Over 150 business owners, potential investors and entrepreneurial newcomers to P.E.I. attended Advancing Island Connections West at Credit Union place yesterday to learn first-hand about opportunities to buy or invest in businesses in Prince County and beyond. Six Island entrepreneurs made on-stage pitches for investment in their start up or expanding companies, and professional advisors and business owners presented multiple business purchase opportunities.
WATCH THE VIDEO
In addition, over 20 exhibitors in the Business Opportunities Tradeshow area provided even more opportunities for networking and one-on-one discussions.An overwhelming majority of attendees were newcomers looking for business opportunities in Prince Edward Island.
“We are delighted to extend Island Advance and the PEI Connectors program into western Prince Edward Island. Providing a chance for the local business community to welcome entrepreneurial newcomers and to learn first-hand about innovative businesses starting and expanding in Prince County is key to growing our economy,” said Wayne Carew, Island Advance and PEI Connectors Advisory Board member. “Our message is clear – Prince County is open for business.”
Chef Norman Zeledon, Owner of The Galley food truck, presented his “Summerside Success Story” and shared his experience building a business as a newcomer entrepreneur in Summerside. Echoing comments from His Worship Bill Martin, Mayor of Summerside, Chef Norman touched on the supportive and vibrant business community in Summerside.
Along with Mayor Martin, Robert Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, and Tina Mundy, Minister of Family and Human Services, showed their support from all three levels of government for the growing business community in Summerside and newcomers to the area.
Nelson Snow, West Prince Regional Program Officer is located in the Summerside Chamber office
Advancing Island Connections West also served as the official opening of the PEI Connectors Regional Program Office for Prince County, located at the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce.
Modeled after a similar event held in Charlottetown in 2014 and 2015, Advancing Island Connections West was presented by Island Advance and PEI Connectors. Event partners included the Government of Canada, Prince Edward Island Office of Immigration, Innovation PEI, the City of Summerside, the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce.