A group of 33 Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations are ready to return to “The Windy City” where they will explore and follow-up on business opportunities during Team Canada Atlantic’s second trade mission to Chicago, Illinois.
The names of the mission participants were announced today, and among them are four companies and organizations from Prince Edward Island. The Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) trade mission to Chicago is scheduled for October 2-6, 2005.
“With the launch of the Atlantic Investment Partnership – The Second Wave, the Government of Canada is investing in the region’s business climate through initiatives such as Team Canada Atlantic,” said the Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Team Canada Atlantic works for our businesses and this follow-up trade mission to Chicago will help participating companies further develop contacts and relationships established during the first mission in April. It will help our region to further build on its reputation as a growing exporter of quality goods and services.”
A recent survey of participants in the first TCA trade mission to Chicago in April 2005 revealed:
• 93 per cent of participants rated the mission as successful;
• 92 percent of participants indicated that they anticipate sales over the next two years as a result of the mission;
• 89 per cent said they planned to return to Chicago to further pursue the market; and
• 83 per cent indicated an interest to attend another TCA mission to the United States within the next two years.
“Our past success has clearly proven Chicago to be a key market for Island exporters,” said Minister Michael F. Currie, Prince Edward Island Minister of Development and Technology. “Participating Island companies will once again have the opportunity to explore innovative business ventures, establish new business relations, and meet with existing contacts in the Chicago area. The Province of Prince Edward Island is committed to providing Island exporters with needed support to maintain and increase their export capabilities.”
Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic provinces. Team Canada Atlantic is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.
Trade missions have been at the core of the Team Canada Atlantic approach since 1999. Ten trade missions to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago and have helped 329 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with more than 2,750 buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales of more than of $36 million.
Complete List of Participating Companies and Organizations:
Prince Edward Island:
Fiber Connections Inc. (Summerside); PEI Mussel King (Morell); Storemark Quality Fixtures (Pooles Corner); Vision Research Inc. (Charlottetown)
New Brunswick:
Computer Generated Solutions, Canada Ltd. (Saint John); Darro Seafood Inc. (Memramcook); Engage Interactive (Fredericton); GoSource (Moncton); Maritime Geothermal Ltd. (Petitcodiac); Marwood Ltd. (Fredericton); Ocean Pier Inc. (Scoudouc); Precision Metal Works, Ltd. (Mactaquac); Provinent Corporation (Fredericton); Son Management Inc. (Sackville)
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Compusult Limited (Mount Pearl); Dray Media Inc. (St. John’s); Elite Beverages Inc. (Port de Grave); Expro Industries (Corner Brook); iDance (St. John’s); Labrador Preserves (Forteau); Marine Farms Marketing Ltd. (St. Alban’s); Nearshore Atlantic (St. John’s); Ocean Choice International (St. John’s); RW Tiller Structural Engineering Inc. (St. John’s); Systems and Solutions Ltd. (St. John’s); Verafin Inc. (St. John’s)
Nova Scotia:
Eden Valley Farms, ACA Co-operative Ltd. (Kentville); Fundy Composites Limited (Cornwallis Park); IQUB/The Bitz (Sackville); LaHave Audio (Halifax); Maple Trade Finance Inc. (Halifax); Melody Mountain Maple Creations Canada International (Port Hawkesbury); Simunication Inc. (Halifax)
Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information.