We are pleased to welcome Nichole Kapalungan to our team at Elettra.

With her passion for arts and culture and an unbridled love for literature and film, Manila-born and Vancouver-reared Nichole is joining our team as an Account Executive.

As a communications professional she believes that access and transparency cultivate meaningful relationships and create valuable engagement. Having developed skill sets in marketing and communications within the retail and arts and culture sector, she is excited to pursue a career in Public Relations and collaborate with Elettra’s diverse clientele.

While pursuing her BA in English Literature and Arts and Culture Studies at Simon Fraser University, she co-created and curated a series of art exhibits called “The Postcard Show” which were focused on creating accessible art on a mobile medium. The series found homes in Vancouver galleries such as Ayden Gallery and Hot Art Wet City.

When she isn’t writing your strategy, you’ll find her trying out the newest microbrew in the city and finding the best nook to read her book. 

We are delighted to welcome Kyle Krawchuk to the team this week as our new PR Consultant.

Always up for a challenge, Kyle left his hometown of Maple Ridge at age 18 to enrol in HEC Montréal’s trilingual Bachelor of Business Administration program – where the courses were taught in equal parts English, French and Spanish. Four years later, Kyle set off on a career that would see him live and work in some of the world’s most vibrant cities – Paris, London, Rome, Shanghai, Beijing, Lima – and pick up two new languages (Italian and Mandarin) while he was at it.

Over the course of his career, Kyle has done in-house marketing and PR for both B2C and B2B brands in addition to earlier roles in the luxury retail, human resources, tourism sectors.

Outside of the office, you can find Kyle performing improv, hiking up one of the local mountains or catching rays at Sunset Beach. An voracious reader and political junkie, Kyle likes to start each day with a generous helping of news.

Now back in Vancouver, Kyle is excited to leverage the ideas and experience he obtained abroad to help Elettra’s clients achieve their PR objectives. We are thrilled to have him onboard.

One of the exciting parts of starting Elettra seven years ago (yes, seven years already!) was naming it. Many people ask us where the name came from.

We had two criteria that guided our naming process: we wanted a name that had a story and that was tied to communications history.

Elettra was the name of the steam yacht that housed inventor Guglielmo Marconi’s private floating laboratory.  Marconi, the Italian inventor known for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission, did much of his research from the Elettra. It played an important part in the evolution of his work, especially in short wave wireless communication

In fact, the vessel had such a profound impact on his life that Marconi eventually named his daughter Elettra as well.

Well, when you find a good name it’s hard not to put it to good use.

Elettra's Leanne Kedrosky has spent the fall at YVR providing tours to grade five students from around the Lower Mainland. In the following post, Leanne relates some of her favourite things about exploring YVR with a group of ten-year-olds.Navigating the Airport with Young Eyes

If you've been to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) recently, you may have seen streams of children being led throughout the terminal. Each year, from September to December, YVR hosts 60 Grade 5 classes for the YVR School Tour program, an educational experience were children learn about the airport's operations, history, and First Nations art. This year, I had the pleasure of navigating groups around the airport and sparking their enthusiasm for aviation. Each day provided new entertainment and lessons for me, as their tour guide. The following are some of my favourite experiences from the last few months.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Did you ever watch the old TV show Kids Say the Darndest Things? These are some of my favourite questions or statements from this fall's tours:

When I asked that students what is a domestic flight? Answers included:

• Is it one that carries animals?
• Is it a very fancy flight?

Students also asked: Can you take a hippo on a plane? And If there were no lights on the runways, could they use fireflies to light it at night?

Favourite Moments

One of the moments that caught me most off guard involved a Grade 5 girl. All the children in this group were exceptionally engaged throughout the tour and ran to give me a hug when the tour was over. One small girl ran up last with her arms outstretched. Expecting her to behave just like the rest of the class, I continued a conversation with another student, but was shocked when I was suddenly being lifted into the air and carried off. This girl was carrying me like it was no problem, which was shocking considering her tiny size! Thankfully I was able to convince her to put me down promptly, and after the shock wore off I was very impressed with her strength.

Tour Take Aways

Leading the school tours was entertaining and enlightening in many ways. I learned more about Vancouver International Airport than I ever imagined. The Airport Authority is highly involved in the local community and I am walking away from this position with a new appreciation for everything the employees do locally. Not only is the School Tour Program fully supplied by the Airport Authority, they also donate $750,000 a year to the Greater YVR Community, making a big difference to non-profit groups across the Lower Mainland. We have a very special airport here in Vancouver, and I am thrilled to have been part of it and to spread the word.

- Leanne Kedrosky

We are delighted to be working with alumni UBC to publicize Fashioning Cancer, a fundraiser in support of the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Centre at UBC. The event, part of Western Living Design Week, will feature the auction of ten exquisite evening gowns that were designed as works of art by Jacqueline Firkins, Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Theatre and Film, to encourage honest and open conversations about cancer.

The gowns were inspired by colourful microscopic images of cancer cells and cellular systems and auction and ticket proceeds from the event will go to the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Centre at UBC.

