Long before there were traffic jams, there were logjams. The Ottawa River was the city’s busiest route, carrying the timber that helped build Ottawa’s early economy.

On Wednesday, business leaders returned to those same waters for the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Business on the River cruise, held in celebration of Ottawa’s 200th anniversary.

Attendees cooled off with ice cream from The Merry Dairy truck before boarding an Ottawa Boat Cruise vessel in Gatineau. Once everyone was aboard, it was anchors aweigh.

Passengers included Prescott—Russell—Cumberland MP Giovanna Mingarelli, Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King and Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs, leading OBOT president and CEO Sueling Ching to joke, “Everybody be on your best behaviour.”

For OBOT past board chair Brendan McGuinty, the setting offered more than scenic views. It was a reminder that the region’s story began with entrepreneurs, not politicians.

From left, Brendan McGuinty, past board chair of the Ottawa Board of Trade (OBOT), alongside Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs and Shawn Hamilton, principal at Proveras Commercial Realty, during OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Sueling Ching, president and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade, welcomed passengers to OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise, held Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Altis Recruitment & Technology owner and co-founder Kathryn Tremblay alongside Shirley Westeinde, president of Westeinde Properties, and real estate professional and investor Jenniffer Alvarenga, co-founder of GoodStory RE/MAX Hallmark Ottawa Real Estate, during the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Business on the River networking cruise. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Linda Grussani and her husband, Ottawa city councillor Rawlson King, participated in the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Business on the River networking cruise before dashing off to a diplomatic garden party hosted by the Irish ambassador. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Julie Beun, managing director of communications and public relations at CAA North & East Ontario; real estate agent Tammy Laverty (Royal LePage Team Realty); Lynn Ferron, principal interior designer in HOK’s Ottawa office; and Jane Bolger, business development and office interiors consultant at Art Woods Office Supplies, participated in the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Business on the River networking cruise. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, former technology entrepreneur-turned-Liberal MP Giovanna Mingarelli, who represents the Prescott—Russell—Cumberland riding, and Ottawa Board of Trade president and CEO Sueling Ching during OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise, held Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa International Airport Authority CEO Susan Margles with Krista Kealey, vice president of communications and public consultation, as well as a board director with the Ottawa Board of Trade, and Michel Boyer, director of stakeholder engagement, during OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise, held Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Board of Trade formed in 1857, the same year Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital of the Province of Canada and a full decade ahead of Canada’s Confederation. The association was founded when Ottawa was still very much a lumber town.

“We’re here on the river where we floated millions of logs over the years,” McGuinty told CiTC. “It was the business community that was driving the economy. The federal public service came after.”

Nearly 170 years later, OBOT continues to serve as an independent voice for Ottawa’s business community, said newly elected board chair Hugh Gorman, CEO of Colonnade BridgePort. He said what excites him most about his new role is the opportunity to collaborate with other business leaders.

The non-profit organization works closely with all levels of government and other organizations, including Invest Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism “to make Ottawa a better place to do business, to live, for visitors to come to,” said the real estate executive, who was named Ottawa’s CEO of the Year in 2026.

Gorman officially became board chair on June 18. Not content with one new challenge, he completed a Half Ironman in Mont-Tremblant just days later.

Gorman believes Ottawa is finding its stride and becoming more confident about its future. “We’re building some swagger,” he said.

From left, Ottawa Board of Trade board chair Hugh Gorman alongside Jérémie Emond, senior director of business development in the defence sector for Pomerleau, Martin Barakengera, director of integrated land and transportation planning at the National Capital Commission, and OBOT vice chair Julie Lupinacci, chief customer officer at Hydro Ottawa, during OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Shawn Hamilton, principal at Proveras Commercial Realty, said he’s far more optimistic about Ottawa’s future than he was a year ago. “I’m feeling that things are starting to gel. There is cohesion.”

He pointed to Canada’s expanding defence sector as one sign that Ottawa is entering a new phase of economic growth.

Hamilton added that the local business community remains “on tenterhooks” over whether the new Canada-led Defence, Security and Resilience Bank will be based in Ottawa. The multinational institution is being created by a coalition of allied countries to help finance defence and security projects as governments increase defence spending amid rising geopolitical tensions.

