Charlottetown , Prince Edward Island
MUSSEL POWER
THE LARGEST CITY ON Prince Edward Island ( PEI ) may be small – the population is under 40,000 but it packs a punch , PEI is Canada ’ s smallest province in size , and farming is still the backbone of the economy . The region provides 25 % of Canada ’ s potato import . PEI also produces 70 % of Canada ’ s entire production of mussels each year . Growers raise the shellfish in about 11,000 acres of shallow bays and inlets , a process refined over 800 years .
The public sector - provincial , federal , and municipal levels of government - is also a major employer along with the healthcare sector .
But that ’ s only part of the picture .
The Advanced Marine Technology sector is growing on PEI , employing 200 people and generating over $ 80m in export sales . The sector is largely focused on marine , oil and gas and ship-building related solutions .
While cost is part of the attraction – wage rates are lower than North American averages – there is also the appeal of a steady stream of quality candidates from Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island ( UPEI ). Success stories abound ; Aspin Kemp and Associates were attracted to PEI in 2007 with six staff and now employ more than 100 . The company specialises in engineering solutions within the
Right : Lighthouse in Prince Edward Island , Canada
Below : Marina and Steeples in Charlottetown
The sector is largely focused on marine , oil and gas and shipbuilding related solutions . marine industry having developed the world ’ s first hybrid tugboat propulsion system . They also developed and designed a critical power supply backup system for use in drill rigs and drill ships which reduced power outages on drill rigs from two minutes – which could lead to millions of dollars of potential damage – to 39 seconds .
In 2005 Kevan Merson visited PEI and fell in love with the province . He set up MarineNav Ltd , to design and manufactures marine grade computers , marine displays , and underwater remotely operated vehicles . “ Since then we ’ ve supplied thousands of units to navies and coast guards around the world , as well as numerous commercial and scientific research vessels ,” he says . The company has a long-standing commitment to the local fishing fleets and the luxury yacht segment . New to the product range is a Remotely Operated Vehicle ( ROV ). MarineNav now has a team of 18 engineers , designers , and technicians with decades of experience in the marine technology and manufacturing industries . The company ’ s slogan is ‘ Built North Atlantic Tough ’ and the location allows for product testing at the local pool , on the wharf or at sea .
The Prince Edward Island Convention Centre adjoins Delta Prince Edward ; the two combined offer over 50,000 sq . ft . of meeting space . The Confederation Ballroom boasts 24,000 sq . ft . of space , divisible into six separate rooms and offering floor-to-ceiling windows with a water view . All the meeting rooms within the complex are named after the 23 Fathers of Confederation who attended the initial Charlottetown Conference to discuss the creation of Canada . An added feature is the outdoor patio overlooking the scenic waterfront , able to accommodate up to 600
10 CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD