Schedule

6:00PM

COCKTAIL RECEPTION | Performance by Grizzly Coast | Silent Auction, Retail Hut & 50/50 Raffle Open | Lawn Games

7:00PM

SEATED DINNER | Welcome, Frances Fripp, Emcee | Opening Remarks, Hassaan Basit, President & CEO, Conservation Halton

7:45PM

Keynote Address by Maayan Ziv, Founder & CEO, AccessNow

8:45PM

50/50 Raffle Draw | Closing Remarks, Garner Beckett, Foundation Executive Director

9:00PM

DESSERT SERVICE | Coffee/Tea & Passed Desserts | Fireside Performance by Hayley Verrall

Welcome

Thank you for joining us at Omnia, the Conservation Halton Foundation's fifth annual fundraising gala. This year's event focuses on raising funds for park improvements and programming initiatives that alleviate physical, financial, and social barriers to accessing nature. We recognize the value people place on being able to connect with nature and, with your support, we can continue to make progress in providing a high level of accessibility at our parks.

We aim to raise $275,000, and thanks to your sponsorship and presence here tonight, this goal is well within reach. Please enjoy our programming — and be sure to place your auction bids and purchase your 50/50 tickets to help us meet our fundraising target and make our greenspaces more accessible to all.

Cocktail Reception

Enjoy delicious passed canapes, refreshing welcome beverages, picnic-style lawn games (like ChainLink Disc Golf), and a live performance by indie rock band Grizzly Coast. Visit the silent auction tables during reception to start bidding on coveted items — and get your name in the draw for our 50/50 raffle!

CANAPES | SOIL
Beet Arancini | Red Beet Risotto, Herb Goat Cheese Mousse, Pickled Golden Beet, Balsamic (Vegetarian)
Mushroom Flatbreads | Truffle Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Sunflower Pesto, Truffle Honey, Padano (Vegetarian)
Squash Latkes | Horseradish Cream Cheese, Kombu Maple, Yuzu Apple, Nori Goma (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)

CANAPES | WATER
Alaskan King Crab | Brown Butter Hollandaise, Quinoa Togarashi, Chili Relish, Chives (Gluten Free)
Lobster Roll | Brown Butter Aioli, Triple Crunch Mustard, Crispy Potato, Chives, Sesame Squid Ink Brioche

CANAPES | LAND
Chicken Karage | Sambal Hoisin, Kewpie, Pickled Carrot, Garlic Nuts, Furikake, Cilantro (Dairy Free)
Barbacoa Tostada | Mole BBQ, Pickled Cabbage, Smoked Crema, Salsa Verde, Cotija, Cilantro (Gluten Free)

BEVERAGES | COCKTAILS & MOCKTAILS
Nickel Brook Brewing Co. Citrus Paloma | Agave Spirit Cocktail
Blackberry Mocktail | Agave, Lemon Juice, Soda Water, Blackberries & Rosemary Garnish
Garden & Elderflower Tonic | Seedlip Garden, Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic, Cucumber

Tonight's opening reception is presented by:

Silent Auction, 50/50 Raffle & More

You can help us reach our $275,000 target this evening by bidding on silent auction items (our auction closes at 8:30PM), purchasing raffle tickets for a chance at 50% of the pot, and visiting our retail hut for unique parks-branded merchandise, where 100% of sales support tonight's fundraiser. You can also donate online at any point during the evening by clicking here. Every contribution counts towards our target!

Auction Catalogue

Keynote Speaker

Maayan Ziv, Founder & CEO, AccessNow
Pronouns: She/Her
Pronunciation: My-N Ziv

Maayan Ziv is an activist, photographer and entrepreneur. In 2015, she launched AccessNow, a mobile app and website that collects and shares information about the accessibility status of places worldwide. What began as a response to her frustration when trying to navigate inaccessible places, AccessNow soon grew to become a mission-oriented social start-up. Within just a couple years, AccessNow has vocalized a movement for inclusion, inviting people of all abilities to contribute to the platform.

