From March 30 – April 7, 2023 econext will hold its Annual General Meeting. The event is hybrid as to allow for maximum participation from members across the province.
In-Person Event
This event will feature:
Remarks from the Hon. Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
The presentation of the econext Industry Awards
The 2022-23 Annual Report
The Year Ahead: 2023-24 Preview
Membership Questions & Answers
Date: March 30, 2023 Time: 8:30am – 10:30am Location: Comfort Hotel and Conference Centre, 106 Airport Road, St. John’s, NL
An event agenda can be downloaded below. This is a member-only event. Representatives from each econext member will be provided with registration information directly via email. If you do not receive your registration package, please contact econext CEO Kieran Hanley at kieran@econext.ca.
Members will be provided a personalized access code (distributed on April 3) which will be used for the casting of votes through to 17h00 NST on April 7, 2023. An online forum will be provided for members to ask questions and receive answers.
Join us for a combined event bringing together the diverse and expansive networks of some of the largest industry associations in our province.
On Tuesday, March 28th the St. John’s Board of Trade, Energy NL, econext, techNL and NLOWE are bringing our members together so we can do what we do best; connect and collaborate!
Are you a Canadian company interested in learning more about selling to the U.S. offshore wind market?
The Trade Commissioner Service in Boston is organizing a pilot program to assist Canadian clients as they explore market entry strategies into the U.S. offshore wind industry.
Introductory Webinar: Open to all Canadian clients
March 14th
Time: 12:00-2:00 ET
On March 14th, the Trade Commissioner Service in Boston will host a webinar featuring the Xodus Group. The Xodus group is a global energy consultancy that has worked with both developers and states in the U.S. as they seek to expand their offshore wind supply chains. The webinar will include an overview of the US offshore wind market, information on the current project pipeline and a discussion of potential entry pathways, key decision points and approaches to articulating your companies value proposition for offshore wind clients.
*Sessions will be schedule individually between March 16 and March 31st*
Following this webinar, the Trade Commissioner Service will select 6 clients to participate in one-on-one sessions with Xodus. The benefits will include:
2-hour deep dive into the company’s specific value-add areas for the offshore wind industry including
Recommendations of customizing approaches by service/product area
Suggestions on incorporating the company’s existing expertise into the new strategy
Considerations for geography, scaling, workforce development, and more
A final write-up summarizing recommendations
Follow-up introductions to 3 local contacts (developers, partners, state agencies, etc.)
Program Eligibility:
Companies that have a product/service for the offshore wind market with a high potential for growth
Companies that are interested in refining their strategy and marketing for the U.S. offshore Wind market.
Companies that are interested in connecting with U.S. developers, partners, regulators, etc.
Click Here to Apply DEADLINE: Completed applications must be received by March 16th 2023
For more information, please contact Erin Donahue, Trade Commissioner, Consulate of Canada in Boston, at erin.donahue@international.gc.ca.
The objective of this Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) is for econext to assess capabilities and interest from firms in the provision of graphic design services to create a series of infographics that demonstrate climate change / clean growth concepts in Newfoundland and Labrador.
These infographics will be used to educate stakeholders and inspire action towards mitigating the effects of climate change and growing the green economy.
econext is asking interested parties to consider the following factors with respect to one infographic in their response to this EOI:
Firms will be provided with all information required for the infographic;
Firms will be relied upon to provide guidance on how information should be presented in an infographic based on best practices and the target audience;
Infographics should be designed to be 8.5 x 11 in size (plus bleeding and crop markings) as to allow for printing;
Infographics should be delivered in PDF format (vector-based); and
Firms will provide the source design files for the infographic created.
econext will draw from the pool of designers submitting responses to this EOI for future work.
Reponses to this EOI should include the following information:
Cost per infographic designed and delivered;
Estimate of timeline associated with infographic delivery, assuming you have been provided with all required information; and
Examples of relevant design work.
The electronic copy of your submissions should be in a single PDF document and sent to Kieran Hanley at kieran@econext.ca. Questions from interested respondents can be sent to the same address. The deadline for EOI responses is March 22, 2023.
econext, in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Department of Industry, Energy, and Technology (IET), is continuing its work assisting firms from Atlantic Canada in the investigation and pursuit of international business opportunities in the Caribbean region, with particular focus on the Green and Blue Economies.
Registration will be closing March 24, 2023 for the Spring mission to the Caribbean region with an intent to focus travel primarily around the business week of May 15-19, 2023.
Each delegate firm/organization may select to receive support services in up to two markets.
What's Included
Participants in this trade mission will receive:
Matchmaking and Mission Support provided by Amber Mackereth Consulting
Hotel Block/Group Rate*
Airport Transfers In-Market
Networking Reception(s)*
Ground Transportation to Off-Site Meetings
In-market Debriefs/Troubleshooting Sessions*
Mission Follow-Up Services/After-Care
Travel Stipend: Delegates are responsible for their own travel costs. However, a travel subsidy from IET may be available for eligible NL participants.
