Post by IAMCAPER on Jul 7, 2004 23:33:27 GMT -4
Sydney - A four-day trade mission to Los Angeles appears to be producing results for one Cape Breton company.
“There is plenty of opportunity down here,” said Richard Lorway, vice-president of Helix Digital, a Sydney-based company that provides a range of services to producers of classical animation for television and feature films.
Lorway said his company has been asked to submit proposals for work with companies in California and this trip has enabled him to develop some key business relationships.
“You get answers far more quickly here than in Canada when it comes to doing business,” said Lorway from California, in describing some of the differences between doing business in Canada as compared to the United States.
Another important distinction, he said, is that the majority of business is conducted without any government involvement, meaning private financing.
He noted this is why the answers to proposals come back more quickly and no one is left hanging waiting for replies.
“Even after my first day here I’d have to say is was certainly worthwhile,” said Lorway, adding he will have to return in order to maintain contacts.
Among his meetings with state animation companies, Lorway met with a representative from Klusky Csupo, the Emmy award-winning producer of the children’s shows Rugrats and Wild Thornbirds.
The woman he was scheduled to meet with, Cella Duffy Harris, is formerly from Whitney Pier.
The California economy is the fifth-largest in the world behind the U.S., Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom. Canada is in 10th position.
When it comes to international trade, Canada is the state’s third-largest trading partner generating some $11.8 billion in trade in 2001. Mexico is the state’s largest trading partner with a value of $16.3 billion followed by Japan at $14.6 billion.
Premier John Hamm said Friday the mission ended on a successful note.
“Nova Scotia was represented well,” said Hamm. “The response we received, the appreciation for our talented artists and the genuine interest in the province was extremely encouraging.”
More than 300 guests gathered Thursday at the official residence of Consul-General Colin Robertson, where East Coast Music Award winner John Gracie sang the national anthem to help celebrate Canada’s 137th birthday.
A special presentation was also made to award-winning director Dan Petrie Sr. With more than 70 film and television productions to his credit, the Glace Bay native was lauded by Hamm for his impressive body of work. He was presented with a gift of Nova Scotian crystal.
The trade mission highlighted the province’s food, culture and film interests and among the other Cape Bretoners on the trip were Phil Dubinsky, of Dubinsky Management, Donald Ferguson, of the Savoy Theatre, Bernd Christmas, of Membertou, who is representing Aerospace and Defence Industry of Nova Scotia, Halifax-based film producer Bill Niven and Dartmouth-based singer John Gracie and his wife and manager, Andrée Gracie.
A total of 29 companies participated in the event.
The film industry employs about 2,000 Nova Scotians and generates some $100 million annually for the provincial economy. Nineteen entertainment companies did a series of meetings with potential clients.
As well, the province’s $100-million music industry was promoted. Local musicians, including the Barra MacNeils, wowed audiences attending the Annual Conference of California Presenters and the Annual Summer Solstice Festival.
“There is plenty of opportunity down here,” said Richard Lorway, vice-president of Helix Digital, a Sydney-based company that provides a range of services to producers of classical animation for television and feature films.
Lorway said his company has been asked to submit proposals for work with companies in California and this trip has enabled him to develop some key business relationships.
“You get answers far more quickly here than in Canada when it comes to doing business,” said Lorway from California, in describing some of the differences between doing business in Canada as compared to the United States.
Another important distinction, he said, is that the majority of business is conducted without any government involvement, meaning private financing.
He noted this is why the answers to proposals come back more quickly and no one is left hanging waiting for replies.
“Even after my first day here I’d have to say is was certainly worthwhile,” said Lorway, adding he will have to return in order to maintain contacts.
Among his meetings with state animation companies, Lorway met with a representative from Klusky Csupo, the Emmy award-winning producer of the children’s shows Rugrats and Wild Thornbirds.
The woman he was scheduled to meet with, Cella Duffy Harris, is formerly from Whitney Pier.
The California economy is the fifth-largest in the world behind the U.S., Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom. Canada is in 10th position.
When it comes to international trade, Canada is the state’s third-largest trading partner generating some $11.8 billion in trade in 2001. Mexico is the state’s largest trading partner with a value of $16.3 billion followed by Japan at $14.6 billion.
Premier John Hamm said Friday the mission ended on a successful note.
“Nova Scotia was represented well,” said Hamm. “The response we received, the appreciation for our talented artists and the genuine interest in the province was extremely encouraging.”
More than 300 guests gathered Thursday at the official residence of Consul-General Colin Robertson, where East Coast Music Award winner John Gracie sang the national anthem to help celebrate Canada’s 137th birthday.
A special presentation was also made to award-winning director Dan Petrie Sr. With more than 70 film and television productions to his credit, the Glace Bay native was lauded by Hamm for his impressive body of work. He was presented with a gift of Nova Scotian crystal.
The trade mission highlighted the province’s food, culture and film interests and among the other Cape Bretoners on the trip were Phil Dubinsky, of Dubinsky Management, Donald Ferguson, of the Savoy Theatre, Bernd Christmas, of Membertou, who is representing Aerospace and Defence Industry of Nova Scotia, Halifax-based film producer Bill Niven and Dartmouth-based singer John Gracie and his wife and manager, Andrée Gracie.
A total of 29 companies participated in the event.
The film industry employs about 2,000 Nova Scotians and generates some $100 million annually for the provincial economy. Nineteen entertainment companies did a series of meetings with potential clients.
As well, the province’s $100-million music industry was promoted. Local musicians, including the Barra MacNeils, wowed audiences attending the Annual Conference of California Presenters and the Annual Summer Solstice Festival.