SCC in the News

August 4, 2010

Celebration of student art at the Shaw Conference Centre
Edmonton Public Schools and the Shaw Conference Centre are pleased to announce a new partnership that will profile student art. Thirty pieces of student art from 16 different schools have been selected for the Shaw Conference Centre Student Artwork Show. The artwork is displayed in the pARTnership gallery, which is located in the Shaw Conference Centre pedway.

On hand to celebrate the unveiling of the artwork on June 24 were Ron Gilbertson, President and CEO of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation; Don Fleming, Board Chair, Catherine Ripley, Vice-Chair and Bev Esslinger, Trustee, Edmonton Public Schools; along with the student artists, their families and teachers.

This new art show is part of a three year partnership between Edmonton Public Schools and the Shaw Conference Centre, with outstanding artwork created by Edmonton Public Schools' students being featured annually. The exhibition will run from June 24, 2010 to June 15, 2011.

 March 25, 2010

Chefs chosen for Culinary Team Canada
Sights set on World Culinary Olympics

Edmonton, Alberta: The six chefs, who will represent Canada at the 2010 Expogast Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg, met for the first time as Culinary Team Canada on March 13, 2010, in Edmonton.

“The challenge after tryouts was not just picking the best chefs, but picking the best chefs who could come together as a team — a winning combination — and earn Canada another world culinary championship,” says Business Manager Simon Smotkowicz. “Based on our first team meeting, we’ve got that.”

The chefs of Culinary Team Canada for the 2012 World Culinary Olympics are:

Captain: Brad Horen, Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria BC

Chef Members:
Poyan Danesh, Corporate Classics Caterers, Vancouver BC
Peter Dewar, Nova Scotia Community College, Halifax NS
Patrick Gayler, Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria BC
Dave Ryan, Vancouver Community College, Vancouver BC

Pastry Chef: James Holehouse, Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton AB

Assistant Manage: Vinod Varshney, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton AB

Alternate Members: 
Roger Andrews, College of the North Atlantic, St. John’s NL
Scott Ards, The Royal Glenora Club, Edmonton AB
Jeffery Young, The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler BC

Support Member: Restituto Mendoza, Pinebrook Golf and Country Club, Calgary AB

Team Coaches:
Clayton Folkers, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton AB
Bruno Marti, La Belle Auberge Restaurant, Ladner BC
Judson Simpson, House of Commons, Ottawa ON
Fred Zimmerman, retired Chef de Cuisine, Calgary AB

Before the practicing and perfecting of competition menus comes the planning — which got off to a successful and exciting start at Culinary Team Canada’s first meeting. “The creative talent, solid culinary training, diverse professional experience and passionate drive of these chefs makes them push for the best from themselves and each other,” says Smotkowicz. “Add the vision and focus they’re creating together, and Canada has an world-class team heading to the Culinary Olympics.”

For more information, contact:
Simon Smotkowicz, Team Business Manager – (780) 917-7617
(Executive Chef’s office, Shaw Conference Centre) 

A Year in the Life...
 
The Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) is a long standing advocate for United Way. They show their support in many ways but what is unique to them is their ability to take the campaign season to another level. The EEDC are so passionate about United Way they choose to raise funds and awareness all year round!

With a mixed demographic of employees who range from contract workers to part-time students, it can be challenging to host a traditional employee pledge campaign. Their commitment to a year-round campaign comes from seeing the benefits to the organization and their employees. Having special events to raise awareness and funds not only raises dollars for our community but also improves and strengthens employee morale.

Using that year round momentum, the EEDC, quite frankly, blew their campaign out of the water this year. Their focus and determination was unwavering and even during a year with economic uncertainty they managed to almost double their campaign results from the previous year! Congratulations!

It is safe to say the EEDC never forgets the FUN and FOOD in their campaign season. Their Cheesecake, Truffle, and Chocolate bars/treats sales throughout the year balance nicely with their Pancake breakfast. For more added fun they host a few 50/50 drives for the staff along with the tried and true "Be Seen in Jeans" and Penny drives. No matter what the event, the EEDC United Way Committee knows their staff and what works.

