Team Canada Atlantic announces companies returning to the Windy City

A group of 33 Atlantic Canadian companies and organizations are ready to return to �The Windy City� where they will explore and follow-up on business opportunities during Team Canada Atlantic�s second trade mission to Chicago, Illinois.

The names of the mission participants were announced today, and among them are 12 companies and organizations from Newfoundland and Labrador. The Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) trade mission to Chicago is scheduled for October 2-6, 2005.

�With the launch of the Atlantic Investment Partnership � The Second Wave, the Government of Canada is investing in the region�s business climate through initiatives such as Team Canada Atlantic,� said Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). �Team Canada Atlantic works for our businesses and this follow-up trade mission to Chicago will help participating companies further develop contacts and relationships established during the first mission in April. It will help our region to further build on its reputation as a growing exporter of quality goods and services.�

A recent survey of participants in the first TCA trade mission to Chicago in April 2005 revealed:

• 93 per cent of participants rated the mission as successful;
• 92 per cent of participants indicated that they anticipate sales over the next two years as a result of the mission;
• 89 per cent said they planned to return to Chicago to further pursue the market; and
• 83 per cent indicated an interest to attend another TCA mission to the United States within the next two years.

�Newfoundland and Labrador companies that participated in the April Chicago mission were very pleased with the results and we are confident that we will repeat that experience in October,� said Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

Team Canada Atlantic is a partnership of ACOA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, International Trade Canada and the four Atlantic provinces. Team Canada Atlantic is committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Atlantic Canada and the United States.

Trade missions have been at the core of the Team Canada Atlantic approach since 1999. Ten trade missions to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago and have helped 329 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with more than 2,750 buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales of more than of $36 million.

Complete List of Participating Companies and Organizations

Newfoundland and Labrador
Compusult Limited (Mount Pearl); Dray Media Inc. (St. John�s); Elite Beverages Inc. (Port de Grave); Expro Industries (Corner Brook); iDance (St. John�s); Labrador Preserves (Forteau); Marine Farms Marketing Ltd. (St. Alban�s); Nearshore Atlantic (St. John�s); Ocean Choice International (St. John�s); RW Tiller Structural Engineering Inc. (St. John�s); Systems and Solutions Ltd. (St. John�s); Verafin Inc. (St. John�s)

Nova Scotia
Eden Valley Farms, ACA Co-operative Ltd. (Kentville); Fundy Composites Limited (Cornwallis Park); IQUB/The Bitz (Sackville); LaHave Audio (Halifax); Maple Trade Finance Inc. (Halifax); Melody Mountain Maple Creations Canada International (Port Hawkesbury); Simunication Inc. (Halifax)

New Brunswick
Computer Generated Solutions, Canada Ltd. (Saint John); Darro Seafood Inc. (Memramcook); Engage Interactive (Fredericton); GoSource (Moncton); Maritime Geothermal Ltd. (Petitcodiac); Marwood Ltd. (Fredericton); Ocean Pier Inc. (Scoudouc); Precision Metal Works, Ltd. (Mactaquac); Provinent Corporation (Fredericton); Son Management Inc. (Sackville)

Prince Edward Island
Fiber Connections Inc. (Summerside); PEI Mussel King (Morell); Storemark Quality Fixtures (Pooles Corner); Vision Research Inc. (Charlottetown)

Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information.

Photo #1: The Atlantic Canadian delegation poses for an official group photo during the first day of the Team Canada Atlantic follow-up trade mission to Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, October 2, 2005. Thirty Atlantic Canadian companies are in "the windy city" this week taking part in the trade mission.

Photo #2: Tom Figel (Left), Figel Public Relations of Chicago, discusses business with Larry Stephen, Labrador Preserves, at the Taste of Atlantic Canada reception on Monday, October 3, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois.

Photo #3: Rob Power of Ocean Choice International talks to Senator James Cowan during the Taste of Atlantic Canada reception on Monday, October 3, 2005.

Media contact:

Val�rie Poulin, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, (613) 941-7241

Tracy Kenney, Senior Communications Officer, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, (506) 851-2639

Lynn Evans, Director of Communications, Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, (709) 729-4570
 

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