January 10, 2012

Winnipeg, Manitoba – Business leaders from around the world will have an opportunity to participate at Centrallia 2012, a global trade and foreign investment initiative, thanks to combined investments of $1.2 million from the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba.

These investments were announced today by Peter Bjornson, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training, and Trade, and Shelly Glover,Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

“Business leaders from around the globe will gather in Winnipeg this year for this world-class networking event.  It’s an opportunity to showcase all Manitoba has to offer,” said Minister Bjornson.  “Centrallia 2010 was a great success and our government is pleased to work once again alongside the federal government and ANIM, Manitoba’s Bilingual Trade Agency, to help make this year’s event possible.”

“Our Government is working to create new jobs for Canadians and economic growth,” said Parliamentary Secretary Glover.  “Centrallia 2012’s unique business-to-business approach brings small and medium-sized businesses from around the world to Winnipeg to develop new relationships and opportunities.”

The Government of Canada is providing $600,000 to this project under the Western Diversification Program, while the Province of Manitoba is providing a matching $600,000.

These investments will enable ANIM, Manitoba’s Bilingual Trade Agency, to build on the success of Centrallia 2010 and deliver another Centrallia global business forum designed to help small and medium-sized businesses meet and create international connections.

Centrallia 2012 will capitalize on Manitoba’s location at the heart of North America to promote the province’s key role in the Mid-Content Trade and Transportation Corridor.  It is anticipated that more than 600 business leaders from more than 40 economic regions will attend this trilingual, international forum.  ANIM is collaborating with The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and its partners, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, and Manitoba Trade and Investment to organize the event.  This international business-to-business forum will increase business trade, investments and partnerships with Europe, the United States and South America.

“Centrallia 2010 showed a very high return on investment for Manitoba and more importantly for Manitoba’s business community,” said Mariette Mulaire, president and CEO of ANIM.  “We are very pleased that the Federal and Provincial Governments are on board to support this initiative again.  We are committed to deliver a second edition of the forum in 2012 which will be even bigger and better.”

Western Economic Diversification Canada in partnership with the provinces, industry associations, and communities promotes the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.

The Province of Manitoba is committed to supporting growth for Manitoba business, meeting provincial labour demands, increasing training opportunities and expanding trade relations around the world.

ANIM provides services to expand the presence of Manitoba organizations and businesses in national and international Francophone markets, and works with clients overseas to promote business opportunities in Manitoba.

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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba and ANIM, Manitoba’s Bilingual Trade Agency.

December 1st, 2011 – The Destination Canada job fair, held in France and Belgium and focused specifically on employment opportunities in Canada, was a huge success again this year, suggesting that there is increasing European interest in the Canadian provinces.

ANIM, Manitoba’s bilingual trade agency, along with the Province of Manitoba, CDEM (Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities) and Accueil francophone were on site at the event November 15-19 to interact with the 3,200 participants over four days.

“This forum is an opportunity to meet qualified and serious people who are ready to begin the immigration process to move to Manitoba and bring their unique expertise to the market,” said Brigitte Léger, Coordinator of ANIM’s Immigration Program. “It is a quick and effective way to actively recruit for Manitoba.”

ANIM estimates the forum connected them with around sixty strong immigration candidates, a dozen of whom could settle in Manitoba by early 2013. Most of them have a post-secondary education and good English skills.

“The results for this type of forum take years to come to fruition, but they always end up being success stories, comment Léger.” One of them originated in 2009 when Léger met the Gautier family for the first time at Destination Canada. Since then, the Gautiers visited Manitoba three times, completed their immigration process, and moved to Winnipeg in March 2011 to open their bakery “L’Épi de blé” in August 2011.

ANIM also used its presence at Destination Canada to strengthen and build new connections for French student exchanges and work placements in Manitoba. ANIM currently hosts around twenty interns from hospitality and culinary schools in Strasbourg and Dijon every summer. Negotiations are underway to open this program to a third French school and to apply it in other areas, such as agriculture.

