Thursday, May 31, 2012

2012 Fortis Charity Golf Classic Raises $102,000


2012 Fortis Charity Golf Classic Raises $102,000

Saint John, NB – On May 25th, Fortis Properties teamed up with more than 125 local businesses to raise $102,000 for the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI). For 10 years, the Fortis Charity Golf Classic has been helping local children and youth who live in poverty to succeed in school by contributing funds raised to innovative initiatives, including: the Early Learning Centre, PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools), the Teen Resource Centre, First Steps and Vibrant Communities Saint John.
"At the heart of the Fortis Charity Golf Classic is our unwavering goal to give Saint John’s children who live in poverty a better chance to reach their full potential," said Paulette Hicks, Saint John general manager for Fortis Properties and event chair. “It’s our pleasure to help rally the business community each year to assist BCAPI and Saint John in achieving this important community goal to build a bright future for local children and break the cycle of poverty.”  Child poverty has a negative and long-lasting impact on a child's ability to learn, build skills, find employment and break the intergenerational cycle. The Fortis Charity Golf Classic, is just one of many important initiatives that BCAPI and the Saint John community is using to change the picture of poverty and to help every child succeed from Cradle to Career.  Education is pivotal to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty that is the reality for too many families in Saint John.  “The Fortis Charity Golf Classic is such a fine example of how our business community has come together to help children
and youth who live in poverty to achieve the education they need for life success,” said Tom Gribbons, BCAPI chair. “These are wise investments because the consequences of lifetime poverty are very costly. We are especially grateful to Fortis Properties for their generosity and leadership in bringing this vital fundraising event to Saint John each year. “ Throughout its ten-year history, the Fortis Charity Golf Classic has raised $570,000 in the fight against poverty. The 2012 Fortis Charity Golf Classic participants included: 

Title Sponsor:
Fortis Properties

Gold Sponsors:
Bird Construction Company
Brunswick Square
CHSJ Country 94.1/97.3 The Wave
Delta Brunswick
King Mazda
McInnes Cooper
Securitas
Trane Atlantic

Silver Sponsors:
CBRE Hotels
Controls & Equipment
Cox & Palmer
Deloitte
Empire
Mariner
Pepsico Beverages Canada
Select Printing & Signs
Sheppard Case Architects
Stantec
Vincor/Jackson Triggs
Xerox

Cart Sponsor:
Moosehead Breweries

Lunch Sponsor:
Bretech Group

Heads &Tails Sponsor:
Price Waterhouse Coopers
BCAPI Friends:
Canaport LNG
Canlink Aviation
George Freeze Plumbing
ICR
Roadway Systems
Saint John Port Authority
Thyssen Elevators
University of New Brunswick - Saint John
Waste Management

Major Gifts Sponsors:
Bell Aliant
Claims Pro
Grand &Toy
Hallmark
Kevin Schyf
Lawson &Creamer
Point of Presence
Stewart McKelvey
Uptown Saint John

Teams:
Auto Tec
Bell Aliant
Belyea Colwell & Associates
Bird Construction
Bretech Group
Brunswick Square
Canaport LNG
CBRE Hotels
Chandler Sales
Cooke Aquaculture
Controls & Equipment
Country 94.1/97.3 The Wave
Cox & Palmer
Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada
Deloitte
Delta Brunswick
Emera New Brunswick
Empire
Fortis Properties
Grant Thornton
Gregor Hope/BCAPI Boosters
Hockey New Brunswick
Mariner
McInnes Cooper
Moosehead Breweries
Pepsico Beverages Canada
Price Waterhouse Coopers
Pro-Tech Sanitation
RBC Dominion Securities
Saputo Dairy Products
Securitas
Select Printing &Signs
Stantec
Stewart McKelvey
Trane
Xerox

Gift & Prize Sponsors:

