CAPE BRETON MAKES BIG IMPRESSION IN NEW YORK

Trade, tourism and seafood were showcased in ‘Big Apple’ alongside Clipper Race.

A four day stopover in Manhattan for the Cape Breton entry in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race created a perfect opportunity to showcase the island.

Delegates from Cape Breton’s tourism, culture, business and seafood sectors used the initiative to strengthen trade and tourism ties with New York.

"There was a great deal of energy created," remarked Lori Kennedy of Louisbourg Seafoods. "In particular, the reception gave Louisbourg Seafoods the opportunity to showcase our seafood; network with the New York seafood industry; government and community leaders - building business relationships that we believe will lead to new customers in the New York market."

Two separate sails aboard CAPE BRETON ISLAND, Nova Scotia’s Masterpiece around the Statue of Liberty created highly successful networking opportunities with existing and potential customers and media from the travel and seafood sectors.

Over 130 guests attended a high profile dinner which was hosted at the Roosevelt Hotel on Madison Avenue, in conjunction with the Canadian Consulate in New York.

The event presented the island’s beauty alongside a mouth watering menu of Atlantic Canada Lobster and other seafood dishes created by Chef Michael Howell, with each course complemented by specially selected Nova Scotia wines.

"The response to Cape Breton as a tourism destination from all of the invited industry guests could not have been more positive," stated Mary Tulle, CEO of Destination Cape Breton. "Having the opportunity to follow up and work with this qualified group of travel trade professionals will yield positive results for Cape Breton Island."

In welcoming guests the Consul General of Canada, Daniel Sullivan said, "As the only Canadian entry in the Clipper Race, it has certainly done a wonderful job in terms of promoting tourism for Cape Breton Island and the advantages of living and working there...the trade that takes place and attracting students.

“The Race has certainly done a lot to showcase Atlantic Canada, including the Atlantic Gateway, which is very important. It’s shown the strategic advantage of Cape Breton Island and helped to promote Atlantic Canada Lobster around the world which we are very proud of.

“I’ve been there and Cape Breton Island is a wonderful spot with a large number of historic sites to see, lively culture and wonderful golf courses amongst the best in North America.

The delegation consisted of:

Trade/seafood

Lori Kennedy – Louisbourg Seafoods
Edgar Samson, Joel Bowen – Premium Seafoods
Leonard Denny, CEO for Crane Cove Seafoods
George Joyce – Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador
Shaun Mitchelitis – Clearwater Seafoods
Tara Milburn – NSBI

Tourism

Mary Tulle – CEO, Destination Cape Breton Association
Anne Marie Yorke – Visitor Information Centres
Linda Kennedy – Point of View Suites; Beggar’s Banquet
David Cann, Michelle Lahey – Fortress of Louisbourg Volunteer Association
Terry Burns, Ian McNeil – Golf CB
Dan Coffin – Celtic Heart of North America
Bernadette MacNeil – Sydney Ports Corporation

Musicians

Glenn Graham
Troy MacGillivray

The delegation was led by Shelly Kehoe and Cathy MacKenzie of ECBC and also included Michael Young – World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada, Christine White from Taste of Nova Scotia and Chef Michael Howell of Tempest Restaurant.