Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
June 2, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development:

Minister Recognized Conference of Distinction Award Winners

Mr. Speaker I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House today to recognize the organizers of the OCEANS '14 international conference on their recent Destination St. John's Tourism Award for 2014 Convention of the Year.

From September 14 to 19, 2014, the annual Marine Technology Society/IEEE Ocean Engineering Society OCEANS Conference was held in St. John's. The conference featured world-renowned scientists and a wide variety of exhibitors from around the world.

Darrell O'Neill of the Ocean Technology and Arctic Opportunities branch of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, and Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, accepted the Award of Distinction at a ceremony at city hall last week.

Mr. Speaker, my department, together with ACOA, provided support for a dedicated Project Manager position, who worked with the Local Organizing Committee and the managing societies, to make this international conference a major success and one of the largest conferences ever held in our province.

The department provided additional support to OCEANS '14 through the marketing branch, which developed various advertising campaigns, branding and a logo. The department was also strongly represented on the local steering committee.

Mr. Speaker, this recognition is a significant achievement. Officials in my department work diligently to execute the vision of Newfoundland and Labrador as a hub of knowledge, skill, and industry growth, to great success.

Mr. Speaker, the world now comes to us. Our province is on the world stage, and is a desired location for international conferences. Yesterday in St. John's, the International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering (OMAE2015) opened.

And next year, in October, we are hosting the Arctic Technology Conference. This event is the world's most focused and comprehensive Arctic Event.

Mr. Speaker, our ability to host first-rate international conferences is a testament to the successful partnerships formed between governments and industry.

OCEANS '14 brought international travellers to our shores, showcasing Newfoundland and Labrador as a centre of industry excellence. It also had the added benefit of economic spinoff for our local tourism and service sector.

I ask all members to join me in congratulating the local organizing committee on this notable recognition from Destination St. John's.

2015 06 02                                                                 2:05 p.m.