Ale House, Aquila Tours, Baleman’s, Bank of Nova Scotia, Barry Spalding, Baubles, Bay Ferries, Bayview Credit Union, Bell Aliant, Bird Construction, Blue Cross Centre, Booster Juice, Boston Pizza, Bourque Industrial, Brunswick Square, Canlink Aviation, Chef Ramsay, Claims Pro, Coast Tire, Coles The Book People, Collectables, Colwell’s, Commercial Properties, Cooke Aquaculture, Cora, Costco, Country 94, Credit Counseling, Deans Meats, Decimal 81, Décor 8, Deloitte, Delta Barrington, Delta Beausejour, Delta Fredericton, Delta Halifax, Delta Ottawa, Delta Prince Edward, Digby Pines, Don Connolly, Down East Coffee, East Side Mario’s, Emera NB, English Butler, Enterprise Saint John, Essential Studios, Four Points by Sheraton, Fundy Engineering, Future Shop, Global Convention Services, GoldSmith Studios, Grannan’s Hospitality, Grand & Toy, Grant Thornton, Hairacy’s, Hallmark, Harbour Station, Hockey New Brunswick, Imperial Theatre. Innovatia, Investors Group, Irving Oil, James Wilson, Je Suis Prest Boutique, Jeff Clark Dental, Jim Connolly, Jungle Jims, Kent, Key Industries, King Mazda, Kings Place, Lawson Creamer, Lawton's, Leisure Time RV,  Lily's Café, Liquid Gold, McInnes Cooper, MCW Maricor, Mill Rats, Mitchell McConnell, Moosehead, NBCC, Opera Bistro, OSCO, Paddington Station, Paul’s Flower Shop, Pier 1 Imports, Pepsico, Perfumes Plus, Piece o Cake, Pizza Hut, Point of Presence, Print Three, Ramada Inn/ Crystal Palace, RBC, Relish, Revolution Strategy, Roadway Systems, Rocky’s Sports Bar, Rodd Crowbush Resort, Rodney Weston, Rogers, Saint John Adventures, Saint John Energy, Saint John Marina, Saint John Sea Dogs, Saputo, Shift Energy, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Simmons, Slocum & Ferris, Smucker’s Food, Stantec, Starbucks, Stewart McKelvey, TD Waterhouse, Thandi’s, Thyssen Elevators, Tim Horton’s, Trevor Holder, Uptown Saint John, Urban Deli, Urban Shoe Myth, Vincor/Jackson Triggs, Waste Management, Windoor, XEROX, YMCA-YWCA.

More than 125 businesses made contributions of cash, services, and gifts.

About BCAPI

The Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI) was founded in 1997 in Saint John, NB, by business leaders and professionals who wanted to move beyond charity and substantially reduce poverty in Saint John. BCAPI is a “catalyst” organization leveraging the skills, resources and influence of business leaders and professionals in Saint John to affect  change for families who are caught in the cycle of poverty.

Opera to Broadway!


Opera to Broadway: a benefit concert with Symphony New Brunswick, opera star Michèle Losier, and the Louisburg Choir - Moncton Capitol Theatre June 23, 2012, 8 pm.  

Join us for this great evening of classical favorites and some of Broadway’s greatest hits under the direction of Michael Newnham. Information on ticket sale HERE. (1-800-567-1922)

Please see also information attached about the Dress Rehearsal.  This is a great opportunity for any kids who would be interested in seeing this performance or groups who would like to attend.  Tickets to the Dress Rehearsal are only $10!

All proceeds will go towards supporting the many artistic, educational, and community outreach programs that Symphony New Brunswick provides each season.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

KPMG Report ranks Saint John on of the most competitive cities in North America

Saint John, NB. Saint John is one of the most cost competitive places in North America to do business, according to a new study by the international professional services firm, KPMG.

The 2012 edition of the KPMG Report Competitive Alternatives, released on March 22, 2012, has given Saint John a score of 92.5, with the four largest US metro areas holding the baseline index of 100. This means that Saint John, along with Fredericton and Moncton, is the most cost competitive region in North America in which to do business. This is a powerful investment attraction tool as it strengthens our Community’s ability to put forward a meaningful value proposition to potential investors and developers.

“Essentially, all of the New Brunswick cities evaluated in the report have an identical cost index. We tied with Fredericton at 92.5 and Moncton is at 92.3, which could be described as a ‘rounding error’", says Steve Carson, CEO of Enterprise Saint John. “We are thrilled that our cost advantages have been recognized internationally by such a high profile study.”

The KPMG Report also showed that Saint John has economic costs that are 8 percentage points below the US baseline. This strengthens the international appeal of Saint John as an attractive place to do business.

Enterprise Saint John is the economic development Agency for the Saint John region, whose mission is to create the environment for prosperity by inspiring and supporting people, ideas and investment.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Christine Comeau, Enterprise Saint John
ccomeau@enterprisesj.com
506-658-6209

Princess of Acadia heading to dry dock

MV Princess of Acadia Drydock


The Saint John to Digby ferry service will be suspended to enable an unscheduled drydocking of the MV Princess of Acadia.

Reservations are not currently being accepted for the period May 28th – May 31st, 2012. The MV Princess of Acadia is expected to resume service on May 31st. We encourage customers to verify the resumption of service time and date by visiting our website for further updates or contacting the call centre or local terminal.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused to our valued customers.

The maintenance being performed will enable Bay Ferries Limited to continue to deliver safe, quality and efficient ferry service.

Website: www.nfl-bay.com
Call Center: 1 – 877 – 762 – SAIL (7245)
Saint John Terminal: 506 649 7777
Digby Terminal: 902 245 2116

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Sunwing Announces 2013 Schedule at Saint John Airport

Officials at the Saint John Airport have received confirmation of the expanded 2013 flight schedule for Sunwing departures direct from Saint John Airport which includes new destinations Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; in addition to the existing Cancun, Mexico. The schedule includes three flights per week, and an earlier seasonal start date beginning Wednesday, February 6, 2013.


