Views (October 01, 2004)

GE Insurance Solutions is the new name for GE Employer’s Re Corp., and the re-branding was celebrated by a reception at Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum recently. Peter Borst, chief agent in Canada for the reinsurance operation of GE Insurance Solutions welcomed Ken Brandt, head of P&C reinsurance, North America & Asia. The new name takes in not only the former GE ERC, but all of GE’s insurance operations, including GE Re, GE Frankona Re, Westport Insurance and more.

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The Honorable Order of the Blue Goose held its 98th Grand Nest convention in Universal City, California, recently. The annual gathering of Flocks from Ponds across Canada and the U.S. was a major success. The Ontario Pond received three awards: most new and reinstated members, best percentage increase and website link of the year. Accepting the awards were Harry Grewal, Most Loyal Gander, Jennifer Maloney, Guardian of the Pond and Jack Fitch, Past Most Loyal Gander, who was also elected to the Grand Nest executive as Grand Guardian of Flock. The Ontario Pond will be hosting the Grand Nest convention in 2008.

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The Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC) invited guests to play the ponies at its first “Night at the Races” at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack. The event, hosted by Bill Blakeney and Fred De Francesco, raised $17,000 for cancer research and education, and provided guests with an evening of fine dining and thoroughbred racing. Among the guests of honor were Jeanne Beker of Fashion Television, Bill Carroll of CFRB Radio and Senator Con Di Nino. WICC’s next event is the annual “learning breakfast” on November 3, with details at www.wicc.ca.

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The 21st Annual Toronto Insurance Women’s Association (TIWA) Golf Tournament saw a record attendance tee up to raise fun and funds. Organizer Arleigh Quesnelle passed along a cheque for $12,800 to “Camp Oochigeas”, a retreat in the Muskokas for children with cancer. The event was held at picturesque Cardinal Golf Club in Newmarket.

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CARSTAR Automotive Canada took Atlantic Canada by storm, hosting its 7th Annual Industry Conference in Halifax this year. Pictured are two of this year’s key speakers – Aviva Canada’s Wendy Hillier and Dominion of Canada’s Jerry Dalla Corte – but a host of insurance industry speakers also took the stage, and participated in the Business Partners Expo. The event brings together franchisees of the bodyshop chain, as well as corporate staff and vendor partners.