Selling and promoting their products
RDÉE announces new interprovincial sales mission for the fall season
A P.E.I. francophone business association is planning a new sales mission, following an anticipated $1 million in spring sales resulting from missions earlier this year.
In a July 17 release, the nine businesses that participated in DÉE Île-duPrince-Édouard’s spring mission are estimating $1 million in spring sales. They include Lobster P.E.I., Mama B’s Spice Blends, Solutions Eurêka, Glow Juicery, Double Hill Cidery, Distinct Magic Décor, FortySix North/Yoyo Cookies, Kaneshii Vinyl Press and Atlantic Safety Wear.
Now the organization is looking ahead to plan a fall mission.
“This spring’s sales will bring the total direct sales of the nine sales missions we have organized over the past six years to $5 million,” said Robert Maddix, the RDÉE business development officer who co-ordinates these missions. “And these figures only represent sales made during and immediately after the missions and do not take into account sales that have occurred since.”
The last two missions were done virtually to respect health orders.
The release noted the pandemic created challenges but those didn’t impact sales. Vendors were able to market their products to potential buyers in Quebec and Ontario.
For the fall, the organization is planning a hybrid mission, with Island vendors able to virtually participate or go in-person.
“We will be able to accommodate eight to 10 Island vendors. We will schedule a total of 120 meetings for them with potential buyers in advance of the mission,” Maddix said.
Of the three weeks that the mission will take place, Oct. 25 to 29 and Nov. 8 to 12 will be devoted to virtual meetings, the release noted.
“Those who wish to participate in person will be able to attend the week of Nov. 1 to 5,” said the release.
The release said all participants will receive personalized and individual training to optimally sell and promote their products to a majority of French-speaking potential buyers.
Maddix noted P.E.I. participants should be ready to work with Quebec consultants, who will match companies with potential buyers from the province.
To find out more, email robert@deeipe.org or call 902-367-8413.