Well done EEDC and congratulation on a successful campaign!

www.myunitedway.ca/campaign/stories/a-year-in-the-life/

Chefs earn spots on Team Canada; Edmonton to serve as squad's headquarters until 2012

            Publication: Edmonton Journal
            Date: Wed Jan 13 2010
            Page: E2
            Section: Bistro
            Byline: Liane Faulder

After a gruelling weekend of competition here in Edmonton, a team of chefs has been selected to compete as Culinary Team Canada at the 2010 World Cup in Luxembourg, the 2011 World Cup in Chicago and the 2012 World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany -- a gigantic culinary exhibition held every four years.

Eight chefs from across Canada gathered to vie for six spots during a competition on the weekend. Five chefs were selected, and a sixth spot has yet to be filled.

The five winners are team captain Brad Horen, a former Edmontonian who is now executive chef at the Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria; Patrick Gayler, another Edmonton ex-pat working at Laurel Point; Poyan Danesh, a Vancouver corporate chef; James Holehouse of the Shaw Conference Centre (who will serve as pastry chef); and Peter Dewer, a Halifax culinary college instructor. Three alternates are Scott Ards of the Royal Glenora in Edmonton, Jeffrey Young of the Westin in Whistler, B.C., and Roger Andrews of St. John's, N.L.

Every four years, the Canadian Culinary Federation chooses a team manager, who, in turn, assembles a team of chefs. Shaw Conference Centre executive chef Simon Smotkowicz was chosen as team manager until 2012, so the team will be headquartered here, as it was from 1998 to 2001 when Smotkowicz last managed it.

Chefs are keen on the event, and some even use their vacation time to compete.

Top chefs cook up a tasty spot on Team Canada

            Publication: Edmonton Journal
            Date: Sun Jan 10 2010
            Page: A5
            Section: Cityplus
            Byline: Bill Mah

Tryouts for Team Canada have been taking place Saturday and today in Edmonton.

And like the Winter Olympics, no Edmonton Oilers will make this national squad either.
 
This heated competition is to choose the Culinary Team Canada -- chefs who represent the nation and promote Canadian food products at premier cooking competitions and high-profile functions around the world.

Eight chefs from across Canada are competing to fill five spots on Team Canada, plus one support role.

The team is based in Edmonton, because local Shaw Conference Centre executive chef Simon Smotkowicz was selected as its manager until 2012. The team was last headquartered in Edmonton from 1998 to 2001 when Smotkowicz also managed it.

Every four years, the Canadian Culinary Federation chooses a team manager, who in turn, assembles a team of chefs.

Competing on the team sometimes means chefs have to use their vacation time, but it gives them valuable world-class experience.

"You learn from it and gain from it so really you become a better chef," Smotkowicz said. "If you work in a vacuum, you will regress."

The tryout lured Patrick Gayler, who is originally from St. Albert, back to Edmonton from Victoria where he's executive sous chef at the Inn at Laurel Point.

"I competed with Team Alberta and it really helps you progress in your profession more so than just working in a restaurant," said Gayler.

"You're working with some of the best chefs in the country and you're competing against some of the best chefs from countries all over the world."

There's also the thrill of competition.

"I like to run on adrenalin," said Scott Ards, executive sous chef at Edmonton's Royal Glenora Club. Winning one of the handful of spots on the team would be an honour, but he also noted the high calibre of competition in the room. "I feel like a little tiny fish."

Saturday's competition saw the team hopefuls working in the kitchens of the Shaw Conference Centre preparing cold dishes for display.

On Sunday, the competition moves to NAIT for a more technical program calling on them to prepare hot food -- six appetizers and six main dishes -- for judges to taste and assess.

The judges are looking at criteria such as creativity and quality of workmanship, Smotkowicz said.

Team members will be announced after the competition at ccfcc.ca.

Culinary Team Canada will compete at the 2010 World Cup in Luxembourg, the 2011 World Cup in Chicago and the 2012 World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany -- a massive culinary exhibition held every four years. The last one attracted 32 national teams and hundreds of chefs.

Former Edmontonian Brad Horen, now executive chef at the Inn at Laurel Point, was on the Canadian team that won gold at in Glasgow five years ago and that finished second in Luxembourg in 2008.

"The reason I'm here is to compete at the Culinary Olympics," he said.

Culinary Team Canada relies on sponsors and a fundraising team to pay for expenses totalling about $250,000 annually.

The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA), a provincial government agency, is providing $300,000 over three years toward transportation and practices which are held every six weeks.

"From our perspective, Canada's chefs, whether at home or abroad, really are our ambassadors for our food products and Canada's food culture," said Darcy Fitzgerald, ALMA's director of industry investment.

