2020 State of the Strait Business Update

State of the Strait Business Update:  March 11th, 2020

You’re invited to our State of the Strait Business Update on March 11th at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre!  This event is a great local networking opportunity that is hosted by the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce and offers local businesses from a variety of sectors an opportunity to share with the audience their plans for 2020 and highlight 2019 accomplishments. Panelists will each speak about upcoming projects, accomplishments and/or future developments – the event is designed to develop business-to-business connections, and it truly sets the tone for the region’s business climate over the course of the upcoming year. Reserve your tickets today!

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Click HERE for tickets, or contact us at 902-625-1588 / membership@straitearechamber.ca

Note: The Maritime Inn Port Hawkesbury and the Hearthstone Inn Port Hastings are offering special room rates on March 10th for attendees – request the Chamber block when booking!

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Date:  March 11th, 2020
Time: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre (606 Reeves St.)
Tickets: $75 members / $85 non-members / Tables of 8 available for $550 (plus tax)

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Detailed Itinerary:
8:00am – Continental Breakfast Buffet Opens
8:45am – Welcome – Richie Mann, Melford International Terminals
8:55am – Remarks from Danny Graham, Engage NS
9:05am – Tourism Growth Panel
9:50am – Business of Health Panel
10:40am – Break
11:00am – Industry & Ocean Advantage Panel
11:45am – Lunch Keynote with Glynn Williams, Authentic Seacoast
12:20pm – Closing Remarks from Amanda Mombourquette & Networking

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

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Lunch Keynote

Investing in Rural Nova Scotia

Glynn Williams

Proprietor of Authentic Seacoast Company, President of Acadian Maple, Navhouse Corporation, Reliance Aerotech Inc. and Williams & Moore Capital Corporation

Glynn Williams is the Proprietor of Authentic Seacoast Company which he founded 15 years ago in Guysborough, Nova Scotia. In addition to Authentic Seacoast Company, he is the President of Acadian Maple, Navhouse Corporation, Reliance Aerotech Inc. and Williams & Moore Capital Corporation, with operations in Canada and the US, and customers around the world.
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Glynn is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where he obtained his BASc in Engineering Science (Nuclear & Thermal), MASc (Mechanical Engineering) and MBA. He received the University’s Arbor Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2000 and was inducted in the Hall of Distinction of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering in 2008. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, received his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1990, and is a licensed IFR-rated seaplane pilot.
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Williams’ 40+ year professional career includes senior leadership and ownership positions in the engineering, aerospace, venture capital, investment, finance, manufacturing, consumer goods and tourism & hospitality industries. He has also experience in the technology innovation and economic development arena in the public sector.
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His volunteer and charitable efforts include:
• Chairman, Board of Trustees, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Michigan, one of the world’s largest arts educational organization, serving students in grades 3-12. Glynn also chaired the Create Amazing Campaign which raised US$134 million that successfully ended in 2018
• Secretary/Treasurer and Director of Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
• Director of several industry, volunteer & community associations and charities over more than 40 years of service.
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A number of accolades have come his way in Nova Scotia, including:
• “Double Gold Medal” for GLYNNEVAN 12 yr old 100% rye at the San Francisco World’s Spirits Competition placing it among the world’s best whiskies in 2018
• Parks Canada’s CEO Award in 2016
• “Spirit Producer of the Year” in 2016 and “Spirit of the Year-FORTRESS Rum” in 2015 by the NSLC
• TIANS’ “Tourism Person of the Year” in 2015
• “Export Achievement Award” by Strait Area Chamber of Commerce in 2015
• “Tourism Atlantic Technology Award” by ACOA in 2010.
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Williams likes a challenge and enjoys learning. At Authentic Seacoast, Glynn wears multiple hats in addition to his CEO responsibilities, as distiller, brew master, coffee roaster, and now bee-keeper, among others. His artistic endeavours include music (saxophone), painting and photography. Glynn is blessed to be supported by his amazing spouse Charlene of 33 years, son Evan, and daughter Kendra, who has recently joined the family business in marketing & communications.

