I was at a conference yesterday scouting some potential speakers for the CAAMP, 2012 Mortgage Forum.  Our co-partners, The Art of, hosted a conference yesterday and I wanted to get a firsthand look to see if there was a fit.  There were a number of speakers who would bring value to the upcoming CAAMP conference, and we’ll start announcing the speakers we start locking them up contractually.  I listened to one speaker today and all I could say was, “you got to be kidding, all that before you’re 30?”

I’m referring to Randi Zuckerberg.  Yes, that Zuckerberg.   (more…)

Finally there’s a sign of a federal budget, and me thinks if this was a “good news” budget we wouldn’t have had to wait until March 29th to hear the glorious details.   Pundits are speculating that there’s a difference of opinion between the PM and Minister of Finance.  They’re both in agreement that austerity measures are necessary but the difference of opinion appears to be about degrees of pain.  The thought is that the PM wants deep cuts now, and hopefully the voters will have forgotten by time the election comes around.  The Minister of Finance is focusing on today, and he’s concerned deep cuts may negatively impact an already shaky economy.   Who’s going to win this debate?  My money is on the guy who sits in the big chair. (more…)

This is going to be pretty busy year for me as relates to travel.  My work requires me to travel a fair bit as it is, but when I add my responsibilities as CAAMP Chair, well, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport will become a second home to me.  I’m not complaining in the least bit.  I signed up for this gig; therefore, I have to accept the responsibilities.  It would be tempting to only visit cities where I have a personal interest (i.e. Merix volumes) but if that was my motivation I should have never campaigned and ran for Chair.  The Chair has to separate his/her personal interests from that of the associations, and so it begins for me.

 The CAAMP road show begins today with the first symposium of the year in Kelowna, B.C.  It will eventually move across the country and I’m looking forward to talking to members in all regions of the country. (more…)

There was a time when the elite class was a reserved for industrialists, oil barons, financiers and movie moguls.  Today that class has to step aside and make way for the new elite, The Nerds.  Being a geek today is cool and more importantly they’re the nouveau riche.  For evidence look no further than the IPO world.  Before the crash of 2008, IPO’s were fashionable.  Not so much since then, unless we’re taking about the digital world. (more…)

Those who live in Toronto can enjoy a taste of Greece by visiting Greek Town.  A walk along Danforth Ave can cause weight gain in a matter of minutes.  The Danforth is the place to go if your palate desires Greek cuisine, washed down with some Ouzo, and for good measure, broken plates.  For those who live in Toronto, and would like full Greek experience, they should visit Queens Park.

The Drummond report was released last week, and based on his recommendations one has to wonder if the governing Liberals didn’t take their cue from the Greek Government. (more…)