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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 26, 2016 | 32 Haltech in business to get the word out about businesses continued from p.1 the inaugural Halton FUTURES Innovation Summit and Awards June 2 at the Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd. "We need to tell the story because a lot of people I speak to in the community, as part of our work at Haltech, really don't know a lot about these stories. They're fantastic stories of innovation happening in our area," said Carlini. "We hear a lot about innovation in Toronto, the KitchenerWaterloo area, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, (but) there's tons of great innovation happening here by leading companies, large, mid-sized, even some exciting small startups." In health care and manufacturing, Carlini said, "We're seeing huge interplays" of digital, information technology (IT) and Internet in revolutionizing the industries, changing how people interact with the community, businesses and the world. "The companies in Halton are doing these things, but not enough people know about it. That's what the conference is about -- bringing the community together, largely a business audience, to celebrate all this great innovation," said Carlini. The new awards will recognize the contributions of tech companies that have developed innovative and commercially successful products and/ or services in Halton. Four recipients will be handpicked from 14 nominees, which consists of a "nice representation" of companies in Oakville, Burlington and Milton, Carlini said. "We will have a lot more of the small- and medium-sized companies nominate themselves because this is part of their growth strategies. It's a fabulous opportunity for them to get their message, marketing and products out," said Carlini. While there are no specific categories in which winners are chosen, Carlini noted an independent judging panel will select them based on in"I hope this sets the stage for the kind of quality level of innovation that's happening from companies operating in this region," she said. "Awarding these new companies is going to start the conversation, at least locally for them, if not, globally. It really is all about helping to get their stories out." The summit portion of the event, Building our Connected Future, will highlight how IT, digital media and advanced manufacturing technologies will drive the development of smart cities impacting communications, infrastructure, transportation and health care. Michele Romanow, cofounder of Buytopia.ca and entrepreneur on CBC's Dragons' Den, will headline a list of speakers representing global corporations, high-growth startups and research leaders. Romanow built four businesses and completed an engineering degree and MBA from Queen's University before age 30. "Michele has great visibility and exposure through her work on Dragons' Den," said Carlini. "In my view, she really epitomizes what a successful tech entrepreneur would look like. She's young, she's dynamic...she's the type of role model we want our community to hear about and be inspired by." Speakers from Microsoft Canada, Siemens Canada, Geotab, Hatch, Javelin Technologies, Sheridan College and other firms will be making presentations to foster discussions on made-in-Halton innovative technologies. Funded by the provincial government, Haltech, a nonfor-profit organization, was launched in 2011 to deliver free services to companies and entrepreneurs looking to expand. One of 17 regional innovation centres in Ontario, Carlini noted Haltech has served more than 500 clients since inception. "We do that through our team of business advisors, entrepreneurs, residents and mentors to help them along that journey. Being successful commercially, as a tech company, is not a quick thing. It is a long haul," said Carlini. "While these entrepreneurs have drive, spunk and passion for what they want to do and achieve, they need mentoring and guidance along the way." The Halton FUTURES Innovation Summit & Awards takes place Thursday, June 2 at the Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd. The summit runs from 9 a.m. ­ 5 p.m. and the awards ceremony starts immediately after and goes until 8 p.m. There are three ticket packages available, ranging in price from $75-$150. For tickets and program details, visit www.haltonfutures. ca. Rina Carlini is president and CEO of Haltech, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to getting the word out about innovation in technology being done by local businesses. | photo by Nathan Howes ­ special to the Beaver novation, commercial viability, novelty and sustainability or social benefit. FREE Gift $ 10 Card * Offer valid only at Aurora Sobeys - 15500 Bayview Ave., Aurora; 1250 Brant St. Burlington Sobeys; Tillsonburg Sobeys - 678 Broadway Street, R.R. 7 Tillsonburg; Milton Sobeys - 1035 Bronte Street S., Milton; Flamborough Sobeys ­ 255 Dundas St., Waterdown; Stratford Sobeys ­ 581 Huron St., Stratford; Maple Grove Sobeys ­ 511 Maple Grove Dr., Oakville; Bronte Sobeys ­ 2441 Lakeshore Rd, West, Oakville; and Glen Abbey Sobeys ­ 1500 Upper Middle Rd., Oakville locations. Offer is only valid in a single transaction. Offer is non transferable for cash. No cash back. Limit one gift card per Customer. Limit one offer per customer. Re-production of this offer will not be accepted. 7 7 0 974 0 6 90 5 Cannot be combined with other offers. "We didn't want to limit it by sector or industry. We didn't even want to limit it by the size of company," said Carlini. "How they brought (their company) from idea to market reality, that product development process is really important to hear about." With its partners, Haltech plans to make the summit and awards an annual event and its aim is to double the number of nominations each year with an eventual inclusion of categories, Carlini said. * ON NOW AT THE BRICK! when you spend $20 or more on fresh produce valid Mon - Thurs only *Free Gift Card to be used on your next shop. No coupon required. Offer is only valid in a single transaction and cannot be combined with any other offer. SAVING YOU MORE For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.