Saint John Young Entrepreneurs head to Bangor
on Cross Border Trade Mission

September 13, 2005
For Immediate Release

Nine Saint John entrepreneurs are heading south. For three days, they will be hosted by the city of Bangor as they meet, greet, and do business. Organized jointly by Enterprise Saint John’s Emerging Entrepreneurs program, the Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC), and the Maine International Trade Center (MITC), the trade mission will provide the city’s young business men and women with a chance to learn about doing business in the United States, make contacts, and provide them with an opportunity to gain market research information on Eastern Maine.

The group will leave Saint John Wednesday afternoon and travel to Bangor. That evening Bangor Fusion will host the trade delegation at a networking event where the entrepreneurs will have a chance to meet other young business owners and professionals.

Thursday morning MITC & EMDC have organized a full training agenda that will cover everything from the legal aspects of doing business in the United States, to tax concerns. A special lunch event will feature Stan Keyes, the newly named Canadian Consul General to New England.

During the afternoon, the group will be divided into break-out sessions based on their industry and will meet with community leaders to discuss business development opportunities. The entrepreneurs will have the chance to meet with the Maine Arts Commission, the Maine Highlands Guild, the head of the State IT Association, and the Director of the Target Technology Center.

Thursday ends with another networking opportunity at the Bangor Chamber of Commerce After Hours event.

On Friday, the delegates will have individual meetings with local and regional businesses. From IT companies to gift shops, the entrepreneurs will have the chance to discuss sales and partnership opportunities.

“At a time when international business is vitally important to local economic growth, strengthening ties with Bangor is important,” says Lois Vincent, Manager Business Development at Enterprise Saint John. “Bangor and Saint John are working in partnership to grow this international corridor. Our sister city relationship has long been established, and we are thrilled to infuse it with the energy that our young entrepreneurs will be bring to this initiative.”

Wade Merritt, Director of MITC’s Canada Desk, agrees. “Eastern Maine is extremely interested in forming strong economic linkages with our Canadian neighbors. Coupled with our own youth development initiative, welcoming the Saint John delegation was an easy decision to make. We look forward to sending back a delegation of our own in the near future.”

Companies participating in the trade mission include Geeknet, Evolving Solutions, Artsy Girl, Workin’ Folk Art, Neways International, Diane Huestis & Associates, HIT Media, Brown Eyed Girl, and CANLink Global.

The Bangor Trade Mission is sponsored by the Maine International Trade Center, the Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the New Brunswick Department of Training and Employment Development, Bayview Credit Union, AnyWare Group and Enterprise Saint John.

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Contact: Janet Scott
Phone: 648-4640

Contact: Michele Lodge
Phone: 632-6130