Colleen Kemp Mitchell, Director of Marketing and Communications, stated today, “Vacations by Sunwing have proved very popular, not only with those in the Saint John area, but also province-wide. This is an opportunity for area hotels to participate in this expanded service.”

Saint John will be the only New Brunswick airport for Sunwing’s Cancun and Santa Maria departures. All-inclusive winter vacations have remained competitively priced, providing an added incentive to those seeking an escape from the ice and snow.

“Sunwing offers a broad range of all-inclusive packages –good news for people who are booking now for travel next year. Most flights will sell out, however by booking now for next winter, most options are available,” confided Kemp Mitchell. “Beginning your vacation so close to home is a huge advantage for Saint John travelers. The short distance means vacations start sooner.”

For price-sensitive travelers, Sunwing has fantastic deals on three-star to five-star resorts. Resort options extend to five star locations, for those interested in ultimate luxury, such as Memories, RIU, Iberostar, and Melia, among others.

Sun destinations for Sunwing departing from the Saint John Airport include Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba, plus Cancun, Mexico, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The departure schedule includes three days per week: Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, providing flexibility for travelers.

Packages by Sunwing Vacations and Signature Vacations can be booked through local area travel agents or through the website Sunwing.ca and Signature.ca

For further information, contact:
Colleen Mitchell, Director of Marketing and Communications
Saint John Airport Inc. DL: 506.638.5584

New Campaign Raises Awareness About the Value of Tourism in Saint John

City attracts 1.5 million tourists, spending up to $250 million every year


“Tourism is a vital part of the Saint John economy, especially for the employees of Harbour Station, the Saint John Sea Dogs, our supporters and guests who travel to see us play” says Wayne Long, President, Saint John Sea Dogs. “Tourism is a sector with amazing growth potential for our region.”

Wayne Long is one of four Saint Johners providing powerful testimonials about the value of tourism to the Port City. Their quotes and personal stories are part of a public awareness campaign launched by the Saint John Hotel Association. The goal of this campaign is to grow local awareness, knowledge and appreciation about the value of tourism to Saint John.

More than 1.5 million people visit Saint John each year and spend up to $250 million at our local shops, restaurants and other businesses. Tourism employs 1 in 10 people in the Fundy region, which is more than fishing, mining and agriculture combined.

Shelley DeMerchant, owner of the Urban Shoe Myth on King Street says she and her young family benefit from tourists coming to Saint John. “Tourism is important to my family and me,” says Shelley. Money spent in local businesses like mine stays in our community, helping to grow our local economy and our city’s future success.”

Jennifer Lanzon is the Executive Director of the National Police Board (NPB) in Ottawa. She brought 250 delegates, companions and speakers to the NPB’s annual conference hosted at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre in August 2010.

“When we held our national conference in Saint John, the beautiful harbour, the warm hospitality, choice of restaurants and shops, and high level of service blew us away,” says Jennifer. “People still talk about the Maritime kitchen party!”

Other tactics included in the “We All Win with Tourism in SJ” campaign are: the distribution of tent cards and window clings throughout the city; a website (www.WinWithTourismSJ.com); radio ads; contests and social media outreach, including use of the Twitter hashtag #WinTourismSJ.

Friday, May 18, 2012

A Fund Raising Event for The Arts

Gerry Pond and Bob Davidson - This event will bring Saint John together to Honour two individuals who didn't always agree, but always worked hard to do what they thought was the right thing for the City and the people. It's so easy to get lost in the competition between politics, individuals and interest groups that we often need to be reminded that Saint John is our home. We all want the best for it and we accomplish more when we work together, (More)


Saint John Airport Announces Results


News Release
(Saint John, NB – May 3, 2012) Officials at the Saint John Airport announced year end results for 2011 at the Annual General Meeting held today. Despite a decline in passengers during 2011, the Airport posted a surplus of $360,000., during a year of slow economic growth.

International traffic continued its increase due to the success of Sunwing vacation packages. There was a 32% increase in international traffic during 2011. This is significant given that international traffic posted a 56% increase in 2010 over 2009.

In total, over 208,000 passengers travelled through the Saint John Airport during 2011. Both airlines serving the Saint John Airport, Air Canada and Sunwing, experienced increased traffic.

During the AGM, Bernard LeBlanc, President and CEO, presented highlights of 2011. “Sunwing vacations proved very popular, and steady traffic on Air Canada Express helped out.”

Other 2011 highlights included the successful negotiation of a labour agreement with PSAC local 60615 for represented Airport employees, introduction of the first ever Runway Run community event, and an airport-wide Open House that included a static display of vintage aircraft.