Why I Choose Edmonton

Edmonton Stories
http://www.edmontonstories.ca/story/why-i-chose-edmonton
By Ada Tai

I came to Edmonton as an international student and was always asked the same question, “Why did you choose to come to Edmonton?” I usually joked with people and told them “because I love shopping and I was attracted by the world’s largest shopping centre -- West Edmonton Mall!” Of course that is not the whole story. The primary reason I came to Edmonton was to study at the top-ranked Canadian university -- University of Alberta!

The U of A is one of the best post-secondary institutions in Canada. It provides students with great programs, teaching resources, facilities and social opportunities. Through my time at the university, I spent a lot of time doing part-time jobs, volunteering, and getting involved in community events through university programs. These activities greatly helped me to get to know the culture and the society, and I gradually learned about the variety of working opportunities that exist for me here.

Working in Edmonton helps me adapt to the culture. I easily built good relationships with my colleagues and industry contacts. I was impressed by how friendly and respectful Edmontonians are. Compared to some of the foreign students and immigrants who struggle to find a good job or settle in foreign countries, I always believe I am the lucky one: I took advantage of the opportunity to settle down in a growing and dynamic city that offers great studying and working opportunities.

Living in Edmonton, I am never bored! I can travel to anywhere in the region, the country, or even the world easily. I also enjoy attending unique festivals and tradeshows. I still clearly remember how full I was at the Heritage Festival the first summer I was here because I tried 17 different kinds of food from 17 countries! Some friends have warned me about how cold and dark the winter can get in Edmonton. I always say it will depend on how you see it. When the weather gets bad, I enjoy doing indoor sports! It does not matter where I work or live in the city, I can always find a great fitness facility at a convenient location.

After working at Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, I feel more connected to the spirit of the city. I am now more and more confident to tell people the reason I chose to come to Edmonton. Initially, it was to study at the U of A, but as time went by, I saw great opportunities to work and live here. I finally bought a place in town, and sure enough, Edmonton has become my home.

Story Created: Nov. 10, 2009

The Calgary Sun
Mon Oct 26 2009
Page: 8
Section: News
Byline: BY SHAWN LOGAN, SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIA

Bad genes are still no match for a healthy lifestyle when it comes to battling heart disease, attendees at the nation's largest cardiovascular confab heard yesterday.

Some 3,500 physicians, researchers and scientists packed Edmonton's Shaw Conference Centre as the Alberta capital kicked off the 10th annual Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, a four-day forum highlighting the latest strategies in maintaining healthy hearts.

And for those resigned to having their cardiovascular fate genetically pre-determined, there's some good news, said keynote speaker Dr. Robert Hegele, director of the Martha G. Blackburn Cardiovascular Genetics Lab at Robarts Research Institute.

"Even if you're dealt a bad hand of genes, it's not a life sentence for most people," he said.

"You can override it with lifestyle for the most part," he added.

Researchers have long debated whether nature or nurture holds the trump card in determining who is a potential candidate for heart disease or stroke.

But after 20 years of breaking down DNA code, Hegele, whose own family has a history of cardiovascular problems, said only 5% of patients can't overcome genetic pre-disposition to the conditions that cause heart disease.

The welcome mat is out for everyone

Edmonton Examiner
Wed Sep 16 2009
Page: 8
Section: News

If you've ever wondered where to turn for services you need or where to go if you're interested in volunteering, then the Everyone for Edmonton is an event you don't want to miss.
This Sunday, Edmontonians are invited to come to the 2nd annual Everyone for Edmonton event happening at the Shaw Conference Centre from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event is designed to raise awareness about the non-profit and voluntary organizations that exist in the Edmonton region, and provide members of the public with a chance to meet the people behind the causes, learn about the kinds of services offered and find out how to become involved as a volunteer.

The Shaw Conference Centre launched the event last year in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

"We made a commitment to make this a legacy event for the future," says Cliff Higuchi, assistant general manager of the Shaw Conference Centre.

'SIZEABLE IMPACT'

Through his experience as one of the committee members who helped plan the event, Higuchi realized that non-profit organizations have a "sizeable impact on the community."

That's why the Shaw Conference Centre is offering one and all this opportunity to connect with the community again.

The event will be an interactive information session, featuring a number of different and unique organizations all under roof.

"It's a great opportunity to come out and learn about things in the community," he says. "Even if you don't require a service, you might have an aging parent or a spouse that has a condition, and there are organizations that can assist you."