ANIM continues to actively identify opportunities that directly benefit Manitoba’s economy.

Source:
Nathalie Gérard
Communications Officer
ANIM
204 295 0181
ngerard@animcanada.com

Photo, from left to right : Raymond Lafond, ANIM Chair, Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO of ANIM, Guy Préfontaine, Lead Architect, Martin Paquette, Master Franchisor, Eric Déry, BDC Representative, Maire Sam Katz, Daniel Gingras, Master Franchisor, Jenny Gerbasi, City Councillor, Norman Dupas and Robin Dupas, Project Promoters and Investors.

The City of Winnipeg, ANIM and Yes! Winnipeg behind successful drive to secure Nordik Spa-Nature franchise for City.

Winnipeg, MB. - A new $6 million spa is to be built at the City of Winnipeg’s Crescent Drive Golf Course.  The new spa is the result of more than two years of effort by the City of Winnipeg, ANIM (Manitoba’s bilingual trade agency) and its economic development partner Yes! Winnipeg (a business development initiative within Economic Development Winnipeg) and Winnipeg project promoters and investors Robin and Norman Dupas to help bring the Quebec-based Nordik Spa-Nature concept to Winnipeg.  The new spa is slated to open in the fall of 2012, and its development is being managed by Winnipeg based GPP Architecture.  Once built, the spa is expected to result in 60 new full-time jobs and 50 new contract positions, and will become an important tourism asset for the city of Winnipeg.

The original Nordik Spa-Nature is located in Chelsea, Quebec, where it offers a unique relaxation experience inspired by the techniques found in the Nordic Countries.  Since its opening in 2005 it has received numerous accolades and awards, including being named one of Canada’s 10 best spas by the National Post.  The new Winnipeg spa will become Nordik Spa-Nature’s first franchised spa in Canada.

“Winnipeg continues to show the country that we are open for business and building on the positive momentum underway here in heart of the continent,” said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz.  “I want to thank all of the partners for making this project a reality and together we will let the rest of Canada know that Winnipeg is the city to watch and we will continue to be the best city in Canada to invest in, and live, work and play.”

“Nordik Spa-Nature had been brought to the attention of ANIM by Mr. and Mrs. Dupas back in 2009 as an attractive business concept to bring to Winnipeg,” said Mariette Mulaire, ANIM’s President and CEO.  “Together, we approached them about making Winnipeg their second location in Canada and it turns out that what Winnipeg has to offer fit very well with Nordik Spa-Nature’s own plans for expansion.”

According to Martin Paquette and Daniel Gingras, Master Spa Franchisors and co-owners of the Winnipeg location, “right from our first meeting with Robin and Norman Dupas, the reception we have received from Winnipeg has been very welcoming.  The assistance that rallied around our project to make it a reality was incredible. We appreciate the support and cooperation of Mayor Sam Katz, the City of Winnipeg’s Golf Services, the Planning, Property and Development Department and the economic development agencies of this province.  Without their assistance, this project would not have been possible.”

Mulaire says that the two year wooing process involved hosting Nordik Spa-Nature’s investing partners twice in the city to explore potential sites for the spa and work out the project’s details.  It also involved bringing in Yes! Winnipeg to help find solutions to some of the challenges facing the project.

“This deal is an excellent example of the new spirit of teamwork that exists among Manitoba’s economic development partners,” said Mulaire.  “Yes! Winnipeg’s involvement was instrumental in ensuring that all of Nordik Spa-Nature’s requirements were met so that the project could receive the green light from its investors.”

ANIM, Manitoba’s Bilingual Trade Agency, was created in 2007. Funded by the Provincial Government, its main focus is to draw business investments to Manitoba from target markets that include Quebec, France and Belgium, and to create opportunities for Manitoba companies in these designated markets.

