Find out why “Its Better In The Bahamas”: CHUM FM is giving away 25 trips!

We have good news for all the sun lovers who are counting the days until next summer: The Bahamas is giving away a trip-a-day on air, for 25 days, on CHUM FM.

Listen to CHUM FM, now until November 11, and you could be working on your tan while everyone else works on shoveling the driveway. Draw qualifying happens every weekday at 6 am, 10 am, 11am, 12 pm, 1pm, 3pm, 4 pm, 6pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10 pm, so wherever you are, turn your radio to 104.5 CHUM FM with your phone ready to dial 416-870-1045. The 25^th caller qualifies for the next daily draw!

The winners and their guests will be the envy of all their friends when they leave to spend 7 nights at the all-inclusive Grand Lucayan - located in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island with return air courtesy of WestJet.

Tune into CHUM FM for a chance to see why “It’s Better in The Bahamas”.

For more details visit CHUM FM

Let it Snow! Toronto’s Ski, Snowboard and Travel Show

PUNCH recently spent a weekend in a winter wonderland at the 39th edition of the Toronto Ski, Snowboard & Travel Show. The Better Living Centre was taken over by many of the best ski, snowboard, winter travel vendors in North America.

The show was stuffed to the brim with brand new, top of the line gear, and the crowd- pleasing ski and board swap was back for another successful year and still holds the title of the largest ski and board swap in Canada. No one left empty-handed!

The entertainment factor was taken up a notch with the debut of the Jib Jam – an indoor trick park – where local talent showed off on their boards and skis, with mind-blowing tricks for show guests.

Another new and notable feature this year was the 15 trips given away once every two hours for the entire show! Guests simply had to get their TSki Passport stamped at the various travel vendors then submit it for a chance to win. The 15 lucky winners are going from Banff to Mount Tremblant and everywhere in-between.

The Toronto Ski, Snowboard & Travel show got everyone geared up for the slopes, now it’s up to Mother Nature to bring us the snow!

Sweet Success: Canada’s Baking and Sweets Show 2011

PUNCH managed communications for Canada’s first Baking and Sweets Show in Toronto. Headlining the show was Buddy Valastro, better known as TLC’s “Cake Boss”, Erin “The Happy Baker” Bolger of the Food Network, The Cupcake Girls and Bonnie Gordon of the prestigious Bonnie Gordon College of Confectionary Arts.

Buddy Valestro gets a hug from Erin "The Happy Baker" Bolger

The crowds couldn’t wait to experience the sweeter side of life as a lineup began to form before the show doors even opened. Once inside, guests were seduced by scrumptious samples from nearly every booth, both sweet and savory – no one was counting calories!

Local talent was showcased at the show with the cake competition. From traditional wedding cakes to Alice in wonderland inspired, each cake was more unbelievable then the next.

The show sweetened up the learning process with master classes led by Bonnie Gordon and Michelle Bommarito where they revealed coveted tips and tricks. The classes filled up faster than cupcakes disappear, but there were also demos happening in the test kitchen the entire weekend covering everything from working with fondant to how to decorate a wedding cake. Everyone left inspired to go home and whip up what they learned.

The show was a sweet success. We can't wait to see how they top this next year.

Hands-on workshop shows Revera residents how they can bridge the Digital Divide

Residents of Revera’s Donway Place were treated to an intimate seminar on technology yesterday, hosted by Doro, a Swedish cell phone manufacturer specializing in products for seniors, and the Elder Technology Assistance Group (ETAG), a non-profit organization committed to bringing computer-based skills to seniors.

Prompting the session is the ever increasing need for seniors to get online, to keep pace with today’s technologically saturated environment. “As we age, our memory, attention, cognitive speed and visual acuity decrease – all of which are essential to use a computer. So it's no surprise seniors typically take longer to learn digital skills and are more prone to errors when they go online. As a result, senior citizens often decide the results are simply not worth the effort when trying to learn on their own,” said Christopher Bint, Executive Director of ETAG.

The room was filled with eager elders as Bint led a captivating presentation designed to educate seniors who want to keep up with today’s tech savvy youth. Popular devices such as the iPad, iPod, iPhone, Kobo e-reader and Doro phones were highlighted.

These ‘senior friendly’ technologies and hand-on workshops, like the ones hosted by ETAG, are helping to reduce the Digital Divide and make it easier for seniors to stay connected.

Applications such as Skype were very intriguing to the group, with many of the seniors wanting to use the program to stay in touch with relatives around the world. A large number of participants felt that Skype and easy-to-use phones like Doro’s were essential tools to stay connected to their grandkids.

Emirates and PUNCH hit the races… and meet NBA hall of famer Dennis Rodman!

Emirates is once again a major sponsor in the Breeders Cup Challenge and to kick off this weekend’s horse races at Woodbine Racetrack, Don McWilliam, the airline’s country manager, took part in the Post Draw Luncheon yesterday afternoon.

Emirates has been supporting this race for six years now, according to McWilliam, who addressed the crowd of jockeys, owners, trainers and other horse racing fans.

“Strength, determination, world class,” he said. “These are all characteristics of making a true champion, not just in thoroughbred racing but also in the success of an award-winning airline.”
McWilliam described the “tremendous inroads” Emirates has made in Canada, noting that just last week, they announced an interline partnership with WestJet which he said “makes global travel more accessible for passengers who can now connect to the Emirates network via WestJet.”

The airline currently operates the two-story A380 three times a week from Toronto to Dubai. At the end of September, Emirates also announced that a daily non-stop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Dubai will be launching on March 1, 2012, which McWilliam said is another option to connect Western Canadians especially to the Emirates network.

The event was also attended by NBA legend Dennis Rodman who spoke candidly on his personal life and struggles he has faced.

LPIA launches new and improved website!

LPIA launches new and improved website!

It's better in The Bahamas... and now their main airport's website is better too!

Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau, is the largest airport in The Bahamas and recently opened it's new 247,000 sq. ft. U.S. departures terminal. The space is part of a larger redevelopment project which will see the addition of two more terminals (international and domestic) by the end of 2013, and will provide travelers with a world class airport that is beautiful, functional and service focused.

PUNCH designed the airport's logo and created all of its interior signage, which encourage travelers to shop, dine and relax prior to boarding. PUNCH also created LPIA's new website, which launched October 12 and reinforces the tagline No Ordinary Airport.

LPIA's revamped website (http://www.nassaulpia.com/) was a collaboration by PUNCH's advertising and design guru's and the development masters at yFactor.