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French guest speaker Olivier Bertrand to share entrepreneurial perceptions in Summerside and Charlottetown

During 2018 Co-op and Small Business Week

SUMMERSIDE - Sept. 25, 2018 - Calling himself a "serial entrepreneur", Olivier Bertrand has lived through great and varied business experiences over the past 25 years, both in his native France and in New Brunswick. Now, he is preparing to share his perceptions and advice on entrepreneurial life during two free Island events Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Summerside at noontime and in Charlottetown in the early evening.

Bertrand, who is also president of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Canada, Atlantic Network, will be coming to the Island on the occasion of Co-op and Small Business Week. He was here last March as one of the three judges of RDÉE PEI's Dragons' Contest.

ENTREPRENEURS' AND CO-OPERATORS' LUNCHEON

Bertrand will first be guest speaker at the Entrepreneurs' and Co-operators' Luncheon, being staged by the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI and the Wellington Rural Action Centre. This event takes place at the Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside at 12 noon. He will address the theme "The importance of bilingualism in business, especially in the context of the coming of the 2019 World Acadian Congress". He feels that the Congress will bring a vast array of golden entrepreneurial opportunities; businesses must get ready to take full advantage of the thousands of extra visitors who will be right on their doorstep.

During the free luncheon, participants will also hear a presentation on volunteer needs for the World Acadian Congress. In addition, the Acadian Chamber of Commerce will launch its 2019 entrepreneurial awards competition and RDÉE PEI will launch a new version of its business start-up contest (formerly the Dragons' Contest). Other presentations will also take place. A bit of musical entertainment will greet participants upon their arrival. Door prizes will also be drawn for.

Sponsored by CBDC Central PEI, the LIENS project, RDÉE PEI and the Wellington Rural Action Centre, this event is also part of La Belle Alliance's Pumpkin Festival.

All French-speaking business people are invited to attend, but they must register by Oct. 9 by contacting Simone Gallant at (902) 854-3439, Ext. 228, or at simone@rdeeipe.org.

5 TO 7 RECEPTION FOR NEWCOMER ENTREPRENEURS

Bertrand will then head to the Carrefour de l'Isle-Saint-Jean in Charlottetown to attend the "5 to 7 reception for newcomer entrepreneurs". This event, which is open to all French-speaking business people, will begin at 5 p.m. with a bit of networking and hors d'oeuvres. A cash bar service will be available.

Next, participants will get to hear brief presentations by several providers of entrepreneurial services and grants: Wellington Rural Action Centre, RDÉE PEI, Canada Business, CBDC Central PEI and the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce.

During the last half hour, Bertrand will share his experiences as a francophone immigrant entrepreneur in Atlantic Canada. "I hope to be able to share a few key things so that participants will be able to say to themselves: I am not the only one to go through these kinds of situations," he said.

This event is presented by RDÉE PEI's LIENS project. To attend free of charge, interested parties must sign up by Oct. 11 by contacting Chérine Stevula at 902-370-7333, Ext. 404, or at cherine@rdeeipe.org.

GUEST SPEAKER

Bertrand has been living in Canada for the past 13 years. He has worked all of his life in the private sector, particularly in the fields of design, marketing, innovation and banking. He is currently working with three businesses: xoxolo.com, les Druides du Web and Elumicate Inc. He is however focussing most of his energy on that last new start-up business, which is developing technological solutions in artificial intelligence. The business has developed interesting partnerships with the University of Moncton’s electrical engineering and IT science departments.

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CUTLINE: Immigrant entrepreneur Olivier Bertrand will be guest speaker at two events on the Island on Oct. 16: The Entrepreneurs' and Co-operators' Luncheon in Summerside and the "5 to 7 reception for newcomer entrepreneurs" in Charlottetown.


For more information:
Raymond J. Arsenault
Coordinator
Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI
902-854-3439, Ext. 231
raymond@rdeeipe.org

Chérine Stevula
Coordinator
LIENS project
902-370-7333, Ext. 404
cherine@rdeeipe.org

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