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For more information contact:

Nathalie Gérard
Communications Officer at ANIM                                             
ngerard@animcanada.com
204-295-0181

From left: Brendan Nagle, Dave Angus, Gustavo Zentner, Mariette Mulaire, Ron Kowslowski, Vernon Sindal, Darryl Gerschman, Virginie De Visscher, Normand Gousseau, Neal Curry, Neil Krovats, Joel Lemoine, Don Shearer, Steve Bonner and Suzanne Mireault.

May 18-20, 2011 – the 16^th edition of Futurallia, the proven match-making system forum founded in France in 1990, took place in Kansas City this year. ANIM, Manitoba’s bilingual trade agency, strong advocate of this model and Lead Partner in the inception of Centrallia, the international business forum from Winnipeg, was the Manitoba Delegation Leader which brought together 11 organizations from the Province, among them six companies :

• Acrylon Plastics
• Clearline Technologies
• G2 Logistics
• Jodale Perry Corporation
• Technologies Learning Group (TLG)
• Westland Plastics

and four Economic Development Organizations :

• Manitoba Trade and Investment
• Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
• CDEM (Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities)
• Entreprises Riel

Here are some of the comments we received from the delegation:

“I had great results from my trip to futurallia. We are now actively selling an amazing new product from a start-up Quebec company we met in Kansas City. Our company will be distributing this new product to the North American market with the potential to more than double our companies annual revenue within the year. I met a number of great people and was introduced to many opportunities, but it really only takes one great connection to make the whole trip worthwhile.”

Neil Krovats, Clearline Technologies

“Futurallia allowed me to meet with 21 companies over 2 days from around the world. But being part of the Manitoba delegate group allowed me to spend time with local companies; the mutual connection and bond gave rise to local networking opportunities that are valuable.”

Darryl Gershman, G2 Logistics

“As a custom e-learning services company, our value proposition is rarely communicated well in 30 seconds on a trade show floor. The Futurallia format gives us the time to present to potential clients in a way that they can learn what we are all about.”

Brendan Nagle, TLG Inc.

“Westland/Prairie Pride has done business in the agricultural sector in the plains states for several years, so I was very interested in growing our base there. When I saw the initial list of companies participating I had second thoughts as none of my “targets” were showing. In spite of this, I am glad we went as we made solid contacts to expand both our customer and supplier bases. We have already quoted on one job and had follow up discussions with two potential suppliers.”

Neal Curry, Westland Plastics

Winnipeg, June 28, 2011 - ANIM first met Hugo Germain (Groupe Germain) three years ago and assisted them in their search for the next perfect destination.

Photo from left to right : ANIM Chair Raymond Lafond, Groupe Germain Director of Development Alt Hotels Canada Hugo Germain, Groupe Germain Co-President Jean-Yves Germain, ANIM President and CEO Mariette Mulaire.

CJOB – Richard Cloutier Show on June 28

Official News Release

CentreVenture Development Corporation Announces Major Development in the Sports Hospitality and Entertainment District (SHED)

Longboat Development Corporation and Groupe Germain Hospitality to develop a 200,000 sq. ft., 20-storey mixed-use tower that will be home to ALT Hotel and Winnipeg’s Stantec Office

Winnipeg, Manitoba – CentreVenture Development Corporation announced the details today of a major real estate development project in the heart of the Sports Hospitality Entertainment District. Located on Portage Avenue, this important project will be jointly developed by Longboat Development Corporation and Groupe Germain Hospitality. The building, covering 200,000 square feet over 20 storeys, will house the province‟s first ALT Hotel and the headquarters of Stantec‟s Winnipeg office, a Canadian based professional consulting company. This is the first private investment in several decades in this part of the city, and will significantly contribute to the revitalization.

“Downtown Winnipeg‟s historic comeback as an exciting destination for Manitoba families and visitors alike is in full swing,” said Premier Selinger. “This major private investment next to the home of the reborn Winnipeg Jets demonstrates the kind of private-sector confidence that results when governments, agencies and community partners work together toward a shared vision of renewal.”

