12:00 p.m.	Participants registration and exhibitors’ set-up
7:00 p.m	Official opening and networking reception Master of ceremonies – Julie Oliver, Executive Director, Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse FlyHalifax.com – Corsair Service Launch Kim d’Entremont, Chair, Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse Hon. Judy Streatch, Nova Scotia Minister of Community Services

Saturday, June 7, 2008

7:30 a.m.	Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Business matchmaking sessions
10:15 a.m.	Thematic Sessions   In addition to business matchmaking and networking, Expo Acadie will feature a conference program built around a number of key topics very relevant and timely for the regional economy. Guest speakers and panelists of these sessions will discuss and break down the bigger issues pertaining to their topic into business opportunities relevant to small and medium enterprises in Atlantic Canada.   A.  The Atlantic Gateway B.  Diversity and Opportunities in the Corporate Supply Chain C.  Development of Global Markets D.  Tourism and Culture   Each of these sessions will be followed by small facilitated cluster “colloques” where participants will discuss specific business opportunities and engage with visiting companies and organizations in a business development context.
	Session A – Atlantic Gateway   Overview of the Atlantic Gateway, what it involves from an infrastructure perspective, what it means in trade routes, and how local businesses can participate in the global supply chains on major infrastructure projects. Debbie Windsor, Vice President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency-Nova Scotia David Oxner, Director Gateway Initiative, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewall Cléo Savoie, Executive Director, Canada East Air Cargo Gateway	Session B – Diversity and Opportunities in the Corporate Supply Chain Discover the importance of diversity in business development. Participants will learn how certified aboriginal and visible minority owned businesses can access opportunities in the corporate supply chain in Canada and in the United States through suppliers diversity programs. Supplier diversity programs also create alliance and partnership opportunities for non-minority owned businesses. This session will also describe the eligibility criteria and process for certification by the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) and its counterpart in the US, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). Katie Motta, Director, Business Development & Partnerships, Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council Chief Noah Augustine, Chief of Metepenagiag and co-chair, NB Native Business Liaison Group Cynthia Dorrington, Vice President, Client Services, Vale & Associates Human Resource Management and Consulting Inc.
12:00 p.m.	Lunch and keynote presentation Monique Collette, President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
1:30 p.m.	Business matchmaking sessions (continued)
1:30 p.m.	Training Session How to use e-commerce and in particular the new media to increase your sales and expand your markets. You will have the opportunity to take advantage of individual consultations with Mr. Gauthier (Mnemonikos Inc.), as well as Mr. Morisette and Richard Martin of Vertisoft/HuVO for specific information pertaining to your business. Louis-Philippe Gauthier, Entrepreneur, Strategy Consultant, Technologist, Mnemonikos Inc.
3:00 p.m.	Health Break
3:30 p.m.	Key Note Sessions
	Session C – Development of Global Markets   This session will focus on the federal government's new approach to integrative commerce and on assisting SME’s  to take advantage of new global market opportunities including the Americas, China and India. In addition, the session will deal with investments and business opportunities specific to the Chicago region. Michelyne Paulin, Director Atlantic and Senior Trade Commissioner, New Brunswick, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Chantal Glass, Investment Development Officer, Consulate General of Canada in Chicago Michel Têtu, General Director, Trade and Investment, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency	Session D – Tourism and Culture Presentation on cultivating international tourism by packaging culture & heritage for niche tourism markets. Richard Laurin, Owner, Novacadie Tours Philippe Gustin, Director, Centre International of Lafayette Brenda Trahan, Director, Acadian Memorial & the Museum of the Acadian Memorial, Louisiana
6:00 p.m.	Networking reception
7:00 p.m.	Banquet and Acadian Gala - Tribute to Ronald Bourgeois

Sunday, June 8, 2008

 

8:00 a.m.	Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.	Business and technology showcase   Providers, developers and users of technology will demonstrate how technology can transform and benefit organizations and business in all sectors: health, tourism, culture, manufacturing and agri-food. Magdy Bayoumi, Center for Advanced Computer Studies Suzanne Robichaud, Beauséjour Regional Health Authority George Corriveau, NRC-IIT (presentation available) Lois Scott, McKesson Canada (presentation available) Michael Reynolds, Liberated Networks (presentation available)
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.	Business matchmaking sessions (continued)
11:00 a.m.	Closing keynote conference Julie Oliver, Executive Director, Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse Kim d'Entremont, Chair, Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse