News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS CONFERENCE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Young entrepreneurs from Atlantic Canada will have the opportunity to learn, network and showcase their talents at the third annual Young Entrepreneurs Going Places Conference at the University College of Cape Breton, Sydney, N.S., May 1-3, 1997. The event, hosted by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED) promises to be a fun, information-packed, idea-sharing opportunity with an environmentally-friendly attitude. Close attention will be paid to the links between the environment and the economy. Guest speakers who have started a business in the environmental sector or who are becoming more environmentally-conscious will be featured. "We'll be doing our part by using recycled paper for all our print materials and by promoting a green theme throughout the conference," said Chris Curtis, chief entrepreneurship officer of CEED. "There's no doubt that entrepreneurs can do their part to work towards a safer, healthier environment." The event, the largest of its kind in North America, will be a gathering of 500 young entrepreneurs. It will be emceed by Anna Dirksen and Demore Barnes, hosts of the award winning CBC television show Street Cents. The keynote speaker will be acclaimed young entrepreneur Jennifer Corson, host of specialty TV channel WTN's The Resourceful Renovator and president of the Renovator's ReSource Inc. Ms. Corson was the 1996 recipient of the Business Development Bank of Canada's Young Entrepreneur Award for Nova Scotia. The conference is designed to motivate students to explore entrepreneurship as a way of life, to share ideas with other entrepreneurs and to provide networking opportunities. Seminars, workshops and forum discussions led by professionals and successful entrepreneurs will show young people the ropes of the business world from startup to sustaining success. Young entrepreneurs can hone their skills, share strategies and develop new relationships and apply this knowledge to create a strong entrepreneurial climate and improve the economy now and in the future. A gala awards banquet will be held on Friday evening honouring the achievements of young entrepreneurs across the Atlantic provinces in various categories and will be highlighted by the Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This will be followed by a ceilidh featuring Mastodon Ridge, Soup and Slainte Mhath. A trade show at the Mayflower Mall is slated for the next day. Young entrepreneurs have the opportunity to showcase their products and services and gain valuable hands-on experience in marketing and selling strategies. The charge for the conference is $100.00 for all delegates. This includes transportation within Nova Scotia, accommodations, meals, entertainment and all conference sessions. The major sponsors of the event have provided the funds for the majority of conference expenses allowing many people from all over the province the opportunity to attend at a greatly reduced cost. The conference is sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency, Nova Scotia Department of the Environment, Human Resources Development Canada, Royal Bank, Stora Port Hawkesbury Limited and Maritime Tel & Tel. -30- Contact: Colin Craig 902-426-7246 trp Mar. 19, 1997 - 8:30 a.m.