“I am proud, as Mayor of Winnipeg, that the City has created the climate that attracts major private investment critical to revitalizing our city‟s downtown,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “This key location, as a rejuvenated hospitality and commercial development, is a catalyst to returning Portage Avenue to the vibrant hub it once was and I commend CentreVenture for their dedication to ensuring this development became a reality.”

Stantec will provide full architecture and engineering services to design the mixed-use tower. As an anchor tenant, Stantec will bring over 250 employees to the new Stantec Building when it opens in 2013. The project includes restoration and reuse of the Mitchell-Copp building‟s historic façade. It will form an important part of the new development‟s character and serve as the main entrance to the office component. The 200,000 square feet project will incorporate a new 20-storey tower where Groupe Germain Inc. will operate their ALT Hotel brand with 154 rooms on the upper 12 floors. The main floor will be retail and restaurant space, and offices on floors two to six, with Stantec occupying over half the available area.

“Getting control of the former A & B Sound building was critical to our ability to advance the Portage Avenue Strategy”, said Ross McGowan, President & CEO of CentreVenture. “In colloboration with the Forks North Portage Partnership, we were able to consolidate this site with the Mitchell-Copp building. The assembly of the two properties created a site large enough for a significant development and we are ecstatic that Longboat Development Corporation (LDC) stepped to the plate with a redevelopment plan. We believe the confidence LDC and ALT Hotels have in the downtown is just the tip of the iceberg and we will see increasing private sector investment in the downtown as a result of this bold development statement”.

“We are great believers in the rejuvenation of Winnipeg‟s downtown and the vision CentreVenture is creating for the SHED district in particular,” according to Jeoff Chipman, President & CEO of The Stevenson Group, which includes Longboat Development Corp. “We realize that Portage Avenue is the „face‟ of our downtown and a major initiative for this project is to focus an entire new, vibrant level of activity to the corner of Portage and Donald. Longboat has invested substantial time and effort on the project and we will continue to push forward to bring the building image unveiled here today to reality. We‟re confident this can be the all-important first step in the creation of the SHED district.”Yes Winnipeg! working with ANIM (Manitoba‟s bilingual Trade Agency) facilitated the connection between CentreVenture and the Quebec-based Groupe Germain Hospitality. The ALT brand is a refreshing alternative hotel experience, developed by the Germain family, pioneers of the Boutique-hotel concept in Canada. This leading-edge company attracts business and leisure travelers combining comfort and innovation with a unique pricing strategy. In short, ALT means a unique alternative to conventional hotels, at an accessible price - with easy access to transportation, services, businesses, and recreation.

“We‟re thrilled to be taking part in this important project in Winnipeg. It is a perfect fit for the development strategy of our ALT Hotel banner in Canada. We have met people in Winnipeg whose drive and enthusiasm are contagious. The project we‟re participating in will definitely make this part of the city a lively neighbourhood,” said Jean-Yves Germain, co-president of Groupe Germain Hospitality.

“We believe in Winnipeg and the future of downtown, so we‟re investing our company and our people into this space and creating a sustainable home for our business,” says Eric Wiens, Stantec Manitoba Vice President. “This facility also lets us showcase who we are and what we do. Our team will be involved in the building‟s creation, from architecture and engineering, to project management, environmental sciences and archaeology. Stantec is a catalyst for the SHED district and we look forward to helping to shape a new vision for Winnipeg‟s downtown, and the city as a whole.”

CentreVenture Development Corporation was created in June 1999 as an arms-length agency of the City of Winnipeg. CentreVenture‟s mandate is to stimulate downtown revitalization by creating an environment for private sector businesses and government to work together and to promote the downtown to investors, businesses and residents. CentreVenture serves as an advocate and a leader for downtown in promoting development by identifying opportunities, creating partnerships, forming innovative improvement strategies, providing information and by serving as an accessible conduit to support initiatives.

