Views (April 01, 2004)

B + L Consultants and Vigil Technology Locating Systems Inc. have signed a national promotional services agreement. The three-year deal will see B + L promoting the Vigil GPS system nationally to 900 car dealers, with an annual target of 7,830 units sold for revenue of $2.3 million. The program includes an agreement between B + L and P&D Insurance, which manages the largest national insurance program specifically for franchised new car and truck dealers.

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This year’s winner of the Toronto Insurance Women’s Association (TIWA) Public Speaking Contest is Bonita Kearns (below right, accepting the award from TIWA president Kelly Brisbin-Harris at the group’s February dinner meeting). Kearns will now represent TIWA at the national competition, held at the CAIW Annual Convention in Calgary this June. Also at the February dinner meeting, TIWA awarded its Sponsor of the Year to ENCON (represented by Hugh Fardy). The award recognizes a company, organization or individual who contributes to and supports TIWA’s goals and objectives.

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As part of the CIP Society Business Summit, attendees donated more than $6,800 to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Lewis, the event’s luncheon speaker, is U.N. special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. He is also former Canadian Ambassador to the U.N. The foundation supports those afflicted and those orphaned by the disease, which has reached pandemic proportions in Africa. There are 26.6 million people between the ages of 15 and 49 afflicted with HIV/AIDS, 58% of whom are women, many between the ages of 15 and 24. To learn more and donate, visit www.stephenlewisfoundation.org.

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WICC BC is looking for volunteers to assist with this year’s “Relay for Life”, aiming to have industry volunteers at the over 40 events planned for May and June by the Canadian Cancer Society. Between 5 and 20 volunteers are being sought in every community in B.C., with just a few hours time commitment required. For information, email wiccbc@hotmail.com, and to learn more about Relay for Life, go to www.cancer.ca.

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The TIWA Wine and Cheese once again filled the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, with 2,000 industry members taking the chance to network and try local Ontario wines. Event chairperson was Loriann Robinson (pictured in green shirt, with the organizing committee).