2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

ABM is the most powerful Aboriginal business development event in Western Canada.

INSIDE:

KEY DATES AND RATES

HOW ABM WORKS

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ABM 2013

ABM 2012 IN REVIEW

P E N T I C T O N , B C F E B R U A R Y 1 8 - 2 1 2 0 1 3

Focused. Prepared. Productive.

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MESSAGE FROM ABM 2013 CO-HOSTCHIEF JONATHAN KRUGER, PENTICTON INDIAN BAND

On behalf of the Penticton Indian Band community members and Chief and Council, I would like to extend a

warm and sincere welcome to all delegates and partners who will visit Sylix (Okanagan) Nation Territory for

ABM 2013. We are honored to co-host this exciting event in our territory in Penticton.

As elected leaders, we have made economic development a strategic priority in order to provide a

sustainable and certain future for the Penticton Indian Band. We welcome the opportunity to showcase the

Penticton Indian Band’s diverse economic development possibilities and initiatives.

I encourage everyone to take in the beauty of our breathtaking scenery and enjoy Penticton hospitality during your visit. We trust you

will have an enjoyable, memorable and successful stay.

ABM 2013ABM 2013 is co-hosted by the Penticton Indian Band and takes

place in Penticton/Okanagan (Sylix) Territory, BC, from Monday,

February 18 to Thursday, February 21 at the Penticton Trade and

Convention Centre.

Returning delegates receive registration priority and can register

and update profiles immediately using their personal password

and login provided for ABM 2012.

New Delegates apply at aboriginalbusinessmatch.com.

KHOWUTZUN DEVELOPMENT

CORPORATION “I’ve been attending economic development forums and

workshops for many years and I have never experienced such

a positive and productive event. The speed-dating format was

amazing and workshops encouraged participation. I was blown

away by the spirit of enthusiasm that seemed omnipresent at

the event in both the presenters and the participants.”

– Fred Hunt, Director, duncan, british columbia

ABM 2012 TEAM CHALLENGE

WINNERS

(From left): Erica Nitchie, BC

Ministry of Agriculture; Linda Calla,

AtBC; Bert Groenenberg, CCTC;

Jason Power, Acklands Grainger

KEVIN BOOTHROYD

Director of Marketing, ABM Gold

Sponsor Pacific Coastal Airlines

AECON

The Aecon team in

conversation with Chief

Whitney, T’it’q’et.

3

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

ABM employs a unique trade show format of pre-scheduled

appointments between qualified business matches.

First Nations and Tribal Councils participate on one side of the

match. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal companies, non-profit

organizations and government agencies mandated with the

support of Aboriginal economic development participate on

the exhibitor side. Delegates develop an e-profile showcasing

communities and projects, as well as services and products offered

or required.

Starting on December 14, delegates review e-profiles,

communicate via the ABM e-message centre and select

appointments based on business interests. Preference is given to

First Nation/Tribal Council and Exhibitor matches. However, it is

possible for Aboriginal Exhibitors to select appointments with non-

Aboriginal Exhibitors.

The ABM system computer-matches these initial requests and

issues a preliminary appointment schedule on January 15.

During the second appointment selection phase, all schedules

are visible to all delegates, who request and approve additional

appointments to finalize their tailor-made tradeshow program. The

final appointment schedule is issued on February 12.

Delegates view meeting schedules in computer browsers or on

Smartphones. In addition, two print versions are available.

At the show all exhibitors are “stationary” during appointment

periods and are provided with an 8’ trade show booth, power,

internet, a table and two chairs. Representatives of First

Nations and Tribal Councils do not have booths and move from

appointment to appointment.

Exhibitors = AboriginalBusinesses andNon-ProfitOrganizations

Exhibitors = Non-Aboriginal Businesses, Government

Aboriginal andnon-AboriginalExhibitor Delegates = Pre-ScheduledBusiness MatchAppointments

First Nations andTribal Councils

(Community EconomicDevelopment)

Exhibitors = Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Businesses, non-Profits, Government

First Nations and

Exhibitor Delegates =

Pre-Scheduled Business

Match Appointments

Exhibitors = AboriginalBusinesses andNon-ProfitOrganizations

Exhibitors = Non-Aboriginal Businesses, Government

Aboriginal andnon-AboriginalExhibitor Delegates = Pre-ScheduledBusiness MatchAppointments

First Nations andTribal Councils

(Community EconomicDevelopment)

Exhibitors = Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Businesses, non-Profits, Government

First Nations and

Exhibitor Delegates =

Pre-Scheduled Business

Match Appointments

and by matching Aboriginal with non-Aboriginal Exhibitors.

