SUMMERSIDE, PEI – Oct. 24, 2013 – The Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI (CCAFLIPE) surpassed last year’s promises and hopes to keep on doing more than its members expect in the coming year.

Last year, the CCAFLIPE has promised it would organize 29 activities; when all was said and done, it organized 32 activities. For the 2013-2014 year, the Chamber is promising at least 33 activities. Other unforeseen events will without a doubt be added to the calendar as the year progresses, as is always the case.

The Chamber recently organized two Entrepreneurs’ Luncheons – one in Charlottetown Oct. 16 and one in Summerside Oct. 23 – to unveil its program of activities for the coming year (October 2013 to September 2014).

The people responsible for the CCAFLIPE, spokesperson Jeannette Arsenault and RDÉE PEI executive director Bonnie Gallant, explained the organization’s events will again continue to focus on three main themes: Networking, Sharing and Learning. However, the Chamber this year will explore the possibility of broadening the type of services it offers to members for their annual $25 fee. For example, it will look at the possibility of getting special insurance rates and reduced credit card interest rates for members, among other benefits.

The 12 people who attended the luncheon in Charlottetown and the 25 who came to the Summerside luncheon learned that several of this upcoming year’s lunch-and-learns will focus on the integration of immigrants into the workplace. These will be delivered in partnership with RDÉE Prince Edward Island’s LIENS project. As well, LIENS will be hosting a major national conference on immigration next May. Details will be announced Nov. 8 during a « 5 to 8 » reception at the Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean in Charlottetown.

CONFERENCE

And speaking of conferences, the Chamber is also looking to organize a mini economic conference on the theme « How small retailers can compete with the big box stores », also next spring.

Lunch-and-learns and information sessions, organized in collaboration with the Wellington Rural Action Centre, will touch on a wide variety of services offered to entrepreneurs by governments and private companies, including investments, translation services, web sites offering services to businesses, Canada Business’ services and employment programs for those with disabilities. Several courses will also focus on physical, emotional and spiritual well-being at work.

The Chamber will also participate in several networking events with other chambers and groups and, for a first time, it will organize its own pre-Christmas business mixer for members and their staff.  In regards to other social and recreational events, the CCAFLIPE will again organize a deep-sea fishing excursion next summer and will again partner with the Jeux de l’Acadie PEI Regional Committee to host the 9th Annual Acadian Golf Tournament next September.

However, the highlight of the year will once again be the very popular Entrepreneurs’ Gala next spring where the Chamber will present the Lauriers de la PME awards.

The CCAFLIPE also expects to publish a new members’ guide, possibly in the form of restaurant placemats. The Chamber and the RDÉE will also collaborate on a new joint project with a few French schools that would present workshops on various careers, trades or entrepreneurial skills during class. Details are still being worked out.

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CUTLINE 1: Seen looking over the Acadian Chamber’s calendar of events for the coming year during the Entrepreneurs’ Luncheon in Charlottetown Oct. 16 are, from left, Michael Paulin from the Coopérative d’intégration francophone, Élise Boudreault from the Fédération culturelle de l’Î.-P.-É., Jeannette Arsenault, spokesperson for the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, and entrepreneur Jean Allain from Atlantic Roofers.

CUTLINE 2: Following the Oct. 23 Entrepreneurs’ Luncheon in Summerside, participants reviewed the Chamber’s program for the coming year. They included, from left, Bonnie Gallant, executive director of RDÉE PEI, who unveiled the calendar of events for the Acadian Chamber; participants Claudette Blaquière from La Palette Artists’ Co-op and Claudette Arsenault from the Centre Expo-Festival; and master of ceremonies Raymond J. Arsenault, coordinator of the Acadian Chamber. The launch was held as part of the Centre Belle Alliance’s annual Pumpkin Festival.

For more information:

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