Saint John Board of Trade announces recipient of 2012 “Chair’s Award”

Larry Hachey, Chairman of the Saint John Board of Trade is pleased to announce his choice for the 2012 “Chair’s Award” to be presented at the 28th annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards dinner on Wednesday, October 3rd at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre.

The Chair’s Award was established in 1993 to recognize a company, or individual, who has demonstrated a particular excellence or achievement in a certain aspect of their business, having made either an immediate impact on or a substantial long-term contribution to the economic progress of our community.

“I am excited to be presenting the award this year to Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada Inc. (CCSAC)” said Mr. Hachey. “CCSAC is a non-profit organization that has been changing lives, giving back to the community and along the way, has become a great employer and standard bearer for serviced based companies. My choice was an easy one.”

Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada is a non-profit community service dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering consumers by providing guidance in solving debt problems through financial counselling, education and debt repayment programs.

Established in 1994, CCSAC began as a one-office, one-employee organization. John Eisner was hired as the first credit counsellor and his belief in the mission has never wavered. John and co-founder Bill Gale believed in the need for this service in Saint John and enlisted Roly McIntyre and Kit Payn, to name a few, to make up the first board of directors. To ensure sustainability during lean times, the early years saw the agency seek donations of postage and furniture and whatever else it took to make it to the next month.

Eventually hard work, word of mouth and consumer demand ensured the continued growth and success of the business. Under the direction of President John Eisner, the agency has grown to ten offices throughout Atlantic Canada and a staff of twenty-five. In 2011, CCSAC counselled over 5,000 clients and helped them eliminate over $10-million in debt. To date, CCSAC has worked with in excess of 100,000 consumers experiencing debt issues. CCSAC plays a very active role in financial literacy and last year alone reached over 4,000 participants during 180 presentations.

The 28th annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards dinner, Saint John’s Premiere annual business event, will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 3rd at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre. Tickets are available by contacting the Board of Trade office at 40 King Street, Saint John or by calling (506) 634-8111.

Past recipients of the Chair’s Award include: Mr. Philip Oland in 1993; Saint John Pro Sports Inc. in 1994; Mr. Malcolm Somerville in 1995; the Imperial Theatre Inc. in 1996; Mr. Patrick Darrah in 1997; Cruise Saint John’s “Meet & Greet” Committee and the Irving Companies in 1999; New Brunswick Community College-Saint John and the University of New Brunswick Saint John in 2000; Mr. Lino Celeste in 2001; The Greater Saint John Roundtable on Primary Healthcare in 2002; Mr. Stephen MacMackin in 2003; Dr. Mary Eileen Travis in 2004; The five regional mayors were honoured as group in 2005; The Atlantica Centre for Energy in 2006; the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI) in 2007; Bob Manning in 2008; Gerry Pond in 2009; Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick in 2010; and Enterprise Saint John in 2011.

Saint John Board of Trade to host General Rick Hillier

The Saint John Board of Trade is pleased to present a luncheon with General Rick Hillier. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at noon at the Saint John Trade & Convention Centre.


General Hillier was Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff – the highest ranking position in the Canadian Forces. He is presently Senior Adviser with TD Bank Group. General Hillier will speak on Leadership.

Event and ticket information can be found at www.sjboardoftrade.com and can be purchased online or by calling the Saint John Board of Trade office at (506) 634-8111 or emailing info@sjboardoftrade.com

Thank you to our Sponsor, TD Bank Group.

Saint John Board of Trade to host Jean-Rene Halde, President & CEO, Business Development Bank of Canada

The Saint John Board of Trade is pleased to present its Distinguished Speaker Luncheon Series with Jean-Rene Halde, President & CEO of the Business Development Bank of Canada. The event will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at noon at the Delta Brunswick Hotel.

Mr. Halde will speak on innovation and investing.

Event and ticket information can be found at www.sjboardoftrade.com and can be purchased online or by calling the Saint John Board of Trade office at (506) 634-8111 or emailing info@sjboardoftrade.com

Thank you to our Distinguished Speaker Series Sponsors Emera New Brunswick, Scotiabank and Stewart McKelvey.

Saint John Board of Trade announces the Finalists for the 28th Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards

SAINT JOHN, NB – The Saint John Board of Trade proudly announces the finalists for Greater Saint John’s Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. The awards dinner, Saint John’s Premiere annual business event, and presentations will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012 at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre.