“Our efforts during 2011 were successful in securing labour stability with our workforce, and extending our message to the greater community,” stated Mr. LeBlanc.

“We saw positive financial growth by posting a surplus, despite a reduction in passenger traffic. During 2012 we will focus on increasing passenger traffic and adding to air service options,” continued Mr. LeBlanc. “The airport is a vital economic and social link that supports the entire Southern New Brunswick region. Together we can leverage the benefits of having an airport located close to home.”

Saint John Airport Inc. is a local, not-for-profit company governed by a twelve member Board of Directors nominated by government and community organizations.

The 179,000 residents in the catchment area spanning St. Stephen to Sussex benefit from the airport’s economic impact estimated at $66 million, and almost 600 jobs created directly and indirectly. All revenue of the Saint John Airport is reinvested in operations and facilities on-site. No infrastructure funding from any level of government has been received since its transfer in 1999.

The complete Annual Report is available on the Saint John Airport Website at: saintjohnairport.com.

For further information, contact:
Bernard LeBlanc, President and CEO bleblanc@sjairport.ca 506.638.5558

Impact & Growth Potential Clearly Demonstrated at Tourism Industry Forum

Over one hundred people packed the Delta Brunswick Saint John Ballroom on May 1st to learn about the state of the tourism industry and to play a role in growing the sector at the Bay of Fundy Tourism Industry Forum, organized by Enterprise Saint John. (more)

Master Promotions Ltd. Acquires Well Established British Columbia Forestry and Natural Resources Event

Saint John, New Brunswick – New Brunswick based Master Promotions Ltd. is further expanding its BC portfolio of Trade Shows by acquiring a highly successful British Columbia Trade Event, Resources Expo, previously known as the Forestry and Resources Expo which is held in Prince George, British Columbia. (more)

NEW! Bent Grape! The Ultimate Summer Entertainment Experience!

Enjoy two flavour in one kit - 15 bottles of each - choose from 2 delicious combo packs (more)
Enjoy this recipie - Honey Mustard Pork Chops! (more)

Executive Series: Build a Social Business Strategy

This series of sessions, online and on location in Uptown Saint John, is meant to help executives understand, assess, and prepare their team for social business engagement. It takes executives out of the dark, removes the fear and insecurity that most feel around the topic and prepares them to make decisions to grow their business.  See attached memo


You can find out more about the executive series here




The Global Geopark Network’s 2014 International UNESCO-supported Conference has been awarded to the Stonehammer Global Geopark. The announcement was made today in Unzen, Japan. “We are thrilled to be able to welcome delegates from around the world to the Stonehammer Geopark,” said Chair Bill Merrifield, “This is another first for New Brunswick and for North America.” (more)

UNB College of Extended Learning - Effective Supervision Seminar


Effective Supervision
September 19 - 20, 2012 in Fredericton

Good supervisors, managers and team leaders are critical to the success of any organization, yet the vast majority of supervisors throughout North America are promoted into positions of authority without being trained. Making the transition to supervisor brings a significant change in roles and perspectives and requires an entirely new set of skills. This workshop focuses the participants on broadening their managerial knowledge base, developing "core" skills, understanding their leadership style, and increasing employee productivity. More

Registration open now. Register early to save 5% off the course fee!

CONTACT US
College of Extended Learning
University of New Brunswick, 6 Duffie Drive,
P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3
Tel.: 506 453-3503
Toll free: 1 866 599-4646
Fax: 506 453-3572
Web site: www.unb.ca/cel/career
E-mail: profdev@unb.ca

The John Howard Society (SJ Branch) presents Mental Health First Aid Canada

June 7 – 8th, 2012 – you will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems; provide initial help; guide a person towards appropriate professional help. (more)

CBC Show Returns to Search for Canadian Companies in Need

The Big Decision Matches Struggling Canadian Business with Top Investors


The producers of CBC’s hit show Dragon’s Den are looking for Canadian companies to participate in the second season of the reality business show The Big Decision.

Canada’s top investors are on a mission: to spend their time AND their money to turn around struggling Canadian Companies.  (more)

Saint John Industrial Parks has hired GEMTEC Consulting Engineers and Scientists to begin the design, engineering and permitting of the highly anticipated Lorneville Cove Barge Terminal project.

This project is the culmination of two years of preparation and planning, and it benefits from lessons learned in the effort to place the project at the Maguire's Cove site, says General Manager Brian Irving. (more)



Saint John Airport Board of Directors Elects New Chairman of the Board

The Saint John Airport Board of Directors has announced that a new Chairman of the Board was elected at its most recent Board meeting.  Norman McFarlane Succeeds outgoing Chair Wayne Power effective immediately. To view Media Release click here