June 1, 2005 Fredericton, New Brunswick LearnNB, a consortium of leading New Brunswick technology companies, is ready to implement a marketing strategy that promises to strengthen the province's learning industry, thanks to support by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Business New Brunswick. Project details include the implementation of a marketing strategy that will help New Brunswick companies find new export opportunities and leverage existing ones. Overall, the entire project will enable New Brunswick's learning industry to collectively identify and pursue new and emerging opportunities in a resurgent marketplace. Short term goals include: exploring and identifying new markets and developing actionable plans to act on these opportunities and begin implementation. Long term goals include: aligning strategies and action items amongst members of the New Brunswick learning industry and its stakeholders; conducting a series of export awareness sessions; communicating export opportunities available within the industry and identifying resources to help pursue them; and identifying additional marketing initiatives for future organizational growth. "LearnNB is an excellent example of local companies working together strategically so that all of industry will benefit," said the Honourable Andy Scott, MP for Fredericton, and Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non- Status Indians, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for ACOA. "The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is pleased to invest in this project that promises to enhance economic opportunities in the e-learning industry, for the benefit of the entire region." ACOA is investing $98,175 in this project, through the Agency's Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and Business New Brunswick is contributing $17,725. "The province is proud to support this strategy, which will help New Brunswick companies take their products and services to markets beyond our borders," said the Honourable Peter Mesheau, Minister of Business New Brunswick. "LearnNB is promoting the knowledge industry in an innovative, aggressive way, and it serves as an example to other sectors of what can be accomplished when companies work together." "This initial strategic investment by ACOA and New Brunswick will help us improve the competitiveness of our e- learning industry and its participation in the international marketplace, said Gary Stairs, President of Red Hot Learning and LearnNB. "This export marketing assistance enables Learn NB in setting up its channel partnerships and strategic alignments, with a very results- based approach, as well as minimal organizational overhead." LearnNB and its affiliated group the Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD) represent all four pillars of the Learning Industry in New Brunswick. The partnership was formed to launch a new era of cooperation among the e- learning industry to collectively revitalize this sector. The industry is comprised of approximately 55 companies, with a total estimated gross domestic product of $30+million. The majority of these companies have less than 15 employees, with over 75% exporting to foreign markets. For more information on ACOA's programs, visit our web site at: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca For more information on LearnNB, visit their website at www.learnnb.com - 30 - FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT: Valérie Poulin Director of Communications vOffice of the Honourable Joseph McGuire (613) 941-7241 Ann Kenney Senior Communications Officer ACOA (506) 452-3687 Gary Stairs LearnNB (506) 474-1372 Sarah Ketcheson, Communications, BNB (506) 444-4983
