Several directors of the Board of Trade were on hand for the special occasion and helped to present a special selection of gifts to Mr. Rampergass, of Ajax Auto Parts Centres.

Board travels to Boston for Pizza and to celebrate 600th milestone

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade celebrated in style as it revealed Ajax Auto Parts Centres as its 600th member at a Networking After 5 event held at Boston Pizza in Ajax, Jan. 12.

Ron Rampergass, of Ajax Auto Parts Centres thanks the Board for the honour.

“This is a truly significant milestone in the Board’s history,” said Jason Cameron, the incoming 2010 president of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade.  “The growth in our membership in recent years indicates increased interest and appreciation from the business community for the Board and the services it provides. It also gives us a stronger voice on behalf of businesses in Ajax and Pickering.”

Ron Rampergass of Ajax Auto Parts Centres with Ajax Mayor Steve Parish.

“I’m very pleased to be the 600th member of the Board,” said Ron Rampergass, who operates the business. “I didn’t expect this wonderful reception. We’re very excited to be members and to have access to the advantages the Board offers.”  

Board Chair John G. Smith is interviewed about the milestone of reaching 600 members by Rogers TV.

Ajax Mayor Steve Parish delivered congratulations to the Board’s 600th member and presented Mr. Rampergass with a plaque commemorating the occasion. He told the members gathered for the event that the Board of Trade is doing an excellent job on their behalf and pointed to the value of belonging to such an active and supportive business organization for the benefits it provides.

Paul Bujold of event sponsor Computer Troubleshooters.

Sponsors for the Networking series this year are CIBC, Johnson Inc. Insurance, R&G Auto Centre and Sun Life Financial advisor Don Turnbull. Event sponsors at the Boston Pizza event were Anytime Fitness, Children's Wish Foundation, Computer Troubleshooters and Herongate Barn Theatre.

Boston Pizza part owner Steve Kirton welcomes the crowd of 60-plus Board of Trade networkers to the event.

For more images from the event, click on any of the thumbnails below. Thank you to all of the participants and to our host Boston Pizza for a wonderful event. Also, special thanks to the following Board members for contributing to the gift package presented to our 600th member: Boston Pizza Ajax; City of Pickering; Durham College; Grand & Toy; OPG; Pickering Town Centre; The Port Restaurant; ServiceMaster; Sure Fit; Town of Ajax; and Veridian.

The special event made news on KX96 radio where 2010 President Jason Cameron was interviewed on air the following day. Rogers TV Durham attended and filed a great report on its Jan. 13 First Local newscast. Click here to visit their Video Portal for the Jan. 13 broadcast. The segment appears at the 11:33 mark of the show. It was front-page news in the News Advertiser, read the story at durhamregion.com.