I work Fridays down at the BlackBerry space at Communitech. It’s a good way to stay connected. And this particular Friday, I connected (at least optically), with The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. Mr. Harper (third from left above), along with Kitchener-Waterloo MP Peter Braid (centre), dropped by today for a tour with Communitech CEO Iain Klugman (right). The tour included short chats with a number of Communitech-related companies, including Structur3D Printing’s co-founder Charles Mire (his back at right) who briefly explained his Discov3ry 3D printing paste extruder cranking away here in the foreground.
During the visit, the Prime Minister announced four local technology accelerators in WR were in line for a multi-million dollar injection of cash. Get the full scoop from Tony Reinhart’s post on the Communitech blog.
It’s all pretty darned exciting, and further validation of the ever-growing gravity and success of the Waterloo Region. A semi-reasonable number of pics follow…
I got word late yesterday as a tenant of Communitech via BlackBerry: special visitor, be sure to have your badge, don’t spread it around. I thought the PM would be coming through the door by the Hub where I usually work, but he came in the front and appeared at reception. Here’s my friend Meghan Kreller getting the really good pics.
So I swooped in a bit.
Meta-Meg.
Is it me, or is it a bit busier than a typical Friday in June?
Chief scribe, Mr. Tony Reinhart here talking with Trish Crompton.
So many suits…
and nice dogs.
This is Deb, the PM’s official photog, I gather. She had a nice way of asking me to stay out of her shot.
Communitech’s Avvey Peters checked her watch, and Chris Plunkett was on the phone, all waiting for the PM.
Aussie shoes.
Lots of cuff-talking.
The PM and Iain.
First up, Jim and Jennifer Moss of Plasticity.
Then on to Meghan Hennessey of Clearpath Robotics.
Then Charles Mire (right) of Structur3D Printing.
Approved!
The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) trading business cards with Charles.
The media were corralled behind the chain. I got asked if I was media by several of the PM’s protective service officers. Nope, just a guy with a camera.
Mr. Harper in the Reality Cave with Iain.
Whack of people.
Say…
cheese.
The PM, Peter Braid, Iain’s back, and Canadian Tire Innovations chief, Craig Haney.
No need for the gym.
Crompton and Reinhart. BlackBerry in action.
Group shot.
Close up.
Jim Moss of Plasticity, Minister Ed Holder, Jennifer Moss of Plasticity, and MP Peter Braid.
Charles Mire and Structur3D Printing’s rig, fit for a PM demo.
Communitech’s Director of Marketing Services, Saj Jamal, thinking of next steps.
Nice way to start the weekend.
DW