Telling it in pictures

Pictures don�t tell the whole story, but photos taken at RuralEXPO 2001 do give a snapshot of the range of activity that took place during the first province-wide forum and exhibition about rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here for some photos of RuralEXPO 2001.

About 500 people attended the October 25-27 event in Gander. This included 105 youth delegates from the province�s 20 economic zones, who participated in the Youth Forum activities that included round-table discussions with ten cabinet ministers, as well as speakers and information sessions related to community economic development.

Another 260 delegates registered for the seminars, workshops and presentations that focused on innovative approaches, best practices and success stories in community economic development and small business development in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

The rural business exhibition and showcase component of RuralEXPO attracted 120 exhibitors, both businesses and organizations. An estimated 2,500 people visited the exhibition site where community economic development entrepreneurs from around the province had set up booths to showcase their products and services - everything from windows and wines to kayaks, oil-absorbent peat products, IT software programs, kelp-based spices, superior quality crafts and clothing, bonding and composites products for the aerospace sector, to name a few. It was also an opportunity for organizations and community agencies to profile the role they play in promoting economic opportunity and successful business enterprises in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

The fourth major component of RuralEXPO was the presentation of government�s first Community Economic Development Awards. More than 80 nominations were received for the five awards. Click here for the news release announcing the winners. Click here for photos of the winners.

Other events at RuralEXPO included screening of some films made in Newfoundland and Labrador, an Internet caf�, demonstrations and workshops on such topics as business marketing, trademarks, patents and copyrights, and starting your own business.

RuralEXPO 2001 was officially opened by Premier Roger Grimes. Also participating in the opening were Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Beaton Tulk; federal Secretary of State for Rural Development, Andrew Mitchell; Gander MHA Sandra Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education; and Gander Mayor Claude Elliott. The Sun Dogs drum dancers group from Nain and the Gander Academy Grade 4-6 Choir performed during the opening ceremony.

RuralEXPO chair was Churence Rogers, Mayor of Harbour Breton, who is actively involved in community economic development. Honorary Patron was Sam Kean who has 36 years experience in rural development, including 18 years as Director of Cooperative and Credit Union Development with the provincial government. He retired this year from his position as Assistant Deputy Minister (Regional Economic Development) with the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development, but plans to continue his involvement in rural development.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications (709) 729-4570.

2001 11 01                                10:25 a.m.