On December 10, 2013, the Ottawa Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-Ottawa) held its second annual Holiday Social with keynote speaker Her Excellency Marie-Anne Coninsx, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada and a surprise videoconference with OWIT-International’s President, Angela Marshall Hofmann, Vice President of International Corporate Affairs, Global Business Support at Walmart Stores Inc. Wendy Wagner, International Trade Partner at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP enthusiastically hosted the event in their 26th floor boardroom overlooking the Ottawa skyline.  The evening was MC’d by our very own, Adrienne Jarabek Marion, Co-VP Communications.

Angela Marshall Hofmann, joining us by videoconference!

 

We began the evening withAngela via videoconference from the United States.  She provided our guests with an overview of the global OWIT community and reiterated the important role the organization plays in providing networking and educational opportunities for women working internationally and in international trade.

 

Our keynote speaker was Her Excellency Marie-Anne Coninsx, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada. Her Excellency spoke on international trade between the EU and Canada and the recently announced Agreement in Principle for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Ambassador Coninsx provided her insight into the

Adrienne Jarabek, Co-VP Communications presenting Her Excellency Marie-Anne Coninsx with a thank you gift.

opportunities stemming from the CETA Agreement and spoke of the important role of women working in business internationally.

 

The evening featuredmultiple holiday gift door prizes, great hors d’oeuvres, and excellent networking

opportunities. Live classical music was provided by Cantabile, a local Ottawa string duet. With a full room, the Second Annual Holiday Social was a lively and successful event, and plans are already underway for next year’s activities!

 

Photos courtesy of Jess Alen Photos (www.jessalenphotos.ca).

Thank you to our supporters, the European Union & Gowlings!