NLIS 8
October 10, 2001
(Industry, Trade and Rural Development)
Interest in Rural EXPO is strong
Exhibit space is fully booked, more than 80 nominations have been received for government's first annual Community Economic Development Awards, and upwards of 500 people are expected to converge on Gander for Rural EXPO 2001, scheduled for October 25 to 27.
Strong public interest in the three-day event � the first of its kind in the province � is reflected in the number of delegate registrations, exhibitors and nominations for the CED awards, says Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development.
Rural EXPO 2001 is designed to showcase and promote economic opportunities and business accomplishments in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
Minister Tulk says he is "impressed, but not surprised" by the public response to date. "With the range of opportunities and business success stories this province has, the public response to this event reflects the major shift in attitude and growing confidence in the province that was so evident during our Jobs and Growth consultations," he said. "Rural EXPO will build on this momentum by showcasing our accomplishments and inform entrepreneurs, economic development practitioners and the public about the many economic and business opportunities available in rural Newfoundland and Labrador."
Minister Tulk today released details of the full schedule of events.
Rural EXPO gets under way the afternoon of October 25 with registration, and the first component of a youth forum, followed in the evening by a Newfoundland and Labrador Movie Showcase at Gander's Arts and Culture Centre.
The official opening will take place the next morning with Premier Roger Grimes; Andrew Mitchell, federal Secretary of State for Rural Development; and Minister Tulk participating.
The major components of Rural EXPO are:
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A conference program that will focus on approaches and practices for community and business |
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development that work best in rural Newfoundland and Labrador; |
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A rural business exhibition that will showcase successful rural businesses and community |
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economic development organizations from around the province; |
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A Community Economic Development Awards ceremony and gala banquet to honour outstanding |
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individuals and organizations that contribute to community economic development in Newfoundland |
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and Labrador; and, |
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A youth forum to allow youth to be heard, and for them to learn from business and community |
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leaders from across the entire province. |
The call for nominations for government's first Community Economic Development Awards has attracted 84 nominations. Awards in five categories will be presented at a gala banquet October 26: Excellence in Partnership, Outstanding Individual Achievement, Excellence in Fostering Entrepreneurship, Innovation in Education, and Excellence in Youth Leadership. Entertainment will be provided by The Fables, ECMA Entertainer of the Year in 2000.
"The quantity and quality of nominations speak highly of the people, communities and organizations that are committed to community economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Tulk.
To date, there are 125 registrations for the youth conference, with at least five youth from each of the province's 20 economic zones. This forum will engage youth in a round table discussion and debate with business, community and provincial leaders on a youth perspective for economic and community development.
"As outlined in our Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth, youth need to take an increasingly active role in determining the directions we adopt over the long term. To that end, government has established a new Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education. An Advisory Council on Youth has also been set up to support this new direction. The youth forum at Rural EXPO will complement these and other initiatives to more effectively engage youth as partners in our economic renewal process," Mr. Tulk said.
The main conference program will include a series of presentations, seminars and workshops led by experienced individuals who will focus on approaches and practices for community and business development that work best in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
Keynote speakers are Dr. Bob Richards, the Chair in Youth-Focused Technological Entrepreneurship at Memorial University; and Peter O'Brien, Vice-President, Atlantic Canada Federation of Independent Business.
The full schedule of events follows is available at /RuralExpo/schedule.htm.
Additional information are also available at www.gov.nl.ca/RuralEXPO.
Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-4570.
2001 10 10
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