About Groupe Germain Hospitality A family-owned Quebec company, Groupe Germain owns and operates five Le Germain Boutique-hotels – in Quebec City, Montreal, two in Toronto and Calgary – as well as two “no- frills-chic” ALT Hotels in Montreal’s Quartier DIX30 and Quebec City. A third ALT property is currently under construction at Toronto‟s Pearson International Airport. Groupe Germain is renowned for the impeccable hospitality and style it brings to its Boutique-hotels.

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June 14, 2011 – Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO of ANIM and David Angus, President and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, were in Mexico last week for the 7th World Chambers Congress. Centrallia, the Business to Business Forum was recognized as finalist for the renowned World Chambers Competition in the international category.

Photo : From left to right  : Peter Mihok, Deputy Chair, World Chambers Federation, Mariette Mulaire, David Angus and Mr. Rona Yircali, Chair, ICC World Chambers Federation

June 1st, 2011

“Manitoba’s business community should be thrilled with this nomination,” said Dave Angus, CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce which partnered with the Centrallia’s lead host ANIM, Manitoba’s bilingual trade agency,  to stage the event. “To be recognized in this competition confirms that we are capable of punching well above our weight class and match well with the best in the world.”

Organized by the World Chambers Federation (WCF), the World Chambers Competition is an annual celebration of excellence in community based business development. This year the competition received a record 72 applications from 41 countries for this year’s contest. Centrallia is entered in the International Project category and is being considered against other finalists from Germany, New Zealand, Turkey and the Philippines. According to the WCF, previous finalists and winners have experienced a significant impact on both their local profile and international influence due to the recognition received for their participating projects.

“This is one of the spin-off benefits of hosting an event like Centrallia,” said Mariette Mulaire, ANIM’s CEO, who stated that Manitoba should be doubly proud of Centrallia’s nomination, as it was the only project from North America to be named a finalist in the competition. “Not only is it directly beneficial for Manitoba companies seeking to create new export opportunities and relationships, it also shines a spotlight on Manitoba and its business community as a whole, and positions us as truly world class. This is important as the realities of today’s global economy require Manitoba companies to become more visible and competitive on the global stage.”

“We are not just going to do business locally anymore, we are going to be doing business on the global stage and to put Winnipeg in the centre of that global stage is the most exciting dimensions of Centrallia.Making the finalist list in such a premier contest is a great for Winnipeg and great for Manitoba.” says Premier Greg Selinger.

Funded in part by the Federal and Provincial government, Centrallia took place at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, October 20-22, 2010, and is envisioned to become a regular export development forum for Manitoba businesses. Its unique business match-making approach was deemed highly successful with more than 80% of participants reporting that they expect new business to result from their attendance. Centrallia’s entry in Mexico City will be presented to the competition’s panel of judges by Dave Angus et Mariette Mulaire. The winners will be announced on Friday, June 10th.

Photo 1 : Dave Angus, The Honorable Greg Selinger and Mariette Mulaire

Photo 2 : The Premier during his announcement at the “We Believe Breakfast” on June 1st, 2011

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 – Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO of ANIM, Manitoba’s bilingual Trade Agency, received the President’s award from the Chambre de Commerce francophone de Saint-Boniface during the Chamber’s annual meeting. This award was in recognition of ANIM’s leadership in bringing Centrallia 2010 to Manitoba and it’s successful delivery of this global business to business forum which brought more than 600 business leaders from 40 world economic regions to Winnipeg last October.

Photo: Mariette Mulaire with  Michèle Lécuyer-Hutton, President of the Chambre de commerce francophone de Saint-Boniface.

Winnipeg, May 4, 2011

This remarkable roster now includes Mariette Mulaire, CEO of ANIM, Manitoba’s bilingual trade agency. Ms. Mulaire was nominated under the “Leadership” category for her bold vision in spearheading Centrallia, Western Canada’s first global business to business trade forum.

