David G. Wilkinson is president of The Wilkinson Group, a Toronto-based international event marketing, education and strategic planning company.

Norm MacNeil is research co-ordinator for the Event Marketing column, which appears in each issue. Contributions, ideas, media releases and feedback should be directed to Norm at (416) 510-1692, or fax (416) 510-1694.

The national Community Tree Foundation (nctf) through an initiative called Tree Plan Canada will be focussing attention on Canada’s corporate sector and asking them to do their part.

Tree Plan Canada, a major component of Canada’s Green Plan, has the mandate to plant millions of trees to renew rural and urban forests across Canada by 1998.

It is seeking corporate partners to develop integrated marketing and communications programs involving trees and tree-planting to achieve marketing and environmental objectives.

Corporations can be responsible for the planting of trees for as little as 50 cents per tree.

Tree Plan Canada has to date developed programs with more than 40 corporations, including Marion Merrell Dow (Seldane), Maclean’s, Sanyo, Bausch + Lomb, Brita and Woolco.

A typical program can tie tree-planting into the sale of a product or can be a direct contribution.

For example, Maclean’s magazine is contributing to the planting of trees for new subscriptions and subscription renewals for the period of their promotion.

Bausch + Lomb is contributing 50 cents on the sale of each pair of Legacy Binoculars, and Sanyo has committed to the planting of thousands of trees to celebrate its 35 years in Canada.

For more information, contact Karen Morden or Valerie Laflamme at (416) 510-1692.

Honda Run for the Cure

The second annual Honda Run for the Cure will take place Oct. 24 in Toronto.

The event was first launched in October 1992 by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation as a fundraiser for research to create awareness about this life-threatening illness.

Inspired by the American event, Race for the Cure, organizers began the challenge of executing the first Honda Run for the Cure in Canada.

Due to the success of last year’s run, it has become a national event. Vancouver’s Honda Run for the Cure will take place on the same day beginning at 10 a.m. (pst) from City Square.

Organizers were expecting 200 to 300 participants for last year’s Toronto run, however, more than 2,000 people ran and walked through High Park and raised more than $60,000.

Organizers are expecting at least 5,000 participants this year.

Honda Canada is the title sponsor of this event, and is donating a 1994 Honda Civic as a draw prize for the second annual Toronto run.

Toronto Life Fashion magazine is offering a Spirit Cup Award to the company that generates the most employee involvement.

Major sponsors include: Tambrands Canada and Glaxo Canada, in the form of cash and product, and Campbell Soup, and Gatorade, which will be supplying on-site refreshment.

For more information, contact Andrea Thomas at (416) 925-9393, ext. 2570.

Sun Life Skate Canada International

Sun Life Assurance will be sponsoring the Sun Life Skate Canada International figure skating event as it enters its 20th year.

Sun Life has been the title sponsor since 1987.

The event will take place in Ottawa at the Civic Centre on Nov. 4-7.

This year, more than 70 competitors from 23 countries will compete, and spectators will get a preview for the 1994 Winter Olympics next February, as Kurt Browning, Karen Preston and other international stars will be competing before capacity crowds.

Local agents will be in attendance at the booths and will be co-ordinating autograph-signing sessions and draws for Sun Life merchandise for spectators.

The event will be televised on ctv, and will be supported by television and radio spots, and a Canada Post media guide featuring the event will be produced.

The Sun Life Skate Canada International is looking to reach the 25-54 young family age group.

National team sponsors which will be promoted at this event are: American Express Travel Service, Bull HN Information Systems, Canada Post, Canadian Airlines International, Centrum Vitamins, Diet Coke, Government of Canada, Nescafe, Petro-Canada, Royal Bank, Vaseline Intensive Care and Wittnauer Watch Company.

For more information, contact Natalie Courtenay at (613) 748-5635.