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Breakfast Remarks

Nova Scotia Quality of Life Initiative

Danny Graham

CEO, Engage Nova Scotia

Over a thirty-year period, Danny Graham has held senior positions in business, law, government and politics. He is credited with starting the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program, and has worked to advance justice reforms with the United Nations and various countries spanning four continents.
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He is best known for his public life as the former MLA for Halifax Citadel between 2002 and 2005. For the 10 years after that he was Nova Scotia’s Chief Negotiator on Aboriginal Rights. He has been a board member of many organizations including The ONE NS Coalition, the St FX University Board of Governors, and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs.
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He is currently the Chief Engagement Officer for Engage Nova Scotia. In collaboration with the Nova Scotia Community College and the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, Engage is leading the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Initiative.

Tourism Growth Panel

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Martin Kejval

Director of Operations, Ski Cape Smokey 

Ski Cape Smokey & Tree Walk with Martin Kejval

Martin graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies and Humanities with Business Management Courses and an International Baccalaureate Diploma. He is currently the Development Director and General Manager at Ski Cape Smokey. Martin competed as an elite athlete and was a member of the Czech Republic National Ski Team.

Tahirih Paul

Potlotek First Nation – Economic Development Officer

Canal Landing Experiences Built on Partnership with Tahirih Paul

Tahirih Paul is an Economic Development Officer, working for Potlotek First Nation. During her first year, Tahirih has helped to develop the Canal Landing Project, the Mayflower Trail, Backland Bows (Pe’klan Api’k) and numerous smaller projects. Tahirih promotes and encourages entrepreneurship within her community and offers business assistance for those looking to start or grow their business. She is a dedicated supporter tourism in Cape Breton, and more particularly, tourism in the South Coast of Cape Breton, which is often overlooked by visitors.

Tahirih graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Cape Breton University in 2010. During her education, she worked part time for the federal government as a public servant. She continued to work for the federal government for 10 consecutive years and was awarded the ‘CRA Award of Excellence,’ in 2017. In 2019, Tahirih accepted an offer to work as the Economic Development Officer at Potlotek First Nation and strives towards economic growth and opportunity for her community.

Nadine Ratchford

Career Services Manager – Cape Breton University

Connecting Students to Employment through the Community Engagement Program with Nadine Ratchford

Nadine Ratchford has 20 years of experience helping people reach their career goals in both community and academic settings. She is currently the Manager of Career Services at Cape Breton University and prior to this, she worked in both leadership and case management roles within the Nova Scotia Works system. Nadine holds a Bachelor of Human Ecology from Mount Saint Vincent University, an Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management from the Nova Scotia Community College and is a Nova Scotia Career Development Association Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP).

She’s been a key part of the team at CBU working on the Community Engagement Program (student shuttle program) that has had an incredibly positive impact on tourism businesses over the last year.

The Business of Health Panel

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Michael Hatt

Owner – Medicine Shoppe Port Hawkesbury

Gateway Health Plaza & Changes in Pharmacy Services with Michael Hatt

Michael was born and raised in the Strait Area and after graduating high school he completed his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University in 2004. He worked in Sherbrooke and Antigonish before opening his own pharmacy, the Medicine Shoppe Port Hawkesbury, in 2009. He earned his Certified Diabetes Educator Status in 2019, has been an instructor with St. John Ambulance for the past 10 years,  he volunteers with Canadian Red Cross Disaster Relief and the Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department since 10 years, he was the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce Rising Star recipient in 2010, recipient of The Medicine Shoppe Community Connection Award 2013, and recipient of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia member of the year 2012.   Michael currently resides in Melville with my Wife Bryna and their two daughters, aged 3 & 5.