Centrallia, the central concept of which is based on a series of one-on-one business ‘speed-dating’ sessions, took place last October 20-22 and was a resounding success on all levels.  In addition to representing a value added of $2.5 million in Manitoba’s economy in only three days (source: Economic Development Winnipeg), its effects are being felt well beyond the forum, with contracts being signed in follow-up to initial contacts established at Centrallia.

Ms. Mulaire is a passionate woman of action who has repeatedly proven that her vision and energy can bring winning innovative practices to benefit the Manitoban economy. Besides her responsibilities at ANIM, Mariette Mulaire is a member of several boards and organizations, including the Manitoba Premier’s Economic Advisory Committee (PEAC), the Manitoba Trade Council, the International Network for Regional Trade Promotion Organisations (RTPO), the Manitoba Trade and Investment Corporation, and International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTP). She is also vice-chair of the Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques and a member of the Comité des Grands Citoyens du 75e anniversaire de Radio-Canada. In 2010, Mariette received the Quebec government’s Ordre des francophones d’Amérique award, aimed at recognizing the contributions of individuals who dedicate themselves to maintaining and developing French in the Americas.

“It was a wonderful evening where I was in very good company with women who are exceptional in every way,” says Ms. Mulaire. “I am deeply honoured to be associated with women of such tremendous caliber. I want to stress that I could not have steered Centrallia to its ultimate success without the ongoing and unwavering support of my board, my team at ANIM and all of the partners and businesses that believed in this initiative.”

Photo: Mrs. Mariette Mulaire with M. Raymond Lafond, chair of ANIM

Date: 01/11/2010

Immediate Release

Inaugural Manitoba business event sends participants home buzzing.

Winnipeg – The survey results are in; participants loved Centrallia, Manitoba’s first ever international business-to-business event. Held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, October 20-22, 2010, Centrallia was a unique business match-making event that attracted 602 business owners and leaders from Manitoba and around the world to Winnipeg. They came to explore new business opportunities with each other and learn about exporting to and from the Americas. They left saying that Centrallia was very beneficial, according to a survey of 70% of all who attended.

“We’re most pleased with the feedback we received from the survey,” said Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO of ANIM (Agence nationale et internationale du Manitoba), host agency for Centrallia. “Fully 92 percent of survey respondents said that they found Centrallia to be of significant benefit and that they would participate in another one. Even more exciting, 97 percent said that they would not hesitate to recommend Centrallia to other businesses, which indicates that they felt that the investment they made to attend the event was amply rewarded.”

Mulaire said that the two day event saw a total of 4,250 half-hour meetings take place between participating companies, each meeting arranged through match-making software based on each participants profile and expressed interests. As short as these meetings were, the survey indicates that more than 80% of participants reporting that they expect new business to result from the connections that they made at Centrallia. Breaking the numbers down further,   more than one in four companies said that they expect between three and six deals to emerge and another 6% said they expect an impressive 10 or more deals. These numbers translate into at least 2,000 new business deals being created because of Centrallia.

“Numbers like that show the true value of an international business networking event like this, because it represents new business that likely would never have happened had it not been for Centrallia.” said Mulaire. “This value is echoed in the fact that 84% of survey respondents said that they wished to stay connected beyond the event through a Centrallia network,” even though the details of that network were left undefined. We’re currently working on plans to create a virtual Centrallia which can serve that need, in addition to plans for the next Centrallia two or three years from now.”

Beyond the survey results, Mulaire reported that Centrallia also received strong vote of support from the business community in the form of sponsorship and registration dollars. In total, sponsors contributed $323,500, and registrants another $356,930, adding almost $700,000 to the the event’s operating budget. But as positive as these numbers are, Mulaire stressed that Centrallia’s biggest success was, perhaps, the impression it left on everyone who attended.

“The large number of accolades and positive comments we heard throughout the event, and echoed in the surveys, confirmed that Winnipeg and Manitoba surprised many with its ability to not only host a business event of this magnitude, but do so in a manner that was truly world-class. Such positive impressions can only pay dividends for Manitoba going forward.”