Atlantic Canadian Companies Benefit from Team Approach

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--Atlantic Canadian Companies Benefit from Team Approach

Businesses that were part of a Team Canada Atlantic trade mission to Atlanta are seeing the advantages of teamwork. Trade mission participants expect combined sales of $25 million and the creation of 74 jobs over the next two years as a result of contacts they made, according to a post-mission survey.

Eight Nova Scotia companies, and 30 from Atlantic Canada, took part in the trade mission Nov. 13-15, 2001. Sixty-seven Atlantic Canadian companies have participated in two missions to the southeast United States since May 2001.

Alan MacArthur, owner of 4Eversports Inc. in Sydney, said his company made a lot of contacts that should bear fruit in the future.

"We went to Arizona ourselves in September and made inroads, but it was a lot more difficult," said Mr. MacArthur. "It was extremely helpful to have consultants seek out the people we wanted to meet with in Atlanta. Because of the contacts and the preparation done by the organizers, we were able to do in a week what would have taken a month on our own."

4Eversports, which provides customized, real-time golf services and Internet-based information systems that consolidate golf activities, anticipates that its participation in this mission will result in significant sales over the next five years.

"Our companies invested a great deal of time and money in the Atlanta mission -- and for good reason," said Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser, on behalf of the government of Nova Scotia. "We've raised our exposure in a marketplace that has expanding opportunities and we've built new business relationships."

In addition to increased sales and job creation, the participating Atlantic Canadian companies were able to establish 39 new agents, distributors and partners in the southeast United States, according to the survey. In export terms, this represents 39 new points of entry for Atlantic Canadian products.

Perhaps the most telling statistic is that 72 per cent of Atlantic Canadian participants indicated that they intend to return to Atlanta to pursue that market.

"This is great news for the people of Atlantic Canada," said Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "Through working together, government and businesses in our region have gained increased access to an important market. As we see here, the results are increased revenues, job creation and excellent prospects for the future. I would encourage all businesses throughout the region to participate in future Team Canada Atlantic trade missions."

The Team Canada Atlantic approach allows for local businesses to benefit from the profile and access gained in a trade mission setting that includes government, trade organizations and individual businesses.

Team Canada Atlantic's trade mission to Atlanta was organized by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Atlantic provinces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Prince Edward Island Division.