This week, Sault Ste. Marie was home to Aboriginal Business Match (ABM) East 2016. Held at the Machine Shop, the business-matchmaking forum connected 75 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal companies and decision makers from across the country.
Held in locations throughout eastern Canada, ABM East is designed to generate opportunities for participating companies and organizations. As part of the technology-facilitated tradeshow, delegates choose from a selection of potential business matches through sophisticated enterprise-pairing software, which efficiently facilitates one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments via targeted selection.
“It’s an exciting time to do business in the Aboriginal market,” said QWASTeNAYe L. Maynard Harry, Principal Partner of Raven Events & Communications, the event management company that facilitates ABM forums across Canada. “It’s great to be in a room with both community and corporate decision makers who recognize that value and opportunity – that’s what makes the forum that ABM provides truly unprecedented.”
A number of local firms took part in ABM East 2016, including McDougall Energy, GHD, T&T Promotional Products, Great Lakes Power, BDO Canada, N-Sci Technologies, and Pinchind Ltd. Given the investment and partnership opportunities generated for these companies, the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation joined forced with Garden River First Nation and Mississauga First Nation to host the event.
“This was a great opportunity for local companies, and I thank our hosting partners, along with ABM East organizers, for their efforts in securing and facilitating this forum in our community,” said Dan Hollingsworth, Executive Director of Business Development for the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation. “Everyone came together to make this happen, and we’re very proud of the end result.”
Tourism Sault Ste. Marie also worked with conference organizers to secure ABM East 2016 for the community. Seven ABM events take place throughout Canada annually and are supported by a National Partners Group comprised of national Aboriginal and corporate leadership. Online: www.aboriginalbusinessmatch.com.
