Trade fair organizers seek businesses interested in trade partnerships.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: Brief Article

Sault Ste. Marie will host an international trade fair in June to link North American and European businesses in joint-venture opportunities and trade partnerships.

The city's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting the event, building on the success of last year's two-way trade missions between the Sault and Ireland.

Organizers expect to attract between 90-100 delegates, including groups from Ireland, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Michigan and Minnesota to the event scheduled to take place June 13-15, 2001. The event hasn't been officially named yet. The trade fair is intended to market the Sault and Northern Ontario as a gateway to the North American marketplace, says the president of the EDC.

Bruce Strapp says he's looking for serious contenders who "regardless of business size," are interested in establishing international partnerships.

"We're trying to bring Northern Ontario business to the trade mission," Strapp says. "We want to invite other communities in the North, through their economic development offices, to profile the businesses coming over and try to establish joint-venture and trade partnerships."

The format of the conference will be short on speeches and big on encouraging delegates to mix, mingle and discuss business in a networking environment.

"We're not looking for huge numbers," Strapp says. "Once we have a fairly good idea of the types of (Irish) companies coming over we want to link them directly with the businesses that would get the most benefit from a face-to-face meeting.

"We're going to make the introductions and the business players will do the business."

Strapp says he approached some local private sector players that best fit the bill, but is...