Urban Mixer Blog

On Thursday the 27th of September, Tom Flanagan, former campaign manager for the Conservative Party of Canada and mentor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid a visit to the OPUS Hotel to launch his new book as well as to speak about his party’s path to power.

The event, organized by the Fraser Institute as part of the Behind the Spin: Fraser@OPUS , had senior representatives from a number of businesses to stop by and hear what Tom had to say. The Fraser Institute’s next installment at OPUS Hotel is a debate about ‘The Role of Government in Funding Arts & Culture’ between Maestro Bramwell Tovey of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Elizabeth Nickson formerly of the National Post on the 23rd of October.

Check out the original release after the jump or click HERE to register.

Behind the Spin: Fraser@OPUS

Building on the tremendous success of our spring series, we are pleased to bring you another season of cool cocktails, tasty tapas, and lively discussion. We’re confident that you will leave these events inspired by the speakers and intellectually stimulated by the audience - viewing today’s issues with new perspective! Our receptions, limited in size and always sold out well in advance, offer you unique and exclusive access to the opinion-makers whose leadership on key topics informs the news and public debate.

Please join us for one or all of these evenings and enjoy cool cocktails, tapas, and a lively discussion hosted by Leah Costello at one of Vancouver’s hottest lounges.

New this season we also bring you an opportunity to dine with the speakers after the event in a luxurious salon-style private setting - ensuring the conversation continues well into the evening!

Thank you to our sponsors:

• National Post
• Business in Vancouver
• INFAMOUS Magazine
• Vancouver View
• The Yaletown Business Improvement Association

Fall 2007 Event Series

Harper’s Team: Behind the Scenes in the Conservative Rise to Power*
with Tom Flanagan, former Campaign Manager, Conservative Party of Canada
*Official Vancouver Book Launch
Thursday, September 27, 2007 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Private citizen Stephen Harper rose quickly to power in five short years, with Tom Flanagan as his chief organizer for most of that period. In his new tell-all book, Flanagan explains how their small team brought down Paul Martin and the Liberals. Combining his forty years as an academic political scientist with five years of on-the-ground hard work, Flanagan will give us a rare “insider’s view” of how campaigns are planned, organized, managed, and paid for. With this unique perspective on how to win power in Canada, what should we expect to see in the months ahead?

Debate: The Role of Government in Funding Arts & Culture
with Elizabeth Nickson, former Columnist, The National Post
and Maestro Bramwell Tovey, Music Director, The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Fierce, bold and always controversial, Elizabeth Nickson is an award-winning journalist known for her high-profile interviews and candid opinions. A lover of the arts herself, she is a huge opponent to government-sanctioned “official culture”. Find out why she believes we must decommission the Canada Council along with other organizations responsible for funding.

Bramwell Tovey is one of our city’s most beloved leaders in the arts community. He has created thousands of followers by sharing his passion for music and those who bring it to us. With a charming personality and engaging intellect, he will paint a compelling pitch for society’s role in supporting our institutions.

Truly SiCKO: Canada’s Ailing Healthcare System
with Rick Baker, Founder, Timely Medical Alternatives (along with other invited speakers TBC)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 5:30 - 7:30 pm

There are over 750,000 Canadians currently on the waiting list for referrals or medical procedures. Timely Medical Alternatives profits by helping some of them “leave the queue” by getting them treatment in private clinics in Canada or in US hospitals. Founder Rick Baker is causing waves of controversy wherever he goes and garnering media attention across North America. In fact, John Stossel of ABC’s 20/20 has recently featured him in an hour-long documentary on healthcare reform. Some say he’s a man with a passion for patients but some say he’s destroying the system Canadians hold dear. What do you think?

Register today for all three!

Where
The OPUS Lounge (Yaletown)
322 Davie Street
*Valet parking available
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada