Calgary International Auto & Truck Show
March 14 - 18, 2012 • BMO Centre, Stampede Grounds
CMDA Receives Major Philanthropy Award
Nov 21, 2011 Filed in: Announcements
The Calgary Motor Dealers Association has been awarded the Generosity of Spirit Award in the Philanthropic Group category from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Calgary & Area Chapter for 2011. Check out the video here.
The award was presented to the Executive of the CMDA, Ben Maitland President, Andrew Robinson Vice President, Paul Williams Past President, & Jim Gillespie Executive Manager by the Honorable Col (Ret'd) Ethell Lt. Governor of Alberta at the ConocoPhillips Theatre on November 9, 2011.
The 15th Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon followed on November 15, 2011 to celebrate the winners in the 7 different categories.
The following is from the Awards presentation:
Calgary Motor Dealers Association: Philanthropic Group
Nominated by: ALS Society of Alberta, Alzheimer Society of Calgary and SAIT Polytechnic
“Strengthening the communities we live and work in by building relationships that make philanthropy happen.”
The Calgary Motor Dealers Association (CMDA) is a group representing 76 new vehicle franchised dealers in the city of Calgary. They come together as volunteers to make a difference in the community and over the years have raised millions of dollars in support of numerous charities.
Since 2000, the Vehicles & Violins Gala has been the signature fundraising event in the CMDA calendar. This exclusive affair takes place just before the opening of the Calgary International Auto & Truck Show and features an evening of international cuisine and exceptional musical entertainment performed by members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Every year the CMDA’s Gala Committee designates two organizations to be recipients of the proceeds from the occasion. In the 11 years since its inception, the Gala has supported more than 14 local charities and raised over $2.2 million. Beyond the funds raised, the event also provides a wonderful opportunity to increase public awareness of the benefitting organizations. Information is circulated to more than 300,000 homes in Calgary; 8,000 brochures are mailed to individuals and corporations; and materials are displayed throughout the five days of the Auto & Truck Show. As a result, the organizations effectively reach more than 338,000 people in less than six months – invaluable exposure for any non-profit. During the Auto & Truck Show itself, representatives from the benefitting organizations have the opportunity to interact with the public, with stakeholders and with the media, further increasing awareness of their work.
In addition to supporting numerous charitable groups from the community and social service sector – including the donation of several brand new vehicles to the Calgary HandiBus Association – CMDA also supports educational institutions such as SAIT Polytechnic, where a strong partnership has developed between the two organizations. The CMDA Endowment Fund provides generous scholarships for the Automotive Management Training Program or Full-Time Technology or Apprenticeship Program offered by SAIT’s School of Transportation, funding almost 30% of all automotive student awards at the institution. CMDA’s greatest contribution to SAIT has been their fundraising effort during the campaign to build the Clayton Carroll Automotive Centre. In addition to their own contributions towards this $4 million initiative, they lobbied and leveraged their connections with their respective automotive manufacturers to make significant cash donations, and for their efforts received the President’s Partnership Award. SAIT students not only benefit from this remarkable generosity, but also learn the importance of volunteering in the community by donating their time to assist at the Auto & Truck Show each year, working alongside CMDA members.
Jim Gillespie, Executive Manager of the Calgary Motor Dealers Association, describes his organization as “a dedicated group of people whose mission is to strengthen community by building relationships between members and auto consumers,” noting, “Many of our successes with our philanthropic endeavours draw from these relationships.” Gillespie adds that, while “the CMDA aims to strengthen community... it is the community who makes this happen,” modestly concluding, “We are just the facilitators.”
The award was presented to the Executive of the CMDA, Ben Maitland President, Andrew Robinson Vice President, Paul Williams Past President, & Jim Gillespie Executive Manager by the Honorable Col (Ret'd) Ethell Lt. Governor of Alberta at the ConocoPhillips Theatre on November 9, 2011.
The 15th Annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon followed on November 15, 2011 to celebrate the winners in the 7 different categories.
The following is from the Awards presentation:
Calgary Motor Dealers Association: Philanthropic Group
Nominated by: ALS Society of Alberta, Alzheimer Society of Calgary and SAIT Polytechnic
“Strengthening the communities we live and work in by building relationships that make philanthropy happen.”
