Media advisory - Kamloops hosts enterprising Aboriginal students competing in 2013 BDC E-Spirit finals

KAMLOOPS, BC, May 8, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has selected the country's most business-savvy Aboriginal students to compete in the BDC E-Spirit Business Plan Competition, held in Kamloops, from May 14 to 16. British Columbia is well represented in the finals of the competition.

Three teams will take home the Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes, while nine special achievement awards will be presented during the BDC E-Spirit gala held on May 16.

Media opportunities: 

1. Visit the BDC E-Spirit trade show to meet the Aboriginal students competing in the BDC E-Spirit finals and discover their business ideas
Date:	Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Time:	10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.	Opening Ceremony and prayer by Elder Ernie Philip
	10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.	E-Spirit Business Tradeshow
Location:	Thompson Rivers University - TRU Gymnasium
	900 McGill Road
	Kamloops, BC V2C 0C8
2. Attend the BDC E-Spirit Awards Gala
Date:	Thursday, May 16, 2013
Time:	5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location:	Thompson Rivers University - Grand Hall, Campus Activity Centre
	900 McGill Road
	Kamloops, BC V2C 0C8
	Campus Map

Interviews opportunities:

• Aboriginal students and teachers from across Canada
• Cheryl K. Watson, E-Spirit Project Manager, BDC
• BDC E-Spirit Elder Ernie Philip - Dancing Bear / Black Feather
• Aaron Rae, E-Spirit Alumnus

Since its creation in 2001, BDC E-Spirit has introduced more than 6,000 Aboriginal students to the benefits of entrepreneurship. For updates about the competition finals, follow BDC E-Spirit on Facebook.

About BDC E-Spirit
BDC 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. BDC E-Spirit was created and developed by BDC and is supported by Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones, Government of Quebec, Thompson Rivers of University, School of Business, SDEUM (Société de développement économique Uashat mak Mani-utenam), Economic Development corporation, Universite Laval and University of Manitoba, Aboriginal Business Education Program (ABEP).
www.espirit.bdc.ca

About BDC
Canada's business development bank, BDC puts entrepreneurs first. With almost 2,000 employees and more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC offers financing, subordinate financing, venture capital, securitization and consulting services to more than 28,000 small and medium-sized companies. Their success is vital to Canada's economic prosperity.

SOURCE: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA

For further information:

Maria Constantinescu
Senior Advisor, Public Relations
Business Development Bank of Canada
[phone]
[e-mail]

On-site in Kamloops: May 14 only
Stephanie Loo de Nevers
Public Relations Consultant, Magpie Marketing
[phone]
[e-mail]