Carl Zehr Mayor Kitchener (representing Waterloo Region), GeorgeDixon, Vice President University of Waterloo, and Jamal Khokhar,Canadian Ambassador to BrazilJohn Jung addresses Elaine Guetter, Executive Director (left) and VeridianaCarneiro, Partners and Supplier Relations Educational Technology Division bothfrom Positivo Informatica Technical Education. At each visit all team membersdiscussed their organization and provided, where applicable, their relationshipwith the host.Zoran Veselic, Vice President pf Christie Digital, talks to a Brazilian journalistworking with the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, at the Canadianbooth during Brazil’s Futurecom event in Sao Paulo, an entry pointcity of 22 million.The CTT Trade Team arrives at Positivo Informatica Technical EducationResearch and Development Facility in Curitiba, Brazil.20 | w w w . e x c h a n g e m a g a z i n e . c o m
MOVER & SHAKERBRAZIL MISSIONRETURNS GOOD ROIBY JON ROHRRegional economic leaders get an immersioncourse in Brazilian business“Decision made, we’re moving in very-fast-forward. We’re hiring people, I’m looking to hire dedicatedsales people for my team and each business unit.” These words of action, poetry to those who relishgrowth, were uttered by Zoran Veselic, Vice President Christie Digital, during the CTT - Brazil Trade missiondebriefing.In September, a group of Waterloo Region businesses made a pioneering voyage into relativelyunknown territory. On the mission were Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr; Cambridge Economic DevelopmentOfficer Bo Densmore; University of Waterloo Vice-president, Research, George Dixon; Drew Knight, Universityof Waterloo International Programs; Alex Lucena, Desire To Learn Business Development, LatinAmerica; Christie Digital Vice President Zoran Veselic; Open Text Vice President, Latin America, RayPhillips; Darryl King, President, Logikor Inc.; Craig Maw, General Manager, Logikor Inc.; John Jung, CEO ofCanada’s Technology Triangle – the Region of Waterloo’s economic development team... and me – the notso covert, embedded journalist.The mission was focused on producing trade connections for Waterloo Region businesses and academia.Results will be measured in opportunity for collaboration, product placement and joint research andeducation experiences. As customary for such missions, the group included government dignitaries, andrepresentatives from key sectors of our community.The mission by all accounts had good ROI. Not only was it a mission to sign agreements and memorandumsof understanding between the University of Waterloo and educational and research with Brazilinstitutions, but it also was the first introduction for area businesses to the Brazilian economic waters.Favela (or slums) rise above the hills directly behind an affluent Rio“Class B” neighbhourhood.Dr. George Dixon, Vice President, University Research, University ofWaterloo and Glaucius Oliva, President, National Council for Scientificand Technological Development, sign a Memorandum of Agreement.PHOTO: EXCHANGE MAGAZINE