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Canada New England Cruise Symposium Attracts Senior Politicians

Sat, 5 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Saint John, NB � When the Canada New England (CNE) Cruise Symposium comes to Saint John next week, there will be no shortage of influential government decision-makers in attendance. At the opening reception on the evening of Tuesday June 8^th, Hon. Brian Kenny, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism for New Brunswick will welcome everyone. Hon. Rob Moore � Minister of State Small Business and Tourism, Government of Canada will be speaking to the delegates on Thursday June 10^th at their breakfast meeting. Later that same morning, Hon. Shawn Graham - Premier of New Brunswick will bring greetings from the Province.

"We are delighted to have such a high level of interest from our elected officials," said Betty MacMillan, Manager of Business Development for the Saint John Port Authority and Chair of the Symposium. "The fact that we have attracted this degree of attention, underscores the significance of the cruise business to our region."

Delegates will have two full days of meetings and panel sessions but it will not be all work. Event organizers have planned a traditional Maritime Kitchen Party in the Market Square Atrium for the opening night, followed by a chocolate reception at the Trade and Convention Center. The following evening will feature a reception at the New Brunswick Museum and a Dinner/Auction at the Trade and Convention Center. The Symposium will draw to a close on Thursday evening with a visit to O�Leary�s Pub for pizza and entertainment.

Tickets for all events are available by calling Brittany Halpin at 636-4980

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For More Information, contact:

Bill Eaton
Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs
Saint John Port Authority
506-636-4674
beaton@sjport.com

Cruise Season Kicks Off with the MS Hanseatic

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 EST

For Immediate Release

May 27, 2010

Cruise Season Kicks Off with the MS Hanseatic

(Saint John)- The 2010 cruise season for the Port of Saint John kicks off tomorrow with a call from the MS Hanseatic, a Hapag-Lloyd cruise line vessel. The Hanseatic is the only five-star expedition-cruise ship worldwide with a total passenger capacity of 188. The 8400-tonne vessel specializes in trips to the Antarctic.

"The cruise industry continues to be the second biggest revenue generator for the Port Authority," said Capt. Al Soppitt, President and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority. "We anticipate we will welcome over 214,000 cruise passengers onboard 77 vessels, this season."

The Port of Saint John cruise activity has a significant economic impact, bringing an estimated expenditure in excess of $30 million from passenger, crew, and cruise lines each year to our local area

Some highlights from this year�s cruise season include:

� Princess Cruises will be calling 15 times with 2 of their Grand Class ships (Grand Princess and Caribbean Princess)

� Celebrity Cruises has an expanded program into Saint John with the Celebrity Summit calling 5 times (the highest frequency in a single year from this line)

� Royal Caribbean International will be sending the Enchantment of the Seas in place of last years� smaller capacity Grandeur of the Seas. Including calls from the Jewel of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International will make 15 calls in total.

� Inaugural visits will occur this year with three vessels (Carnival Glory, Celebrity Summit and P&O�s Arcadia).

� Saint John will play host to the Canada-New England Cruise Symposium from June 8th to 10th.

"We are gratified to see continuous growth in our cruise sector," said Betty MacMillan, Manager of Business Development for the Port Authority. "By playing the role of host city for the Canada-New England Cruise Symposium this year, we will be able to showcase Saint John and the Bay of Fundy to the most influential participants in the cruise industry."

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For More Information, contact:

Bill Eaton
Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs
Saint John Port Authority
506-636-4674
beaton@sjport.com

Cruise Opportunities for Local Businesses

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST

For Immediate Release

(Saint John, NB) � "If your business benefits from the cruise industry or could benefit in the foreseeable future, you should be in attendance at the Canada New England Cruise Symposium from June 8^th to 10^th, at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre." That is the message from Betty MacMillan, Manager of Business Development for the Saint John Port Authority.

This annual Symposium is coming back to Saint John, where it started 12 years ago. This event attracts the biggest names and companies in the cruise industry. Attendance has already been confirmed for representatives from Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Parks Canada and many other key players in the industry.

