CG&A Communications celebrates 30 years. To commemorate the occasion Chris George reflects on the company’s development. This is part five of a six-part series, 10 selected highlights from the years 2014 – 2018 when the firm relocated to Almonte and re-established itself in Ottawa.
Having moved to Almonte in 2013, the most significant development through the last five years has been re-establishing ourselves within former Ottawa circles. The move has brought CG&A COMM core consultants, Ray Leveille and Fraser Anderson, closer together. The team has recalibrated through this period and is much stronger providing a host of communications and government affairs services. The move back to Ottawa region also re-invigorated long held friendships.- In 2018, CG&A COMMUNICATIONS successfully completed a RFP process to renew our government affairs contract with CMEC. The Ministers of Education remain involved in advancing the copyright interests of teachers and students with the federal government’s review of copyright law. We have now been with the ministers of education for 17 years and counting — which makes CMEC our longest-held client.
- Through this period the company secured contracts with a variety of clients. We provided media relations services to Motion Pay, a fintech company that specializes in connecting Canadian retail business with Chinese tourists and the Chinese-Canadian community. We provided strategic communications advice to the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association helping the Board to better position this fledgling trade association. We provided communications and wordsmith services to GotSkill? Games, a Canadian video skill-based gaming company.
- One of the unexpected pleasures of this period was meeting Dr. Merrilee Fullerton and assisting with her communications through her nomination process and an electoral victory in the 2018 provincial campaign. Merrilee is one of the most genuine people to enter politics – and we wish her well in her responsibilities at Queen’s Park.
- Relating to other political activities, Chris George has “scratched his political itch” a few times since returning to the Ottawa scene, volunteering first as campaign manager for Shaun McLaughlin’s successful 2014 mayoral bid in Mississippi Mills. Chris has also been called upon to provide counsel in other political contests in Lanark and in the City of Ottawa.
- In 2018, Chris George was asked by an independent news publisher to write a weekly political column on the federal scene on Parliament Hill. He has become a regular contributor to The Niagara Independent, which features Niagara Region business news as well as political affairs at every level of government. Read The Niagara Independent.
- Upon moving in 2013, Chris George joined the AHEPA Ottawa Chapter, a Hellenic fraternity that supports many local philanthropic efforts and helps to raise awareness of Hellenism in its community. Chris serves on the Executive as Chapter Secretary and represents the Chapter at conferences in Canada and the U.S.
- Chris George also volunteered in his local community to advance initiatives for his favourite pastime of cycling. His cycle pursuits have lead him to be active in the Friends of the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail and to help with the establishment of a new Ottawa-Lanark cycle loop trail, both to boost local cycle tourism and economic development.
- This period has seen the expansion of the By George Journal’s on-line presence with the establishment of both a By George Facebook page and Twitter account. Followers of By George can now enjoy daily posts on Facebook and a regular stream of inspirational and motivational quotes on Twitter @ByGeorgeJournal.
- Lisa and Chris George have settled in the picturesque town of Almonte. They operate their business from their century home – enjoying the culture of the Ottawa Valley, while being only 45 minutes from Parliament Hill.
To read more about the history of the company, click: On passing the 30 year milestone.
Chris George provides reliable PR & GR counsel and effective advocacy. Need a go-to writer and experienced communicator? Call 613-983-0801 @ CG&A COMMUNICATIONS. Contact: ChrisG.George@gmail.com
