Manitoba's Top Employers

MANITOBA'S TOP 25 EMPLOYERS 2015 23 T ocompeteinthebusinessofdeliveringworld-class sports and entertainment, you need a dedicated and talented team with a shared commitment to service excellence. Embracing that key concept hasprovenextremelysuccessfulforTrueNorthSportsand EntertainmentLimited,currentlyinits10thyearofoperation attheMTSCentre,andoneofManitoba'sTop25Employers for2014. Qualified employees whose skill sets can vary widely – ranging from building operations, security, corporate and ticket sales and service, hockey operations, sales and marketing,eventandvenuemanagement,supportservices and more – may not seem like the main attractions in this competitivefieldbutatTrueNorth,theyarethehiddenstars of the show. More than 190 full-time employees and 900 part-time event staff make things happen at True North where,everydayandateveryevent,thewholeoperationis asumofitstalentedparts. "TrueNorthisnotatraditionalbusinessthatmanufactures orsellsatangibleproduct,ratherweareinthebusinessof providingexperiencesinthevenueswemanage."saidJohn Olfert,TrueNorthexecutivevice-presidentandCOO."When you distil it down, True North is a collection of venues and atalentedgroupofpeoplemotivatedtoprovideexceptional experiences for our patrons – regardless of whether it's a WinnipegJetsgame,aconcertatMTSCentreorTheBurton Cummings Theatre, a game or practice at MTS Iceplex or engagingyoungpeoplethroughourfoundation'sprograms. To this end, our strategy is one of reinvestment in our buildings and our people. Without the level of commitment from each individual the results wouldn't be what they are, andforthatwearehumbledandgrateful." AsanorganizationTrueNorthmanagesandoperatesthe Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club (WJHC), the AHL's St. John's IceCaps, the MTS Centre, the MTS Iceplex and recently took on operating responsibility for the Burton Cummings Theatre. The Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation (WJTNF) is the charitable arm of True North and WJHC andrecentlyassumedoperationsofCampManitoulocated inHeadingley. True North's public profile is an advantage in attracting excellent candidates, but certainly not one it takes for granted.Thecompanyoffersattractivetotalcompensation, including a generous benefits package and retirement savings plan, subsidized professional development, opportunities to attend events and free membership in its own fully-equipped public fitness centres at both MTS CentreandMTSIceplex. This fall, True North launched a more intentional Health and Wellness Program, responding to the reality that the sportsandentertainmentindustryistaxingonitsemployees, given the demands of day-to-day business and operating eventsatitsvenuesthatmostoftenhappenoneveningsand weekends.Toassistinimprovingpersonalhealthandwork- lifebalance,recentinitiativesincludeupgradestotheonsite staff gym, reimbursement to employees for health-related expensesand an onsite Health and WellnessCo-ordinator whoisalsoafitnesstrainerandathletictherapist. The company recently introduced a BMI Challenge for employees, incorporating 'healthy competition' with cross-departmental teams working to bring down group BMI measurements with prizes and incentives. Perhaps due to the nature of the business they are in, True North staff gravitate to teamwork, competition and fun – and the organization seeks to leverage this both at work and atplay. "Promoting health and wellness is a tangible way to show our staff that we care about their well-being," said DawnHaus,TrueNorth'svice-president,humanresources. "Although it is in the early stages of our new initiatives, a greater awareness of healthy lifestyle choices has been noticedthroughtheorganization." While True North demonstrates its appreciation for the teamwork that makes it tick, the company's customers are alsorecognizingtheTrueNorthteam'sgoodwork.TheMTS CentreremainsoneofNorthAmerica'sbusiestentertainment venues;theMTSIceplexcontinuestosee600,000patrons comethroughitsdoorsannually;responsesfrompatronsat the Burt are favourable; and campers, hockey players and studentsengagedintheWJTNF'sprogramsareindividually andcollectivelygettingthesuperiorpatronexperiencethat TrueNorthaspirestoprovide. "The favourable response to our efforts has been encouraging and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team of full-time, part-time, event staff and partner service providers," said Olfert. "Collectively, we will continue to work together to ensure Manitobans receive the quality service and world-class entertainment experience that they have come to expect fromTrueNorth." ByNancyBoomerforTheFreePress TRUENORTHSPORTSANDENTERTAINMENTLTD. Dedicated,talentedteambehindTrueNorth'ssuccess TrueNorthstaff andmanagement. TrueNorthphoto CELEBRATING10YEARS OFWORLDCLASSSPORTS&ENTERTAINMENT PROUDTOBEONEOF MANITOBA'STOP25EMPLOYERS

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