ABM turns opportunities into business by matching First Nations with Exhibitors

HOW ABM WORKS

4

KEY DATES FOR ABM 2013• November 16, 2012 Registration Deadline for First Nations and Tribal Councils

• December 14, 2012 Registration Deadline for Exhibitors

• December 14, 2012 to January 11, 2013 Appointment Selection Phase 1

• January 15, 2013 Posting of Preliminary Appointment Schedules

• January 15 to February 8, 2013 Appointment Selection Phase 2 and Deadline for all Appointment Changes

• February 12, 2013 Posting of Final Appointment Schedules

• February 18, 2013 ABM 2013 Welcome Reception

• February 19, 20, 21, 2013 ABM 2013 Appointments, Workshops and Wrap

AKISQNUKNIK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION “Upon accepting my employment as CEO for Akisqnuknik Development Corporation I made a commitment that I would concentrate

solely on the work I was hired to do, relinquishing participation in many worthwhile meetings and conferences to concentrate on the

grassroots issues in our community around economic development. We currently manage seven businesses on behalf of Akisqnuk First

Nation and the Board of Akisqnuknik Development Corporation is extremely proud of our accomplishments to date. Attending ABM 2012

was a sound and worthwhile endeavor. Out of a possible 31 dates, I made 32. Many of the sessions were directly related to the expansion

of our businesses and also helped us envision a bigger dream for the future of our community.”

– Lillian Rose, CEO, windermere, british columbia

AECON INFRASTRUCTURE “Aboriginal Business Match 2012 was a fantastic opportunity for Aecon to meet with Aboriginal community representatives

and companies to discuss future opportunities for training, projects and partnerships, as well as sharing and building

onto our Aboriginal Engagement Program. Looking forward to participating next year.”

– Bill Clarke, VP of Business Development, toronto, ontario

Arrowleaf Project Site, Penticton Indian Band

5

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

WHAT TO EXECT FROM ABM

• 150 BC First Nations and Tribal Councils, 150 Exhibitors.

• 31 twenty-minute appointments per primary delegate =

9000 individual delegate meetings, 4500 business match

appointments, 3000 person-hours of targeted one-on-one

business development time over 2.5 days.

• Complete access to the comprehensive ABM database with

information about projects and communities, products and

services.

• Information and connections to resource and develop projects,

to sell products, to offer and procure services.

• A business network in tune with the vast opportunities and

unique characteristics of Aboriginal economic development.

• E-message board supporting effective communication between

delegates.

• Sophisticated business matching software efficiently facilitating

REAL DEALS!

COSTS FOR EXHIBITORSPrimary Delegates

ABM is a highly cost-effective tool to connect with Aboriginal

economic development in BC.

• The registration includes one 8’ trade show space with table, 2

chairs, garbage can, power, light and internet access.

• Registration fees for Primary Delegates are charged based on the

size and nature of the organization.

• Primary Exhibitor Delegate registrations purchase one full

appointment schedule with 31 twenty-minute appointment

slots.

$ 950 for small businesses,

non-profit organizations,

and government agencies

$ 1950 medium businesses

$ 2950 for large businesses

• Exhibitors can apply for a second

appointment schedule (two

Primary Exhibitor Delegate

registrations), which includes an

additional 31 appointments (total

62) and an additional, adjacent

booth. Approval is subject to

availability.

• Three appointment schedules

(a total of 93 appointments and

three booths) are available to gold

sponsors only.

COSTS FOR FIRST NATIONS

For ABM 2013, registration fees for First Nations and Tribal Council

representatives are sponsored by ABM and its partners. ABM will

cover registration fee and travel for one representative from each

AANDC-recognized BC First Nation.

ADDITIONAL FIRST NATIONS AND EXHIBITOR DELEGATES

Additional Delegates do not have their own appointment schedule

but can attend the appointments scheduled by the Primary

Delegate. The registration includes access to all social functions,

workshops and the ABM Delegates Lounge.

$ 500 per Additional Delegate regardless of size or

nature of organization

SPONSORSHIPS

Sponsorships are charged in addition to registration fees.

$7500 gold

$5000 silver

$2500 bronze

Contact Raven Events at info@ravenevents.ca or 1-604-483-3532 for details.

6

W hen delegates from a diverse group of businesses

and First Nations began to congregate in Lheidli

T’enneh territory at the Prince George Civic Centre in

February 2012, there was a sense of anticipation in the air. For many

delegates, the unique format of the Aboriginal Business Match (or

ABM) with its one-on-one pre-scheduled appointments was new,

and the preparation phase for the event had been intense.

The first annual ABM had generated much buzz and registration

sold out in December. Delegates from 110 First Nations and 100

corporations, government agencies and non-profits signed up, eager

to see how this exciting new business development event could

benefit their organizations.

Delegates were asked to register either as representatives of a First

Nation or Tribal Council or as an Exhibitor representing Aboriginal

and Non-Aboriginal businesses, non-profit organizations and

government agencies.

Designed as a highly productive tool to connect businesses and

First Nations for meaningful discourse, the event required time to

prepare in order to create potent business matches.

Piquing interest was the sophisticated yet user-friendly business

matching software accessible through the ABM website where

First Nations developed e-profiles presenting their community

economic development priorities. These included everything from

conceptual ideas to export-ready product offerings. First Nations

sought partners for ventures as varied as land development and

the sale of wind turbines, while at the same time connecting with

service providers from insurance brokers to financial institutions to

consulting firms.