In addition to the auction there will be a live performance by Canada’s queen of punk, singer/songwriter and cancer survivor, Bif Naked.

The Fashioning Cancer fundraiser will take place in the Porsche Centre Vancouver on Tuesday, September 23

For further information and to buy tickets, visit www.alumni.ubc.ca/fashion.

Local company Mahony & Sons opened the doors to their newest location in South False Creek earlier this week and Vancouverites have been flocking to the new restaurant to check out the detailed authentic Irish décor and sample delicious dishes and drinks on the stunning waterfront patio.

Prior to the opening Breakfast Television’s Dawn Chubai came down to Mahony & Sons to broadcast four cooking segments with Executive Chef Paul Nguyen and the Mahony brothers.  Viewers learned how to make Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos (a Mahony & Sons best-seller), Lily Belle’s Shrimp Salad, and Lee’s Lamb Dip, and Bar Manager Barry Quinn gave some useful tips on how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness.

Executive Chef Paul Nguyen prepares a shrimp salad at Mahony & Sons for BTV

The opening of Mahony & Sons Stamps Landing has proved of great interest to the local media and food bloggers with rave reviews appearing on the Georgia Straight website, Vancity Buzz, Modern Mix, and My VanCity (to name just a few), as well as on the websites of national food trade publications such as Canadian Restaurant News and Foodservice and Hospitality.

Follow @MahonyAndSons on Twitter for details on further coverage in the coming days and weeks.

Mahony & Sons Stamps Landing

The craic was mighty on Thursday evening as Mahony & Sons hosted a special sneak preview for media of their much-anticipated Stamps Landing restaurant.

The family-run company has just completed a complete overhaul of the former Monk McQueen’s site in South False Creek and will be officially opening the new 10,000 square foot location on Monday, August 18 at 11am.

Guests at last night’s media event were invited to experience true Irish hospitality and enjoyed the perfect pairing of Guinness and oysters upon arrival, followed by a tour of the new premises before sampling a number of signature Mahony & Sons dishes prepared by Executive Chef Paul Nguyen.

The Mahony & Sons Stamps Landing Media Launch

Mahony & Sons, Mahony and Sons, Stamps Landing, False Creek, Restaurants, Irish pub

Mahony & Sons Stamps Landing can seat up to 600 people spread across two levels - 150 upstairs, 150 downstairs, and 300 on the four waterfront patios. Key features include an Oyster Bar, an extensive patio with double-sided fireplace, and a private sunset patio perfect for small groups.

Executive Chef Paul Nguyen

Thank you to all media who attended – Mahony & Sons appreciates your support!

We are delighted to be working with Muscular Dystrophy Canada in the run up to their Empowerment in Action Summit 2014.  This engaging and informative event will take place at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport from the 22nd – 24th August and will feature interactive workshops and panel discussions providing valuable information and inspiration to anyone whose life is directly impacted by a neuromuscular disorder. If you would like more information go to http://muscle.ca/we-can-help/educational-events/empowerment-in-action/

The deadline for registration is 8 August 2014.

By Leanne Kedrosky As my internship at Elettra Communications comes to a close, I’m reflecting back on how much I have learned, accomplished, and progressed over the past nine weeks. I started my time at Elettra with a faint inkling that public relations is in my career future, and I am finishing the internship with a solid conclusion that I want to be a PR star.

What I Learned at Elettra Communications:

How do you become a PR star? I have complied some of my favourite tips gathered throughout my nine-week internship at Elettra.

The people make the job. The people at Elettra made my internship a highly enjoyable experience. I’m thankful to work with Managing Partners that made me feel like part of the team and were available for any of my questions. Personal relationships are important to the Elettra team and this reflects in numerous previous employees who have returned as clients.

Choose accuracy over time. Take the time to triple and quadruple check you work! Clients will never appreciate sending off wrong or misspelled information; that time to check facts will save your reputation. Then when you think it is perfect, have someone else read it over.

Mom was right, patience is a virtue. If a situation is tough take a deep breath, ask questions, and respond with a goal in mind. The people around you will notice how you respond to others and your future workload will reflect your capabilities.

Write EVERYTHING down. From small tasks to weekly reminders, write it all down. As an intern you may be focusing on many things in a day, don’t let the small things slip out of your organizational grasp.

Small is important. Doing a good job on small tasks will lead to more responsibility. Don’t consider any task unimportant. When you put effort into the small things it will be noticed, you will gain respect in the workplace, and slowly receive more responsibility and projects.

Thank you to the Elettra team for teaching me so many valuable practices and helping me progress towards my career goals. I am looking forward to working here longer and absorbing more information from such a knowledgeable team.

Company to occupy two floors of AAA office space in Pacific Centre redevelopment Vancouver, BC, May 2, 2014 - The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd. is pleased to announce Microsoft as the second office tenant confirmed for Pacific Centre’s 725 Granville redevelopment project. The company will lease 143,000 square feet on two of the four levels of office space above Nordstrom’s future Canadian flagship location.

