Ministers announce first cultural industries trade mission to Boston

Some of Newfoundland and Labrador's top musicians, visual artists and film makers will travel to Boston next week to participate in the province's very first cultural industries trade mission. Originally postponed from September 17, the mission will take place in Boston from November 6-8.

The rescheduling of the mission was announced by Brian Tobin, federal Minister of Industry, Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development.

"In light of the tragic events of September 11 in the United States, postponing the mission was the right thing to do at the time," said Minister Tulk. "However, we felt it was necessary to get back to business -- as both the President of the United States and our own Prime Minister have asked people to do."

The trade mission is part of the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development's ongoing New England Trade and Investment Initiative. "The goal of the New England initiative is to help Newfoundland and Labrador companies penetrate the New England market," said Minister Tulk. "Our market research has convinced us there is very strong market potential for Newfoundland and Labrador cultural products in New England. We recognize this potential and made a commitment in our report on Jobs and Growth to support our cultural industries in part through missions like this one." 

"The Government of Canada is pleased to support this innovative trade initiative, which has the potential to increase Atlantic Canada's exports in one of our key markets," said Minister Tobin. "This is also an excellent opportunity to promote the unique aspects of Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural industries and to strengthen this growing sector of our economy." 

Minister Thibault added: "This cultural industries trade mission represents an integral step in the development of this growing sector. Atlantic Canada already has a solid historical connection with Boston and this mission will enable us to strengthen that link, and build on the market that New England represents."

Denis Parker, President of the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador said, "The cultural industries trade mission to Boston is another important step in seizing the business opportunities inherent in exporting our cultural products. The Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador applauds this initiative, which will help expose the world-class musical talent of our artists, groups, songwriters and performers to a brand new audience that is historically connected to our province."

The mission delegates are, musicians: RASA, Timber, The Punters, and Barry Canning; visual artists: Sylvia Bendzsa, Christine Koch, and Dave Hoddinott; and film and video production companies: Dark Flowers Productions, Red Ochre Productions and Plain Sight Pictures. Executives from three industry associations -- the Producers Association of Newfoundland, the Visual Artists of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador -- will also join the mission to promote Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural industries and to identify additional market opportunities. 

In consultation with the delegates and stakeholders in Boston, the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development has developed an intensive three-day itinerary for each delegate which is designed to accelerate entry into this lucrative market. This includes pre-arranged meetings for each of the delegates with select business contacts to help delegates explore export opportunities and new business relationships. 

Two other high-profile events are planned for the mission, to enhance industry exposure. 

On Wednesday, November 7 from 6:30-8 p.m., the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development will host a film showcase for 500 film industry representatives, featuring the film Violet, which is produced by Dark Flowers Productions, one of the three film industry participants.

On Thursday, November 8 from 6-9 p.m., the music and visual arts delegates will showcase their talents at The Big Easy � a major club in downtown Boston. The musicians will perform live and the visual artists will display their works at a special venue on site. The showcase audience will include journalists, agents, distributors and industry representatives. The event is open to the public; admission is free. 

"We'd like to encourage anyone who has relatives and friends in the Boston area to invite them to come out and support our musicians and artists at the showcase," said Minister Tulk.

This mission is funded by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development and by the federal and provincial governments under the Canada-Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement (CEDA). CEDA is a six-year, $95.4 million initiative designed to complement existing federal and provincial economic development efforts. It is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. 

Media contact:

          Josephine Cheeseman 
          Director of Communications
          Industry, Trade and Rural Development
          (709) 729-4570

          Heidi Bonnell
          Director of Communications
          Office of the federal Minister of Industry
          (613) 995-9001 

          Jennifer Savoy
          Press Secretary 
          Office of the Minister of State for ACOA
          (613) 941-7291

          Doug Burgess
          Communications
          ACOA
          (709) 772-2935

          Denis Parker
          Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
          (709) 754-2574

          Mary Sexton
          Dark Flowers Productions
          (709) 739-9055

          Dave Hoddinott
          Visual Artist
          (709) 368-8222

2001 11 02                         3:50 p.m.