Organizers for Everyone for Edmonton hope to see the event continue to grow.

"If we can help non-profit organizations increase their profile and help them attract volunteers, that adds to community building and benefits everyone," Higuchi explains.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

More than 125 non-profit/voluntary sector organizations of all types will be at the event.

Edmontonians are urged to attend. Come and see what your community has to offer - and think about what you have to offer your community!

To learn more about Everyone for Edmonton, visit www.everyoneforedmonton.com or email everyoneforedmonton@edmonton.com.

Look to this space to see the work that the city's volunteers and non-profit organizations are carrying out and what it is that Volunteer Edmonton is involved in.

For more information or suggestions for story ideas, please contact Evelyn Pham, Communications Coordinator, at http://epham@volunteeredmonton, call 780-732-6655 or check out our website at www.volunteeredmonton.com. Volunteer Edmonton is a program of The Support Network.  

Gathering of non-profit organizations a win-win ; Everyone for Edmonton returns to Shaw

Edmonton Examiner 
Wed Aug 26 2009 
Page: 109 
Section: News 
Byline: BY KEVIN MAIMANN, EXAMINER STAFF

We're all in this together.

And next month, the Shaw Conference Centre will host an event that should make it a little easier for us to help each other out.
 
The centre has teamed up with the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, and Volunteer Edmonton to host the second annual Everyone for Edmonton event, a day of networking and volunteer recruitment for the city's non-profit organizations.
 
"It's a fabulous opportunity to share with Edmontonians the amazing work that non-profits do," says Volunteer Edmonton director Janice Bell. "We know that there are about 4,000 non-profit groups in the city of Edmonton alone, and about 8,000 in the region."
 
People will be able to drop by and check out information booths for a variety of Edmonton organizations.
 
While non-profits are sure to benefit from the event, which will be held Sept. 20 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Bell says it could be even more valuable for members of the general public who want to volunteer or need to access services.
 
"They're fabulous for the non-profit, but even more importantly, it's for the average citizen to find out the wealth of resources that are right in their own community."
 
This year, organizations will be grouped together by focus areas to make it easier for individuals to seek out what they're looking for.
 
"When you as a member of the public come in, if you're looking for a sports organization (for example), they'll be together," she explains.
 
The Shaw Conference Centre won a 2008 Human Rights Award for Excellence from Human Rights City Edmonton for last year's event.
 
Non-profits only have until Friday to register for Everyone for Edmonton, which can be done online at everyoneforedmonton.com

Grow the space, watch the costs

Publication: Edmonton Journal
Date: Sat Jul 25 2009
Page: A18
Section: Opinion

Edmonton residents with long memories might shudder at the news that the Edmonton Economic Development Corp. (EEDC) is looking at greatly expanding the Shaw Conference Centre.

EEDC officials say the building will have to double in size to meet rising demand over the next 10 years, which could even mean growing beyond the current site overlooking the North Saskatchewan River valley.
But the centre's track record isn't great when it comes to construction expenses.

The idea of building the facility in the first place was so controversial it went to a plebiscite, but after voters gave it the go-ahead the price tag ballooned to $81.8 million by the time doors opened in 1983 from an initial estimate of $22.5 million.

When Hall D was added in 2006 to deal with a space crunch, the cost rose to $29 million from the expected $24 million due to Alberta's booming economy and high construction inflation. While councillors cut spending on furniture, equipment and finishes by $2.2 million to stay close to the original budget, they were later convinced some of that material was necessary and put money back, which Coun. Bryan Anderson said left them feeling "we've been played like a yo-yo."

However, that doesn't mean expansion can be dismissed out-of-hand. Even though Hall D boosted the amount of space in the centre by about 20 per cent, with room for banquets for up to 1,400 people, it was quickly filled. Indeed, more than 90 per cent of the space at the Shaw is booked during the two-thirds of the year when conventions are popular, making it one of the busiest convention centres in the country.

The facility is already running into capacity problems, both in the number of events it can host and in handling larger gatherings. Some conventions only fit in a few halls in Canada's biggest cities, and ideally Edmonton officials would like to be able to bid for more of them.

EEDC president Ron Gilbertson says similar operations in at least seven or eight other Canadian municipalities are planning to expand or already have work underway, so looking at Edmonton's needs in this area for the next 30 to 40 years will help the city stay competitive.

The study will also better estimate how much of the projected $37.7-million in upgrades proposed for the city-owned building by 2018 will actually be needed.