The Calgary Motor Dealers Association (CMDA) is a group representing 76 new vehicle franchised dealers in the city of Calgary. They come together as volunteers to make a difference in the community and over the years have raised millions of dollars in support of numerous charities.
Since 2000, the Vehicles & Violins Gala has been the signature fundraising event in the CMDA calendar. This exclusive affair takes place just before the opening of the Calgary International Auto & Truck Show and features an evening of international cuisine and exceptional musical entertainment performed by members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Every year the CMDA’s Gala Committee designates two organizations to be recipients of the proceeds from the occasion. In the 11 years since its inception, the Gala has supported more than 14 local charities and raised over $2.2 million. Beyond the funds raised, the event also provides a wonderful opportunity to increase public awareness of the benefitting organizations. Information is circulated to more than 300,000 homes in Calgary; 8,000 brochures are mailed to individuals and corporations; and materials are displayed throughout the five days of the Auto & Truck Show. As a result, the organizations effectively reach more than 338,000 people in less than six months – invaluable exposure for any non-profit. During the Auto & Truck Show itself, representatives from the benefitting organizations have the opportunity to interact with the public, with stakeholders and with the media, further increasing awareness of their work.
In addition to supporting numerous charitable groups from the community and social service sector – including the donation of several brand new vehicles to the Calgary HandiBus Association – CMDA also supports educational institutions such as SAIT Polytechnic, where a strong partnership has developed between the two organizations. The CMDA Endowment Fund provides generous scholarships for the Automotive Management Training Program or Full-Time Technology or Apprenticeship Program offered by SAIT’s School of Transportation, funding almost 30% of all automotive student awards at the institution. CMDA’s greatest contribution to SAIT has been their fundraising effort during the campaign to build the Clayton Carroll Automotive Centre. In addition to their own contributions towards this $4 million initiative, they lobbied and leveraged their connections with their respective automotive manufacturers to make significant cash donations, and for their efforts received the President’s Partnership Award. SAIT students not only benefit from this remarkable generosity, but also learn the importance of volunteering in the community by donating their time to assist at the Auto & Truck Show each year, working alongside CMDA members.
Jim Gillespie, Executive Manager of the Calgary Motor Dealers Association, describes his organization as “a dedicated group of people whose mission is to strengthen community by building relationships between members and auto consumers,” noting, “Many of our successes with our philanthropic endeavours draw from these relationships.” Gillespie adds that, while “the CMDA aims to strengthen community... it is the community who makes this happen,” modestly concluding, “We are just the facilitators.”
Vehicles & Violins 2011 Raises $220,000
Sep 25, 2011 Filed in: Announcements
We are thrilled to announce the results of this year's Vehicles and Violins Gala fundraising initiative - a total of $220,000 in donations to our two selected charities.
Cheques for $110,000 each were presented to Inn from the Cold and the Alzheimer Society of Calgary in mid-May.
With this year's contributions, Vehicles & Violins has now generated more than $2 MIllion for local charities since it's inception in 2000.
A huge thank you to our 74 dealer members and the fantastic supporting sponsors listed below.
Cheques for $110,000 each were presented to Inn from the Cold and the Alzheimer Society of Calgary in mid-May.
With this year's contributions, Vehicles & Violins has now generated more than $2 MIllion for local charities since it's inception in 2000.
A huge thank you to our 74 dealer members and the fantastic supporting sponsors listed below.
Bentley's Supersports Philosophy
Its aggressive, low muscular stance not only draws attention to the changes beneath the skin, but serves an equally important technical role.
The revised W12 engine, an advanced 621bhp (630PS) unit that spearheads the radical Flexfuel programme is allowed to generate its extra power and torque as dramatic vertical front air intakes distribute 10% additional airflow to the twin intercoolers.
Even the wheel was reinvented. The striking 10-spoke blade-like design drives airflow over the largest carbon ceramic brakes ever offered on a production car.
Distinctive styling for extreme performance.
Everything about the Supersports is engineered for a single purpose: to deliver the most thrilling driving experience imaginable.
Bentley has been ramping up the power, performance and sportiness of what used to be perceived as a fairly staid old-boys marque. With the Supersports now available as a ragtop... it’s getting awfully tough to stick with Grey Poupon jokes.
