Limited Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available – Italian Design Weeks

The 6th edition of Italian Design Weeks returns to Vancouver October 17 to November 1st. This year’s theme is Acqua. Be part of an exclusive series of events. Italian Design Weeks, organized annually by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada-West, is Western Canada’s premier celebration of Italian design and fashion.

Seize the opportunity to align your brand with the renowned quality of Italian design—limited sponsorships still available.

Click here to view our Sponsorship PDF.

Passing of Corrado Paina – ICCO Executive Director

It’s with great sadness that we pass along news of the loss of a much-respected leader in the Italian-Canadian community and devoted champion of Italian culture. Corrado Paina, longtime Executive Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario has passed away in hospital.

In addition to being a respected businessman and community leader, Corrado was also an accomplished writer and artist. He received the “Menzione civica – Ambrogino d’oro” award from the City of Milan for his work twinning the cities of Toronto and Milan. In 2016 he was been appointed Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy.

The ICCCW Board of Directors and our Team extend our deepest condolences to Corrado’s family and our friends at the ICCO.

Read the full press release from the ICCO here: English | Italiano

Notice of 2024 Annual General Meeting & Election of Directors

Dear Members:

Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of Members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West will be held at 5.30 p.m. on March 20th, 2024.  

ATTEND IN PERSON:

Watson Goepel Office – Salt Spring Board Room – 1075 W Georgia St Suite 1200, Vancouver, BC V6E 3C9 

If you are attending in person, please kindly RSVP via email at ilaria@iccbc.com by March 18, 2024

ATTEND ONLINE:

Members that wish to connect remotely can participate in the meeting via the following link on Zoom: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89500105288?pwd=SUNWZ1I1K0xoQ1VKQndiMUYvZUlTdz09&from=addon

Meeting ID: 895 0010 5288
Passcode: 013318
One tap mobile:
+13092053325,,89500105288#,,,,*013318# US

VOTE BY PROXY:

If you are not able to attend, please CLICK HERE for proxy procedures. 

ELECTION RULES:

For more information about the election including election rules, please CLICK HERE.

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF MEETING:

To view the official notice of the Annual General Meeting, please CLICK HERE.

Discover Amazing Opportunities in the Green Building Sectors in Canada and Italy.

In collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Ottawa, Italian Trade Agency, Bennett Jones, Confindustria, CNA and CDP, the ICCCW is proud to present ‘The Canada – Italy Green Building Forum‘, February 14th to 15th, 2024. This series of events will take place on-stage at the Buildex Vancouver show as well as online and will explore unique opportunities in the green building and ‘smart cities’ sectors in both Italy and Canada.

Join us either in person at Buildex Vancouver (February 14th- 15th, 2024) or at the online events, and learn about success stories, and new opportunities in the green building and smart-cities sectors in Italy and Canada.

  • February 14-15th, Buildex Vancouver (Vancouver Convention Center West)

You can find the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West team and the Italian attendees at booth 710.

  • February 14th (3.30-4.30pm), Buildex Vancouver (Vancouver Convention Center West) @ Tradeshow Floor: Demo Stage (Booth 201)

“The Canada – Italy Green Building Forum: success stories and new opportunities”. A new bilateral hub to connect, network and do business with new partners, customers and suppliers. Stay with us after the event and join the Buildex official opening reception (4.30-6.00pm).

Featured speakers:

  • Phillip Greenfield, Technical Sales Representative, Rothoblaas
  • Michal Lesiak, Owner Polished Stucco / NovaColor
  • Matteo Camerra, COO – Heating division, Warmset
  • February 15th (7.30- 9.00am), Webinar

Catch up with CDP – Business Matching: A conversation on Green Building and Smart Cities for

Italian and Canadian Companies at Buildex and Globe 2024.

All events are FREE to attend. To register, click  HERE.

Download your Buildex Pass: https://www.microspec.com/reg/BXV2024/API/?code=EBX24e 2024.

An overview of EU-Italy-Canada relations, with a view to Italy’s ratification of EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

By Paolo Quattrocchi
Lawyer, Vice-President of ICCCW, Director of the Centro Studi Italia-Canada and Partner at ADVANT Nctm Law Firm in Rome

In 2016, the European Union (EU) and Canada entered into two pivotal agreements: the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), aimed at strategic matters, and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), focused on economic and commercial aspects.

