2024 Holiday I Event Hosts & Venue
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George Neil | Our Sponsor & Host
George was born in Hamilton and raised in the Burlington-Hamilton area. He attended both McMaster University and Mohawk College. Following graduation, George began his career in aerospace and has since held progressive leadership roles in sales and management across various industries, including aerospace, power generation, oil & gas, and nuclear. His career has taken him around the globe, where he has developed new customer relationships and provided both new and long-standing clients with honest and attentive service.
With 35 years of experience in sales within complex and competitive markets, combined with his deep understanding of homes and the local neighborhood, George is well-equipped to ensure that your real estate needs are met with the highest level of skill and dedication. He is an accomplished Broker at Judy Marsales Real Estate, Locke Street office in Hamilton.
George is a proud resident of Southwest Hamilton, specifically the designated heritage area of the Durand neighborhood, where he and his family have lived for over 22 years. His extensive knowledge of the area, the market, and the challenges and opportunities associated with investing in Hamilton’s diverse architectural properties is invaluable.
In addition to his professional expertise, George has a keen interest in golf, automobiles, art and home renovations.
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The Venue I 29 Markland St., Hamilton
A bit of history: The house was built for Florence and George Hope in 1924-25. Mr. Hope, born in London in 1846, moved to Hamilton and worked for Buchanan, Hope & Co. before he moved to Montreal in 1866. Hope returned to Hamilton in 1883 to join his father's hardware firm of Adam Hope & Co. and retired in 1909. In 1911, he married widow Mrs. Florence L. Greening, who moved from her home on Sandyford Place. In 1916, Hope became the president of Hamilton Provident and Loan Corporation. He died at his residence in Dec. 1933 and the house was sold in 1948.
According to an article in 1933 edition of Canadian Home and Garden, the architect of the house was Leslie B. Husband and the landscape architect was Arthur Kruse. The architectural firm of Husband & Robertson operated in Hamilton from 1922 to approximately 1969.
The current owners of this magnificent property are George and Susan Neil, who reside in the home with their family for over 25 years. They are our Hosts / Sponsors for Holiday event.
SOCIAL SPACE will curate the home with original & fine artwork from Hamilton's finest artists - Refer to the "Artist" page for full details.
Portion of sales donated to Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. Learn more below.
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Susan Neil | Our Host
Susan Neil serves as the President of Hanscomb, where she directs and shapes the company's Canadian and global operations.
With a vast and distinguished career, Susan has led numerous projects encompassing traditional design stage cost planning and control services and extensive involvement in preparing, analysing, and certifying costs for public infrastructure and Public Private Partnership (P3) developments.
Regarded as one of Canada's top Cost Consultants, Susan has overseen multibillion-dollar projects in Ontario's public and private sectors. Her expertise in navigating the capital planning requirements of various ministries, Crown Corporations, and agencies and her exceptional presentation skills make her a sought-after advisor for clients.
Susan is actively involved in various initiatives aimed at advancing Quantity Surveying as a profession and a service and was a Part-Time Faculty member at Mohawk College and Ryerson University, now Toronto Metropolitan University, where she taught 'Building Economics, Project Cost Planning, and Control Systems.' Additionally, she has contributed as a guest lecturer at the University of Waterloo's School of Architecture for several years.
Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts
Since its revival, Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts (HCA) has evolved into a vibrant, all-encompassing arts education facility offering over 100 programs for individuals of all ages. Beyond education, HCA’s charitable arm, Arts For All, is committed to providing arts education to young people across Hamilton, irrespective of financial circumstances. Additionally, HCA serves as a hub for professional arts activities, hosting events such as the Performing Arts Sunday Series via the professional charitable arm HCA Dance + Theatre.
Portion of sales donated to HCA - Arts for All programs.