News

PRESS RELEASE

March 13, 2009

Tough Times or Not, the International Centre Gives Back to its Community

March 11, 2009, Toronto, ON: Support for the community has always been a priority for the International Centre. Now in these difficult economic times, recognizing that the need becomes even greater, the International Centre has increased its commitment to investing corporately and socially in its community.

This renewed commitment was demonstrated at the Grand Opening of the facility’s brand new Conference Centre on October 23, 2008. At the event the International Centre presented a $10,000 donation to Norma Bandler, President and CEO of the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation, in support of their upcoming $45 million “Lifetime of Care” campaign.

“Whether partnering on events or volunteering our time and resources, the International Centre recognizes the importance of community support. The City of Mississauga and the GTA have always been key supporters of our business over its 37 year history,” says Michael Prescott, CEO, International Centre.  “We want to give back to the area we work in, live in and benefit from, which we feel is even more crucial during challenging times.”

In its first few months the International Centre’s new Conference Centre has already sponsored several notable events. In November 2008, the facility welcomed the “Business Awards of Excellence” gala, hosted by the Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT), a not-for-profit organization representing 1,500 companies employing 65,000 people. The International Centre also participated as a Gold Sponsor for another MBOT event in its Conference Centre, the “Good Morning Mississauga” networking breakfast in February 2009. 

“Everything from planning, food and service was outstanding,” wrote Sheldon Leiba, President and CEO, MBOT. Sonia Ojha, Business Development Manager, added: “I was really impressed that all the employees at the International Centre were just as invested in our success as the Board was, and were just as excited to see it happen successfully.”

A variety of upcoming charitable events will be hosted by the International Centre in its new Conference Centre in 2009. The annual fundraising gala for the Friends of We Care Foundation, will be held in the Orion Ballroom on April 25, 2009.  This Foundation is in support of disabled children and sends Easter Seals kids to camp each year.  On May 1, 2009, the Conference Centre will welcome the “Women of Peel Luncheon” fundraiser in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel which provides caring adult relationships for children. 

The International Centre is also contributing its time and resources to a number of worthy causes this year.  On March 3, 2009, Executive Chef Joe Levesque, Food & Beverage Director Trevor Lui and others donated their food and cooking expertise to the 8th annual “Eat Your Heart Out”; a gourmet food event which raised $50,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. On June 19, 2009, the International Centre will be ferrying Chef, his culinary brigade, and all of the trimmings across the harbour to create a wonderful meal on the Toronto Islands for the 23^rd annual “Set Sail For Hope”.  This event supports Camp Trillium which provides children with cancer and their families with enriching recreational opportunities.   Last year, the International Centre helped Camp Trillium raise $177,000.

About the International Centre

Since opening in 1972, the International Centre has steadily grown to over 10 times its original size, consistently satisfying the needs of an exploding population base and the growing influx of Canadian and multi-national corporations in the surrounding area.  The International Centre’s latest addition, its new Conference Centre, is a 48,000 sq. ft. expansion which opened in September 2008. With its functional and elegant space, state-of-the-art kitchen, built-in technologies, and high level of service, this latest purpose-built offering for the GTA has been universally praised by the meetings and social events market.

The International Centre is the leading trade and consumer show venue in North America, and one of Canada’s largest privately owned multi-purpose conference facilities. The International Centre boasts 37 years of success hosting trade and consumer shows; the mainstay of its business.  Located at 6900 Airport Road, offering free parking for as many as 5,000 vehicles, and surrounded by more than 10,000 hotel rooms, the International Centre is easily accessible from any point in the Greater Toronto Area, and especially for business travelers who arrive at Pearson International Airport, just minutes away. The International Centre is truly ‘at the Centre of great events’. 

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Media Contact:

Stacie Smith

416-910-8112 or stacie@smithcommunications.ca

International Centre Contact:

Leslie Bruce

Director of Sales

905-677-6131 x. 106 or lbruce@internationalcentre.com