Italy and Europe have profound historical ties with Canada that trace back to the colonial period. Originally established as a French colony in the early 17th century, the geographical area now encompassing modern-day Canada was later ceded to the British Empire by the French following the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War in 1763. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Canada witnessed successive waves of European immigration. The Canadian government actively promoted immigration through various initiatives, such as the Dominion Lands Act of 1872 and the Canadian Pacific Railway’s recruitment campaigns. This period saw significant immigration from Central and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Poland, Italy, and the Baltic states. Moreover, in the same period, there was a huge immigration from China, and, later on, after World War II, Canada gradually saw a more diverse influx of immigrants from Asia, including countries such as India, the Philippines, Korea, and Pakistan.

Read the full article here: https://www.centrostudi-italiacanada.it/articles/an-overview-of-eu-italy-canada-relations-with-a-view-to-italys-ratification-of-eu-canada-comprehensive-economic-and-trade-agreement-ceta

Join Our Team! ICCCW is Hiring!

Job Title: Office Assistant – Part Time

We are thrilled to announce an exceptional opportunity to join the Italian Chamber of Commerce in your role as Office Assistant.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West is one of the most active and respected bilateral trade organizations in Western Canada with offices in Vancouver, Calgary and Rome, a dynamic hub fostering business relationships between Italy and Canada. 

As an integral part of our organization, you will be responsible for performing a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

You will be working from our Vancouver downtown office 20 hours/ week. 

Please note this is a fully in-person position. 

Responsibilities:

– Manage incoming calls, emails, and correspondence with professionalism and courtesy.

– Assist in organizing and scheduling appointments, meetings, and events.

– Maintain and organize office files, documents, and records.

– Coordinate office supplies, restocking as needed, and ensuring a well-maintained workspace.

– Provide administrative support to team members as required.

– Handle bookkeeping tasks, such as invoicing and expense tracking.

Requirements:

– Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential.

– Fluency in Italian (written and spoken) is a strong asset.

– Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.

– Excellent communication skills with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

– Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

– Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

– Excellent communication skills with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

– Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

– Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

– Proficiency in Quickbooks or similar accounting tools is a strong asset.

– Proficiency in CRM (Salesforce), email marketing platforms (Constant contact or similar), and graphic tools (Canva) is a strong asset

If you are a motivated individual with a keen eye for detail and excellent organizational skills, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. 

Join us in making a significant impact on the Italian-Canadian business landscape: we look forward to receiving your application!

Wages:

From CAD25,000 – CAD30,000/yr  based on experience. 

How to apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to ilaria@iccbc.com with the subject “Office Assistant application” by January 27, 2024

Please note that you need to be legally able to work in Canada to apply for this position.

We are unfortunately unable to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

A Life Dedicated to Service and Honour: Our Tribute to Consul General Marco Nobili (1966 – 2024)

Over the past few days, we have been grappling with the unexpected loss of a truly remarkable individual, our dear friend Consul General Marco Nobili, who passed away on January 12th, at the age of 57. Marco was not only a diplomat but a visionary, a passionate advocate for cultural exchange, and a true friend to our community.

Born in 1966 in Montebelluna in the region of Veneto, Marco’s life of service began as a traffic policeman while pursuing the first of four master degrees. His dedication to continuous education reflected his insatiable curiosity and commitment to personal growth.

Marco’s diplomatic journey took him across the globe, from his early days as Deputy Ambassador in Sudan, then as Consul in Croatia, United States, Argentina, Switzerland and finally, here in Vancouver. Arriving in our city in September, he embraced his position with infectious energy, eager to foster connections between Italy and Western Canada.

In just a few months, Marco left an indelible mark on our community. Despite his busy schedule, he attended our events, engaging with our Board, Staff, and everyone he encountered. His visionary outlook identified immense opportunities for trade and cultural collaboration, and he generously offered advice and support to our projects.

As we mourn his passing, we remember Marco not only for his professional achievements but for the warmth and camaraderie he brought to every interaction. His sudden departure leaves a void in our hearts and in the diplomatic landscape.

A prayer service in memory of Consul General Marco Nobili will be held on Friday, January 19th, at 7 pm in the Grand Ballroom of the Italian Cultural Centre at 3075 Slocan Street in Vancouver.

Our most sincere thoughts and prayers go out to his grieving wife, two children, his sister and all who had the privilege of knowing this incredibly exceptional man. His legacy of service and friendship will forever be remembered.

Caro Marco, La tua presenza sarà sempre sentida, come el soffio del vento sul mar.

(Venetian, “Dear Marco, Your presence will always be felt, like the breath of the wind on the sea.”)

Opportunity for young Friulani (apply by March 5th)

We are forwarding an opportunity from the Association Friulani nel Mondo for foreigner residents of Friuli descendants for a sponsored 1month course in Italy at the University of Udine.

