Month: September 2016

For Immediate Release
September 28, 2016

Hamburg, DE – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is leading a trade mission to the WindEnergy conference in Hamburg, Germany this week.

“Hamburg hosts one of the largest wind energy conferences and trade shows in the world,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Interim Executive Director. “This is an opportunity for Atlantic Canadian firms to build business relationships with the most innovative and experienced firms in the industry today.”

Joining NEIA in Hamburg are Beothuk Energy, Maderra Engineering, the Corner Brook Port Corporation, and Sentrex Wind Services.

The mission has already included site tours of an offshore wind manufacturing and supply port in the region and an internationally renowned wind energy research and development facility. “Our site visits to Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven gave our firms the opportunity to network directly with those who have supported the development of offshore wind farms and to build networks within a leading international institution,” said Abbie Lacey, NEIA’s Manager of Business Development.

Lacey noted the firms will also benefit from professional matchmaking services at the WindEnergy conference and exhibition. “The exhibition features over 1,500 international businesses and organizations,” said Lacey. “The matchmaking services will ensure our firms are meeting the right contacts to further their business development objectives.”

During a special session on Canadian wind energy business opportunities at the exhibition, Beothuk Energy CEO Kirby Mercer will speak to an international audience about development potential in Atlantic Canada.

“There is tremendous potential for wind energy development in Atlantic Canada,” said Hanley. “From a Newfoundland and Labrador perspective, the experience here in Hamburg will help our firms build the networks and capacity required for them to continue their pursuit of an installation off the shores of the west coast of the island.”

The trade mission to WindEnergy was facilitated in part by the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Inc.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
September 22, 2016

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is hosting the province’s green economy conference – Newleef – next month in St. John’s. Newleef broadly focuses on the products, services, technologies, policies, and innovations that can help grow the provincial economy, while protecting, mitigating effects to, or even enhancing the natural environment in the process.

“The green economy and the clean technology and services which drive it represent a significant path for economic diversification and growth for Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kieran Hanley, NEIA’s Interim Executive Director. Hanley noted that the environmental challenges the province faces are business opportunities that can be met locally, and shared with the rest of the world. “Newleef provides programming and supports to help the province seize those opportunities.”

Since its inception in 2012, Newleef has grown from a one day single-room event into a two-day conference attracting hundreds of attendees and featuring multiple streams of presentations, panel discussions, professional development segments, and more.

“We are excited this year to welcome the participation of the Federal Government,” said Hanley. Hon. Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, is the keynote luncheon speaker. “We look forward to hearing from Minister Foote about the federal government’s new focus on the environment, clean tech, and the green economy, and what that may mean for Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The conference is being opened by a keynote address from Hon. Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture, and Rural Development. The conference also features an exclusive Q&A session with Hon. Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “We are appreciative of the support and interest from the provincial government in Newleef,” said Hanley. “We work closely with these departments and its officials on a continuous basis in the pursuit of the growth of this sector.”

A new element at this year’s conference is the introduction of a CEO’s panel. “Our CEO’S Panel is a moderated discussion with leading C-Suite Executives in Newfoundland and Labrador exploring how firms can manage forward progress in their respective industries in a challenging international economy,” said Hanley. Taking place on the second day of the conference, the panel features Paul Antle (Pluto Investment, West Mountain Environmental), Michael Hanrahan (pretroforma Laboratories), and David Mitchell (Pennecon Ltd).

“There is enormous momentum in Canada and beyond in the green economy and clean tech space,” said Hanley. “Newleef is the only event in Newfoundland and Labrador which brings together business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, decision-makers, and policy developers across the sector under the same roof.” Hanley notes that the event attracts representatives from the province’s key industries, from mining, to forestry, to oil and gas, to the fishery, to energy, and more. “We are looking forward to another successful Newleef conference.”

Newleef 2016 is taking place at the Holiday Inn on Portugal Cove Road in St. John’s, NL on October 12-13. Newleef explores business opportunities; presents the latest local research; aims to foster sector innovation; navigates environmental issues with a focus on solutions; highlights the products, services, and activities of organizations operating in the province; and builds sector capacity through the delivery of professional development seminars. More information on the conference can be found at www.newleef.ca.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

For Immediate Release
September 16, 2016

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) had the opportunity this past week to meet one-on-one with in-market officials to explore business opportunities in the Caribbean.

On September 14 & 15, NEIA welcomed a delegation which included Trade Commissioners from Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, as well as officials from the Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. “Our guests provided guidance and information on pursuing business in the region, with a focus on international financial institution (IFI) opportunities,” said Abbie Lacey, NEIA’s Manager of Business Development.

The delegation presented to an audience about IFI funding mechanisms and processes in the region, as well as providing information on the region’s business needs, aims, and interests. “IFIs are powerful partners in business development,” said Lacey. “Through these organizations, there are significant opportunities for firms in Newfoundland and Labrador to reach international markets.”

“Our members had the unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with the delegates,” said Lacey. “This provided them with direct access to regional authorities to explore specific product and service markets, identify partnerships, share contacts, and decide on next steps for their business.”

The incoming delegation’s visit to St. John’s was one piece of an ongoing programme of activities for NEIA relating to the Caribbean. “We are continuing work to grow our international business relationships in this region because of the successes we have seen in our previous engagements,” said Lacey. Lacey explained that NEIA has been involved in the region for nearly three years. “Since 2014, NEIA has arranged incoming delegations, helped develop over 20 market-entry strategies for firms, and led three missions to the region.”

NEIA’s Interim Executive Director, Kieran Hanley, said that the Caribbean is a natural partner in economic development. “The products and services developed in Newfoundland and Labrador can work well in other island environments.” Hanley notes the region faces similar challenges such as the impacts of climate change, coastal zone erosion, distance from markets, and economies that are resource dependent. “Our province has a long history of trade with the Caribbean, and we are working to continue and deepen that tradition.”

NEIA’s international business initiatives in the region are a product of continued collaboration with the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture, and Rural Development, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “The provincial government and ACOA have been vital partners in the pursuit of international business growth opportunities for our sector,” said Hanley.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.