Nova Scotia Lights Up Boston
The annual Christmas tree ceremony in Boston will cast a light on Nova Scotia tourism operators, universities and high-technology companies this year. Provincial representatives are in Boston this week to build on new and traditional links between Nova Scotia and New England.
This Thursday, Dec. 3, government and private sector representatives of Nova Scotia's tourism industry will show some of the province's hottest upcoming attractions to more than 30 members of the New England travel industry and travel media.
The presentation includes Halifax's 250th anniversary and Fortress of Louisbourg's Encampment 99, both of which are on the American Bus Association's list of Top 100 events in North America. The opening of Pier 21, the new Acadian Historic Village and the arrival of the Tall Ships in the year 2000 will also be presented.
On Dec. 3 and 4, staff from seven Nova Scotia universities will meet with alumni and counsellors in the Boston area to share information, encourage alumni to promote Nova Scotia institutions and encourage counsellors to orient more students to universities in this province.
The high point of Nova Scotia's mission to Boston will come when Premier Russell MacLellan lights a giant Christmas tree before an outdoor audience of about 40,000 on Saturday, Dec. 5. The 17-metre white spruce, grown in New Ross, Lunenburg Co., is being donated as a gift to the people of Boston for their help after the 1917 Halifax Explosion. The result of a wartime collision between two ships in the harbour, the explosion killed and seriously injured thousands and left many more people homeless. Among the first to respond were the people of Massachusetts, who sent a relief expedition.
"This is a chance for us to say thanks to the people of Boston for their generosity," said Premier MacLellan. "We also get to renew the special bond with our friends and business partners in New England."
On Monday, Dec. 7, Nova Scotia is hosting a Technology Business Expo in Boston. A total of 36 Nova Scotia companies will showcase their capabilities in information technology, aerospace and telecommunications. They will also be meeting one-on-one with companies in the Boston market.
"This mission constitutes Nova Scotia's largest business delegation to the United States so far," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "This is an important market for us. We've led eight trade missions to Boston in the past year, and they've generated more than $42 million in contracts for Nova Scotia companies. Those contracts are creating jobs for 625 Nova Scotians."
These activities are an integral part of Nova Scotia's marketing activity in the New England area. In 1998 alone, more than 107,000 New Englanders visited the province, and Nova Scotia exporters sold $655 million worth of products to the region.
"We'll be showing New Englanders that Nova Scotia produces a lot more than just lobsters and Christmas trees," Mr. MacDonald added.