Seven countries and well over 100 companies are in the Sault to participate in the Naturallia 2013 business matchmaking event. Entrepreneur, author, investor and professor Sean Wise was one of the event's guest speakers Tuesday.
Sean was an online host and industry advisor for the hit CBC show Dragons' Den and now has his own show: The Naked Entrepreneur, which just finished shooting its second season.
Naturallia 2013 has brought together more than 150 delegates representing 130 businesses from around the world. During the three-day forum, the first of its kind in Sault Ste. Marie, participants engage in a series of one-on-one sessions designed for help forge partnerships.
Naturallia 2013 attendees include business owners and executives from seven countries: Chile, Columbia, Finland, Germany, Mexico, the United States and Canada.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting such a wide-range of visitors, and we’re pleased that they decided to come to Sault Ste. Marie to do business,” said Tom Dodds, Co-Chair of Naturallia 2013. “Sault Ste. Marie has long been a gathering place, and this event is a further testament to that fact.”
Naturallia 2013 is focused on four key sectors for Northern Ontario: smart energy, advanced manufacturing, mining supply and services, and value added forestry products. Attendees conduct up to a dozen pre-arranged meetings with strategic counterparts. The goal: form business partnerships with companies around the world.
“With such significance to our local and regional businesses, Naturallia 2013 will have a lasting, positive impact on Sault Ste. Marie and Northern Ontario,” said event Co-Chair Jason Naccarato. “The forum also allows us to showcase our community to the world as a great place to do business.”
During the opening ceremonies last night, a speech was given by the Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State (Science and Technology, FedNor and the Minister responsible for the Ring of Fire). Today, Dr. Sean Wise, an author and former Dragon’s Den producer, along with Catherine Murray, an anchor with Business News Network, are giving keynote speeches. Naturallia 2013 wraps up Wednesday night.
Initiated by RDEE Ontario, with the proud support of FedNor and the Northern Ontario Fund Corporation, Narturallia 2013 is being hosted by the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation, Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre and City of Sault Ste. Marie.
Additional partners and sponsors, without whom Naturallia 2013 would not be possible, include:
· International Bridge Administration;
· Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada;
· Export Development Canada;
· Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce;
· Sault College;
· Tenaris Algoma Tubes;
· Northern Ontario Business;
· Millworks/Riversedge Developments;
· Northern Ontario Angel Investors;
· N-Sci Technologies;
· Greater Sudbury Development Corporation;
· Colio Estate Wines;
· Union Jack Brewing Company;
· Canadian Tire; and
· SAMSSA: Northern Ontario Mining Supply & Services Association.