MANUFACTURER AND EXPORTER INFORMATION SEMINAR

The Economic Development Commission Presents

4th Annual Business in the Park Series

MANUFACTURER/EXPORTER

INFORMATION SEMINAR

Who Should Attend

Central Okanagan Business owners/managers who manufacture or export a product should attend.

Purpose

To address the current issues facing local manufacturing and exporting businesses in the Okanagan and to inform business owners/managers of the various programs and services that are available to assist their industry.

What You Get

Gain knowledge on accessing government programs and services offered by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and Export Development Canada.

• Overcoming the challenges with the Canadian and US dollar parity
• LEAN Manufacturing
• How to remain competitive in an ever-changing, global market
• The current state of the Canadian and US economies and the future of our trade relations including potential opportunities for growth
• An overview of what programs and services Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters offers
• a program information session on Export Development Canada

Speakers  

Peter Jeffrey – President, Formashape a division of Whitewater Composites

                Division Chair, BC, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters

In his current position as President of Whitewater Composites Ltd. (marketed under the name of FormaShape), Mr. Jeffrey is focused on taking this manufacturing company to become the world leader in its area of expertise. With this objective as the goal, the Company is changing its culture to become a Lean Enterprise, is spending twice both the national and provincial averages on employee skills level training, is using some of the highest technology in its sector of operations, and is teaming with Okanagan College and both University of British Columbia campuses on research and development projects.

Chia Wan Liew – Senior Account Manager, Commercial Markets, Export

Development Canada (EDC)

Liew looks after exporters with sales over $5Million in the Richmond, Thompson-Okanagan and South-Eastern BC region. Before joining EDC in May08, Liew was a commercial banker for the past 15 years, of which 8 were spent in Singapore and Malaysia, with a focus on trade financing.

Geoff Stone – Senior Economist, Export Development Canada (EDC)

Geoff specializes on the US, Mexican and Caribbean economy with a particular focus on the energy, consumer goods, chemicals and plastics sectors. He is responsible for economic analysis and forecasting of these regions in EDC.

$10 (includes coffee and muffin)

*payable at the door by cash or cheque to the Economic Development Commission