*in anchor markets/markets with sufficient delegate presence
Interested in participating in the mission to do your own follow-up meetings? Consider registration as an Associate Delegate!
To register for the Spring mission, companies must meet the following criteria:
Clear financial standing with econext and its funding partners ACOA and IET
Completion of registration form and mission profile
Confirmed payment of registration fee – $600.00 + HST for Full Delegate | $200.00 + HST for Associate Delegate
Demonstrated export readiness/market research
Confirmation of flight itinerary by April 6, 2023.
It is highly recommended that firms considering this trade mission have completed preliminary market analysis/research.
FAQ
FAQ
What are the target markets for this mission?
Our missions are customizable! We believe that each delegate should select markets that make sense based on your own objectives and market research instead. Receptions, briefing sessions, etc. will take place in “anchor markets”, or markets seeing significant delegate presence.
What happens if public health guidance changes regarding non-essential travel?
Should econext decide that travel to the region is no longer advisable prior to the creation of mission meeting programs, the mission may be postponed.
If travel restrictions change after matchmaking has begun, the mission may pivot to a virtual format. It takes considerable time and effort to create and confirm tailored meeting programs, and delegates will be expected to devote similar attention and effort to the execution of a virtual program if need be.
Registration deadline for this mission is March 24, 2023, however early registration is encouraged!
*Please note that there are a limited number of spaces available for this opportunity and that meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee registration.*
If you have any questions about the econext Spring Mission, Please Contact Abbie at abbie@econext.ca.
Norwegian Offshore Wind is aiming to be the strongest supply chain for floating offshore wind worldwide. Atlantic Canada is home to a strong cluster of firms with environmental sensing, characterization, and monitoring SMEs and research institutions which have applicability in the offshore wind sector.
Join this webinar to understand supply chain strengths in both countries, to learn of the work of Norwegian Offshore Wind, and to get the latest news on advancements towards offshore wind in Canada.
The Net Zero Project was formed by Energy NL, econext and OilCo in early 2022 with a primary objective to ensure the long-term sustainable future of the Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore oil and gas industry by embracing and analyzing lower-emission pathways in line with broader provincial and national objectives of achieving net zero by 2050.
Building on the success of the Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Workshop in September 2022, the Net Zero Project is focusing on related action items and facilitating collaboration with various stakeholders in CCUS technology. Economic modeling, policy investigation, research into storage potential and technical feasibility analysis will help drive priorities in this regard. This area presents an opportunity for the development of, and investment attraction for, a major innovation project.
This webinar will focus on those priorities as it introduces the White Paper Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Offshore Newfoundland and Labrador. Our Net Zero Project team will present key points within the paper and will take questions from the attendees following the online presentation. Following the webinar, the White Paper will be distributed to industry and interested stakeholders to encourage knowledge growth, industry awareness and to keep the momentum moving forward on this pathway to net zero.
econext is providing a limited number of opportunities for SMEs in Atlantic Canada to access customized firm-level international business development supports.
Eligible firms are those that (1) provide products and/or services that help understand or mitigate impacts to the environment, (2) are involved in activities related to the ocean or oceans-based industries, and (3) have international business development interests in Europe.
Selected SMEs will work with a pre-qualified consultant with an objective to provide advice that will help them define and advance international business development priorities.
This support provided by the consultant will involve:
Gaining an understanding of the firm’s current state of international business development activities.
Assisting the firm in prioritizing its international business development opportunities as they may relate to direct export, supply chain penetration, co-innovation, or partnerships
Outlining next steps for the firm in pursuit of its international business development priorities, including the identification of relevant programming and partners to assist in advancement. This will include specific recommendations on next steps that could include:
Defining detailed market and opportunity requirements
Outlining priorities for a future personalized strategic market entry workplan
Defining what marketing and regulatory compliance assistance is required
Specifying future international business development needs, e.g., connections to key decision makers, support from in-market professionals
Mapping for the SME relevant programs and services available to help them advance their international business development activities.
Businesses will receive $4,000 in consulting services. The cost for businesses to participate is $400.
Eligible SMEs can contact Abbie Hodder, econext’s COO and Manager of International Business via email at abbie@econext.ca to indicate their interest.
The deadline for applications is 12pm NST on February 16, 2023.
Join us in celebrating your hard work this year and connect with econext members and friends at our Christmas Networking Event
The annual econext Christmas Networking Event will take place at Piatto Duckworth Street from 5 pm – 8 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Refreshments and light hors d’eourves will be served. Space is limited and tickets are free for members.
econext is offering another iteration of the Caribbean Customized Consulting and Advisory Services for a limited number of companies. The services will be delivered between January and April 2023. Companies who are new to the Caribbean marketplace and are considering applying for econext’s Spring Trade Mission (May 2023) may find it beneficial to utilize this program for market research, strategy development and pre-mission virtual engagement.
