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KPMG throws big party in stunning new O’Born Room at National Arts Centre

Reception draws 350 guests, celebrates theme of 'service' to businesses and broader community

June 6, 2018

It should be called the Ooh! Born Room, so dazzling is the National Arts Centre’s new event space named after Janice and Earle O’Born, the philanthropic couple from Toronto who donated $1.5 million to the performing arts centre last year.

The impressive venue, with its soaring windows and expansive views of some of Ottawa’s most iconic buildings, was where professional services firm KPMG chose to host a big party Tuesday for more than 350 clients, staff, alumni, retired partners and friends of the firm.

Best of all — from the perspective of this camera-toting social columnist — everyone wore name tags that specified their business or organization

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Jane Brydges, president and owner of Brydges and Associates, at a reception hosted by KPMG in the new O'Born Room of the newly renovated National Arts Centre on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The O’Borns, who are KPMG clients, were forced to make a late arrival after their train got delayed that day. Janice is chair of the NAC Foundation board while Earle is founder and chairman of the Printing House Ltd.

On hand to welcome guests was KPMG’s Ottawa managing partner Grant McDonald, who’s also chair of the NAC Foundation Finance Committee. KPMG Canada’s CEO and senior partner, Elio Luongo, was seen mingling in the crowd, as was regional managing partner Mario Paron.

The reception celebrated the contributions made over the years by those people associated with KPMG.

“Tonight, our theme is really about service,” McDonald told OBJ.social. “Really everything we do, whether it’s in the business community or philanthropic community, is all about service.”

Guests included Mayor Jim Watson, who called KPMG a “great community partner”; Coun. Allan Hubley, who’s chair of the city’s audit committee; and Orléans MP Andrew Leslie, parliamentary secretary to the foreign affairs minister on Canada-U.S. relations.

Also spotted were Adrian Burns, chair of the National Arts Centre board, Invest Ottawa CEO Michael Tremblay, Algonquin College president Cheryl Jensen, NAC Foundation CEO Jayne Watson, NAV Canada CEO Neil Wilson, as well as foreign diplomats. Former U.S. ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, who happened to be in town, dropped in a little later.