Gilbertson insists, with some justification, that he wasn't in charge when previous construction projects were done and a good planning will reduce the chances of costs going up unexpectedly. He says the financial performance of EEDC has been excellent and it meets its objectives every year.

Running a convention centre isn't cheap; this year, the annual city subsidy will be $2.7 million. But the EEDC calculates it had a direct impact of $44 million on the local economy in 2008, as well as attracting tourists and future investment. While these numbers are always subject to interpretation, and must be compared to the economic impact of spending subsidy money on something else, a careful examination of what lies ahead for the convention centre is
still a good idea.

Shaw may have to move to grow

Publication: Edmonton Journal
Date: Thu Jul 23 2009
Page: B3
Section: Cityplus
Byline: Alexandra Zabjek

The Shaw Conference Centre will need to double its size in the next 10 years to keep up with current demand, and expanding beyond its current picturesque location on the edge of the river valley is not being ruled out, says the head of the organization that manages the Shaw.

"It's a phenomenal location. Only with the greatest reluctance would you ever move away from that," said Ron Gilbertson, president of the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. However, "(the river valley)does impose some limitations on the site."

Gilbertson was at city council on Wednesday seeking approval to commission a study of Edmonton's convention centre needs over the next 30 to 40 years. According to the corporation, the Shaw turned away 12 conventions last year due to lack of space. Most of those conventions did not stay in Edmonton, potentially costing the city millions of dollars in economic impact.

The Shaw hosted 47 conventions last year. It currently has 144,000 square feet of rentable space -- 25,000 square feet was added in a 2006 expansion.

Gilbertson stressed the corporation is only in the earliest phases of discussion about Shaw's future. He said it is too early to tell if the centre would have to move from its current location. To fund the construction of new convention space, Gilbertson said the corporation could look beyond city coffers.

"The real financial beneficiary of expanded use of conference centres are the provincial and federal governments. In other cities, they've been major contributors to the cost of expansion."

Conference centres have also been integrated into commercial and residential developments in some parts of the world, he said.

At the council meeting, Mayor Stephen Mandel suggested the Shaw should look for partnership opportunities with Northlands, which is adding 200,000 square feet of new exhibition space, which will make it the biggest trade show and exhibition space in Western Canada.

Gilbertson said conventions and trade shows are "like apples and oranges."

"Conventions are a downtown phenomenon. People want to be within walking distance of hotels and restaurants," Gilbertson said.

The economic development corporation is expected to complete its study by early next year.

Shaw is short on space ; Council lets EEDC commission study

Publication: The Edmonton Sun
Date: Thu Jul 23 2009
Page: 4
Section: News
Byline: By Frank Landry, City Hall Bureau

The Shaw Conference Centre is bursting at the seams and another downtown convention centre could be needed to meet increasing demand, city council was told yesterday.

Councillors heard the Shaw is packed to capacity, just three years after undergoing a $30-million expansion.

One option is to expand the current building -- but space around the facility is limited. The other choice is a new building in a new location, though that could be decades away.

"The first option is always going to be ... how do you take maximum advantage of the current site," said Ron Gilbertson, president and CEO of the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation.
"Obviously, we're going to study that a great deal. But you want to make sure you've looked at all the options.

"This is not a plan for the next five or 10 years, it's a plan for 30, 40, 50 years from now."

EEDC will commission a study to look at the demands of the convention industry over the next several decades, after getting the go-ahead from council yesterday.

Coun. Ron Hayter stressed the Shaw is in a "spectacular location" overlooking the river valley.

"What if you find you're not able to gain more land (for expansion)?" he asked.

Moving to another location would be done only "with the greatest reluctance," said Mike Fitzpatrick, vice-president and general manager of the city-owned Shaw.

Mayor Stephen Mandel urged the EEDC to work with Northlands to see if any of the convention business could be shared. Northlands is in the midst of expanding the AgriCom, which hosts many trade shows.

Last year, 12 conventions had to be turned away at the Shaw -- meetings that had the potential to inject $10 million into the city's economy, according to a city council report.

The Shaw opened in 1983 with 80,000 square feet of convention space and nearly 40,000 square feet of meeting rooms.

In 2006, an additional 25,000 square feet of ballroom space was added with the opening of Hall D.

Council approves Shaw study

630 Ched 4:49am 7/23/2009
Scott Johnston
The head of the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation confirms a long term study of the Shaw Conference Centre might indicate, they'll have to move to a new location.

