Team Canada Atlantic set to return to Chicago

Team Canada Atlantic is no one-hit wonder -- it knows it takes time and commitment to develop strong business relationships and grow export sales. That�s why Team Canada Atlantic has decided to return to "The Windy City" for a follow-up trade mission.

A delegation of Atlantic Canadian companies will participate in the second Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Chicago, Illinois, October 2-6, 2005. Recruitment for the second mission will begin in the coming weeks.

"Our first Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to the Midwest was a success and now we need to foster and nurture the new relationships that have been established," said the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "During our second mission to Chicago, returning participants will follow-up on business leads and contacts, while first-time participants will meet with new potential partners."

"Newfoundland and Labrador businesses were impressed by the quality of contacts they made with companies in the Chicago area on the province�s first trade mission to the area," said Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development for Newfoundland and Labrador. "To build on the momentum generated by the last mission and increase export opportunities, we will be leading another mission to Chicago in the fall. We must market and promote Newfoundland and Labrador, and our government is committed to supporting our local companies in this regard."

Team Canada Atlantic follow-up missions are led by the Minister of ACOA and the four Atlantic Canadian provincial ministers responsible for trade.

The first Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Chicago took place April 10-14, 2005. During that mission, companies met with approximately 280 businesses and organizations.

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. Nine trade missions to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, and Washington have helped more than 300 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with nearly 2,500 buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales in excess of $35 million.

FOR BROADCAST USE:
Team Canada Atlantic is no one-hit wonder -- it knows it takes time and commitment to develop strong business relationships and grow export sales. That�s why Team Canada Atlantic has decided to return to the windy city for a follow-up trade mission.

A delegation of Atlantic Canadian companies will participate in the second Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Chicago, Illinois, October 2-6, 2005. Recruitment for the second mission will begin in the coming weeks.

Visit www.teamcanadaatlantic.com for more information.

For more information, 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

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Trade and Investment

Canada and the United States share the world�s largest and most comprehensive trading relationship, which supports more than two million jobs in both countries.

Approximately $1.8 billion in trade crosses the Canada-U.S. border every single day.

More than 80 per cent of Atlantic Canada exports are destined for U.S. markets. Exports create one out of every three new jobs in Atlantic Canada, and for every $1 million in exports, 8 to 11 full-time positions are sustained.

The United States is the largest foreign investor in Canada and the most popular destination for Canadian investment.

Atlantic Canada exports to the U.S. Midwest were valued at $416 million in 2003, accounting for approximately 3 per cent of Atlantic Canada�s total export market to the United States.

 

Chicago

Chicago is the third largest metropolitan area in the United States. It is home to more than eight million people and 200,000 businesses.

Chicago�s main industries are financial services, transportation, business services, government services, technology and retail.

Chicago is home to numerous Fortune 500 firms such as Boeing, Sears, Deere & Co., Motorola, Allstate Corp., Caterpillar and United Airlines.

Chicago has two airports which process 83 million passengers a year. In addition, Chicago is home to the largest rail center in the U.S.

An estimated 75 per cent of the U.S. population can be reached by truck within two days from Chicago.

Known as the meeting place for the U.S., Chicago has an abundance of meeting facilities and hosts many conventions and trade shows each year.

In 2003, Atlantic Canada sold $255 million worth of goods to Illinois, $30 million to Missouri and $131 million to Wisconsin for a total of $416 million for the U.S. Midwest.

Chicago is home to the Consulate General of Canada responsible for Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin.

 

Sources: Trade Data Online (strategis.ic.gc.ca), InfoExport, the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago and World Business Chicago (worldbusinesschicago.com)

2005 06 28                            12:05 p.m.