The following is being distributed at the request of the Nova Scotia Department of Education, Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development:

Finalists named for entrepreneurship awards

Twenty-two finalists have been chosen for Atlantic Canada's newest entrepreneurship awards, the Planet Entrepreneur Awards.

Exceptional young entrepreneurs, their teachers and supporters will be honoured at a ceremony on Friday, May 5, at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax.

"More than 120 nominations were received from across Atlantic Canada. Each nomination tells the story of a special person with drive, commitment, creativity and perseverance," said Chris Curtis, chief entrepreneurship officer with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED). "Congratulations to each and every one of them. They are all creating a positive impact on the spirit of entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canada, and they are shaping the future of their communities and provinces at the same time."

Awards are being presented in nine categories: New Media, Film and the Arts; Entrepreneurship and Technology; Innovation; Service Excellence; Supporter of Young Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year; Student Entrepreneur of the Year; and YES Entrepreneur of the Year. The overall Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award will also be presented.

The awards are part of The Spirit of Entrepreneurship 2000, a mega-entrepreneurship conference being held from Tuesday, May 2, to Saturday, May 6, in Halifax. Presented by CEED, the conference is expected to be one of the largest information and networking events of its kind for entrepreneurship .

Award sponsors include Atlantic Progress Publishing Ltd.; CBC-TV; Royal Bank Financial Group; the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; Human Resources Development Canada; the Canadian Intellectual Properties Office (Industry Canada); Nova Scotia Economic Development; the Nova Scotia Department of Education; and CEED.

Profiles of each of the finalists, along with conference program and registration information are available online at www.planetentrepreneur.com .

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Twenty-two finalists have been chosen for Atlantic Canada's newest entrepreneurship awards. The Planet Entrepreneur Awards will be held in Halifax on Friday, May 5th. Exceptional young entrepreneurs, their teachers and supporters will be honoured at a ceremony at the World Trade and Convention Centre. Awards are being presented in nine categories, with an overall Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award to be presented.

The awards are part of The Spirit of Entrepreneurship 2000, one of the largest conferences of its kind, being held in Halifax from May 2nd to May 6th.

Profiles of each of the finalists, along with conference information, are available online at www.planetentrepreneur.com .

Contact:

Mary Jane Fumerton
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development
(902) 424-8758
E-mail: fumertmj@ednet.ns.ca

NOTE TO EDITORS: An alphabetical list of award finalists by last name, their home towns, business names and the award category and categories for which they are nominated appears below. Profiles of the finalists are available at www.planetentrepreneur.com .

2000 Planet Entrepreneur Awards Finalists

Donovan, George
Moncton, N.B.
GameAgents Corp.
New Media, Film and the Arts
Entrepreneurship and Technology
Innovation

Doyle, PatrickHalifax, N.S.
OPTICALLY Artistic VIDEO Ltd.
New Media, Film and the Arts

Etheridge, Murray and Mark
Miramichi, N.B.
Silver Fox Developments Inc.
Entrepreneurship and Technology

Firth, Jason
Grand Lake, N.S.
Golf East
Service Excellence

Forrestall, Frank and Diana
Dartmouth, N.S.
RDA Studio Animation
New Media, Film and the Arts

Haliburton, Matt
Shelburne, N.S.
Shelburne Regional High School
Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year

Holleman, Matthew
Waterville N.S.
YES Award
Student Entrepreneur of the Year

Mathis, Chris and Nancy
Fredericton, N.B.
Mathis Instruments
Entrepreneurship and Technology
Innovation

MacIssac, Chris
Isaacs Harbour, N.S.
Chris' Little Shop
YES Award

MacKinnon, Jake
Halifax, N.S.
Roadrunner Rickshaw Services
YES Award
Student Entrepreneur of the Year

McKellar, Scott
Dartmouth, N.S.
Nova Scotia Community College -Akerley Campus
Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year

McMullen, Michael
Dutch Brook, N.S.
McMullen's Landscaping
YES Award

Miles, Justin
St. Teresa's, Nfld.
J.P. Computers
Service Excellence

Moules, Jonathan
Shelburne, N.S.
Jonathan's Lawn Care
Student Entrepreneur of the Year
Service Excellence

Shaw Weeks, Tanya
Dartmouth, N.S.
Unique Patterns Design Ltd/Virtually Yours Inc.
Supporter of Young Entrepreneurs

Smillie, Leticia
Halifax, N.S.
Green Tornados Cleaning Company Ltd.
Innovation

Sullivan, Rachel
Antigonish, N.S.
St. Francis Xavier University Enterprise Development Centre
Supporter of Young Entrepreneurs

Watson, Gordon
Dartmouth, N.S.
Ellenvale Junior High School
Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year

Woodside, Connie
Fredericton, N.B.
Junior Achievement of Fredericton
Supporter of Young Entrepreneurs

2000 04 27                                                     3:00 p.m.