MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

MY EAST COAST EXPERIENCE HONOURS 2023 MOST INSPIRING IMMIGRANTS IN ATLANTIC CANADA

On January 20, My East Coast Experience honoured ten amazing immigrants at the 2023 Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada Gala Awards, presented by RBC. Their leadership, social responsibility, and community contribution have touched many lives and continue to inspire change day after day. In the coming weeks, My East Coast Experience will be sharing their captivating stories across our social media channels. In the meantime, you can meet the honourees at myeastcoastexperience.com. (Image Credit: Century Farm Media)

MARCH IS EASTER SEALS MONTH

At Easter Seals Nova Scotia , we dedicate each March to raising awareness for our programs and services. Annually, more than 2,700 Nova Scotians living with disabilities participate in or benefit from our programs and services. Whether it’s providing barrier-free camping opportunities, employment opportunities, assistive devices, or our inclusive sports programs, we advocate for a barrier-free Nova Scotia. At the core of everything we do is the people we serve across the province from Yarmouth to Cape Breton. We are excited to share more stories from our programs and services and how they’ve helped provide independence and inclusion this Easter Seals Month.

NEW SERVICE AT JIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCTIONS

JIVE is excited to announce the addition of a new service to our business. Alongside photography, videography, droning, and animation, JIVE can now also produce your company’s very own podcast. Since the creation and success of our in-house podcast Make My Logo Bigger, we’ve found a passion for finding new ways to help our clients tell their stories. With a full-service package, JIVE is now taking on clients interested in building their brand’s value through this relevant platform. Interested in hearing more or being a sponsor of Make My Logo Bigger? Don’t hesitate to reach out!

HALIFAX CONVENTION CENTRE’S SENIOR DIRECTOR JOINS PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL EVENTS BOARD

Genaya Cameron, CMM, Senior Director, Event Operations at the Halifax Convention Centre, is joining the International Board of Directors of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the world’s largest association of events industry professionals. Cameron is the first Atlantic Canadian to sit on the board in over 15 years. Her one-year term began in January and underscores the Halifax Convention Centre as the leading venue for events in the region, providing an important opportunity to connect Halifax and Nova Scotia to international audiences. Through her tenure at the Halifax Convention Centre, Cameron has supported the delivery of hundreds of events, which have welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests to Halifax.

HALIFAX STANFIELD SERVES OVER 3 MILLION PASSENGERS IN 2022

In 2022, Halifax Stanfield experienced a dramatic increase in travel demand and ended the year serving 3,107,425 passengers. With passenger activity up 189 per cent, Halifax Stanfield was Canada's second fastest-recovering Tier 1 airport and the country’s sixth busiest airport. Over the year, Halifax Stanfield launched more than a dozen new and returning domestic, U.S. and international air service routes. Two new airline partners, Lynx Air and Eurowings Discover, began offering expanded domestic and European connections, and two new destinations not previously served from Halifax — Windsor, ON and Washington, DC — were added to the airport’s route map. Additional service enhancements in 2022 to meet growing demand included reopening the Park’N Fly lot in time for March Break, allowing sun seekers and budget-conscious travellers to take advantage of this discounted parking option. HIAA’s air service development team continues to work closely with existing and prospective airlines to increase Nova Scotia’s connections to the world.

TOASTMASTERS MEMBERS ELECT DAWN FRAIL TO INTERNATIONAL BOARD

Dawn Frail, of Toronto, Ontario, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Toastmasters International, the world’s leading organization devoted to communication and leadership skills development. This past August, Frail was elected to the 2022–2024 two-year term at the organization’s 2022 International Convention. Frail is the owner and president of Athena Executive Education , a leadership development and consulting firm, where she has worked for 17 years. As a member of the Toastmasters International Board of Directors, Frail is a “working ambassador” for the organization. She works with the Board to develop and support the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.

HANNAH HICKS PLATINUM JUBILEE MEDAL

On January 14, 2023, I was honoured to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal from the Hon. Kelly Regan. The ceremony was held at Province House. The host read the following as I was presented with my medal, “Hannah Hicks for service to the arts. Hannah Hicks is an artist and entrepreneur who loves creating art that makes people happy. After initially selling her art at a local fundraiser for persons with disabilities, Ms. Hicks now sells her art in stores right across Canada. Ms. Hicks is also a gold medal winning Special Olympian.”

CONGRATS TO WIA-C ATLANTIC VP

Women in Aerospace Canada Atlantic is proud to celebrate our Vice President, Eva Martinez, who recently received the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her service and significant contributions to Nova Scotia. Eva has been instrumental in expanding the WIACanada in the Atlantic provinces through kindness and volunteerism, reflecting the Queen's calling of service to others.

$2,400 NON-REPAYABLE E-COMMERCE GRANT FOR NOVA SCOTIA BUSINESSES

Industry, Science, and Economic Development Canada is offering eligible businesses $2,400 non-repayable grant money to adopt e-commerce strategies and grow digitally. This is part of a $4 billion, 3-year program rolling out across Canada. Eligible expenses include online ordering systems, e-commerce software, search engine optimization support, e-commerce software subscription fees, social media/digital ads, and development of a new e-commerce website. Learn more at digitalmainstreet. ca/atlantic-cdap.

