Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
December 14, 2006

Atlantic Canadian Companies Find Opportunities in Sunshine State

A delegation of small and medium-sized manufacturers of consumer products found solid export opportunities during a reconnaissance mission to central Florida. The eight companies were in the sunshine state from October 29 to November 2, 2006 to investigate business opportunities. They returned with more than market intelligence � some garnered solid business leads with the Disney Corporation and others made on-site sales with merchants in the Orlando area.

"Canada�s new government supports trade initiatives like the reconnaissance mission to central Florida because we recognize that exporting is key to the growth of small businesses in the region and the Atlantic economy as a whole," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "We are committed to investing in businesses trade opportunities because they generate new jobs and greater prosperity for communities across the region."

"This trade mission is an example of the type of assistance that governments can provide to businesses wishing to expand into export markets. As a result of their direct exposure to the Florida market, a number of Newfoundland and Labrador companies have received orders or generated strong interest in their products," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

During the reconnaissance trade mission, the manufacturers of jewelry, giftware, clothing and home d�cor items participated in training and market information sessions. They also met with potential buyers � including buyers from Walt Disney World�s Canadian Pavilion at Epcot� in Orlando � and toured giftware stores to gather competitive intelligence.

While in Florida, the companies joined the Team Canada Atlantic trade mission as associate business delegates where they participated in a number of Team Canada Atlantic networking events, including the Taste of Atlantic Canada reception in Orlando on October 30. During this event, the delegates showcased their consumer products to the more than 250 U.S. industry leaders and business representatives in attendance.

This consumer products trade mission to Florida was funded through the International Business Development Agreement (IBDA). The IBDA is a federal/provincial export development agreement between the Government of Canada (represented by ACOA, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, and Industry Canada) and the four provincial governments in Atlantic Canada. Since 1994, 32 per cent of companies that participated in an IBDA-sponsored trade activity for the first time have since begun exporting internationally; 42 per cent of companies reported an increase in the volume of their exports; and 29 per cent started exporting to new markets as a result of IBDA activity.

Photo #1: Holly Howard, President, Holly Howard Inc. (right), discusses her company�s products, sold under the brand Puff Baby, with Marcy Grossman, Consul General of Canada in Miami during a Taste of Atlantic Canada reception held on October 30, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. Holly Howard Inc. was among eight companies from Atlantic Canada that were in Florida from October 29 to November 2, 2006 to investigate their business potential.

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Media contacts:

Tracy Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-2639
Lynn Evans
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570

 

BACKGROUNDER

Delegate testimonials

Holly Howard, President
Holly Howard Inc.
www.puffbaby.com
"The trade mission to Orlando was a fantastic experience for Puff Baby. Our products received a very positive response in the market. We received orders from three stores immediately and there is potential for others. The Canadian Pavilion at Epcot� is also interested in our products and we will follow-up on that opportunity very soon.

"In addition to sales, our company made some very good contacts and gathered market intelligence. I would definitely participate in another trade mission. It opened a lot of doors for Puff Baby�s line of children�s outerwear."

Shane McDonald, President/Creative Director
Tin Design
www.tindesign.com
"The Atlantic Canada Trade mission to Orlando Florida in October was an amazing experience for Tin Design. To be in the company of so many interesting and professional people was a privilege as well as very educational.

"For Tin Design, attending the trade mission has created the opportunity to begin working with Disney to create a gift product to sell at the Canadian Pavilion at Epcot�, which may lead to other products in the future. As well, we have opened new retail contacts in and around the Orlando area where we hope to begin selling our gift tins and artist note cards soon. Without the opportunity to be a part of this mission, we would never have been able to have made those important contacts."

BJ Sandiford, President
Happy Glass
www.happyglass.ca
"The focus of my participation was the meeting with buyers from the World Showcase at Epcot�. That meeting went very well. They want to carry my O Canada line of jewelry and I have already begun the new vendor setup process with the Disney Purchasing Organization.

"The trip had an unexpected benefit that would never have happened if I hadn't been in Florida in person. I struck up a conversation with two local consultants who had led a workshop for our group. When they saw my products they both immediately said I should exhibit at Surf Expo, the largest beach tourism trade show in North America. I had never even thought of this approach before. This could open up markets for me throughout the US, Caribbean, Central and South America. The possibilities are mind boggling."

2006 12 14                                                   4:30 p.m.
 


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