If you are:

  • A resident of a Country other than Italy AND also descendant of immigrants from Friuli
  • Under the age of 35
  • Holder of a University degree

Click HERE to learn more.

Q&A: Ilaria Baldan of the Italian Chamber of Commerce – West on keeping Italy alive and well in British Columbia

The Executive Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada-West, Ilaria Baldan, sits down with BCBusiness to discuss the Chamber’s role in connecting Western Canadians with authentic Italian brands and artisans.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West has operated since 1992 as a private, non-profit, membership organization with the mandate of promoting and enhancing business, trade and investment exchanges between Italy and Western Canada.

Obituary Paolo Rosazza Pela

The very sad news of the death of the Founding President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vancouver, Paolo Pela, brings to the fore his enormous contribution towards creating a dynamic, flourishing entrepreneurial business organization linking Italy and Western Canada. However, it took time for the association to reach “flying quota”, as Paolo defined it, and the years leading up to the formal recognition of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of British Columbia in 1992 were full of drama and struggles, with the role played by Paolo being decisive and perhaps not very well known.

At the time, both the already established Italian Chambers in Toronto and Montreal each had ambitions to create their own branch office in Vancouver. I had been engaged to assist the Montreal Chamber in the organization of the grand launch in Vancouver of Fiera Milano in Canada and the Toronto Chamber had a local representative recruiting members on their behalf. However, ultimately, both Chambers renounced their territorial ambitions leaving the fledgling Vancouver organization to sink or swim, after which the two branches amalgamated and Paolo became the first and founding President.

The kernel of the organization was just beginning: armed with a list of 30 or so companies doing business with Italy provided by Tom Santosham, head of the Europe desk at BCTrade, I began to try and recruit members and found varying degrees of receptivity. I also sought support from  Italians who had settled in Vancouver and started successful businesses but, discouragingly, a recurrent refrain seemed to be “I made it on my own – why should I help anyone else?”

However, Tom encouraged me to contact the Pela brothers at Novam Development, whom he described as low-profile entrepreneurs of impeccable reputation. Paolo agreed to meet me and, despite what I am sure was initial bemusement at the entire enterprise, he decided to become involved and began almost two decades of dedicated engagement that fundamentally shaped the Chamber as it is today.

As the founding President, Paolo understood the pivotal role of the Chambers in Italy and from the start was insistent on creating his vision for a Vancouver chamber, without the “folkloristic” components of “pizza e tarantella”, as he termed it. He saw it as a means of linking the country of his birth and his adopted home and as a way to represent the very best of Italian business : its entrepreneurial spirit, its drive to achieve excellence, harnessing leading edge technology with centuries of artisan expertise, the aesthetic imperative of even the humblest of products. And, of course, Paolo was himself a prime exemplar of Italian entrepreneurial excellence : principled, fiercely intelligent, creative, determined, fair.

Yet, in order to be able promote this vision of Italy, the Chamber needed to be officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which, in turn, required three years of activity, events, and a substantial membership base in order to demonstrate viability. So without any funding, we set forth on a wing and a prayer with Paolo offering rent-free for several years a small office space in one of Novam’s downtown buildings. Paolo drew on his extensive network of business contacts and friends to boost membership and we organized some glorious events in other Novam properties such as the Birks  building, the setting for fashion shows, wine tastings and operatic evenings. And somehow, Paolo also found the time to take on the thankless task of translating the Chamber’s Constitution and Bylaws from English into Italian as part of the documentation required for the Ministry.

Once recognition was granted, we were on somewhat firmer footing. Paolo continued as President, flanked by Vice-President Franco Anglesio, like Paolo a native of Piedmont, and we started to welcome economic missions and to organize  business matching forums, speaker meetings, gala evenings. At the centre of all these activities was Paolo, with his elegant, patrician bearing and old-world courtesy, his thoughtful  demeanour leavened often by a twinkle in his eye and sometimes a mischievous grin. Yet  despite all his accomplishments, he was a very modest and self-deprecating man and I am sure that it was with some relief, having assured himself that the Chamber was in good hands, that he eventually bowed out of the spotlight and became the elder statesman. Some years later, however, he did not hesitate to step back into a leadership role when the Chamber risked veering into perilous waters, marshalling his keen mind and shrewd strategic instincts to ensure that we got back on course.

The Chamber owes Paolo a huge debt of gratitude – without his vision, dedication, generosity, wisdom and support, the outcome would have been vastly different.

“We shall not look upon his like again”.