Blog

Agri-Food Trade Mission to Mexico: March 22-24, 2022

You are invited to participate in the OWIT-Toronto (Organization of Women in International Trade, Toronto Chapter) virtual trade mission to Mexico, March 22-24, 2022. All Canadian women owned and/or managed companies in the agri-food sector are welcome.  This event is open to both members and non-members of OWIT-Toronto.

 

A full program will be arranged with the support of the Canadian Embassy and Global Affairs Canada, Mexico City, Mexico/ Sponsors include Global Affairs Canada, EDC, City of Toronto, Bank of Montreal, and Women’s Enterprise Knowledge Hub, Ryerson University. Program includes pre-mission briefing and market information, and pre-arranged virtual B2Bs with agents, partners and retailers.

 

Contact Helen Hemmingsen for further information.  You can register directly on OWIT Toronto’s website

Canada Welcomes Back Visitors on September 7, 2021

 

 

ENTERING CANADA FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES FROM ANY COUNTRY

When visiting Canada for business purposes, you’ll need to consider the following:

  • Covid travel restrictions for foreign nationals travelling to Canada
  • Entry and proof requirements for fully vaccinated travellers
  • Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
  • Visa requirements

 

STEPS

A. Find out if you can travel to Canada

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/wizard-start

Fully vaccinated foreign nationals may be allowed to enter Canada for non-essential travel starting on September 7, 2021.

 

B. Entry and Proof Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Travellers

Steps to Follow for Your Trip:

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada#entry-vaccinated

 

C. Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)

– Business travellers may need an eTA, which costs $7.00 (Cdn).

 

D. Visa Requirements

Also see Immigration and Citizenship for further information on visa requirements.

 

For further information, please contact Helen Hemmingsen at helen@hemmingsen.com

 

Disclaimer:

  • The above website links were valid on September 14, 2021.
  • I am not an immigration lawyer, and highly recommend that any companies seek independent legal counsel about entering into Canada as a business visitor.

Vacancies on OWIT-Toronto Board of Directors

We are looking for two new voluntary board members to join our team:

– Interim VP Membership (until Annual General Meeting in early 2022)

– Deputy VP Events, to support our current VP Events, Priti Ruparel.   Planning is underway for our Export Awards to be held in-person in early 2022.  Also planning for virtual webinars in Fall 2021.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop board governance skills for non-profit  organizations.  New board members will draw on a range of experience, talents and a keen interest in international trade and/or women’s economic empowerment.  No previous experience needed.  These two positions could incorporate a role as VP Educational Partnerships.

You’ll need to be a member of OWIT-Toronto or join within a few days of being appointed to this position.  See our membership page for benefits.  If you’re not a member, but are interested in these positions, contact us  to discuss further.

Closing date is September 15, 2021.

If interested, please contact Helen Hemmingsen, President, OWIT-Toronto.

OWIT-Monterrey Trade Mission to Toronto, Canada – June 2021

OWIT-Toronto invites you to the OWIT-Monterrey business conference program!

The panel discussion will focus on trendy topics in the automotive and IT sectors, and investment, logistic and legal implications in Canada and Mexico.

OWIT-Toronto is proud to support our sister chapter in Monterrey, Mexico, and is looking forward to seeing you on June 22nd and 24th at 10:00 AM EDT.

Register Here

 

British Distiller Looking for Canadian Agents

An established and innovative British distiller of London Dry Gin, pink gin and rum is looking for agents and distributors in Atlantic Canada, Manitoba and Alberta.  This company has won numerous International Wines and Spirits Competition (IWSC) awards, as well as Bartenders Spirits Awards and Bartenders Brand Awards. Agents are already in place in Ontario and Quebec.  Contact Helen Hemmingsen if you are interested in expanding your current product offerings.

 

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Virtual Trade Mission to Ontario

VIRTUAL TRADE MISSION TO ONTARIO, CANADA

30th March – 2nd April 2021
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

Supported by the Scottish North American Business Council 

Draft programme 

16/03/21 – Meet & greet session 

30/03/21 – Virtual region tour 

31/03/21 – Market briefing session 

01/04/21 – Virtual networking: Scotland meets Canada 

March/April – B2B meetings 

The Scottish North American Business Council is a Chapter with the British American Business Council that has 22 Chapters across the UK, US and Canada. 

‘We look forward to working with Scottish Companies looking to break into North American markets and assisting them by using our connections and contacts to deliver success.’ 

The SNABC has worked across the US and Canada in delivering high quality connections and opportunities for Scottish business to learn more about these exciting markets and to offer them a route map into these marketplaces. 

Scottish Delegation 

1. Heriot-Watt University 

2. Broughton Ales 

3. E-Rail 

4. Glen Luss Distillery 

5. Intelligent Wood Systems Ltd 

6. MacSween 

7. Robop 

8. ScotApps 

These companies are interesting in meeting with potential clients, partners and distributors/agents.

Contact Helen Hemmingsen for more information, and to arrange a time and day for your virtual meeting.

See the mission brochure below for further details.

ECC Scottish delegation Brochure- Virtual Trade Mission to Canada (March 21).pdf

 

OWIT-Toronto 2021 Export Awards – Register Now !

In Praise of Thriving Women

Date: November 25, 2020

Time: 5 – 7 pm ET

Fee: Complimentary

Register Here!

Join the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-Toronto) to celebrate three outstanding women – an export champion, an exporter of the year, and a student of international trade.

This year, our awards will be presented virtually. Our Awards team has been working hard to put together a unique online event. There will be opportunities, pre- and post- the awards ceremony, to enjoy the kind of high-calibre networking with like-minded women that OWIT is known for. Participants will also have the chance to win an amazing door prize of jewellery from Jewels4ever.

And, we guarantee you’ll walk away inspired by the recipients of our annual awards honouring the outstanding achievements of thriving women. Although we miss not having our awards ceremony and gala as one live event, we look forward to meeting everyone in person next fall! (Fingers crossed.)

In the meantime, grab a glass of champagne to toast our Award winners and join us online on November 25.

 

Outstanding Women in International Trade – 2020 Nominations

OWIT-Toronto is welcoming nominations for outstanding women in international trade in three categories:

  • Women Exporter of the Year
  • JoAnna Townsend Excellence Award for Leadership in International Trade
  • Student of International Trade Award

Nomination forms and criteria are available at OWIT-Toronto 2020 Exports Awards

Awards will be presented at our virtual Export Awards on November 25, 2020.  See you there !

Myra Sable, founder of Sable & Rosenfeld Gourmet Foods won our Women Exporter of the Year Award in 2019.  

(Jennifer Cooke, EDC – left; Myra – middle; Helen Hemmingsen, OWIT – right)

Congratulations, Myra !

 

It’s Not Only about the US Anymore: Women Traders and Canada’s Free Trade Agreement with the EU (CETA)

Date:  Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Time:  10:30 – 11:30 am

Location:  On-Line

You are invited to a webinar hosted by OWIT-Toronto on opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the EU.

Spots are limited, so register asap.

This webinar features:

  • Stephane Lambert, Senior Trade Commissioner, Mission of Canada to the EU
  • Susan Baka, VP International, OWIT-Toronto
  • Shamira Jaffer, Signifi Solutions Inc.
  • Manon Pilon, Derme & Co

You will hear some tips and insights on getting access to the EU market through CETA, all with a focus on women entrepreneurs.

Hope to see you there !