A Fresh Distillery Opens in The Historic Toronto Distillery District

On Thursday, May 11tth, the Spirit of York Distillery Co. will open to the public offering their unique bottles of vodka and gin premium spirits. The small batches are being created using fresh spring water in stainless steel tanks using only locally-sourced ingredients.

The space is perfect for events. There is a large bar featured as the room’s centerpiece, with a three-tiered hydroponic fresh herb garden directly above it as well as a wall of botanicals and dried herbs used to infuse their spirits.  A specialty bitters bar is ideal for interactive demonstrations, mixology training, innovation, and education for others who are as passionate about spirits as Spirit of York Co. is.

There are also other rooms perfect for private dining and Team building here is a unique idea for your team.

The space fits up to 150 people and has maintained the historic features of brick and beam from the original roots of Toronto’s distillery hub.  Like many historic spaces, the venue has achieved a great mix of old and modern, with the lighting design and layout being a key feature. The Spirit of York Co. has brought back the art of distilling to the historic Distillery District with this contemporary ‘Spirits Hub’.

The Spirit of York will be exclusively available at their new location. But, keep your watch for their concoctions in the LCBO in the future. Perhaps at specialty cocktail bars, we can hope…

For more information visit:

Website: SpiritofYork.com

Instagram: @SpiritofYork

Twitter: @SpiritofYork

 

Recap: 13th Annual Canadian Helen Keller Centre Award Luncheon

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

On April 5th, 2017 The Canadian Helen Keller Centre (CHKC) held their 13th annual Award Luncheon at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The luncheon is held each year to help raise money and awareness to support the services the CHKC provides free of charge to its clients.

This year, The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services and MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham, received the prestigious award for her continuous support and dedication to bettering the lives of those in the deafblind community. Since becoming the Minister of Community and Social Services, her work to assist deafblind Ontarians has been groundbreaking. Most recently, she will focus on the development of new frameworks that will result in a consistent, fair and accountable approach to funding.

The luncheon’s keynote speaker was Gail Asper O.C., O.M., LL.D., President of The Asper Foundation, Governor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and sitting board member of The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CHRM) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ms. Asper’s speech reminded everyone in attendance of the importance of inclusivity and charity. As a special thank you Vim Kochhar, founder of Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons and chair of CHKC, presented Gail with a cheque for $15,000 to go towards the CHRM to continue to be the most accessible museum in Canada.

 

Thanks to Steve Blackburn, you can check out photos from the afternoon on his website steveblackburn.com

Learn more about the Canadian Helen Keller Centre www.chkc.org

Information on past awards and the host organization, Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons www.cfpdp.com

 

Written by: Paula McDines

 

Your Favourite Independent Event Planner – Deb Lewis

On Tuesday, March 28th, Deb Lewis, CEO of CityEvents, took home the Canadian Special Events 2017 Readers Choice Award for Favourite Independent Event Planner.  With the category filled with seven other very talented planners that spread across the country, Deb was honoured with the recognition.

“It was amazing just to be nominated, and I’m completely blown away by all the support I received over the weeks leading up to the ceremony,” says Deb after her win from The Aga Khan Museum where the awards and kick off to CSE LIVE.

Besides being a highly effective Certified Meeting Planner, Deb is also passionate about educational and mentoring opportunities within the community. Each season she takes on interns from local colleges, universities and high schools as well as diverse international students. Deb keeps a strong connection with her Alma Mater, George Brown College and sits on the organizing committee of “5 to Watch”, a groundbreaking annual event for the Canadian sports marketing industry that set the standards for identifying the next generation of industry captains.

Adding to her community involvement, this blog, CityEvents was created to share and support colleagues events, promote local venues and highlight industry businesses.

Her voraciousness and drive have allowed her to achieve the skilled organization of managing multiple events. On TorontoCityEvents.ca, Deb offers everything from sponsorship management to creating buzz and an online presence for their clients. CityEvents covers every aspect needed to run a successful event or campaign.

On deblewis.ca you’ll find out about venue specs, supplier information upcoming events, and event tips. On YouTube,  you can find her educational series of videos all about the tips and tricks of marketing an event online through different platforms.

Deb has been in the industry and planning events for 20 years. She’s experienced in everything from corporate and government events to charitable and not-for-profit galas and awards.

 

5 To Watch: Canada’s Sports Marketing Business Award

 

The 5 To Watch is in partnership with Globe and Mail to recognize Canada’s Sports Business leaders under 40 years old. George Brown’s School of Sport and Event Marketing staff and alumni are the creators of this event/award which launched in 2013. It’s a “must-attend” event where you get to network with industry professionals, enjoy amazing food, learn from keynote speeches, and join the after party.

The proceeds from the event will be put towards the George Brown College Foundation which grants awards and bursaries to individuals at the George Brown’s Centre for Business.

This year the Canada’s Sports Marketing Business Award will be at the Waterfront Campus of George Brown College. Business professionals will gather to celebrate the winners on Thursday, June 22, 2017.

2016 Highlights;

• Winners: Andrew Greenlaw, Senior Director, Sponsorship Marketing & Strategy, Brent Rossi, Executive Vice President of Brand Strategy and Marketing – Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Dan Near (Head of adidas Hockey – Adidas Group),

•  Matthew Logue (S&E Sponsorship Group), Sophie Kotsopoulos (National Hockey League).

• Alumni Achievement Award Winner: Jacquie Ryan (VP of Sponsorship Marketing with Scotiabank)

• More than 400 attendees

• Top-notch networking

 

When

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Agenda

6:00 PM – Networking Reception

7:30 PM – Awards Ceremony

8:30 PM – Post-Awards Reception

Location

George Brown College Waterfront Campus

51 Dockside Drive, Toronto, ON

Phone: 416-415-5000 x 6164

Email: 5toWatch@georgebrown.ca

For Further Details and tickets

Visit http://www.5towatch.ca/Login.aspx

 

Liberty Commons the New ‘Rock’ of Liberty Village

Oliver and Bonacini welcomed Big Rock Brewery to Toronto with a collaborative, unique two-level, fully accessible heritage space, known as Liberty Commons. The modern brewpub venue offers up two separate and unique areas to rent out or go big with a full restaurant buyout.

Barrel Room is a great space with room for either a breakfast rendezvous or a full seated dinner of groups of up to 32, or have a reception style gathering for groups of a 47. The Barrel Room comes equipped with a 60” flat screen television, but you do have to be conscious of shrinking the guest list if a/v is required. The room is backdropped with an upcycled beer cask wall and exposed brick.

The Drink Tank offers an airy space with slightly smaller capacity. Up to 24 people can be seated or 30 people for reception style mixers, private get-togethers or business breakfasts. The Drink Tank gives guests a great visual of the brewmasters at work in the on-site brewery, perfect for a beer lager enthusiasts or an ale-themed event.

The entire restaurant will get 173 guests seated or a large soiree with 340 standing. For any option, a cocktail services can be provided,  with limitations on draft, and you can also tailor the beverage selections to enhance your guests’ experience! Match that with a customizable menu – including vegan and vegetarian- and you have a great event on your hands.

For all booking inquiries contact:

416.364.1211

events@oliverbonacini.com

oliverbonacinievents.com

 

Written by: Paula McDines

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