Export and Innovation Awards Showcase Province’s Best

Celebrating the achievements of Newfoundland and Labrador’s business and academic communities, the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, today announced the winners of the annual Export and Innovation Awards.

“Newfoundland and Labrador’s business and academic communities are characterized by innovative thinkers and doers,” said Minister Skinner. “Through the Export and Innovation Awards, we are creating awareness of the positive activity and momentum that is building in the province. While there can only be three winners, I would like to applaud the close to 60 nominees for their impressive work and thank them for their role in contributing to the continued development of our provincial economy.”

The Export and Innovation Awards recognize individuals, organizations and institutions. The awards include Exporter of the Year, Innovation in Business, and Distinction in Innovation.

The Exporter of the Year recognizes a local entrepreneur or business that is successfully exporting its products to international markets. This year’s winner is Provincial Aerospace Ltd. – a world leader in aerospace and defence, offering fully-integrated, customized solutions for maritime surveillance operations around the globe.

The Innovation in Business Award acknowledges a company for its ability to create new opportunities through innovation. The development of data masking software that protects personal and sensitive information made Camouflage Software Inc. this year’s award winner.

The Distinction in Innovation Award distinguishes an individual or group that has taken a leadership role in advancing Newfoundland and Labrador’s innovative culture and creating new opportunities for industry. The winner was the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University for SmartBay – the largest ocean observation project in eastern Canada and an example of industry working in partnership with the Provincial Government and academic institutions.

“The successes of these three organizations and those from across the province continue to motivate us as a government to foster an innovative environment,” said Minister Skinner. “The Provincial Government’s policies and programs are focused on enabling local businesses like today’s winners to realize their market potential and compete head-to-head and in any market across the globe.”

The Export and Innovation Awards are facilitated annually by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. The department is focused on the development of a positive economic environment – one that encourages and supports private sector business growth, export activity, and innovation in all regions of the province.

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Media contact:

Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Finalists for the 2009 Export and Innovation Awards

Exporter of the Year Award

• Provincial Aerospace Ltd. – Winner
• Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd., a firm that manufactures air inflatable structures for the promotional, medical and first-responder markets and industrial shelters for the oil and gas industry.
• Genoa Design International Ltd., which offers production design, drafting, and lofting services to marine and offshore industries internationally.

Innovation in Business Award

• Camouflage Software Inc. – Winner
• Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd.
• Virtual Marine Technology (VMT), a global provider of simulators for survival craft, fast response craft and high speed electronic navigation training.

Distinction in Innovation Award

• Smart Bay Project, The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University – Winner
• Distance Education and Learning Technologies (DELT), based at Memorial University, which offers online and distance education, media, design and production capabilities and teaching and learning support.
• SIFE Memorial, a not-for-profit organization of post-secondary students at Memorial University aiming to infuse an entrepreneurial spirit while creating economic opportunity in Newfoundland and Labrador.
   

2009 11 18 1:05 p.m.