Media advisory - Over 150 Aboriginal students gather in Winnipeg to compete in national BDC E-Spirit competition Français
WINNIPEG, May 10, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Over 150 Aboriginal high school students from across Canada will attend the annual BDC E-Spirit National Aboriginal Youth Business Plan Competition in Winnipeg from May 15 to 17. Seven teams totaling 25 students will represent Manitoba at this competition.
Organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), E-Spirit increases students' awareness of entrepreneurial and business opportunities. For 16 weeks leading up to the national gathering, students developed viable business plans and perfected their presentation skills. To qualify for the finals, the teams completed seven BDC E-Spirit modules: entrepreneurial assessment, business overview, management strategy, operations plans, marketing and financial plans, as well as an executive summary. The submissions also included a video element.
Three teams will take home the Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes, while another thirteen teams will receive Special Achievement awards during a gala on May 17.
Over the past 12 years, E-Spirit has exposed 5,900 Aboriginal youth to the potential of entrepreneurship.
BDC E-Spirit media opportunities include:
| 1. | Visit the BDC E-Spirit trade show, meet the students and discover their business ideas | ||
| Date: | Tuesday, May 15, 2012 | ||
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Opening Ceremony and prayer by Elder Garry Robson | |
| 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | E-Spirit Business Tradeshow | ||
| Location: | Max Bell Centre, University of Manitoba | ||
| 109 Sidney Smith Street, Winnipeg, R3T 2M6 | |||
| 2. | Attend the BDC E-Spirit finalist presentations | ||
| Date: | Thursday, May 17, 2012 | ||
| Time: | 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Opening address & workshop by motivational speaker | |
| 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | BDC E-Spirit presentations, closing prayer by Elder Florence Paynter | ||
| Location: | Engineering & Information Technology Complex Theatre, University of Manitoba | ||
| Room E3-270, 75 Chancellor's Circle, Winnipeg, R3T 5V6 | |||
| 3. | Attend the E-Spirit Awards Gala | ||
| Date: | Thursday, May 17, 2012 | ||
| Time: | 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Traditional hand drum performance by Ray "Coco" Stevenson | |
| Location: | University Centre, University of Manitoba | ||
| 2nd Floor - Room 210, University Centre | |||
The 57 teams that qualified for the 12th edition of BDC E-Spirit will be presenting their projects in the general presentation round on Wednesday, May 16, between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Interviews may be arranged with:
- Aboriginal students and teachers from across Canada
- Cheryl K. Watson, E-Spirit Project Manager, BDC
- Garry Robson, E-Spirit Elder
- Florence Paynter, E-Spirit Elder
- Aaron Rae, E-Spirit Alumnus
For timely updates about the E-Spirit competition finals, follow us on Facebook or Twitter at @BDC_ESpirit.
About BDC E-Spirit
E-Spirit is a 16 week web-based competition for Aboriginal high school students in grades 10 to 12 that provides interactive business planning resources, online access to mentoring and extensive student networking opportunities, via the web and in person. The E-Spirit competition was created and developed by BDC and is supported by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), the Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones, Government of Quebec, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). www.bdc.ca/espirit
About BDC
Canada's business development bank, BDC, puts entrepreneurs first. With almost 1,900 employees and more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC offers financing, subordinate financing, venture capital and consulting services to 29,000 small and medium-sized companies. Their success is vital to Canada's economic prosperity. www.bdc.ca
Maria Constantinescu
Advisor, Public Relations
Business Development Bank of Canada
(514) 496-7146
[email protected]
On-site in Winnipeg: May 15-17, 2012 only
Don Shalley
Cell: 204-227-5135
[email protected]
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