See the new 2011 convertible at the 2011 Calgary AutoShow!
Images and information courtesy of Bentley Motors.
The revised W12 engine, an advanced 621bhp (630PS) unit that spearheads the radical Flexfuel programme is allowed to generate its extra power and torque as dramatic vertical front air intakes distribute 10% additional airflow to the twin intercoolers.
Even the wheel was reinvented. The striking 10-spoke blade-like design drives airflow over the largest carbon ceramic brakes ever offered on a production car.
Distinctive styling for extreme performance.
Everything about the Supersports is engineered for a single purpose: to deliver the most thrilling driving experience imaginable.
Bentley has been ramping up the power, performance and sportiness of what used to be perceived as a fairly staid old-boys marque. With the Supersports now available as a ragtop... it’s getting awfully tough to stick with Grey Poupon jokes.
See the new 2011 convertible at the 2011 Calgary AutoShow!
Images and information courtesy of Bentley Motors.
The Boss is Back!
After a 40-year break, the legendary Boss 302 is back in action. This intimidator on wheels was literally born on the racetrack, and today proudly returns with some serious performance upgrades. IN 1968 the Ford brass let the Mustang team run wild and produce one of the hottest production muscle machines ever. In 2012, they’re looking to bring back the thunder....
Ford's powertrain team started with GT's 5.0L as a baseline, then injected some major modifications so the Boss 302 could withstand all-day thrashing up to its 7,500 rpm redline.
Improvements abound, including forced-aluminum pistons, upgraded connecting rods, revised oil pan baffling, and a whole lot more. Even without a supercharger, the Boss delivers 444 horsepower and 380 lb.-ft of torque.
With the Boss 302 Ford didn’t skimp on anything, from performance enhancements to stylish touches. Among the details, Ford points highlights:
- Brembo™ front brakes
• Front lower fascia with new splitter
• Unique Boss 302 Livery – hood and side reverse “C” stripes with logo, and roof painted to match stripe color and black decklid spoiler
• Production number on engine manifold
The Boss is making one Canadian auto show appearance... Calgary - March 9-13.
See you there.
With a car like this, Mercedes has a right to be a bit smug
"The new V8 Coupé from AMG not only undercuts all of its direct competitors in the small but refined four-door high-performance coupé segment, but is also more fuel efficient than significantly lower-powered vehicles."
That may sound a bit smug, but hey, they seem to have a little something to be smug about.
The 2012 CLS 63 AMG is Mercedes’ update to the CLS 55 AMG and the previous CLS AMG 63, both introduced in 2004. Manufacturer’s numbers for the bi-turbo 5.5-liter V8 are 518 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque in the standard version with the optional AMG Performance Package boosting power to 550 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Paired with the AMG 7-speed automatic, this beast does 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds, a slightly quicker 4.3 with the performance package. Top speed in standard form is pegged at 155 mph, rising to 186 mph in the upgrade version.
Mercedes calls it “Affalterbach - Exciting design, ultimate performance and groundbreaking efficiency."
The efficiency is based on a stated 32 percent increase in efficiency over the previous model based on fuel consumption reported at 9.9 litres/100km. Fuel economy may not be top of mind if this is your daily driver, but hey... every little bit helps.
Click here for more info from the manufacturer.
That may sound a bit smug, but hey, they seem to have a little something to be smug about.
The 2012 CLS 63 AMG is Mercedes’ update to the CLS 55 AMG and the previous CLS AMG 63, both introduced in 2004. Manufacturer’s numbers for the bi-turbo 5.5-liter V8 are 518 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque in the standard version with the optional AMG Performance Package boosting power to 550 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Paired with the AMG 7-speed automatic, this beast does 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds, a slightly quicker 4.3 with the performance package. Top speed in standard form is pegged at 155 mph, rising to 186 mph in the upgrade version.
Mercedes calls it “Affalterbach - Exciting design, ultimate performance and groundbreaking efficiency."
The efficiency is based on a stated 32 percent increase in efficiency over the previous model based on fuel consumption reported at 9.9 litres/100km. Fuel economy may not be top of mind if this is your daily driver, but hey... every little bit helps.
Click here for more info from the manufacturer.