
CITy OF VAUGhAn ECOnOMIC DEVELOPMEnT DEPARTMEnT2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada l6a 1t1 tel: 905-832-8585 • email: [email protected] • web: vaughan.ca
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FUnDInG OPPORTUnITIES FOR yOUnG EnTREPREnEURS
Supported by the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure (MEDEI), the Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre (VBEC) is excited to offer the Starter Company program to Vaughan’s young entrepreneurs. This program provides business support services, mentorship and access to provincial funding of up to $5,000 for young entrepreneurs from ages 18 to 29, who are not attending school.
With VBEC’s support, three applicants have successfully accessed the Starter Company program. Dr. Allyson Tang’s eye care clinic has used Starter Company to fund and market an Ortho-k treatment service designed to permanently alleviate near-sightedness in children. Dr. Ryan kerbel’s Foot Medical Centre has received VBEC and Starter Company support to offer cutting-edge treatment for foot and leg ailments. Jessica Gerlock, a talented graphic artist, who already has major entertainment industry experience producing work for Pixar and Disney Canada, has also leveraged Starter Company and VBEC help to launch Mindset Designs, her own graphic design and branding firm.
Turn your great business idea into reality. VBEC Starter Company is here to help you start your company! Contact VBEC today to schedule a free consultation:
T. 905-832-8526 E. [email protected] www.vaughan.ca/vBEC
2015 VAUGhAn BUSInESS AChIEVEMEnT AWARDS Application deadline is October 31, 2014
The annual Business Achievement Awards is a signature program presented by the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce to celebrate business excellence and innovation in the Vaughan business community. Online application forms must be received by Friday, October 31, 2014.
The Business Achievement Awards recognize nominees in the following categories: Accessibility; Construction Services and Product; Consumer Business/Retail; Environmental Leadership; Innovation in Production or Technological Advancement; hospitality; Manufacturing; non-Profit/Charity; Professional Service; Small Business; and young Entrepreneur.
To nominate yourself or someone you know, contact the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce:
T. 905-761-1366 ext. 103 E. [email protected] www.vaughanchamber.ca
EAT LOCAL: WOODBRIDGE VILLAGE FARMERS MARkET Open every Saturday until October 11
Woodbridge Village Farmers’ Market will be kicking off the fall season with a number of special event days throughout September and October. The final four weekends of the season will feature Apple Crunch day on September 20, Tai Chi day on September 27, Pumpkin Pie Trail day on October 4, and harvest day on October 11.
Come visit the Woodbridge Village Farmers’ Market, open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October 11, at Woodbridge Pool and Memorial Arena, near the corner of Islington Ave. and highway 7.
For more information about the Woodbridge Village Farmers’ Market, contact Jamie Maynard:
T. 905-851-0690 E. [email protected] www.woodbridgevillagefarmersmarket.com
COME AnD CELEBRATE In VAUGhAn!Discover the uniqueness and diversity of Vaughan from annual festivals and celebrations of arts and culture to sharing the heritage, traditions and achievements of local cultural groups, grass roots organizations, individual artists, creators and performers.
Join the fun! Community celebrations taking place across Vaughan:
¢ vaughan Culture Days, September 27-28
¢ Woodbridge Fair, October 11-13
¢ vaughan of a Kind Art and Craft Show,
november 15
For more festival and events listings, visit the City of Vaughan’s Event Calendar: www.vaughan.ca
BusinessBulletin.
13Th AnnUAL VAUGhAn BUSInESS-TO-BUSInESS EXPO: FEBRUARy 11, 2015
Plans are well underway for another exciting business-to-business expo for Vaughan companies to showcase their products and services. This successful event provides a forum for local entrepreneurs to network, collaborate and access small business support services. The full-day program will include informative presentations on the latest business trends, plus exhibitors attracting more than 200 business attendees.
The Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre (VBEC) along with its community partners welcome trade show participants and event sponsorship support to create an excellent experience for local entrepreneurs at the 13th annual Vaughan Business-to-Business Expo and Trade Show.
Contact VBEC for more information on event sponsorship, trade exhibition, or participation:
T. 905-832-8526 • E. [email protected] • www.vaughan.ca/vBEC
Vaughan municipal elections October 27, 2014.
For more information visit vaughan.ca/elections.
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