CELEBRATE WIDE OPEN WEEK

Many of Saskatchewan's successes will be celebrated during Wide Open Week (WOW) May 12th to 16th.

"Wide Open Week is a special week to celebrate Saskatchewan's great future – a future that is wide open," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "It's an opportunity to recognize the economic successes of our businesses and communities and to promote our province's innovation, creativity and success in technology and manufacturing."

Trade shows in Regina and Saskatoon during WOW will showcase innovative Saskatchewan products and services, and the many exciting breakthroughs in advanced technology.

"The innovation showcase will provide a unique look into some of Saskatchewan's brightest and most innovative technology companies," Executive Director of Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association Greg Sutton said. "Saskatchewan is a world leader in advanced technology, and the showcase is a great opportunity to celebrate and promote the success of our own people."

On May 15th, Premier Lorne Calvert and Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline will join the Saskatchewan Research Council as it leads about 1,500 grades 4 to 6 students in Canada's biggest science experiment, taking place simultaneously in Regina and Saskatoon.

The Saskatchewan-Made Products trade show will profile almost 70 companies in Regina on May 14th. A special feature of the tradeshow will be the Saskatchewan Sewn-Products Showcase, sponsored by the Apparel and Textile Association of Saskatchewan. The showcase will display designer clothing, industrial apparel, bedding, sportswear, leather goods, heavy-duty equipment covers and much more.

In addition, cluster specialist Jim Bottomley will speak on how smaller centres can use cluster strategies to compete with big cities in his "Big Innovation in Small Places" presentation to Regina audiences on May 13th and in Saskatoon on May 15th. Saskatoon and Regina REDAs are partnering with Industry and Resources to sponsor this luncheon speaker.

"The week's activities demonstrate the dynamic and innovative nature of our province and the strength of our industries," Cline said. "Saskatchewan has a lot to say 'wow' about with 12 straight months of job increases, growing sectors like oil and gas, mining and forestry building momentum in the economy and a future that is wide open."

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For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306)787-8277