“We are thrilled to welcome Microsoft to 725 Granville,” says Tom Knoepfel, Senior Vice President & Portfolio Manager, Cadillac Fairview Western Canada. “The organization will be well served by the building’s central location and amenities, and the large floor plates allow them to design a customized work environment for their Vancouver operations.”

The company will take occupancy of the entire 6^th and 7^th floors of 725 Granville in January 2016. This past January, Cadillac Fairview announced law firm Miller Thompson will move into 48,000 square feet on the 4^th floor in 2017.  Of the four levels of office space, 66% is now leased.

The new office space is part of the redevelopment of the former Eatons/Sears building. The top four levels of the building are being converted to 290,000 square feet of AAA class office.  Each floor has 17-foot ceilings, slab to slab, and offers 72,500 square foot floor plates, a unique feature in the downtown core.

Nordstrom will have 230,000 square feet on three floors below the office space. A new 44,000 square foot multi-tenant retail space will be built on the lower mall level. The project was designed by local and renowned architect, James K. M. Cheng. As part of Cadillac Fairview’s commitment to sustainability, the project is targeting LEED Gold Certification under the LEED: Core & Shell Program.

Construction is well underway on the site. The office space is expected to open in early 2015. New retail stores on the lower level are expected to open in Spring 2015. Nordstrom is expected to open in Fall 2015.

Home-grown technology allows for first-ever geo-exchange installation in existing, occupied building at 777 Dunsmuir

Vancouver, BC; April 16, 2014 – The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd. is today announcing a project in partnership with Vancouver-based Fēnix Energy to undertake Canada’s first geo-exchange retrofit of an occupied, mixed-use high-rise complex in a downtown core. The project will take place at Cadillac Fairview’s 777 Dunsmuir property in Vancouver, which includes a 19-storey office tower, as well as the Holt Renfrew and Sport Chek portion of Pacific Centre.

Fēnix Energy will complete the geo-exchange system installation within 777 Dunsmuir’s existing building footprint, drilling 30 boreholes 400 feet into the earth through the building’s underground parkade.

“Cadillac Fairview is always looking for ways to reduce its impact on the environment,” says Ultan Kampff, General Manager, Pacific Centre and HSBC Building. “We’re proud to be working witha local company that is innovating on a global scale. Together with Fēnix, we’re using home-grown technology to find sustainable solutions, increase our efficiency, and lower carbon emissions.”

By harvesting a building’s rejected heat and storing it underground until it is needed, geo-exchange offers a solution for reducing the energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional heating and cooling. However, until now, geo-exchange systems have primarily been installed in new projects or projects where land is readily available adjacent to a building. Projects with small footprints in operating buildings, such as the one at 777 Dunsmuir, had remained elusive.

Fēnix Energy’s system enables the installation of vertical rather than horizontal piping underground. Fēnix has also designed a unique drilling system to facilitate boring in confined spaces such as parkades with low headroom. As a result of these innovations, the project will have minimal disruption on the surrounding area allowing the building to remain occupied.

“Globally, buildings consume around 40% of our total energy, a significant portion of which is for heating and cooling. So the potential to make a difference through geo-exchange is enormous,” says Edward Smith, Managing Director, Fēnix Energy. “Green is about efficiency and using the energy that’s already there. Geo-exchange does exactly that, and now we have the technology to tackle the large existing buildings which make up our dense downtown cores”

The project is the next step in Cadillac Fairview’s GREEN AT WORK™ program, through which the company looks for innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize its impact on the environment. This includes energy conservation and efficiency, with the ultimate objective of net-zero emissions from buildings. The retrofit of Cadillac Fairview’s building is expected to reduce carbon emissions from heating energy by 85%, the equivalent of 900 tons of CO2 or taking 190 cars off the road.

Excited to share that starting this week, we have a fresh face at the Elettra offices - we're pleased to introduce you to our new intern, Leanne Kedrosky. Leanne is completing her final year as a Marketing Communications student at BCIT and wishes to use her passion and skills to pursue a career in public relations.  In her spare time, Leanne is a professional horseback rider and has an avid interest in painting and outdoor fitness.

Welcome to the Elettra team Leanne!

Congratulations go out to the Vantage Airport Group.  Yesterday the Airports Council International announced the recipients of the prestigious 2013 Air Service Quality Awards, and Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport has been recognized for Best Improvement in the Latin America-Caribbean region. The full list of winners can be found here: http://bit.ly/1eYn8mi

Vantage currently operates the airport and broke ground in 2009 on a $410 million dollar redevelopment, leveraging its expertise to build a world-class airport that would align with the expanding tourism industry on the islands. Two other Canadian firms, Ledcor and Stantec, were also involved in the construction and design of the redevelopment, which was completed on time and on budget.

The infrastructure project was one of the largest in the Caribbean and was officially completed in October 2013.   Improvements include:

• A 24% increase in airport size.
• Ability to accommodate 50% more passengers (now over 5 million).
• Upgraded and expanded options for food and beverage, retail and other amenities.

Sounds like a great place to start and finish a trip to The Bahamas!