Aboriginal Business Match Expo set to kick off in Saskatoon next week

TREATY 6 TERRITORY/SASKATOON – More than two-thirds of Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis communities are ready to discuss business with the private sector at the Aboriginal Business Match in Saskatoon.

Each ABM produces in excess of $30 million in new business deals, and is the most powerful Aboriginal-driven business development event in Canada.

“As an Aboriginal financial institution owned by the 75 First Nations of Saskatchewan, we are excited so many First Nations communities are participating in what will be an unparalleled business development event,” said Terry Brodziak, General Manager of the Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation, which is co-hosting ABM SK. “Our Steering Committee has screened every application for the event to ensure each participant has real business opportunities to bring to the table.”

ABM SK will be held at TCU Place from June 16 to 19, 2014. The show connects delegates using sophisticated business matching software that efficiently facilitates the process of partnership development. Delegates create online company or community profiles and carefully review information before requesting or accepting appointments, which are 20 minutes in length.

“The Clarence Campeau Development Fund is very pleased with the number of Métis communities and entrepreneurs attending ABM,” said Roland Duplessis, CEO of CCDF. “We are co-hosting this event because we believe it will improve the economic circumstances of Saskatchewan’s Métis, and the province as a whole. ABM initiates real deals between Aboriginal communities and the private sector.”

“The Government of Saskatchewan supports efforts to fully engage First Nations and Métis people in the province’s economy,” Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. “The Aboriginal Business Match is a unique opportunity for Aboriginal communities and economic development agencies to engage with local companies.  The end result will generate wealth and create job opportunities for First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan.”

ABM SK 2014 is supported by a provincial steering committee comprised of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, the Clarence Campeau Development Fund, the Ministry of the Economy, BMO, Westcap Management Ltd., Urban Systems, BHP Billiton, Quantum Murray and others. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada also supports the event.

ABM is continuing to expand into other provinces. ABM West, which will combine BC and Alberta, is planned for May 11 to 13, 2015. Dates for additional 2015 ABM events combining Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as for Ontario will be announced later this year.

Aboriginal Business Match is created and a trademark of Raven Events and Communications, Sliammon, BC. For more information, visit www.aboriginalbusinessmatch.com.

Source: Aboriginal Business Match Press Release

For more Information please Contact:

Media Contact: 
Hollie Baptiste, Manager Communications
Raven Events and Communications
hollie@ravenevents.ca, 1-604-312-3498