EFFICIENCYONE NAMED ONE OF ATLANTIC CANADA’S TOP EMPLOYERS

For the fifth year in a row, EfficiencyOne has been named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers. Among the many benefits for employees, EfficiencyOne encourages employees to prioritize their health and wellness and focuses on training and professional development opportunities that build and maintain a talented, high-performing workforce. EfficiencyOne prides itself on fostering a culture that celebrates success, promotes and encourages growth, and recognizes the contributions of the entire team. More details on the award and all the winners can be found on the Canada’s Top Employers website at canadastop100.com/atlantic.

NOW OPEN YEAR-ROUND!

Visit us at the Digby Pines Golf Resort & Spa . We are Nova Scotia's iconic resort, and we have great things happening, including our outdoor heated pool and spa, activities, and games in the Grande Lounge with a crackling fire, state-of-the-art Trackman2 Golf simulator, Eminence Spa, and the launch of our seasonal menu at Churchill's Restaurant. Our team is ready to welcome you and we look forward to seeing you soon! For inquiries, please call 1-902-245-2511 or email us at reservations@digbypines.ca.

GRANT PROFESSIONALS GATHER

Vanessa Burns (She/Her), Grants Consultant and Founder of Vanessa Burns Consulting Group, was thrilled to attend the recent Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Over 600 grant professionals and consultants met to discuss ethical practices, proposal strategies, and trends within the industry. Vanessa is excited to announce that she was elected Board Secretary of the inaugural Canadian GPA Chapter. This is the first international chapter for the

organization. As a member of GPA, Vanessa is expected to uphold high ethical industry standards and commits to investing in professional development in order to benefit both clients and community.

PEOPLE STUFF INC. EXPANSION

People Stuff Inc. (located in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador) is excited to announce that they are expanding into Halifax. People Stuff currently has several clients in the Halifax area and is looking forward to expanding into the community. People Stuff has a history of offering virtual services across Canada and is excited to offer in-person services in the Halifax area. People Stuff is also excited to join the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. You can contact People Stuff at (709) 69-2423 or chad@peoplestufnl. ca.

JOHN RISLEY RECOGNIZED AS LEADER IN RECONCILIATION IN CANADIAN BUSINESS

The Public Policy Forum recently announced that Canadian businessman John Risley will be awarded the Testimonial Dinner Award for his outstanding contributions to the quality of public policy and good governance. Risley was CEO of Clearwater Seafoods Inc. in 2020 when he decided to sell to a partnership led by Mi’kmaq First Nations, one of the biggest Indigenous business deals the country has seen. The deal was a landmark moment for reconciliation in Canadian business. More than 1,200 policymakers will gather to pay tribute to Risley on April 27 at the Public Policy Forum’s 35th Annual Testimonial Dinner Honour Roll in Toronto, which marks the year’s high point in Canadian policymakers’ calendars. Risley joins 120 outstanding Canadian men and women who have been honoured by the Public Policy Forum since 1988. Learn more at ppforum.ca.

EXHIBITS PLUS GETTING NOTICED

At the November press conference for the launch of the Cogswell Lands development, Exhibits Plus was asked to fabricate and install the backdrop for the announcement. We designed, framed, and installed the graphics that showed the view the citizens of and visitors to Halifax will see when the development is finished. More recently, we’ve provided the Halifax Mooseheads with a selfie backdrop for team fans to take photos while at the game. Under production now is a new 20-foot Mooseheads autograph backdrop for fans to meet team stars at events and after the games. Exhibits Plus also just completed a new 20-foot display for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Its first outing will be at the American Bus Association trade show in Detroit, to help to draw new visitors to see the show and visit Nova Scotia.

INSIGHTS ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND PERSONAL RETIREMENT PLANS

Financial Advisor Daniel Lomas, of Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network, was recently interviewed by Canadian broadcasting veteran Randy Taylor. Lomas and Taylor discussed strategies available to small business owners on ways to fund an Executive Pension Plan. Listen to the interview by visiting Randy Taylor’s YouTube Channel, Informed with Randy Taylor.

RECOGNIZING LONGTIME CHAMBER VOLUNTEER AND SUPPORTER

Dee Deuville became a member of the Halifax Chamber in 1990, and she has been an enthusiastic supporter ever since. If you’ve attended any events hosted by the Chamber, chances are that you’ve seen her smiling face welcoming you at the door.

“Over the past 30 years, I have spent many hours in the Halifax Chamber of Commerce offices in Burnside and worked with so many wonderful people,” says Deuville. “The Halifax Chamber was instrumental in my success as a sales professional, and being an Ambassador has been the frosting on the cake! I have made so many wonderful lasting connections and friends. I look forward to greeting your members at many more events!”

In addition to her volunteer work with the Halifax Chamber, Deuville has been a fierce advocate for business in Burnside.

Deuville first joined the Greater Burnside Business Association (GBBA) as a volunteer in 2004, going on to join the organization’s Board of Directors in 2006. In 2018, she became Chair of the Board.

After five years serving as Chair, Deuville will be stepping down this May. “It has been my honour and privilege to lead the Volunteer Board for the past five years,” she says. “We have accomplished much and will continue to advocate on behalf of Burnside businesses.”

Deuville will stay on as Past Chair for one year and plans to continue supporting the local business community. “I will always be involved in volunteer work where I am needed,” she says. “Traveling with the Chamber, gardening, and wine tastings keep me busy, but I hope to continue to volunteer with the Halifax Chamber and GBBA to support Burnside Businesses. Burnside is where my heart is!”