SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATES WIDE OPEN WEEK

Wide Open Week (WOW), May 12th to 16th, will turn the spotlight on the province's success, creativity and innovation in manufacturing and technology.

"Saskatchewan is an incredible province where innovation and opportunity flourish," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "Wide Open Week is a chance for us to celebrate this by focusing on the many successful and positive activities that are taking place across Saskatchewan."

Activities for the week include Innovation Showcases at the province's two research parks in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan Business Ambassadors breakfasts, and a tradeshow of Saskatchewan-made products.

Cluster strategy and marketing specialist Jim Bottomley will speak on how smaller centres can compete against big cities and succeed using cluster strategies, as part of his Big Innovation in Small Places presentation to audiences in Saskatoon and Regina.

Capping off the week is Canada's Biggest Science Experiment, taking place simultaneously in Regina and Saskatoon. The Saskatchewan Research Council will lead thousands of students from grades four to six in a science project using a "secret" ingredient and the outcome may have future applications for the province's oil and environmental industries.

"We are thrilled to be leading this experiment," President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Laurier Schramm said. "This type of activity not only raises awareness of the science and technology happening at SRC and in Saskatchewan, but also helps foster a vibrant research cluster in the province."

Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association (SATA) is a partner in the Innovation Showcases along with Innovation Place and Regina Research Park.

"The advanced technology industry in Saskatchewan is one of our greatest resources and growth areas; it is also one of our best kept secrets," Executive Director of SATA Greg Sutton said. "Wide Open Week will give our industry an opportunity to demonstrate the level of innovation and ingenuity the people of this province have achieved."

Cline said the province has pioneered many leading-edge breakthroughs in areas from crop production to automated banking machines.

"As our centennial approaches, we should look back with a real sense of pride and accomplishment," Cline said. "We can also look forward to a second century of building on our spirit of innovation, our sense of entrepreneurship and our traditions of co-operation and community."

Wide Open Week is another component of Our Future is Wide Open, an extensive three-year marketing campaign to instill pride, build awareness and increase the visibility of Saskatchewan, as well as promote more business and investment in the province.

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For More Information, Contact:

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