Application Deadline has been Extended to January 11, 2023
Each participant firm/organization will benefit from the following services:
50 consulting hours per firm to address the unique needs of project participants. Participants will be able to select from a variety of services to generate a customized work plan of consulting service support. This support could range from mentorship and strategy development, to support with development of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and project proposals. (See attached application form below).
During the course of the consulting services cycle, the consultants will monitor relevant procurement portals regularly to identify and disseminate relevant Caribbean procurement opportunities to participating organizations in a timely fashion.
Admission criteria include:
Clear articulation of interests and objectives in the application form
Demonstrated completion of follow-up activities including exit surveys (for past participants in the econext/NEIA Caribbean Program)
Export readiness
Substantiated rationale for interest in the Caribbean region
Commitment to necessary level of effort to execute workplan
Company participation:
This program has a limited number of spaces and requires a fair amount of commitment from companies, particularly at the outset. As such, please note the following expectations/requirements.
Companies who cannot commit to the timeline indicated below should not apply to this program.
Selected companies will be expected to:
Complete an introductory interview and provide the consultant with a clear and concise (one-page) description of your company’s product and service offerings to enable accurate procurement opportunity identification by January 13, 2023
Work with the consultant to develop and finalize a work plan by January 25, 2023
Maintain regular communication during the project period
Adhere to the workplan and schedule as agreed upon with the consultant
Complete a detailed exit survey upon conclusion of consulting engagement to report on activities completed, outcomes and results achieved
Companies failing to meet minimum communication criteria will forfeit their remaining consulting hours
Notes:
This is not an “on-call” consultant advisory service. Selected companies will agree (in writing) with the consultant on a clearly defined workplan for this engagement
Bios are available below for the team that will be delivering this consulting service. If you are interested in applying for this program but would like to have a preliminary call with the lead consultant, Amber Mackereth, to discuss your objectives prior to application, please do not hesitate to reach out.
There is a cost of $600+HST per firm/organization, which will be invoiced upon successful admission to the program
Applicants must be in good standing with project partners (econext, IET, ACOA)
Please download and fill out the application below. Completed applications must be sent to abbie@econext.ca by COB on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
Amber Mackereth has worked closely with econext and its members on international business development initiatives in the past and has a wealth of experience and well-established networks throughout the Caribbean. She provides guidance to firms across Atlantic Canada on the subject of international business development, conducts international market research, and provides business matchmaking services for international trade missions. In addition to work experience in most of the English-speaking Caribbean, Amber has also lived in the Spanish-speaking markets of Cuba and Costa Rica. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. Amber has led, or played an integral role in, the successful execution of more than 20 international trade missions, including fifteen trade missions to the Caribbean region. She has worked with more than 30 of econext’s members to develop customized market entry strategies for the Caribbean region (including English, French and Spanish-speaking markets) and has prepared research reports for NEIA focused on Caribbean Blue & Green Economy initiatives (2020); opportunities and market entry tactics for Spanish-speaking Caribbean markets (2020); and Caribbean Climate Finance.
Marlene Power, International Program Officer at MI International, Marine Institute, and MI International’s lead on engagement in the Caribbean, has worked in the business, education, development, and humanitarian sectors in multiple regions of the world for over 20 years. She has secured and managed numerous international initiatives in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and Africa ranging from short consultancies to multi-year projects, working with a variety of clients and funders. Her experience in the Caribbean region includes projects and initiatives within the Blue and Green economy in Barbados, Grenada, Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname across multiple sectors. In 2020, Marlene was a member of a team retained by NEIA to conduct research on Blue and Green Economy opportunities in the Caribbean Basin. Marlene has been both a participant of Trade Missions to the Caribbean as well as an organizer of various independent business development missions into the region. She is thus intimately familiar with their challenges and success factors of and brings unique perspective to the team.
Hugh Wilkinson, principal of Coral Hill LLC, is an expert in business development in emerging markets. With a focus on ‘IFI Procurement’ and the strategic pursuit of business funded by the World Bank and other IFIs, he provides end-to-end consulting in international business planning, strategic engagement, partnering, and bidding to win. His clients have included the major IFIs, foreign governments, consulting, law and technology firms, NGOs, and Canadian federal and provincial government agencies. He has been a trusted advisor and business consultant to companies like Microsoft, HP, GE, Hachette Livre, Gowlings, Dillon Consulting, and dozens of Canadian SMEs. With 30+ years’ work experience in global development, Hugh is also a specialist in the design, management, and evaluation of development projects. He has undertaken numerous market assessments throughout the English and Spanish-speaking Caribbean, led multiple project assignments in Guyana, the Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, and Belize, and maintains a broad network of contacts throughout the region. Most recently he was contracted by NEIA to conduct an in-depth analysis of markets in ten Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean and to provide related support to five NL CleanTech/OceanTech firms in developing and implementing strategic market plans in the region. He resides in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.
