The Florida market is so hot that Team Canada Atlantic (TCA) is bringing a delegation of Atlantic Canadian companies to this southern U.S. state for a second time this year. A delegation made up of 28 new and 13 returning delegates will be in Orlando, Tampa and Miami from October 29 to November 2, 2006.

The Newfoundland and Labrador delegation includes 11 companies and organizations. The five returning delegates will have the opportunity to follow-up on sales leads established last May, as well as develop new contacts. The six new delegates will be introduced to a market that offers significant opportunities. Companies and organizations from Atlantic Canada participating in this trade mission operate in the areas of advanced manufacturing, including aerospace and defence; agri-food and seafood; building and construction products; consumer products; information communications technology; life sciences; and ocean industries, including boat building. Exports create one out of every three jobs in the Atlantic region.

"Canada�s New Government recognizes that a strong Atlantic Canada economy contributes to a strong Canada," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "This return to Florida will allow TCA members to continue building the kinds of business relationships that will benefit not only individual companies, but the Atlantic Canada as a whole."

"This follow-up mission to Florida will allow our returning companies to build on the progress made in May, and open up a fresh market to those participating for the first time," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "The contacts made on these missions, as well as the networking and promotional opportunities, are benefiting our provincial companies and organizations immensely. The excellent response by our returning companies demonstrates this, as does the interest the returning mission has garnered from first-time delegates."

"In May, Tacamor was on its way to Florida as a new company going into a new market. Thanks to the efforts put forth by the organizers of the trade mission, we showed up with contacts already established and a solid understanding of those companies� specific needs," said Ken Hann, Tacamor�s chairman and CEO. "We are participating in this return trip to Florida because we believe in the value these missions deliver." Tacamor Incorporated is a Newfoundland-based help desk operation, offering technical support services to technology and healthcare companies.

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

Eleven previous trade missions � to the New England states, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C., and Chicago � have helped 360 Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to meet with more than 3,000 buyers, agents and business owners from across the United States, resulting in export sales of more than $37 million.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Complete list of participating companies and organizations

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

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

New Brunswick
Cube Automation (Tracadie-Sheila); New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association (Fredericton); P & E Manufacturing Ltd. (Bas-Cap-Pel�); Provinent Corporation (Fredericton); Belledune Port Authority (Belledune); Mainer Partners Inc. (Saint John); Triangle Kitchen (Dieppe); Al-Pack Enterprises Ltd. (Moncton); Lexi-tech International (Dieppe); Precision Metal Works Ltd. (Mactaquac); CliniCall Inc. (Saint John)

Prince Edward Island
WebSMB Solutions (Charlottetown); Aerospace Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown); Chandlers Cabinets & Millwork (Charlottetown); Vision Research Inc. (Charlottetown); Agrawest Investments (Souris); Ocean Choice International (Souris); P.E.I. Mussel King (1994) Inc. (Morell)