Export Achievement Awards Celebrate Local Companies

The 27th Export Achievement Awards will recognize some of the province's top exporters at a luncheon Monday, May 9.

This year's new lunch-time format will honour 10 companies from across the province that have been recognized in their communities for excellence in exporting.

"Nova Scotia is known worldwide for producing high-quality products and services," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "It is important to celebrate the successes of Nova Scotia's talented export companies and recognize the contributions exporters make to the economy."

This year's award recipients include:

• Cooke Aquaculture, Shelburne
• Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio, Amherst
• HEKA Electronics Inc., Mahone Bay
• Instrument Concepts, Truro
• Louisbourg Seafoods, Louisbourg
• O'Neil Fisheries, Digby
• Polytech Products, Baddeck
• Stark International, New Glasgow
• TeamSpace, Bedford
• Tracy's Wood N Things, Yarmouth

One of these 10 regional winners will be named Nova Scotia Exporter of the year.

This year's keynote speaker, Keith Condon, CEO of Tri-Star Industries, will talk about the issues and opportunities he has faced as a Nova Scotia-based exporter. For more than 25 years, Mr. Condon has grown Tri-Star Industries, which custom designs and manufactures ambulances and specialty vehicles, to become one of Canada's most prominent exporting companies.

After the luncheon and awards ceremony, Trade Team Nova Scotia will launch its first official 12-month calendar of trade activities, which will include trade missions, shows, information sessions and other trade and export-related events.

The Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards are presented by Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), and Trade Team Nova Scotia (TTNS).

This year's event at the World Trade and Convention Centre, 1800 Argyle St., Halifax. For more information on the awards and to purchase tickets, visit www.exportachievementawards.com .