Movers and Shakers

Following the acquisition of Direct Energy’s Ontario Home Services business by Enercare Inc., The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place successfully concluded a multi-year naming rights sponsorship agreement to re-name the venue Enercare Centre. The Direct Energy Centre will be re-named Enercare Centre effective immediately. This naming rights agreement is effective through May 31, 2026. The $7.5 million (CDN) agreement includes title sponsorship of the centre, creation of a new logo, exterior signage and a public space in the Galleria of the building to showcase Enercare Inc.’s products and services to the public. Details of the arrangement and the Enercare Centre’s re-branding launch will be made public in September 2015 during a special event. For further information, please contact: Laura Purdy, Director of Sales and Marketing, 416-263-3020, lpurdy@enercarecentre.com.

Freeman Audio Visual is pleased to announce the appointment of David Campbell as executive vice president and chief operating officer of its Canadian division, effective immediately. David brings to the organization a wealth of experience, having spent nearly 30 years in strategic leadership roles, including seven as vice president and general manager of a large audio visual firm. As the Canadian audio visual division’s most senior executive, Campbell is responsible for developing strategies, driving continuous growth, maintaining operational excellence, and ensuring customer and employee satisfaction. He will set the company’s short- and long-range goals related to sales, operations, financial performance and quality. For more information, visit www.freemanav-ca.com.  

Tourism Toronto announced that Johanne Be´langer has been appointed President and CEO, effective September 1, 2015. Ms. Be´langer was President of Freeman Audio Visual Canada for the past 10 years and, throughout her career, has been a globally recognized leader in exhibitions and events. She also served as Chair of Tourism Toronto’s Board of Directors from 2012 to 2014 and has been a member of the Board since 2009. In 2014, she was inducted into the Meetings and Incentive Travel Hall of Fame and has also served as President of the Board of Directors for InfoComm International, the trade association representing the professional audio visual and information communications industries worldwide. In 2014, Ms. Be´langer received the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Outstanding Achievement in Industry Leadership Award. For more information, please visit www.seetorontonow.com.

On August 8, 2015, Vinita and Dave welcomed Zyan Kumar Das (a week early) at 6:30 a.m. weighing 7 lb. 1 oz. His sister Amaya is enjoying her new brother and showers him with kisses. Vinita is good, but miss sleeping. LOL. 

Calgary-based WestJet entered a new era in its 19-year history with the delivery of the first of four Boeing 767-300 extended range aircraft. Its inaugural flights will begin in September. "The arrival of our first wide-body aircraft opens the next chapter in the evolution and growth of Canada’s low-fare leader," said Bob Cummings, WestJet executive vice-president, Commercial. The aircraft has a flight range of approximately 11 hours, which will allow WestJet to begin serving Europe and other regions of the world on a non-stop basis. The plane’s interior is comprised of a Plus cabin with 24 premium seats in a two-by-two configuration, hot meals and other amenities; and a 238-seat main cabin featuring a two-three-two configuration. By Spring 2016, all four 767s will be equipped with WestJet Connect, the airline’s new inflight entertainment and wireless connectivity system. The aircraft will fly between Toronto and Calgary for the next several months. Two additional wide-bodies will be delivered this fall. They will fly from Alberta to Hawaii and between Toronto and Montego Bay, Jamaica beginning in December. The fourth and final aircraft will arrive next spring just prior to the launch of WestJet’s new service to London (Gatwick) in May 2016.