Nineteen Local Craft Producers Head to Atlantic Trade Show 

Nineteen craft producers from various parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, will travel to Nova Scotia this week to sell their products at the 2007 Atlantic Craft Trade Show (ACTS) held February 3-5 at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax.  

�This is one of the most important shows of the year for Newfoundland and Labrador craft people,� said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and Minister responsible for the Rural Secretariat.  �The show allows wholesale craft, gift and apparel producers to reach buyers throughout Canada and the United States.� 

ACTS is in its 30^th year and is hosted by each of the four Atlantic Provinces in turn.  The show is held in Halifax because it is the most central location in Atlantic Canada for the show�s 1200 buyers.  As the 2007 ACTS show host, the department will use the event to promote Newfoundland and Labrador crafts and to showcase the craft industry's importance as a significant economic generator, particularly for rural areas.  Many Newfoundland and Labrador crafts people hail from rural areas of the province, bringing jobs and other economic benefits to those areas.  There are approximately 2,000 craft producers in Newfoundland and Labrador who contribute over $38 million annually to the provincial economy. 

Minister Taylor will present the Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence at a ceremony hosted by the province on Saturday, February 3, including the Heather Stone Emerging Artist Award named in memory of a former employee of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. 

The department supports crafts producers by accompanying them to shows and by assisting them with marketing.  Fifteen of the Newfoundland and Labrador producers will have their own booths at ACTS, four will operate from the department�s booth, while the work of five more crafts people not in attendance will be showcased in the department�s booth. 

�Government takes an active role in helping craft producers research, develop and market their goods,� said Minister Taylor.  �This show is important because it encourages Newfoundland and Labrador producers to become exporters by selling beyond our natural borders.� 

Participation by Newfoundland and Labrador craftspeople at ACTS is made possible by the Craft Industry Development Program (CIDP), an initiative of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.  CIDP provides financial support to craft, gift and apparel producers and retailers, economic development organizations, and not-for-profit organizations.  Assistance is provided for market expansion and export development; enhancing design skills for new product development and innovative production techniques; and promoting long-term strategic market, product, business and human resource planning. 

Companies participating in the show include: College of the North Atlantic (Textiles Studies Program students); Dark Tickle Company (Griquet); Delia Pewter (St. Phillips); Greetings from Newfoundland (St. John�s); Inland Knitwear (Whitbourne): Krooked House Crafts (St. John�s); Labrador Traditions (representing various Labrador artists, Happy Valley-Goose Bay); Landwash Distribution (St. John�s); Newfoundland Naturals (Paradise); Northeast Folk Art (St. John�s); Nortique Fashions (Corner Brook); Paradise Farms (Paradise); Quidi Vidi Pewter (St. John�s); Woof Design (St. John�s); Yarn Point Knitters (St. John�s); Norton�s Cove Studio (Wesleyville); Ewe Designs (Trinity); Salty Rocks & Seagirt Designs (Glovertown); Brenda Stratton Textiles (Corner Brook). 

Five additional companies will not be present at the show but will have products displayed at the INTRD booth: Cara�s Joy (Upper Island Cove); Beverley Design (Grand Falls -Windsor); Shamrock Pottery and Fine Art (Witless Bay Line); Southwest Arm Crafts (Little Hearts Ease); Island Sweet Fibre Arts (Corner Brook). 

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Media contact:
Lynn Evans
Director of Communications
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
LynnEvans@gov.nl.ca  

2007 01 31                                                        12:50 p.m.