From a field of over 90 nominees, the five-member judging panel has selected Cochran’s Country Market and Innovatia as the finalists for the Business Excellence award. The finalists for the Entrepreneurial Achievement award honour are Element5 Spa and Master Promotions. The finalists for the Emerging Enterprise award are Hemmings House Pictures and Piece-O-Cake.

The recipient of this year’s Young Entrepreneur Award is Dave Wolpin, the owner of Kredls, Wolpin Enterprises and Dave’s Produce Packs.

Now in its 28th year, the Outstanding Business Achievement Awards event recognizes businesses and business people in the community that have aided business development, entrepreneurship and increased economic progress in Greater Saint John.

The Entrepreneurial Achievement award is designed to recognize a company or individual that has started a business, considerably improved a company, or modified an existing enterprise.

The Business Excellence award focuses on established companies that have achieved highly in management quality, sales growth, community relations, marketing and leadership.

The Emerging Enterprise award recognizes new businesses just beginning to make their mark. To be eligible for this award, companies must have been in business less than five years.

The Young Entrepreneur Award recognizes young business leaders (30 years and under) just beginning to make their mark.

Previous winners of the awards, presented annually since 1985, have included: Lingley Printing Co. Ltd; Tabufile Atlantic Ltd; Pete’s Frootique; Mother Nature’s Pita Bakery & Restaurant; Bourque Manufacturing Ltd; Eastern Technical Services Ltd; Fundy Computer Services Ltd; Moosehead Breweries Ltd; Hunter Marketing & Communications; Beattie Construction Services Ltd; Thirtysomething Enterprises Inc (The Body Shop); Gardner Electric Ltd; NBTel; Kelly Tire Services Ltd; Mitchell, McConnell, Daniels Insurance Brokers Ltd; PCL & Eastern Packaging Limited; Aquila Tours/Destination Marketing; Baxter Foods Limited; Brenan Group Ltd; DMR Consulting Group Inc; Maritime Aqua Service; New North Media; Delta Brunswick Hotel; Senior Watch Inc; Appleby’s Image Center; Discount Car & Truck Rentals; The Document Company Xerox; Impact Forensic Analysis Inc; CanSupply.com; Java Moose; Irving Oil, Refining Division; Funeral Directors’ Choice; Meridian Construction Inc; Media Planet; Eastern Collections Services Ltd; Cendant Canada Inc; Here Publishing Inc; CAA Maritimes; National Leasing, Rent-a-Chef Inc; H.E.L.P. Educational Services Ltd; Simply for Life; Cooke Aquaculture; Fundy Engineering & Consulting Ltd; ADI Limited; Brovada Technologies; Evolving Solutions; Mariner Partners; CentreBeam Inc; Canadian Cable Systems Alliance Inc; Maritime Rescue and Medical Inc; East Point Inc.; Lorneville Mechanical Contractors; Jacques Whitford Limited; Vision Coaching; The DPL Group; Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission; Opera Bistro; Dillon Consulting; Kelson & Kelson; ClinicServer; Go-Go Gymnastics Inc; Punch Productions; and Bayview Trucks & Equipment Ltd.

Previous recipients of the Young Entrepreneur Award were Ji Li, Greg Hemmings, Tao Tao Liu, Marc Robichaud, Leah Anderson, Jenny Scott, James Galbraith, Kiera Fraser, and Keith Brideau.

This year’s winners will be announced at the awards dinner on October 3rd Tickets for the awards dinner may be obtained from the Saint John Board of Trade.

BMO Grand Opening Event on September 6th

For the invitation click here.

Pascan Aviation announces Saint John Air Schedule

For the media release click here.

CANAPORT LNG’S UPGRADE PROJECT INVESTING $3 MILLION INTO SAINT JOHN ECONOMY

Saint John, New Brunswick: Canaport LNG’s $43 million upgrade project has spent over $3 million to the benefit of local Saint John businesses since the beginning of construction in April, 2012.

Over 30 local suppliers have been contracted to supply equipment and manpower for the project, with approximately 25 to 30 local workers employed on site since construction began in April.

The upgrade project remains on schedule with additional workers and suppliers expected at the Terminal until the upgrades are complete. The BOG upgrade project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013. The Canaport LNG Terminal will remain online during the construction period with minimal interruption to operations as a result of the construction activities.

In February, Canaport LNG announced plans to upgrade the Terminal’s Boil-Off Gas (BOG) system. Completion of this project will reduce the amount of BOG sent to flare, resulting in the reduction of the Terminal’s emissions.

Media Contact:

Kate Shannon

Canaport LNG

506-638-1311