SASKATCHEWAN WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE

Canada will be host to a major international business conference next week in Regina.

The 2007 Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI) conference, held from June 4 through June 8, 2007, will host over 70 speakers discussing a range of issues from technology to rural entrepreneurship. More than 300 people are registered to attend, with over 100 taking part in BREI certification courses. The theme for this year's conference is "Growing from Within: Thinking Regionally - Succeeding Globally".

"For the next week, Regina will be the hub of international business excellence," Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Lon Borgerson said. "This is an invaluable opportunity for business people to gain world-class tools to grow and expand their own business ventures."

Many businesses from around the province will be participating in this year's event. Within Regina, Brandt Industries, Dutch Industries and Saskcan Pulse Growers will be in attendance, all three giving presentations and taking part. Other communities represented include Swift Current, Rouleau and Moose Jaw. Internationally, speakers include Peter Kenyon of Australia, and Ifor Ffowcs-Williams from New Zealand.

"This is an opportunity for us to showcase business excellence in Saskatchewan," Borgerson said. "For instance, on Tuesday, a workshop will travel to Moose Jaw to see how that city has become one of the fastest growing tourism economies in Canada. This conference provides the chance to learn about business at home and abroad."

Official opening luncheon and welcome will take place on Wednesday, June 7, at 11:30 a.m. in the Trentino/Tuscany C room at the Delta Hotel in Regina.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Trish Alcorn
Regional Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5389
Email: talcorn@agr.gov.sk.ca