The 72-km recreational trail is a safe and multi-functional community connection that crosses the entire United Counties of Prescott and Russell (just outside of Ottawa), from Hammond in the west to St-Eugène in the east. The trail offers a relatively flat, pleasant and accessible route for the whole family with agricultural and wooded landscapes, dotted with charming little villages across five municipalities. In summer, it's available for a bike ride, walk or run and in winter snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing.

Eric has led workshops on media training and engagement across North America over the past decade, training more than 350 professionals. He has also done work with some of the top advocacy brands in Canada, in both official languages.

Efficient Coaching Inc brings together three of Eric's biggest passions: teaching, people and fitness.ChiRunning combines the principles of tai chi while teaching proper running biomechanics. It simply goes back to basics, moving the way we used to when we were kids. It’s a great way to get started as a runner and if you’re experienced, to simply improve your technique. Everything in ChiRunning goes back to the guiding principles of energy efficiency and injury prevention. As a certified ChiRunning® & running injury prevention specialist, a Clydesdale athlete, a former Race Director & Spinning® instructor, Eric Collard brings a diverse approach to coaching triathlon. He truly believes that being efficient and effective makes sure you get to the finish line and you cross it with a smile!Eric is one of 11 certified ChiRunning instructors in Canada and has taught the technique to more than 800 people from coast to coast over the past 10 years. He is also an NCCP-certified triathlon coach, a Running Injury Prevention Specialist and a lululemon Alumni Running Ambassador. Eric has recently expanded his repertoire to include golf fitness. He's continuing his functional fitness journey by including a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Fitness Professional designation to his resume. TPI is all about learning how the body works in the golf swing and how physical limitations can be addressed.For more information, you can simply check out his site at www.ecinc.ca or better yet, contact him at info@ecinc.ca. He also blogs and speaks regularly on running and related subjects on his site.

Helping clients, typically small and medium organizations, with their communications and advocacy needs through strategic advice, positioning and coaching.

#WellnessWednesdays is a podcast with 75+episodes looking at the entire wellness sphere, from sleep to dealing with depression and the impact of bees!I interviewed some of Canada's and the world's experts on a variety of topics. I also produced all the episodes and got outside help on the audio aspects.Most episodes hover around the 30-minute mark, perfect for a short commute. They are available on most podcasting platforms.

Ottawa Media Group (OMG) brings together close to 20 dynamic community leaders and experts in all areas of communications and media. The goal with co-founder Kimothy Walker, formerly of CTV Ottawa, was to create a company that provided one-stop shopping for local and national clients. OMG'ers mean business and have fun doing it!OMG specializes in media training, marketing and awareness campaigns and video production. We provide quality services at affordable rates. Clients span the entire spectrum, from high tech to not-for-profit sectors.Ottawa Media Group is very proud to have a bilingual team of communications experts who believe in giving back to their communities and in making our world a better place, one project at a time.

I helped the wonderful media relations and strategic communications team at TSB for a period of time on an as-needed basis. I prepared news releases and provided media training for major issues and events including the Watchlist 2014 and the OC Transpo/VIA investigation. In addition, I acted as a spokesperson for the organization on numerous occasions.I also managed and reported on social media accounts such as Twitter, Flickr and YouTube and used Hootsuite extensively.

#YOWInsights Business Summit is all about bringing together top business minds in the area and beyond, to provide tangible education and fun business networking opportunities.We've had more than 200 people through the doors during the first four events. The 5th edition is slated for Friday, October 27 at Zibi.Learn what different companies are doing to innovate and keep their business edge. Stay for the best networking event of the spring, a true VIP reception with a cross-section of industry leaders.

Eric led all aspects of the recent #CutMyCommute national engagement campaign for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. He organized bureaucrats and politicians and worked with Big City Mayors Caucus members with an emphasis on the social media and online engagement platforms. The campaign involved over 3000 people from coast to coast to coast, rallying the troops behind the municipal sector’s need for long-term planning and infrastructure funding.He also worked on issue management & strategy for the national advocacy organization and led all aspects of media relations for board meetings, report releases and conferences. His role also included advising senior management on communications issues and providing media training for staff and politicians, while hosting and organizing national media briefings in both official languages.

In a volunteer capacity, Eric spearheaded the efforts for the CTV Presents the Amazing People Gala in support of SchoolBOX. With direct involvement in fundraising, sponsorship and event management, Eric pulled together a team to make it a night to remember. Eric and CTV Ottawa's Kimothy Walker were the masters of ceremony.The inaugural AP Gala took place in 2011. Over 500 people were in attendance on the magical night in the Trillium Ballroom at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The Gala honoured 50 community members featured in CTV’s Amazing People segments, while also raising close to $50,000 for SchoolBOX to build a school in Nicaragua.A local component included school visits done by SchoolBOX officials in the Ottawa area to sensitive children to the issues faced in developing countries. In addition, the local community, particularly youth, will be challenged and empowered to fundraise and potentially participate in a school build.Through the first three editions close to $250,000 was raised, enough to build six schools in Nicaragua with the involvement of local people including youth scholarship recipients and some work was done in Kenya as well. We also celebrated more than 120 Amazing People and had close to 1500 guests in attendance.

Eric is a seasoned communications and engagement professional, with close to 15 years of experience in government, NGO's and the private sector. When he’s not giving workshops or presenting at conferences, he’s concentrating on helping organizations of all shapes and sizes navigate the new online realities, from social media to crowdsourcing/crowdfunding to online engagement. He's an engaging presenter and has spoken across North America on various subjects since 2010.Throughout his career he has hosted many functions, from TweetUps to small technical briefings and national press conferences. He has facilitated and helped record sessions for numerous clients and consulted for a variety of clients including the City of Ottawa, Transport Canada, Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Service Canada on stakeholder relations, consultation and engagement.Eric is fluently bilingual in English and French and has worked with a wide range of clients, including federal departments and agencies, municipal sector, and associations.

Worked on national food safety communication strategies including the listeria outbreak file, the Product of Canada/Organics labeling and in the national media relations office.

Accumulated extensive experience with crisis management teams including the Lebanon Evacuation, union negotiations and the Auditor General's reports. Managed over 7500 requests from media per year while providing advice to senior staff & developing messaging on a variety of issues and releases.In charge of hundreds of media events involving City staff, the Mayor & Councillors as well as many Ministers and dignitaries.Managed an external event communications contract with two assigned staff.Designed, implemented and provided a comprehensive media training program, with over 20 training sessions to 80 senior city officials in 2006 alone.Served as a bilingual City spokesperson on many occasions.Recipient of two City of Ottawa Team Achievement Awards

Serviced the local media, wrote news releases, web content & publications, while promoting our 450+ student-athletes to the masses as primary contact for 17 teams.Supervised a staff of over; In charge of the media centre for the CIS Track & Field National Championships.

-Jack of all trades!

Provided website updates, media relations services, research and statistics.Drafted press releases and monthly newsletters.Lead the production of the media guide for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Given regular reporting duties, writing an average of 10 articles per week.Accumulated first-hand experience in various professional settings, while honing my writing skills.Specialized in sports coverage and photography, even covered the last LPGA Major in Canada, the 2000 DuMaurier Classic.