Francophone businesses succeed in fall sales mission to Quebec

A P.E.I. francophone business association is reporting that its fall sales mission to Quebec was the most successful to date.

In a Jan. 20 release, RDÉE Île-du-Prince-Édouard said that nine P.E.I. businesses met with 120 potential buyers in markets in Quebec and Toronto, Ont. in November.

Sales mission organizer Robert Maddix said many of the businesses made sales agreements with outside buyers, some with big price tags.

"In fact, one of the nine participating companies has signed sales agreements exceeding $1 million in value, and another company is waiting to hear about a very promising bid for a $2.5 million sale," said Maddix. "All of the other companies have also closed very impressive sales deals or are negotiating highvalue contracts with major partners.”

Maddix added that the fall mission participants had to hire at least five more employees in order to produce, supply and deliver the products required by their new contracts.

Additionally, as part of the mission, RDÉE P.E.I. organized a business mixer for about 40 business people at the upscale restaurant Le Richmond in Montreal. Island products like lobster, smoked herring, smoked oysters, cider and beer were served at the mixer.

"A few sales were even made during the evening's informal discussions, which means that the investment was well worth it," said Maddix.

The trip was RDÉE P.E.I.'s 10th sales mission to Quebec in the past six years. Maddix credited the success to help from the Quebec firm, Clientis, which worked with owners on their pitches leading up to the event.

"Our contractors prepared very well before participating in the mission. Last fall, they received one-on-one sales pitch training with Clientis and really took to heart and implemented the suggestions they received,” said Maddix. “Their extra efforts obviously paid off handsomely.”

RDÉE P.E.I. estimated that total sales from the 10 missions held since 2015 are about $10 million. Encouraged by the success of the fall mission, Maddix is already looking for 10 Island business owners for a spring pitch from May 2-6 and May 9-13.

Interested bilingual companies can contact robert@ rdeeipe.org or 902-367-8413 for more information.