As CEO of AccessNow, Maayan has created a powerful shift in thinking about the importance of accessibility in our world, from accessible technologies to infrastructure, public policy, media, and communications. To date, AccessNow has shared accessibility information about over one million places in 107 countries around the world.

An influential public speaker who is often in the media, Maayan collaborates with private sector companies as well as government and not-for-profit organizations. She is leading a movement, challenging norms and empowering others to make the future accessible and inclusive for all. Maayan and her work with AccessNow have received numerous awards including: MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 (2022), Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 (2021), the Governor General’s Innovation Award (2020), WXN Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women (2018), City of Toronto Access Award (2016), David C. Onley Leadership in Accessibility Award (2016).

Dinner Menu & Catering

Featuring fresh and local ingredients, our dinner menu and cocktails have been curated and catered by The Food Dudes. Executive Chef Adrian Niman founded The Food Dudes in 2007 and partnered with Chief Executive Officer Lindsay Klein in 2011 to build a world-class team of passionate professionals. Today, The Food Dudes is a distinguished industry leader and one of Toronto's most revered, innovative and adaptive catering and food service companies.

APPETIZER

Grilled Peach Salad | Grilled Ontario Peaches, Goat Cheese, Mint Pesto, Wild Arugula, Crispy Shallots

ENTRÉE

Prime Striploin | Summer Corn Puree, Ontario Seasonal Veg, Chimichurri, Kombu Demi Glace, Watermelon Radish Slaw, Leek Hay
Cauliflower Steak (Vegan & Gluten Free) | Black Garlic Glaze, Succotash, Spinach, Pumpkin Seed Romesco, Salsa Verde, Heirloom Herb Slaw, Puffed Rice

Dessert

Passed desserts, including:
Strawberry Lemon Pavlova | Lemon Curd, Strawberries, Mint Cress
Chocolate Bites | Chocolate Dense Cake, Cacao Nib Crunch
Raspberry Lychee Tart | Pastry Cream, Raspberry, Lychee Gel, Ruby Crunch
Creme Brulee Doughnut | Vanilla Pastry Cream, Caramelized Sugar

BEVERAGES

Nickel Brook Brewing Co. No Bad Daze | Easy Goin’ Lager
Nickel Brook Brewing Co. Naughty Neighbour | American Style Pale Ale
Southbrook | 2019 Triomphe Cabernet Franc
Southbrook | 2019 Triomphe Chardonnay
Nickel Brook Brewing Co. Citrus Paloma | Agave Spirit Cocktail
Blackberry Mocktail | Agave, Lemon Juice, Soda Water, Blackberries & Rosemary Garnish
Garden & Elderflower Tonic | Seedlip Garden, Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic, Cucumber
Non-Alcoholic | Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Soda Water, Tonic Water, Sparkling & Flat Water

Tonight's dinner experience is presented by:

Entertainment

GRIZZLY COAST
Cocktail reception performance

From the imaginative yet highly analytical mind of Alannah Kavanagh comes Grizzly Coast, the Toronto-based indie rock project with heavy-hitting lyrical narratives and instrumentation that compel listeners to think deeper. Formerly performing as an acoustic singer-songwriter, Grizzly Coast wears her expansion into full-band territory well, having toured her powerful and effervescent live show throughout Ontario and Alberta, including opening slots for Fast Romantics, Begonia, and Exclaim! magazine's Class of 2020. Grizzly Coast blends her trademark thoughtful lyricism with dreamy guitar rock sensibilities on her debut EP, Party of One.

HAYLEY VERRALL
Evening fireside performance

Hayley Verrall is a young and talented pop country artist from Burlington, Ontario, who is making waves in the music industry. Inspired by roots artists like Dolly Parton and Shania Twain and contemporary artists like Miranda Lambert and Gabby Barrett, Hayley's clear and distinct voice delivers thought-provoking observations and encouragement through her music. With over 150,000 streams and a new single called "I Guess That's Love," Hayley is quickly becoming a household name in the country music scene. In addition to her award-winning solo work, Hayley has opened shows for iconic musicians such as Dan Hill and Burton Cummings.