Paper Business Cards Remain in My Networking Tool Kit

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I’m a fan of business cards as networking and job search tools.

And I know that sounds weird in a digital world, where people might just say: “Look me up on LinkedIn!”

I always try to remember to carry business cards with me so that I may efficiently share my contact information with someone – if they ask for it. 

(Here’s my LinkedIn profile, in case you’re not interested in my business card: www.linkedin.com/in/kevinswayze)

Again this week in class at Conestoga College, I told my 20-something-year-old students about the value I give to simple paper business cards in a digital world. They’re graduating at the end of this semester and will be looking for work. I encourage them to add business cards to their job-search tool kit.

And since the class was about Starting a Consulting Practice, talking about business cards was even more appropriate in a world of personal business branding. In mind, it’s showing you’re ready to connect with potential clients.

I adopt the outlook that you never know who you might meet today, who might be the connection to the job you are looking for. My ritual of placing business cards in my pocket at the start of the day primes me to be ready and open to opportunities.

You can order 100 business cards for $5 at Walmart, I tell my students. That’s about the price of two basic coffees at Starbucks, after you add the HST.

I suggest students pick a simple design that’s easy to read. And put their name and essential information on one side. That way, if someone wants to take a photo of your contact info, it’s easier.

In a digital world, I think paper business cards remain a good addition to anyone’s job-hunting and networking kit.

What do you think?

Cambridge Fall Fair an easy bus ride for Conestoga College students

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The Cambridge Fall Fair runs in Dickson Park, Cambridge, on the second weekend of September.

Updated Sept. 7, 2024

I teach international students business communication at Conestoga College and regularly hear questions about what events and festivals happen in the Cambridge-Kitchener-Waterloo area.

Fall fairs are events I always mention in September. They usually include demolition derbies, animal displays, a midway, and live entertainment. And lots of food.

The easiest fall fair for Conestoga students to reach without a car is the Cambridge Fall Fair, Thurs., Sept. 5 through Sun., Sept. 8, 2024, at Dickson Park in Cambridge.

Dickson Park is on the Grand River Transit bus Route 57, which runs between the Doon and Cambridge Campuses of Conestoga College, and the Ainslie Street GRT bus terminal at 35 Ainslie St. in Downtown Cambridge.

Thursdays and Sundays offer free admission, but there is always a charge to take midway rides. Admission is $10 at the entry gates on Friday and $15 on Saturday when most events are scheduled.

Route 57 buses run Monday through Saturday, morning, afternoon, and evening.

On Sunday, you’ll have to take a bus to the Ainslie Street terminal and then walk about 10 minutes to Dickson Park through the old Galt Downtown area. (If you’re heading to the fair in Cambridge on Sunday from Kitchener or Waterloo, your probably best to take the Route 302 or Route 206 express buses to the Ainslie Terminal).

There are other fairs in the Waterloo Region area, but they’re not easy to reach by public transit. Here’s a link to all the fall fair dates in Ontario.

The Wellesley Township Fair runs on Sept. 10 and 11, 2024, at the Wellesley Recreation Complex Centre, 1401 Queen’s Bush Road, Wellesley. That’s a 20-minute car drive northwest of Waterloo.

The New Hamburg Fall Fair runs Sept. 12-15, 2024 at 251 Jacob St. in New Hamburg Fairgrounds, west of Kitchener. To reach that location by public transit from Kitchener or Waterloo, you can take the GRT Route 77, but only on weekdays mornings or afternoons. That doesn’t work well to visit the fair in the evening.

Missing no more! The plaque is back in Victoria Park in Cambridge

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After going missing in early June, 2024, the historic plaque in Victoria Park in Cambridge is back where it should be.

Cambridge Today reports that the historic bronze plaque was found nearby, and reinstalled by city crews this week. It’s located along Blenheim Road, opposite Mount View Cemetery.

Other plaques that went missing simultaneously still haven’t been found.

Folk and fiddle music concert in Cambridge August 3, 2024

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The members of Portage are: Anne Lederman, Erynn Marshall, Laura Risk, Christina Smith and Jean Hewson.
Canadian folk music group Portage perform Aug. 3, 2024 in Cambridge ON. The members of Portage include: Anne Lederman, Erynn Marshall, Laura Risk, Christina Smith and Jean Hewson. Photo from Portage.

A new group of Canadian folk musicians plans a show in Cambridge on Aug. 3, 2024, at Wesley United Church.

I’ll be the emcee for the show by Portage. I look forward to seeing you in the audience. Tickets cost $20.

For me, it’s a chance to reflect on the annual Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music, that used to be staged downtown on the Civic Holiday Weekend. I always had great fun volunteering on the board planning the event, and introducing musicians on the show weekend.

And on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, folk trio Tea for Three plays at Mill Race Park – where the Mill Race festival began in 1992. The trio include Paul Morris, Gwen Potter & Brad McEwen, who are also members of the band Tethera. Brad was the founder and musical director of the festival. Tea for Three performs at 7 p.m., after Emi-Lee Small at 6:30 p.m.

Last Mill Race Festival staged in 2018

The festival’s last year was in 2018, after 26 years. There’s no plan to revive the festival. Instead, the volunteer folk society is now helping other groups host music events.

I was also a volunteer emcee at the annual Cambridge Celebration of the Arts in June. I was one of three Cambridge Toastmasters members who put our practice into action by introducing performers.

At Wesley, Portage members will showcase their skills as fiddlers, multi-instrumentalists, and singers performing old and new music in a collective artistic adventure.

Their new self-named recording Portage, features ten arrangements of high-energy fiddling from many traditions combining vocals, guitar, cello, piano, bones, feet, and more. 

The members of Portage are Anne Lederman, Erynn Marshall, Laura Risk, Christina Smith and Jean Hewson.

The Cambridge event is organized by Wesley United Church and Mill Race Folk Traditions.

Portage concert information

Sat., Aug. 3, 2024

Wesley United Church – Ainslie Hall

6 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, ON

Concert: 8-10 pm

Tickets: $20:  www.ticketscene.ca/events/48148 or cash/debit at the door

Parking for the show is available behind City Hall, in the Cambridge Street lot.  Please enter the church through the Cambridge Street doors.

Doors and Bar Open at 7:30 pm

For information about the concert, email: events@wesleyunitedchurchcambridge.ca

Be part of Neighbours of West Galt magazine in Cambridge, Ontario

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Cover pages of Neighbours of West Galt magazine
Cover pages of Neighbours of West Galt magazine.

Would you like to be a featured family in Neighbours of West Galt?

As the magazine’s content coordinator, I’m planning future editions for fall and winter. I’d like to feature your West Galt family on the cover, with photos taken by professional portrait photographer Stan Switalski.

The magazine is published monthly by Best Version Media. It is only distributed to selected homes on the west side of the Grand River, in Cambridge, Ontario.

Please contact me directly: kswayze@bestversionmedia.com

Share your events & pet photos!

I’m also always on the lookout for tips and photos about West Galt events to share in the magazine. And I am always ready to receive your pet photos and information, for our monthly Pets of the Month feature page.

Here’s an online submission page to speed things up: https://www.bestversionmedia.com/submit-content