Digby Port Day
The town of Digby in particular, and the Fundy and Basin areas in general, will be looking at the economic, social and environmental aspects of our marine resources. On Monday, June 28, the Digby Harbour Port Authority, supported by ADEDA, will be hosting a seminar called Digby Port Day: Our Port – Our Future. From 10 AM until 2 PM the seminar will feature noted speakers and panellists addressing our port facility and our immediate marine environment. The special luncheon speaker will be our Member of Parliament for West Nova, Greg Kerr. Keep checking our web site, and future editions of the newsletter, for more details outlining location, topics and speaker profiles. For immediate information, or to make plans to attend, contact ADEDA’s Terry Thibodeau at tthibodeau@annapolisdigby.com, or me at communications@annapolisdigby.com. If you’re involved in marine activities, use the port of Digby, our just concerned about these issues – mark the date on your calendar.

When you have a seacoast as spectacular as ours, the subject of oceans management is a constant cause for discussion and concern. And that’s top of mind this week as we celebrate international Oceans Day on June 8.

Oceans Day was formally declared during the 1992 international “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janiero, spearheaded by the Canadian delegation which wanted the future of our oceans to be considered as part of the meeting agenda. It’s particularly special to me since I was part of the Canadian NGO which facilitated that declaration. When the NGO mission leader and I were discussing (and, OK, there may have been a Brazilian beverage or two involved) which day would be appropriate for our declaration, we learned that June 8 was the date of her birthday and my wedding anniversary. So –hey – there was obvious karma at work. Accordingly a decision was made. True story.

In the intervening 18 years the celebrations have spread worldwide. You can check out global events by visiting The Ocean Project at http://theoceanproject.org/wod/.

Tourism
When acclaimed tourism consultant Roger Brooks visited our region last year, he stressed the need for improved business signage and additional storefront beautification as the most effective way to draw shoppers inside. Once inside, visitors are likely to buy more, leaving their dollars in our communities. Brooks has proven over and over again that a small investment in beautification and signage can pay for itself many times over, and quickly!

Every business person should do what they do best, and partner for the rest. Those of us who are not design/decoration experts can partner with those who are. All will benefit. That’s why we are calling this initiative “Business to Business to Prosperity”, or “B2B2$”.

If you want to learn about local businesses that can help you make your business grow, there’s help on the horizon. If you have a business in Digby County, reserve Wednesday, June 16 at the Digby Pines at 6:30pm on your calendar. If you have a business in Annapolis County, make that Tuesday, June 15 at the Annapolis Royal Legion, same time.

Come learn about Roger Brooks’ recommendations for our communities and what it can mean for your business. You will also meet with local businesses that can help you put these improvements in place – it’s all about driving business to your business! Contact Joy O’Neill, Economic Development Officer, for additional information. She can be reached at 638-8139 or via email at: joneill@annapolisdigby.com

Last week our region’s own Digby Pines Resort was the venue for the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia’s (TIANS) Annual General Meeting. TIANS is the voice of advocacy for the tourism sector, working with industry and government on national issues, transportation policy, the environment, human resources and financial advocacy. A power point presentation outlining TIANS’ major issues and achievements is available online. Rob McCloskey, Director General of Tourism Atlantic clarified the relationship between ACOA and Tourism. Chip Madera, a powerful motivational presenter, spoke about using trying times to re-tool and bring about radical change. Get motivated by Chip’s insights at The Artful Blogger! If you’re wondering what is the real economic impact of that local festival or event? Check out details of the new TIEM analytical model, which will be available by year end. Check out The Artful Blogger for some more comments on TIEM.

Waves of the Future
When we maintain that the future of our oceans resources is a front and centre concern in this region, we only need to consider the award winning science project designed by a talented local high school student. She won national honours for her work studying the future of wave energy. It’s great to be reminded that our young students are so eager and able to address the challenges that shape the destiny of places like Annapolis Digby.

The Bay on the Hill
While Oceans Day has been established to focus international attention on the plight and the future of our oceans, particularly among our world’s political and government leaders, it was good to learn that some of our own politicians had already been placing it on the national agenda. Last month. The Bay of Fundy’s growing world prominence was the subject of discussion within the venerable halls of our House of Commons, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of our local Members of Parliament. You might say they were ahead of the tide.

“Claws” for Notice
And, forgive me, but I couldn’t let any journal discussing our ocean’s abundance omit an interesting yarn about a giant crustacean recently fetched from the deeps off our coast recently. We all know that the finest lobster in world is harvested right here in south western Nova Scotia. It’s a fishery that is well conducted, and well managed, and can produce the biggest as well as the best. Think of the number of lobster sandwiches here.


In the Market For Attention
The natural wonders of our seacoast, and its succulent seafood, are just a couple of reasons why Annapolis Digby is fast becoming one of the world’s top tourism destinations for global travellers. Those of us lucky enough to live here are becoming accustomed to the multinational roster of visitors who are drawn here – many of whom then chose to return and live with us. And to accelerate that development the Province of Nova Scotia just recently unveiled a new “Explore Our Shores” campaign to attract even more visitors to our region. If you want a sneak visual preview you can go to our web site or visit. Officials with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage have been working with staff from the Destination South West Nova Scotia Association to develop this well-timed campaign.

Ongoing Success Leads to New “Zip” For Park
And our local recreation and tourism operators are sure doing their part to underline and consolidate the efforts of the provincial marketing campaign. Already a success story in terms of both management and results, the management of Upper Clements Park recently provided more details of its proposed 250 acre Adventure Park. Opening this summer will be two new aerial Zip lines. And that’s just the beginning of an exciting new facility that will act in concert with the existing theme park. Many more features are planned over the next 18 months.


And our own ADEDA staff has been doing their bit to boost visits to the area. At recent tourism trade shows our booths and presentations were popular destinations.

So this week, especially when you’re watching the depressing news from the Gulf of Mexico, give a thought to how we can be better stewards of our oceans. Organize a beach sweep, get to Oceans Day activities wherever you can and support our local oceans preservation organizations. And I’d better remember the other reason for that date, or I’ll be in deep something – and it won’t be the “briny deep”!

Till next week;

Peter

Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0

Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com