MONTREAL – July 4, 2024 – RDÉE Prince Edward Island’s 15th sales mission to Montreal and surrounding areas last May was undoubtedly « the best ever », as the 11 participating Island businesses will achieve sales exceeding $2.5 million in the next six to 12 months.
Robert Maddix, the RDÉE’s entrepreneurial development officer who coordinates these missions, considers that « these figures represent a tremendous economic impact, exceeding all our expectations. And that’s not counting at all the future long-term sales that could result from the many relationships developed during this mission. »
He points out that in recent years, participant sales in the medium-term have typically been in the $1 million range. This time, he attributes the significant increase in sales to certain participants who sell fairly high-priced products or services. A few sales for these Island companies translates into very significant figures.
The other nine participating companies (including three virtual and six in-person) recorded good sales or discovered enormous sales potential. What’s more, some established contacts and relationships with distributors or collaborators that have the potential to generate spin-offs for many years to come.
The PEI delegation also organized a networking event at their hotel on May 14. The rented room was set up as a mini-trade show, allowing some 30 business guests from the Montreal region to explore the booths – and thus the products and services – of six of the Island companies represented there. Some excellent contacts were made that evening.
PARTICIPANTS
The participating companies, which had meetings with 10 to 12 potential buyers each, were :
• East Code Blockchain Labs of Charlottetown (Patrick Sébastien);
• DataLogik of Pleasant View (Pierre-Martin Dion);
• Chow Tine Pet Foods of Charlottetown (Zack and Sasha Montreuil);
• Double Hill Cidery of Caledonia (Sebastien Manago);
• East Cape Oyster Co. of Charlottetown (Phil Enserink);
• Healthy Berries Ltd. from Montague (Tom Margeson);
• TrackTile of Cornwall (Jordan Rose);
• Linkletter Welding Ltd. of Central Bedeque (Gary Richard and Wayne Linkletter);
• Atlantic Safety Wear of Montague (Corey Lund);
• Audio Media Canada of West Royalty (Ghislaine Cormier);
• Safety Pro Inc./Clean Cut Solution of Kensington (Dennis Arsenault).
All felt that the few hundred dollars they spent to cover a portion of their travel, accommodation and meals was well worth it, considering the return on their investment.
The coordinator also attributes much of the success of RDÉE’s missions to the Quebec firm Clientis, which delivers targeted training to all participating companies to ensure that their sales pitch is solid and that they are well prepared to present it to customers. Clientis identifies all potential customers and sets up all appointments.
Maddix reports that he will soon start recruiting participants for his 16th mission, scheduled for October.
These missions are carried out in collaboration with Innovation PEI and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
-30-
PHOTO 1: Gary Richard, front, of Linkletter Welding Ltd. is very pleased with the contacts and sales made during his participation in the spring mission to Montreal. He is seen visiting Acier Bouchard with Vanessa Breton and an unidentified representative, as they discuss Linkletter’s industrial trailers.
PHOTO 2: Corey Lund, left, of the Montague-based Atlantic Safety Wear, was looking for new buyers and distributors for his employer’s safety apparel, boots and equipment. Among the dozen potential buyers he met during his sales mission to Montreal was Claudio Pierfelice of Collins Safety Shoes.
For further information, please contact
Robert Maddix
Sales Mission Coordinator
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(902) 314-1714
robert@rdeeipe.org