Prince County Business Showcase and Networking Forum
Summerside (P.E.I.) – Kent Bruyneel and his wife Shannon had always planned to retire in Prince Edward Island. Realizing their dream became a more immediate possibility when Vancouver’s hot real estate market presented an opportunity. In 2016, the author and his family – one brilliant wife, three adorable, young children, and one large, loveably dumb dog – sold their house in Vancouver and moved to PEI, to “eastsize” their life.
Bruyneel, Executive Director of the Central Development Corporation, will share why they chose Prince Edward Island and talk about the province’s economic opportunities in his keynote address – Eastsizing: Better living through geography – at the 2nd annual Advancing Island Connections West at Credit Union Place on Thursday, June 15 from 9 to 2 p.m.
Hosted by Island Advance and PEI Connectors, in collaboration with the City of Summerside and the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, last year Advancing Island Connections West attracted over 150 business owners, potential investors and entrepreneurial newcomers.
This annual business showcase and networking forum provides a chance for the Prince County business community to meet entrepreneurial newcomers and others interested in buying, investing in, or growing businesses. Title sponsor for Advancing Island Connections West 2017 is Summerside Regional Development Corporation.
“This event is meant to welcome immigrants to our province and promote Prince County as a location to buy, launch, or invest in a business,” says Wayne Carew, President, Confederation M&A and Island Advance advisory board member. “Providing exposure to business opportunities and an overview of support programs available in Prince County will provide a good orientation and may encourage more immigrants to establish businesses in the area.”
The day will consist of a tradeshow, workshop and on-stage program. The workshop will start at 9 a.m. and will cover important topics business owner’s need to consider before selling their business. The trade show will be open at 9 a.m. and will feature booths with businesses for sale and professional advisory services for selling, investing, or growing a business. It is expected a minimum of 75 business immigrants will attend. Volunteer interpreters will circulate throughout the tradeshow to help facilitate conversations.
“Based on last year’s event, I knew it would be worthwhile to buy exhibit space in the tradeshow this year,” said Bruce Craig, owner Craig Construction and Cabinet Making Ltd; Craig Plumbing & Heating; and Craig Wood Products in Tyne Valley. “We want to sell our businesses so we can retire soon. This event brings together a lot of people who want to find good quality business opportunities.”
On stage, Nelson Snow, PEI Connectors regional program officer, will present a geographic overview of Prince County. Representatives from various levels of government and business organizations will speak to the programs, infrastructure, and network in place in Prince County to help businesses launch, grow and expand. Following the keynote address, a complimentary buffet luncheon will be served in the tradeshow area to allow more time for networking until the event concludes at 2 p.m. To register and view the full program, visit www.islandadvance.ca.