Guest speaker Sébastien Richard; contests to be launched

SUMMERSIDE – Sept. 15, 2016 – Managers and directors of all francophone businesses, co-operatives and organizations are invited to participate, free of charge, in the Entrepreneurs’ and Co-operators’ Breakfast Oct. 18 to learn how to become better business leaders.

As well, participants will discover details about the next entrepreneurial awards competition being hosted by the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI (CCAFLIPE) as well as RDÉE Prince Edward Island’s next Dragons’ Contest.

The breakfast, organized on the occasion of Co-op and Small Business Week, will kick off at 8 a.m. at the Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside. This popular event also fits into the programming of La Belle Alliance’s annual Pumpkin Festival. Once again this year, CBDC Central PEI is sponsoring the breakfast; the CCAFLIPE, RDÉE PEI and the Wellington Rural Action Centre are its cohosts.

GUEST SPEAKER

Event organizers are excited to present the guest speaker Sébastien Richard, who has been living on PEI for four years. He’ll address the theme “Why should I raise my game?”

“A number of expensive programs and training sessions have been developed by business experts to help your business or your organization grow. However, nothing is more efficient in getting your business growing than for you to improve your own leadership skills,” says Richard. “The principle is simple: if you become a better leader, your business will grow. But how do you start and how do you go about it? I’ll present you a proven plan featuring five simple steps.”

The speaker, who lives in Suffolk, is a certified coach with The John Maxwell Team. He is also the author of two books. The second one, published by Morgan James Publishing in New York, is entitled “Lead Like a Superhero – What Pop culture Icons Can Teach Us About Impactful Leadership” and will be available in both Canada and the United States in the spring of 2017.

CONTEST LAUNCHINGS

Acadian Chamber spokesman Martin Marcoux will take advantage of the occasion to announce the six categories that will make up the next edition of the CCAFLIPE’s entrepreneurial awards competition.

“We’ve changed two of our categories to ensure that a greater number of businesses, co-ops, organizations and entrepreneurs can qualify for our awards,” he said. “During the breakfast, we’ll launch a public invitation for nominations for these awards, which will be presented at our Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala in March 2017 at the Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside. The nomination period will extend to the start of December.”

Last year, the Chamber had received a record number of nominations. It is therefore hoping for a repeat of that feat this year.

RDÉE PEI’s Dragons’ Contest was a phenomenal success last spring. Organizers are therefore hoping for another successful contest this year and perhaps even an expansion. The contest is based loosely on the Dragons’ Den TV show; contestants pitch their product to a panel of judges for a chance to win a major cash prize.

“At the breakfast, we will officially launch a call for contestants for our competition – people who are considering launching a business, who wish to expand an existing business or who wish to market a new product,” explains contest coordinator Rachel Chappell. “We will explain the contest criteria, we’ll talk about the pitch training that will be offered to the contestants and we’ll explain how the final contest works.”

Last year, the RDÉE had offered a $10,000 prize to the winners to help them establish their entrepreneurial project. A similar prize is being considered for this year.

REGISTRATION

To register for this free breakfast, call Velma Robichaud at (902) 854-3439, Ext. 228, or velma@rdeeipe.org before Oct. 11.

Participants will get a complete breakfast and will get a chance to win a few door prizes during this 90-minute event. As they arrive, they’ll be greeted by live music performed by Sylvie Toupin.

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CUTLINE: Guest speaker Sébastien Richard will provide steps to becoming better business leaders during the Entrepreneurs’ and Co-operators’ Breakfast Oct. 18 at 8 a.m. at the Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside.

 

For more information:
Raymond J. Arsenault
Coordinator
Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI
(902) 854-3439, poste 231
raymond@rdeeipe.org