CityEvents goes Social

In case you missed the exciting news, we at CityEvents, Toronto’s premier event planning boutique, have expanded operations to include CitySocial, our social media management & training division! The new services being offering consist of designing and executing online marketing campaigns for products and events, focusing on social media planning and tactics. Additionally, we will have training and guidance available for those who wish to manage their own online marketing, but are not familiar with social media, or the right strategy for them.

We cater our event planning and marketing services to small and medium size businesses in international trade, arts and culture, and the hospitality sectors, as well as non-profit organizations. We are also offering our new social media services in French and Spanish!

Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to launch CitySocial, as the official social media sponsor of UnExpected ’13, the Opening Night VIP Party for the Canadian Special Events Expo. Our team managed online interactions prior to and after the event, and were responsible for on-site promotion of contests, and social media engagement. This recent expansion will now offer our client’s the opportunity for one stop shopping at CityEvents, from product and event development, marketing strategies, metrics, and more.

Check out the photos from UnExpected ’13 and our CitySocial launch: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityeventstoronto/sets/72157633048285693

A Royal Showcase

I had the honour of attending Event Showcase Night at The Royal Conservatory’s Telus Centre. It was an evening specifically for Event Planners to showcase the glorious hall and various reception rooms. The Telus Centre has an exclusive list of suppliers that commanded our presence that evening. My Uber black car pulled up to 273 Bloor Street West. I walked down a long aisle to be greeted by polite and professional wait staff carrying warm up drinks of some pomegranate coloured, sweet and sour with a splash of sparkling bubbles. I continued down a long hallway (regrettably in my stilettos, albeit it was a walk that entwined both romance and modern art that made the walk oh so spectacular. One wall was composed of a brick wall and a glass enclosure on the other, humbly overlooking the atrium, home to the b’espresso bar, where you will see students mingling amongst classical repertoires.

 A group of exclusive, yet diverse vendors were lined up on the circumference of the main lobby. Behind each vendor, their company name was discreetly but creatively

displayed in white font, and appeared to be floating, on the glass window behind them. How tasteful.  Only the finest samplings were provided. It was not your usual chicken on a stick or spring roll offering. There was melt in your mouth, fork tender beef ribs carved in the creamiest polenta ever. There was fois gras stuffed cornish hen. Clearly no expense was spared. But wait, there were also lobster rolls stuffed in those bite size half moon, mini white bread concoctions.

 A beautiful jazz trio, dressed in tuxedos played in the corner of the glass enclosed hall. Could the evening be any more perfect?

 You can rent one of the three floors but why would you? Go big or go home and rent the entire venue. It’s a must for your special occasion. Except, all in, it starts at about $50, 000 as you must rent each individual floor and bring in caterers and décor and tables and chairs. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

 If you’re looking for a gorgeous venue and your budget has lots of room for incidentals, consider the breathtaking Telus Centre. And put me on your guest list.

Liberty Social Hour’s Noche Caliente

Outside may have been freezing rain but things were heating up for the 7^th Liberty Village Social Hour, at Williams Landing! On Thursday Jan 26^th. Liberty Villagers bundled up and headed out to network, socialize and most importantly have fun!  Planned by Rod Ponce of RPC and Deb Lewis of CityEvents, Liberty Villagers were treated to a night of relaxation, amazing door prizes, and a signature Liberty Village cocktail courtesy of Williams Landing at Noche Caliente.  For one evening the January gloom melted away into the chic urban glamour of the neighborhoods’ hottest new restaurant. If you missed out on the action, the next Liberty Social Hour is in the works for April 2012.

Hop, Skip and Jump Into Toronto’s Emerging Social Networing Hubs

Locus 144

Located minutes away from the chaotic streets of downtown core, Liberty Village is an emerging community for socializing and networking just west of Toronto for businesses and residents. CityEvents and InLibertyVillage.com host events which enable locals to meet and mingle with each other. Continuing this successful trend- Locus 144, located in The Liberty Market during “Live It Up in Liberty”, held a successful community networking event on Thursday, July 28th showcasing their unique dinner menu and spirits lists.

The ambience of Locus 144 is very soothing, especially after a long day at work one would want tounwind and submerge themselves into the warm and cozy colour pallets of thedecor with lit candles welcoming you at the dinner table or lounge seating.

Lights were dimmed to perfection and the music just loud enough so people could still talk and not yell in each other’s ears. Locus also invited a local classic/pop singer to add some flavour to the already vibrant event and Lucia (www.luciaonline.com) sang for a set before the D.J took over playing into the late hours of a beautiful summer evening.

For more pictures go to: Link

Senator Vim Kochhar Wins CHKC Award

The sixth annual Canadian Helen Keller Centre awards were held Friday, May 7, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, MP was one of the many distinguished guests present to witness an evening dedicated to Vim Kochhar, Canadian Senator and tireless advocate to the disabled community.

Kochhar has been working with the disabled community since 1984. His efforts include the creation of the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, a foundation that has raised millions of dollars for the community. Kochhar is also a major supporter of the Paralympic movement and as the chair of the Canadian Paralympic Foundation carried the torch during the Paralympic Games this past winter.

On January 29, 2010 Kochhar was the first Indian-born Canadian to be appointed into the Canadian Senate.

Suhana Meharchand of CBC News Network acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event that raised funds for the services offered at the Canadian Helen Keller Centre.

Stephen Harper extended his congratulations to Kochhar via an address made by Minister Flaherty.

Other speakers at the event included: His Excellency, Shashisekhar Madhukar Gavai, High Commissioner of India to Canada, Wilf Wilkinson, past-president of Rotary International, Patrick Jarvis, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Foundation, Gail Asper of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Senator Con Di Nino and Cindy Accardi, executive director of RCH and CHKC with Larry Corke, co-chairs.

After many heart-felt speeches made by those distinguished guests, Kochhar took the stage to receive his award. In his acceptance speech he expressed his pride for being Canadian. Kochhar also noted the progress that has been made over the years to provide barrier-free and independent living for the disabled community.

The CHKC is the only residential training centre in Canada for deaf-blind persons. The CHKC services help people develop alternate ways to care for oneself, one’s family and one’s home. The CHKC also facilitates connections to peers and the community through the development of alternative forms of communication, computing and through self-advocacy and peer support.

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