The study will look so long term, not many of us will be around to see the convention centre from fifty years from now. But Ron Gilbertson admits something other than the river valley will be considered.

"If you start looking far enough advance there may come a time where you out grow the current site. Whether its ten years from now or two hundred years from now you can't really say," Gilbertson says.

The current location is both cursed and blessed by the river valley. It's a great draw, but it also means you can't build that much in there.

"It's a great feature but it does impose certain limitations on the site," Gilbertson says.

The study will be paid for with existing EEDC funds.

Shaw Conference Centre Goes Wireless

June 16, 2009

ICLEI delegates first to benefit
Cliff Higuchi, Assistant General Manager of the Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) believes that partnerships are key to environmental, social and economic sustainability. The City of Edmonton and the SCC have partnered to deliver wireless Internet access to the 600+ delegates attending the ICLEI World Congress 2009 in Edmonton.

Wireless Edmonton is a City initiative to allow people to access the Internet in designated eZone areas, such as the Shaw Conference Centre, without charge while using their own mobile devices. The service, also known as Wi-Fi, uses radio waves to provide wireless high speed Internet and networking technology to public spaces.

The SCC joins Churchill Square, Kinsmen Sports Centre and a number of other locations where the City has enabled wireless Internet access for Edmontonians and visitors. For more locations visit:
http://www.edmonton.ca/wireless-edmonton.aspx

The infrastructure will stay at the Shaw Conference Centre to benefit future events. “Wi-Fi service is frequently requested by our guests and we now have an advantage in a highly competitive market” says Cliff Higuchi.

The ICLEI World Congress 2009 is in Edmonton until Thursday, June 18th. ICLEI is an international council of more than 1,000 local governments working to develop and promote environmentally sustainable initiatives and practices.

The ICLEI 2009 World Congress focuses on how to develop sustainable and vibrant communities by engaging in dialogue with delegates and keynote speakers from around the world.

Canadian Culinary Federation Edmonton presents its second annual High School Culinary Challenge

13 Greater Edmonton high schools will compete at NAIT on Saturday, Feb. 7

Edmonton’s second annual High School Culinary Challenge will be held at the Northern Alberta
Institute of Technology (NAIT) on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The competition encourages regional high school students to pursue rewarding careers in the culinary arts. This year, 13 high schools will compete – up from 10 last year. The competition is presented by the Canadian Culinary Federation Edmonton.

Each participating high school has entered a three-student team to create a three-course meal (soup, entrée and dessert) for six people in three hours. The courses will be plated and presented for judging. The top three student teams will be honoured at an awards lunch on March 4 in the Shaw Conference Centre’s Hall D.

The High School Culinary Challenge is a vision of Chef Simon Smotkowicz, Executive Chef of the Shaw Conference Centre and President of the Canadian Culinary Federation Edmonton.

“We hope this unique, challenging, hands-on competition will really stir high school students to seriously consider the many creative opportunities in our demanding profession,” says Smotkowicz.

The 39 competing students will have the opportunity to apply for specially-created scholarship - mentorship packages. Two students will receive scholarships for post-secondary tuition, uniforms, books and knives. They will also participate in a three-year mentorship program. Over the course of the three year apprenticeship, the students will work in some of the best kitchens in Greater Edmonton - the Red Ox Inn, Sage at River Cree Casino and Resort, and the Fantasy Grill - the Fantasyland Hotel's main dining room.

Sponsors for the second annual High School Culinary Challenge include: Alberta Food Processors, Chaine des Rôtisseurs Edmonton, Chef’s Hat Inc., Dawn Food Products Ltd., EPCOR, Fantasyland Hotel, Growing Alberta, Lilydale Inc., NAIT’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, River Cree Resort and Casino, and the Shaw Conference Centre.

The Canadian Culinary Federation is a not-for-profit association uniting chefs and cooks across Canada in a common dedication to professional excellence. The Canadian Culinary Federation (CCFCC) was founded in 1963.

Media Contacts:

Chef Simon Smotkowicz
Executive Chef, Shaw Conference Centre
780.917.7617

Stanley Townsend
Program Chair, Culinary Arts, NAIT
780.471.8694

Shaw Conference Centre honoured with Human Rights Award - Recognition for important community initiatives

The Shaw Conference Centre is being awarded a 2008 Human Rights Award for Excellence by Human Rights City Edmonton, a project facilitated by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights.

