Florida More Than a Vacation Destination:
Atlantic Canadians Find Export Opportunities 

Florida proved to be much more than a vacation destination for Atlantic Canadians in 2006.  Team Canada Atlantic led 86 companies and organizations to the sunshine state for two trade missions during the last eight months.  The most recent, held October 29-November 2, 2006 in Miami, Tampa and Orlando, helped 40 companies and organizations establish new business contacts, secure sales and develop export opportunities.  

�Canada�s New Government is committed to trade development because it creates jobs and boosts the economy and profile of Atlantic Canada,� said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).  �Team Canada Atlantic is an example of how government and industry can work together to increase exports and strengthen the economy in Atlantic Canada.� 

�A number of our industries such as ocean technology and information and communications technology focus on international markets.  Trade missions such as Team Canada Atlantic are an effective and economical way for Newfoundland and Labrador companies to explore new markets, and I recommend them to any company that wants to grow,� said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. 

During the fall trade mission, Team Canada Atlantic business delegates participated in 236 formal business meetings with Florida business contacts.  One of those companies was Compusult Limited from St. John�s; the manufacturer of computer software and electronics products met with seven potential business leads while in Florida.  

�Initial indications are the mission was a success for our company,� said Paul Mitten, vice- president of Compusult Limited.  �Our meetings went very well and we did immediate follow-up after each meeting. I have continued to pursue leads.  In fact, on the recommendation of one of the business contacts I met with, I recently attended a conference in Orlando where I was able to connect with leaders in the simulation industry. I�ve also had follow-up meetings with industry associations.  We�ve had a very positive response on our company�s capabilities and we will continue to pursue them.� 

The fall Team Canada Atlantic trade mission followed on the heels of the first Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Florida, which was held May 14-18, 2006. 

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

Twelve previous trade missions � to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C., Chicago and Florida � have helped 450 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with close to 3,150 agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales of $38 million. 

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Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information. 

 Background  

Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Florida
October 29 - November 2, 2006
List of participating companies and organizations
Delegates� profiles are available online at www.teamcanadaatlantic.com.  

Newfoundland and Labrador
CCMC (St. John's); Compusult Ltd. (St. John�s); Continental Stone Ltd. (St. John�s); Dynamic Air Shelters (Grand Bank); Holly Howard Inc. (Conception Bay South); Marine Institute (St. John�s); MedicLINK (St. John�s); Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (St. John�s); Pixecur Technologies Inc. (St. John�s); Tacamor (Placentia) 

Nova Scotia
A Palmer Training Ltd. (Fall River); Artifacts in Clay (Chester); Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Nova Scotia (Halifax); Burnt Out Solutions Inc. (New Minas); Lasec Enterprises Ltd. (Debert); Lunenburg Foundry & Engineering Ltd. (Lunenburg); Mersey Point Fish Products Ltd. (Port Mouton)  

New Brunswick
Al-Pack Enterprises Ltd. (Moncton); Belledune Port Authority (Belledune); CliniCall Inc. (Saint John); Cube Automation (Tracadie-Sheila); Estey Creations (Fredericton); Fiready Inc. (Clair); Lexi-tech International (Dieppe); Mariner Partners Inc. (Saint John); New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association (Fredericton); P & E Manufacturing Ltd. (Bas-Cap-Pel�); Provinent Corporation (Fredericton); Tin Design (Sackville); Triangle Kitchen (Dieppe) 

Prince Edward Island
Aerospace Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown); Agrawest Investments (Souris); Cavendish Figurines Ltd. (Borden-Carleton); Chandlers Cabinets & Millwork (Charlottetown); Happy Glass (Charlottetown); Ocean Choice International (Souris); P.E.I. Mussel King (1994) Inc. (Morell); Vision Research Inc. (Charlottetown); WebSMB Solutions (Charlottetown); Where Pigs Fly (Tyne Valley)