Registration for the panel sessions is available at a cost of $75.00 per participant. Panel sessions will include the following topics; Cruise 101, An In-depth Overview of How the Cruise Industry Works, Green Cruising; Managing Environmental Impact, Innovation in Shore Excursions, Port Congestion, Industry Marketing Trends, Challenges and Opportunities, Small Ship Cruising, Destination Development and Cruise and the Community.

"The cruise industry continues to grow. This will be another record season for Saint John with over 210,000 passengers expected. Having this Symposium in Saint John is an excellent opportunity for local companies that are interested in learning about how the cruise industry works. But most importantly, this will be an invaluable opportunity to showcase Saint John and Southern New Brunswick and for business owners to network with cruise industry decision-makers." concluded MacMillan.

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For More Information, contact:

Bill Eaton
Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs
Saint John Port Authority
506-636-4674
beaton@sjport.com

Canada New England Cruise Symposium Comes to Saint John

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

For Immediate Release

Saint John Port Authority will host the 12th Annual Canada New England Cruise Symposium

(Saint John)- Anchor in the Bay of Fundy: Come for the Show, Stay for the Wonders, will be the theme when Saint John hosts the Canada New England Cruise Symposium June 8^th to 10^th, 2010. The event will be held at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre.

This Symposium will draw over 225 participants to hear industry experts talking about the latest trends and recent developments in the trade. The three-day Cruise Symposium will attract active delegates who are involved in various organizations such as cruise lines, media, tour operators, port authorities, tourism offices, marine agencies, chambers of commerce and cruise associations. Delegates will also be treated with an abundance of maritime hospitality and entertainment including a tour of the Hopewell Rocks, Saint John city highlights tour, our Reversing Falls jet boat rides and of course a traditional maritime kitchen party.

"After recently being named one of the top three ports of call in the world, Saint John is the ideal choice for this year�s Symposium," observed Betty MacMillan, Manager of Business Development for the Saint John Port Authority. "We will be taking full advantage of this opportunity to showcase our city, our attractions, our tour operators and the entire Bay of Fundy region, to some of the key decision-makers in the cruise industry."

"Since 1989, when the first cruise ship called in Saint John, this has been the largest growing tourism sector in New Brunswick. In 2010, the Port City will welcome over 200,000 passengers and the future prospects are for much larger numbers," MacMillan concluded.

For information and registration, visit our website: www.bayoffundy2010.com

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For More Information, contact:

Bill Eaton
Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs
Saint John Port Authority
506-636-4674
beaton@sjport.com

Saint John Designated One of the 2010 Cultural Capitals of Canada

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Issued by Canadian Heritage

Aug 26, 2009

SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK- The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, accompanied by Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament (Saint John), and His Worship Ivan Court, Mayor of Saint John, today announced that the municipality of Saint John, New Brunswick, has been designated a Cultural Capital of Canada for 2010.

"Culture has a way of bringing us together. It also allows us to express who we are and what makes us truly unique," said Minister Moore. "Congratulations to the people of Saint John on taking pride in their local culture and heritage and on putting the best of their city forward for all Canadians to see."

"This recognition will provide a great boost to the people of Saint John, who will celebrate the city's 225th anniversary in 2010," said Mr. Weston. "The designation will surely encourage new partnering opportunities and generate economic benefits for Saint John and its surrounding area."

"The City of Saint John is proud of the work, led largely by community volunteers, to promote and celebrate our local arts, culture, and heritage," said Mr. Court. "We are pleased to be designated a Cultural Capital of Canada for 2010 in Canada's Original City."

The Cultural Capital of Canada designation is awarded for merit, as determined by the quality of a proposed project and earlier achievements by the candidate community that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture. An independent advisory committee evaluates the candidate communities and makes its recommendations to the Minister. Funding is provided to support special projects that celebrate the arts and culture. Amounts vary according to the size of the municipality. Municipalities with a population between 50 000 and 125 000, such as Saint John, may receive up to $750,000.

With this funding, the city will launch Saint John 225: The Original City / La ville originale, a year-long program of events that celebrates the creativity, culture, and heritage of the Saint John region. Saint John 225 begins on January 1, 2010.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.