The Honourable Don MacKinnon, Minister of Development, announced today the Small Business Week activities in which the Department of Development and Enterprise PEI will be participating. Small Business Week will be held this year from October 24-30, 1999.
"Small businesses play a significant role in driving our economy on Prince Edward Island," stated Minister MacKinnon. "Small Business Week is an opportunity to provide Island business operators with due recognition, celebrating their significant role in bolstering the Island economy and contributing to employment on Prince Edward Island."
In PEI alone, there are more than 6,000 registered businesses, 90 percent of which are considered small business. Small business on PEI is defined as any company that has less than $1-million in sales and fewer than 10 employees.
"Because small business is such a significant contributor to our economy, it's important to provide these entrepreneurs with information and networking opportunities to help them continue to grow and succeed in provincial, national and international markets," said Minister MacKinnon.
The Minister will be speaking at a variety of functions across the province throughout the week. To begin Small Business Week, Minister MacKinnon will attend a kick-off breakfast hosted by the Summerside Chamber of Commerce on Monday morning.
Below is the Small Business Week schedule of events that Minister MacKinnon, as well as staff from the Department of Development and Enterprise PEI, will be attending. For further details regarding the schedule of events, please contact Lori Pendleton, Director, Business Expansion, Enterprise PEI at (902) 368-5963.
Small Business Week - Schedule of Events
Monday, October 25:
Small Business Week Kick-Off Breakfast, "Boosting Productivity, " Location: Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club, Summerside, Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Tickets: $10/person Contact GSCC Office (902) 436-9651.
"Maximizing the Internet for You" - Charlottetown, four 1-hour free sessions, REGISTRATION REQUIRED, Canada/PEI Business Service Centre, 1-800-668-1010.
Business Mixer -- Convention Centre, Montague, Time: 7:00 p.m. Guest Speaker on "Exporting." Contact Lora Kemp at (902) 838-0643 or Melody Beck at (902) 838-0618.
Tuesday, October 26th:
Seminar -" An Introduction to Exporting," Charlottetown Hotel, Kent Street ($25 includes lunch), Time: 8:30 - 4:00 p.m. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Contact: Sheila Corcoran at (902) 566-7407 or 1-800-871-2596.
Chamber of Commerce Business Mixer, West Prince - Bloomfield. Contact: Julie Matthews at (902) 859-8860 or Brian Keefe at (902) 888-8006.
Wednesday, October 27th:
Seminar - "An introduction to exporting," Loyalist Inn, Summerside ($25 includes lunch), Time: 8:30- 4:00 p.m. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Contact: Sheila Corcoran at (902) 566-7407 or 1-800-871-2596.
Business Luncheon, Lotus Garden, Kensington, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Guest Speaker - Topic: Marketing/exporting, cost of $5. Contact: Cheryl Garnhum at (902) 888-8000 or Brian Keefe at (902) 888-8006.
Business Mixer - Guest Speaker on Exporting, Rollo Bay Inn, Rollo Bay, Time: 7:00 p.m. Contact: Todd King at (902) 687-7082 or Sheila Stewart at 687-7083.
Gr. Summerside Chamber of Commerce, 6th Annual Business Excellence Awards. Location: Loyalist Country Inn, Summerside, Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $35/person. Contact: GSCC Office, (902) 436-9651.
Thursday, October 28th:
Business Mixer - Charlottetown Hotel, Kent Street, Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Contact: GCACC Office, (902) 628-2000.
Celebration: "I want to be a Millionaire Program," Royal Canadiann Legion, Kensington, Time: 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Contact: Central Dev. Corp. at (902) 887-3400.
Friday, October 29th: Open House - Canada/PEI Business Service Centre, Fitzroy at Queen, Charlottetown, Time 12:00 - 2:00 pm, Canada/PEI BSC Expands Services. Contact: Sheila Bolger at (902) 358-0702 or 1-800-668-1010.
Evangeline Region Business Mixer, Le Village, Mount Carmel, Time 7:00PM, Guest speaker: Hon. Don MacKinnon, PEI Minister of Development. Contact: Wilfred Arsenault at (902) 854-3459. Societe de developpement de la Baie acadienne.
ALSO: November 1 & 2 - Seminars on Internet Marketing featuring Susan Sweeney, author of "101 Ways to Promote your Website." Registration required. Contact Lori Pendleton, Enterprise PEI at (902) 368-5963 or register On-Line at www.connexnetwork.com
Check BDC Website: www.bdc.ca for daily updates.