Government Salutes Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses
Small Business Week: October 15 � 21, 2006 

The Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, and the Honourable Kevin O�Brien, Minister of Business, wish to remind all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of the immeasurable contributions small and medium-sized enterprises make to the economy of our province. 

�During this week, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to the owners and operators of our province�s small businesses,� said Minister Taylor.  �It is their vision and entrepreneurial spirit that are responsible for identifying opportunities in new and traditional industries, and changing our province�s economic landscape for the better.� 

�Small and medium-sized enterprises are invaluable to this province and demonstrate qualities that reflect our incredible strengths as a people,� said Minister O�Brien.  �Creative and resourceful, hardworking and resilient - these are traits that set Newfoundland and Labrador and its people apart in a competitive global environment.  They are evident in our vibrant and innovative business community that contributes greatly to our provincial economy.� 

The purpose of Small Business Week events is to promote small business development within the province, as well as encourage entrepreneurship and awareness of how vital small business is to the economic growth of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

A range of activities is planned for Small Business Week in all regions of the province (examples of events are listed below).  Government is participating in and sponsoring events across the province while promoting the various programs, supports and services directed specifically at assisting small business development. 

In Labrador, Small Business Week is being celebrated with a luncheon in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on October 19 hosted by the Central Labrador Economic Development Board and the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE). An open house, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and NLOWE on Wednesday, October 18 in Labrador, will profile the Canada/NL Business Service Network Site.  In Port Hope Simpson, Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is partnering with NLOWE and the Southeastern Aurora Development Corporation to host an open house and a meet-and-greet with an overview of programs, business statistics and information on how small business impacts the local economy.  A follow-up luncheon taking place after Small Business Week in West Ste. Modeste will involve the collaborative efforts of the Labrador Straits Development Corporation, Southern Labrador Development Association, Smart Labrador, Labrador Community Development Corporation and government. 

Within the Avalon region, some Small Business Week events taking place include: the Annual Fall Fair in Mount Pearl, the Irish Loop�s Chamber of Commerce luncheon, as well as NLOWE�s luncheon at the Fairmont, at which Business Minister Kevin O�Brien will give the keynote address.  Government staff will be participating in the Town of Bay Roberts� information session next week as well as partnering with the Trinity-Conception Community Development Corporation in a booth display at the local mall on October 19 and 20.  To learn about the importance of broadening small businesses impact, delegates will also be attending the Export to the US seminar.  The St. John�s Board of Trade will hold a luncheon on October 18, at which Minister Taylor will deliver the keynote address. 

Eastern Newfoundland is marking Small Business Week with the following activities: E-Commerce First Step Workshop, hosted by NLOWE on October 16 at the St. Jude Hotel in Clarenville from 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.; networking session on October 17, 2006, at the Marystown Hotel and Conference Centre at 4:30 p.m. with the keynote address to be given by the Minister of Business, Kevin O'Brien.  The session is hosted by the Marystown-Burin Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Burin Peninsula Community Business Development Corporation, NLOWE, the Schooner Regional Development Corporation, Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and the Business Development Bank of Canada. 

In central Newfoundland, a luncheon organized by Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored by Innovation, Trade and Rural Development will be held on October 18, with Department of Business Minister, Kevin O'Brien, giving the keynote address.  In Grand Falls-Windsor, Innovation, Trade and Rural Development is sponsoring the Business Hall of Fame Award to be presented at the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor's Business Awards and Business Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on Thursday, October 19.  The Baie Verte Chamber of Commerce has organized a Small Business Week social to be held at the Baie Verte Kinsmen Centre Monday, October 16, with Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters� Bill Stirling as the guest speaker. 

There are many events scheduled for the western region of the province for Small Business Week.  On October 16, the official kickoff event for Stephenville is planned for 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Pine Acres, sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.  October 17 will see the Community Living Celebration take place at 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the W.E. Cormack Centre, sponsored by the Community Employment Corporation.  Seminars and networking sessions are taking place across the region on a range of topics, as well as a Revenue Canada Session on October 18, sponsored by Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.  The department is also sponsoring the Celebration of Small Business Network Session on October 17 at the Venture Centre, hosted by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.  The department is hosting a similar event in Deer Lake on October 19 at the Deer Lake Motel.  

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