Dr. Kristen Sutherland

President – Inverness Chiropractic 

Inverness Collaborative Health Centre with Kristen Sutherland

Dr. Kristen Sutherland has been practicing Chiropractic for over a decade now. She is a native of Inverness and realized her vision to bring health services to Inverness County in 2014 opening Inverness Chiropractic & Family Wellness Centre. She has varied experience from athletes to seniors, work injuries, babies and everything in between. When you serve a large geographical area, your specialty is everything! She is primarily kept busy seeing patients in her office, but also enjoys public speaking engagements, coaching clients and teaching workshops on wellness. She also volunteers on several community organizations. When she isn’t working, she is usually home in Strathlorne, with her two babies, Elsie & Colin and her husband Derick MacAdam.

Trevor Boudreau

Chair – Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health

Engaging Business in Recruitment with Trevor Boudreau

Trevor Boudreau has been working as a Chiropractor since graduating from CMCC in 2006. He has worked as both a locum Chiropractor and an Associate in Ontario. These experiences provided him with a wealth of knowledge, and the courage to enable him to open his own Clinic, In Motion Chiropractic Centre, in Port Hawkesbury in 2008. The clinic has grown to offer a number of Health Care options for patients, and strives to provide effective, appropriate and up to date care that is second to none.

More recently Trevor Boudreau has become Town Councillor in Port Hawkesbury, bringing his experience as a Business Owner and Health Care Provider along with his passion as a young, energetic, and family oriented resident to the table. He is currently the Chair of the Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health team.

 Industry & Ocean Advantage Panel

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Melinda Cole

Sustainability Development Coordinator – Cermaq

Aquaculture Development Potential with Melinda Cole

Born and Raised in Canso, NS and the daughter of a fishermen, Melinda studied Chemistry at St. Francis Xavier University. Her marine science career has spanned government, not-for-profit organizations, and the private sector. Melinda made the jump into aquaculture in 2019, and is pleased to be part of the Cermaq team. She believes passionately that the expansion of Nova Scotia’s aquaculture industry will be good for both the economy and environment, and will enable skilled talent like herself and others to re-locate back to their home communities with a viable career choice.

Allan Eddy

Port Hawkesbury Paper – Business Development Manager 

PHP Diversification Update

Allan Eddy joined Port Hawkesbury Paper in August 2018. Previous to this position, he has served in a senior executive role in four Nova Scotia government departments.

As a graduate of the University of New Brunswick , Allan has worked for both Federal and Provincial levels of government, as well as the private sector over the past 37 years. Throughout his career, Allan has been involved with various aspects of policy development, sector issue management, and stakeholder liaison activities. In the last several years he has been deeply involved in change management and sector transition, with a significant focus on innovation and training. At Port Hawkesbury paper he is responsible for business development, community and government relations and strategic forestry issues.

Jean Conrad

Forestry Innovation Hub 

Forestry Innovation in Cape Breton with Jean Conrad

Raised on Gold Brook Road in Middle River, Jean brings over 35 years of experience in Business and Project Management.

In 2005, Jean left Nova Scotia for Nunavut where she worked initially as an Instructor, with the Nunavut Arctic College.  She remained in Nunavut for 14 years, ultimately securing leadership roles within the Government of Nunavut, Departments of Health and Housing, and finally serving as Vice President at Sakku Investments Corporation (an Inuit Birthright Corporation) prior to returning to Cape Breton in July 2019. Jean joined the Breton Forest Innovation Cooperative team as Research and Communications Coordinator in mid-January 2020 and has been keeping busy developing revenue streams and a plan of action for the Cooperative.

Jim Mustard

Forestry Innovation Hub 

Forestry Innovation in Cape Breton with Jim Mustard

Jim Mustard with his partner Margaret Thompson live in lovely Pipers Glen where they endlessly raise their family. Jim has learned of the importance of working from a vision, while getting the job done and more importantly, supporting the people who make it work. He helped get Strait Area Transit on the road, found the Pan CB Food HUB Cooperative, “Raising the Villages”, Breton CannaPharms Ltd and now works to support Breton Forest Innovation Coop. Jim has worked extensively with all levels of government to improve the populations health and prosperity across Cape Breton. Jim was elected Municipal Councillor in Inverness County in 2010 and represents the district where the golf phenomenon of Cabot Links and Cliffs has put western Cape Breton on the worlds map.