He also singled out The Ottawa Hospital’s new health-care campus, saying its future impact may be “the most underreported story” in the city.

“We’re on a collision course of positivity,” said Hamilton, who’s part of OBOT’s Capital Build Task Force and chair of the LeBreton Flats Subcommittee.

Veronica Farmer, chief marketing officer at Wesley Clover International and a member of OBOT’s economic development committee, shared his optimism.

“We have such great leadership at so many levels, with so many organizations,” said Farmer. “It feels like the alignment is right.”

From left, Erin Benjamin, executive vice-president of advocacy and strategy for the Ottawa Board of Trade, Wesley Clover International chief marketing officer Veronica Farmer, OBOT vice-chair and Hydro Ottawa chief customer officer Julie Lupinacci, and Duane Francis, portfolio manager, senior financial advisor and branch manager at Capital Wealth Partners/Mandeville Private Client, strike a playful pose after chatting about Francis’s former involvement in a charity boxing event. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The evening’s charitable partner was Perley Health, whose foundation supports one of Canada’s largest centres for seniors and veterans. Foundation CEO Delphine Haslé told guests that Perley Health is home to about 600 seniors and veterans, supported by 900 staff and 450 volunteers. Beyond long-term care, the organization also provides services that help older adults remain in their homes while advancing research into healthy aging.

“Our vision is pretty bold and simple in some ways: we are saying that veterans and seniors should live with joy, belonging and connection, no matter what their age,” she said, noting that by 2035, one in five Ottawans will be 65 or older. “Seniors are going to be part of the growth, and when we’re talking about growth strategy, it’s really important to include them.”

From left, Dan MacMillan, wealth advisor at BMO Nesbitt Burns, and his wife, Jenny Chen, CEO of Catalais Consulting, and Delphine Haslé, CEO of Perley Health Foundation, and her husband, Fred Haslé, senior account technical manager at Amazon Web Services, were part of the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Business on the River networking cruise. Photo by Caroline Phillips

For OBOT ambassador Jeff Snyder, the cruise was an example of the organization’s ability to build business relationships while strengthening the community.

“Ottawa Board of Trade events are always excellent for networking and promoting business,” said Snyder, vice-president of sales and solutions at Capital Office Interiors. “I’ve had great conversations with people I already know and met plenty of new faces. These events really promote friendliness and Ottawa pride.”

The evening also offered a different perspective on familiar landmarks, he added.

“I’m embarrassed to say I’ve lived in Ottawa for 30 years. I’m always biking or walking along the river, but I’d never been on this cruise before. I love it. The views are fantastic.”

Other OBOT board members in attendance included vice chair Julie Lupinacci (Hydro Ottawa) and Krista Kealey (Ottawa International Airport Authority), along with two new board directors, Chris Bison (Escape Manor) and Brandon Bignell (BDO Canada), the latter of whom dressed not for a summer river cruise but for a walk-in freezer. He’d forgotten about the boat cruise when he was getting ready that morning.

“My office is freezing cold, so I dressed warm,” he said with a laugh.

From left, Brandon Bignell (BDO Canada) and Chris Bison (Escape Manor) recently joined as board directors of the Ottawa Board of Trade. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Some 200 attendees took part in the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Business on the River networking cruise, held Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Jeff Snyder, vice president of sales and solutions at Capital Office Interiors, and Christian Robillard, manager of business development for the Ottawa Board of Trade, during OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise, held Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Michel Boyer, director of stakeholder engagement for the Ottawa International Airport Authority, in conversation with his friend, former Ottawa CEO of the Year Kathryn Tremblay, during OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Delphine Haslé, CEO of Perley Health Foundation, was invited to speak during the Ottawa Board of Trade networking boat cruise about the work that her organization does to help veterans and seniors. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Katrin Spencer, vice president of strategy and business development at Perley Health, and Shawna Newberry, chief marketing officer for Ottawa Rapid FC, during OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise, held Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Tara Shannon, executive director of Ottawa Festival Network, holds up the backpack of prizes she won from TD Insurance while standing alongside Tennille Jago, special event sales manager at HISTORY Ottawa, during OBOT’s Business on the River networking cruise. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WEALTH (WCPD), Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law and Prime Benefits Group.

hello@carolineinthecapital.ca