A Rock N' Rostie Christmas

We would like to send out a big thanks to everyone who came out to our Rock N' Rostie Christmas parties. Both events were practically overflowing with holiday spirit. The swinging keyboard stylings of Michael Danckert helped to set a perfect upbeat holiday mood that encouraged several of our guests participate in a good ole’ fashioned Christmas sing-along.

It was nice to see so many smiling faces enjoying the delicious refreshments and great music; we consider ourselves very lucky to have such a terrific group of friends.

Part of what makes The Rostie Group so special, is the wonderful relationship we share with our tenants. During events like these, it really feels like we are all part of one big very happy family. It is going to be hard to beat this year’s events, but we sure are going to try!

See you in 2010,

The Rostie Team

Videoconferencing Goes Mainstream

Business Week recently published a very interesting article detailing the growing worldwide popularity of videoconferencing. Cisco and Logitech, as we as other emerging tech companies, are quickly developing low-cost videoconferencing solutions that appeal to both home and business users. These developments seem to suggest that video conferencing will soon become an integral part of our daily lives as an invaluable global communications tool.

According to the article...

"Yet seemingly overnight, companies including Cisco Systems (CSCO), Logitech International (LOGI), and several lesser-known startups are engaged in a flurry of dealmaking aimed at grabbing more of the market and bringing the technology into more businesses and homes. Cisco on Nov. 16 upped to $3.4 billion its bid for market leader Tandberg (TAA.DE), hoping to win over investors who said the Oslo, Norway-based company is worth more than the initial $3 billion offer. Cisco may also introduce a videoconferencing product for consumers at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, BusinessWeek has learned. And in its largest-ever acquisition, PC accessories giant Logitech said on Nov. 10 it will pay $405 million for LifeSize Communications, a maker of high-end high-definition videoconferencing gear. Shares of Polycom (PLCM), the last remaining videoconferencing pure play, have risen 12.5% since Oct. 28, on hopes it may be the next to be bought.

The deals underscore a growing sense that videoconferencing is finally ready to go from an exotic luxury to an everyday part of business life. Thanks to increased broadband capacity, corporate networks can now better handle bandwidth-hogging videoconferencing sessions. Scores of consumers and businesspeople have sampled low-end options such as those offered by Internet-calling provider Skype, and millions of people now carry powerful laptops and smartphones with the processing power needed to join conferences from anywhere. Cisco has helped increase visibility for videoconferencing by heavily promoting its TelePresence technology, recently in a self-mocking product placement on NBC's 30 Rock."


To read the complete article, click here

Green Meeting Tips

When it comes to the environment, the old adage "every little bit helps" definitely rings true. At the Rostie Group, we have found that even the smallest modifications can have have huge benefits for both the environment and our pocketbooks. As a provider of meeting room space and other event planning services, we take an active role in ensuring that we always advocate the most eco-friendly meeting options. Below our some simple steps you can take to "green" your next meeting.

GREEN MEETING TIPS

Reduce Waste
1. Print on both sides of all paper whenever possible for promotional materials and handouts.
2. Minimize automatic distribution of handouts – allow attendees to order copies instead.
3. Provide reusable name badges.

Plan to Recycle
4. Provide recycling stations for paper and recyclable beverage containers in meeting areas.
5. Cardboard and paper should be collected in exhibit areas.
6. Food vending areas provide opportunities for recycling cardboard, beverage containers, steel cans and plastics.
7. If reusables are not used, encourage use of recyclable beverage containers.

Conserve Energy, Reduce Traffic
8. Turn off all unneeded lighting. Take advantage of naturally lit meeting and exhibit spaces.
9. Encourage mass transportation options with phone numbers and Web addresses for route planning.
10. Coordinate shuttle service to take advantage of mass transit.

Food Service and Lodging
11. Plan food service needs to avoid unnecessary waste.
12. Seek out food service vendors who buy locally and recycle.
13. Donate excess food to charitable organizations.
14. Consider use of reusable (washable) food service items.

For more information about eco-friendly meeting options visit http://greenmeetings.usfi.com/

Pure Med Spa - My experience with BriteSmile

Dec 1, 2009 - So after years of complaining about my teeth and hundreds of dollars in over the counter teeth whitening products, I decided to look into some of the new professional products offered through the burgeoning Med spa industry. Now in reality, I am not a "Spa" person. I only recently became aware of these Med Spas through a friend who had laser hair removal done at a Med Spa in Hazleton lanes (Yorkville). She described it as a place for beauty "tune-ups", as they offer Botox, Dysport, Velashape (for cellulite) and all kinds of facials.

After some investigation on pricing and quality of service I decided to take the leap and visit the Hazleton Lanes Pure Med Spa location in Yorkville. My friend had a good experience with the hair removal and Pure Med Spa operates the largest chain of Med Spas in North America so it made sense. Pure Med Spa just introduced a new teeth whitening system to Canada called BriteSmile. The treatment lasts an hour and from the reviews, works amazingly well.

Location Location Location...
The location is tucked away in the upscale Hazleton Lanes shopping mall, known for top end designers and top end prices. I was very surprised to meet the owner (Jeff Nourse) who was visiting the location and overheard my concerns about pricing. I was relieved when told the teeth whitening package was on sale for $249 that day only.
It seems Pure Med Spa is running "today only" sales events at some of their locations where you can save a considerable amount of money.

Pure Med Spa Delivers

Okay, as for the treatment itself, I will just say that it is unobtrusive and not that painful. They use a patented Blue light that works with the chemicals to immediately affect the change in colour. In and out in under an hour and I really noticed a difference right away. In fact, I spent most of the morning grinning like a Cheshire cat so my fellow office workers would catch a glimpse. Normally I have sensitive teeth so I was dreading the reaction my teeth would have to Pure Med Spas treatment. Remarkably I felt no real pain, just some light sensitivity to cold water for the day but fine the next day.


I saw the owner again and he asked for my email address so that he can send some promotional material for 20 Bay, he seemed genuine in his passion for the industry and really went out of his way to make me feel better about being male and visiting a spa. I had a chance to speak with Jeff about how he got into the Med Spa business and some of the hills he had to climb in order to build the company, good story. I will post that next week so please check back if you are interested in becoming an entrepreneur or enjoy success stories.

So from my perspective the BriteSmile treatment works and my experience with a Med Spa was great.

There may be an opportunity for the Tenants at the Rostie Group to receive a discount on services, something we actively promote for our tenants so stay tuned!

~Glen R.

10 Common Meeting Personalities

At The Rostie Group, we always go the extra mile to ensure you have a positive meeting experience. Although we can provide you with first class meeting room space, full-service catering, videoconferencing, and a host of other services, the success of you meeting will still be highly dependent on the individual personalities involved in the proceedings.

The Globe & Mail recently published a very humourous article entitled the “The 10 Personalities that Can Help or Hurt your Meeting”. Anyone who has every participated in a lengthy meeting of any kind will likely be familiar with a least a few of the mentioned archetypes.

Click here to read the complete article