Episode 2: Ottawa business leaders on Humanitarianism, Culinary Art, & Live Music in Ottawa with Sueling Ching, Erin Benjamin, Solange Tuyishime Keita and Devinder Chaudhary

On this episode, host Sam Laprade dives into important business topics with Ottawa business leaders In her conversation with Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade the two discuss:    - The need to directly support businesses and create a competitive business environment.     - The role of the Ottawa Board of Trade in stirring the interest of businesses and dealing with city building issues i.e., thriving downtown, accessible transit, and housing.    - Emphasizing that the future of cities will be driven by innovation and creativity.  In her conversation with with Erin Benjamin, CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association the two discuss:    - Establishment of the Canadian Live Music Association, its work, and its mission to integrate music with the business community.    - The economic impact of events and concerts to businesses and local communities in Ottawa.    - The potential and opportunity of Ottawa to be a global concert destination. In her conversation with Solange Tuyishime Keita of Elevate International, the two discuss:    - Solange's journey from being a survivor of war and genocide to representing Canada at Mrs. World.    - Her establishment of Elevate International and its aim to include women at the leadership table.    - Inclusiveness and diversity in leadership, and how Ottawa has evolved for her. Finally, in her interview with Devinder Chaudhary of Aiana:    - The inspiration behind the creation of Aiana restaurant and its contribution to fine dining in Ottawa.    - They discuss the business model of IANA where tipping is not encouraged, aiming for professional and standardized service.    - The importance of a collective voice in the business community and the need for strong leadership in revitalizing downtown Ottawa. 00:41 Interview with Sueling Ching, President and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade 01:25 Discussion on Business Support and Advocacy 02:48 Impact of the Pandemic on Business 05:03 Attracting Talent and Promoting Ottawa 07:07 Revitalizing the Downtown Core 10:17 Exploring Vibrant Areas in Ottawa 10:56 City Building Issues and the Role of Cities 12:57 Interview with Erin Benjamin, CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association 14:24 The Intersection of Music and Business 17:48 The Potential of Live Music and Music Tourism 25:14 Interview with Solange Tuyishime 26:13 Introducing the Guest: Solange's Journey 27:14 Solange's Representation of Canada 29:19 The Power of Pageantry and Leadership 30:28 Creating Elevate International: Empowering Women Leaders 31:50 The Unique Business Environment of Ottawa 34:09 Encouraging Entrepreneurship in Ottawa 35:38 Promoting Elevate International's Upcoming Events 37:31 Introducing the Next Guest: Devinder Chaudhary 37:43 The Story Behind Aiana Restaurant 42:25 The Impact of a No-Tipping Model in Restaurants 44:38 The Role of Ottawa Board of Trade in Business Advocacy 46:16 The Urgency of Downtown Revitalization 50:10 Closing Remarks and Invitation to Aiana