”The Shaw was nominated this year primarily for their support of human rights causes and events such as the Everyone for Edmonton event and the Homeless Connect, both of which were hugely supportive of non-profit initiatives, which are often hampered by a lack of resources,” says Mandy Siu, Project Coordinator for the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. “Considering the Shaw is a world-class facility, this of course also boosted everyone's profile and brought more attention to the issues facing Edmonton.”

Everyone for Edmonton was an unprecedented community development event, held on August 23rd at the Shaw, in which over 200 registered non-profit organizations set up booths in one hall to promote their mission, connect with donors and recruit volunteers. On October 5th, the Shaw hosted the city’s first-ever Homeless Connect event, a massive community movement to provide a one-stop-shop of services specifically for the homeless and those at-risk of becoming homeless. Over 40 agencies provided over 50 services from foot care, immunization, haircuts, counseling and housing workshops to more than 1,500 guests in one day.

Both events were initiated, organized and sponsored by the Shaw Conference Centre as part of its contribution to the Edmonton community in celebration of its 25th Anniversary.

“Over the course of 25 years, 12 to 15 million people have been through our facility,” says Mike Fitzpatrick, Vice President and General Manager, Shaw Conference Centre. “Yet, there are many people in our community who have not had an occasion to attend an event at their convention centre. We wanted to connect with those people and provide them with an opportunity to benefit from this community investment.”

The Shaw Conference Centre will be recognized with the Human Rights Award in the Business category at the 2nd Annual Human Rights Awards on December 10th International Human Rights Day at Campus Saint-Jean. This year’s event also commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was signed by the United Nations on Dec 10, 1948.

More information about the Human Rights Awards is available at www.humanrightscity.ca or by contacting Mandy Siu at
780.453.2638 or mandy@jhcentre.org

Media Contact:
Lesley MacDonald, Director, Media Relations
TEL 780.969.0463 / CELL 780.884.7972
lmacdonald@edmonton.com

Shaw Conference Centre Manager Wins North American Service Award

— Ed Pilecki, first Canadian winner of Convention Services Manager of the Year

A popular client services manager at Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) has been honoured with a coveted service award recognizing excellence in the competitive North American meetings and convention industry.

The award was announced at the Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) annual
conference on Jan. 14 in Toronto. In conjunction with Successful Meetings magazine, ACOM annually recognizes three top convention services managers, one each from a hotel, a convention centre, and a convention and visitors bureau.

SCC Client Services Manager Ed Pilecki is the first Canadian in the history of the awards to be honoured as Convention Services Manager of the Year.
 
“This award shows that Ed has demonstrated to meeting planners – the most demanding critics in the conference business – our team’s continuing ability to provide the highest level of customer service,” says SCC General Manager Mike Fitzpatrick. “This North American service award will also remind convention decision makers that Edmonton is the ideal location for their next event.”

A recent SCC convention client – the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association – helped develop Pilecki’s award nomination. CPA event manager Nancy Coll was so impressed with Pilecki’s outstanding commitment to detailed customer service that she wrote a glowing commendation letter and approached the awards committee at Successful Meetings magazine.

“Our conference in Edmonton was one of the smoothest, user-friendly conferences I have managed in my long career. This was directly due to the managed care by the onsite team and especially the devoted attention from Ed Pilecki,” wrote Coll. “Ed rises above his colleagues and will be the bar against which all other convention service managers are measured. His dedication to his client was excellent. His ability to bend with circumstances was a talent I appreciated . . . it was more than I expected and have received at other convention/hotel centres.”

The recommendation was especially meaningful since Coll herself is a respected industry professional having been awarded the 2004 Meeting Planner of the Year distinction.

Pilecki will be profiled in the February 2007 issue of Successful Meetings magazine, the industry's leading magazine for North American meetings and hospitality professionals.

The Association for Convention Operations Management is dedicated to advancing the practice of convention services management in the meetings industry and to preparing convention service management professionals for their critical role in the growth and success of their organizations. ACOM members hold many positions in convention and visitor bureaus, convention centres, hotels and resorts. Visit www.acomonline.org.

The Shaw Conference Centre is Edmonton’s Centre of Attention, the region’s flagship hospitality venue and one of Canada's largest convention centres. Managed by Edmonton Economic Development Corp., the SCC provides high standards of award-winning customer service and culinary excellence while contributing an estimated annual economic impact of $37 million to the region. Visit www.shawconferencecentre.com.