The Placentia Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual conference and trade show event Placentia Bay Industry Showcase (PBIS) 2018 from Sept. 18-20 at Unity Parc Arena in Placentia.
“We are pleased to announce that the chamber will be hosting PBIS 2018 later this month. The event speakers, sessions and activities are all focusing on the fitting theme ‘Seize the Opportunity,’” Karen Maher, president of the Placentia Area Chamber of Commerce, stated in a news release.
“We are at a turning point in our region. We see the potential for the Placentia Bay area as being limitless and this event will certainly fuel the momentum we are building in oil and gas, aquaculture, mining, tourism, entrepreneurism, and research and development, locally and around the globe. Opportunities are increasing as a result of the current major projects ongoing and developing in the area,” Maher added.
PBIS will commence on Sept. 18 with a guided bus tour of the Port of Argentia that will showcase how it has developed into a thriving industrial site.
The tour will conclude with an American-style barbecue at the Marine Atlantic Terminal in Argentia.
Premier Dwight Ball will open the conference with a kickoff address at 9 a.m. on Sept. 19 at the Parc Arena in Placentia. This event will include a Business Excellence Awards ceremony in the evening.
Those requiring more information can contact Eugene Collins, executive director of the Placentia Area Chamber of Commerce, at 709-227-0003 or Ray Greene, chair of the PBIS planning committee, at 709-227-5502.
PBIS 2018
The following is the complete agenda for the Placentia Bay Industry Showcase (PBIS) 2018 that will be held from Sept. 18-20 at Unity Parc Arena in Placentia:
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Tour of Argentia Industrial Site and American-style barbecue
Topic: What’s “Happening in Argentia?”
5:30 p.m. — Coach tour leaves Unity PARC with stops at local accommodations along the route that include: Placentia — Harold Hotel & Bridgeway Hotel; Jerseyside — Placentia Bay Vacation Rentals; and Freshwater — Castle Landing Hospitality Suites.
8:30 p.m. — Coach departs Argentia and will drop off along the route same as pickup.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018
8 a.m. — Delegate, Exhibitor Registration & Setup
9 a.m. — Official Opening
• Emcee Ray Greene, chair PBIS committee
• Anthem — Laval High School choir
• Karen Maher, president, Placentia Area Chamber of Commerce
• Chris Snow, executive assistant to Avalon MP Ken McDonald
• Sherry Gambin-Walsh, MHA, Placentia-St. Mary’s Bay
• Bernard Power, mayor of Placentia
• Angus Gilbert, town crier — proclamation/ribbon cutting
• Guest Speaker: Dwight Ball, premier
Topic: Strong Businesses Equal Thriving Communities
9:30 a.m. — Trade exhibition opening
Conference Session I
Seize the Opportunity!
10 a.m. — Charlene Johnson, CEO, NOIA
• Thordis Thorlacius, liner manager, Eimskip Canada
• Nancy Drover-Andrews, senior director, business and communications NATI
11 a.m. - Coffee break/visit exhibition
11:30 a.m. - Speed Networking Session
Delegates’ and exhibitors’ opportunity to meet and promote their business.
Facilitated by Rhonda Power, manager of tourism, marketing and communications, Town of Placentia
12:40 p.m. - Luncheon at Star Hall, Placentia (advance ticket only)
Keynote speaker: Alexander Nairn, vice-president, project delivery Husky Energy, West White Rose Project
Topic: West White Rose Extension — Project Update
Conference Session II
Argentia Operations
2 p.m. - Ray Greene, marketing manager, Port of Argentia
Michel Girard, procurement manager, SDP - West White Rose Project
Andrew Short, general manager, Integrated Logistics
Star of the Sea Hall
Business Awards Gala Evening
Emcee: Pamela Constantine, past-president, Placentia Area Chamber of Commerce
5:30 p.m. - Meet and greet (cash bar)
6 p.m. - Dinner - Star of the Sea Hall (advance ticket only)
7 p.m. - Awards presenter Karen Maher, president, Placentia Area Chamber of Commerce
Keynote Speaker - Graham Letto, parliamentary secretary to Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Introduced by: Ray Greene, chair, PBIS planning committee
Topic: Chambers of Commerce Strengthen Your Voice
9 p.m. - Networking Social The Three Sisters Pub & Restaurant, 2 Orcan Dr., Placentia
Karaoke by Floyd Edison (In support of local school breakfast program)
Thursday, Sept. 20
Conference Session III
Shoreline to Shoreline in Placentia Bay
9:30 a.m. - Darrell Green - Research and development co-ordinator, Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA)
Julien Gaudet - Marine communications and traffic services; superintendent Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region
Conrad Collier - EDO, Grand Bank Development Corporation
10:30 a.m. - Coffee Break/Visit exhibition
Conference Session IV
Recruitment and Retention in the Workplace
10:45 a.m. - Natalie Hand, partner, Meridia Recruitment Solutions
Andrea Stack, chair, St. John’s Board of Trade
Sherri Breen, business diversity officer, Association for New Canadians
Conference Session V
Innovate ... Succeed!
11:50 a.m. - Colin Corcoran, director of finance and administration, Genesis Centre
Katie Gillespie, Enactus Memorial, Faculty of Business Administration
Karen Daley, Senior Account Manager, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
1 p.m. - Buffet luncheon at Unity PARC Conference Centre
Keynote Speaker - Carl English, St. John’s Edge and 2018 National Basketball League of Canada MVP
Introduction by: Gord Pike, manager of recreation and community programming, Town of Placentia
Topic: Making Things Work
2 p.m. - Trade show closing and prize draws