Exhibitors were asked to completed e-profiles with a focus on

their approach to doing business with Aboriginal communities.

Companies in attendance represented major industry sectors

such as mining and construction as well as also engineering firms,

remote camp and catering services and educational institutions.

Non-profit organizations offered programs and tools for economic

development and included the Aboriginal Tourism Association

of BC, CANDO and the First Nations Agricultural Association.

Government agencies were represented by Aboriginal Affairs and

Northern Development Canada, P3 Canada, Public Works and

Government Services Canada, and the Department of Foreign

Affairs and International Trade.

One of the delegates was Brian Jones, the Economic Development

Manager with the Seabird Island First Nation. He says the registration

at first seemed cumbersome, with its required reading, password

and login to keep track off, and questionnaires to complete. “After

THE ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH 2012 IN REVIEW

Turning Opportunity into Business

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH

2012

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH

2013ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

PARTNERING TO CREATE BUSINESS

attending the event it was clearly worth the time investment,” he

said. “The preparation created quality conversations, and for ABM

2013 we only have to update the 2012 information to find new

business matches.”

Starting in December 2011, delegates began to review each other’s

e-profiles, communicating via the ABM e-message centre, and

selecting desired appointments based on business priorities. The

first appointment picks were computer-matched and delegates

received their preliminary schedules in January. During the next

phase of the business matching process, delegates requested and

approved additional appointments to create their very own tailor-

made tradeshow program.

As a result, 6200 individual delegate meetings took place over

2.5 days, translating into 3100 business match appointments and

more than 2060 person-hours of targeted one-on-one business

development time.

Exhibitors were seated at a booth while First Nations and Tribal

Council representatives traveled from appointment to appointment

making beneficial connections that might not have happened

without facilitation.

After ABM 2012, the response to the trailblazing event was

overwhelmingly positive. An extensive post-event evaluation

showed that nearly all delegates (98.09% of respondents) made

new contacts. Of those, 60.51% indicated they made more than 10

new connections. 55.41% reported potential new business deals

and 21.66% anticipated the revenues derived from these new deals

to exceed $30,000.

HUB International Commercial Account Executive Richard Trudeau

commented, “If you are interested in doing business with First Nation

communities, attending ABM provides you with an effective and

productive venue to meet one-on-one with your target audience.”

Keith Henry, Chair of the ABM Steering Committee stated, “What

makes ABM unique and successful is that it is much more than

business speed dating. There is nothing random or accidental about

the contacts you will make. It is focused, prepared and productive.

The value of ABM is provided through the tools that allow you to

gain knowledge about each delegate’s business assets, expertise

and priorities. ABM is not only about buying or selling. It is about

understanding the landscape of business in BC, getting to know the

players, recognizing opportunities and forming the relationships

needed to make the most of them.”

THE ABORIGINAL BUSINESS MATCH 2012 IN REVIEW

Turning Opportunity into Business

ABM 2012 FACTSAttendance • 110BCFirstNationsandTribalCouncils

• 100Exhibitorsrepresentingcorporations,governmentagenciesandnon-profit

organizations

AppointmentsandBusinessDevelopmentTime • 6,200individualdelegatemeetings

over2.5Days • 3,100businessmatchingappointments

• morethan2,060person-hoursoftargetedone-on-onebusinessdevelopmenttime

NewBusinessConnections • 98.09%ofdelegatesmadenewcontacts

• 60.51%mademorethan10newcontacts*

• 55.41%reportedpotentialnewbusinessdeals*

DealsInitiated • 21.66%estimatedtherevenuesfromnewdealstoexceed$30,000*

OverallOpinion • 99.36%expressedsatisfactionwithABM2012asexcellentorgood

(64.97%excellent,34.39%good)*

DelegateReturnRate • 93.63%statedinterestinregisteringforABM2013*

EaseofPreparation • 92.36%saidthatpreparationfortheeventwaseither:*

√“Easy-afterreviewoftheinformationprovided”or

√“Tooksometimetounderstandtheprocessbutwasmanageable.”

ROIonPreparationTime • 91.72%answered“Yes”tothequestion“Didyoufindthetimeinvestedinto

preparationworthwhile?’*

*Based on ABM 2012 post-event evaluation responses.

BC HYDRO “ABM 2012 was perhaps the best organized and productive

conference I have attended in my career. ABM provided

tremendous opportunities to talk to a wide range of Aboriginal

businesses and organizations about their experience and the

services they can provide within a timeframe that worked for all

parties. We would be very supportive of participating in future

ABM conferences.” – Trevor Proverbs, Director,

Aboriginal Relations, Site C, vancouver, british columbia

7

1-604-483-3532info@ravenevents.ca

ABM is created and produced by Raven Events

and Communications, Sliammon, BC.

5246 Beach Road, Powell River, BC, V8A 0B1

ravenevents.ca

Events and Communications

aboriginalbusinessmatch.com