In what was East Coast Connected' first ever "Sold Out" event --- and quite apropos since there was "Standing Room Only" on February 27th, 2012 for 106 ECC members and VIP's to hear Hockey Canada's Chief Operating Officer, Scott Smith address the crowd in ECC's latest Coast & Cocktails business speakers event. Scott spoke about his passion for Atlantic Canada, the lessons that he learned from growing up in New Brunswick, how he has applied those lessons in his business career and had many hockey stories that kept the crowd mesmerized. Read more

ABS guest reporter Laura Phillips - Conversations around clean energy are gaining momentum in Atlantic Canada. With increased involvement of government and business parties are accelerating the shift towards long term clean energy trends, and the resources and economic opportunity of Eastern regions are being realized. Developments such as Newfoundland's Lower Churchill Project and DSTN's facilities in Nova Scotia are key-contributors to greater initiative in Canada as a whole. However, speakers at the 4th Annual Atlantic Business Summit let out a clear call to action: renewable energy at large is a task that requires a more unified stance. A recurring theme from speakers was that the lack of federal policies on clean energy is restricting dialogue and hindering the action for necessary change. Read more

ABS guest reporter Erin McKay - You can sit back and ignore it, but climate change and stresses on the environment have caused considerable changes in the way individuals and corporations treat the world around them. Karen Clarke-Whistler, Chief Environment Officer of the TD Bank Group, addressed these concerns at the 4th annual Atlantic Business Summit in her session “The Economics of Carbon Neutral.” Read more

ABS guest reporter Laura Phillips - Elizabeth Weir, President, Efficiency New Brunswick and Corey Diamond, President, Summerhill Group, switched gears at the 4th Annual Atlantic Business Summit to include a more micro-scaled set of energy initiatives. What separated the Negawatt from other panel discussions of the day was its "use less to gain more" mantra and emphasis on human efficiency. A term that has waffled through energy speak since the 1980's, the Negawatt is finding a place in Atlantic Canada and is producing tangible results. Read more

ABS guest reporter Erin McKay - When it comes to advancing science in the energy industry, the research conducted at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) is one of Atlantic Canada’s hidden gems. Dr. Ray Gosine, MUN’s Associate Vice-President of Research, affirmed this fact at the 4th Annual Atlantic Business Summit as he recounted his story of collaboration between academic research and business. While Newfoundland is preparing for an oncoming energy sector boom, the University is ahead of the curve and is making significant strides via its ties with the oil and gas industry in all realms of research. Read more

In October 2009, aspiring filmmaker Dan Gillis and his business partner, Alex Mercer, examined an derelict warehouse on Botsford Street in the heart of Moncton, New Brunswick. A spirit of community building and entrepreneurship came over him as he pushed through mountains of used office furniture. In just under two years, Gillis has not only finished his first feature film, but he is now co-owner of the building that inspired him. He has capped off his vision with the launch of Botsford Station – Atlantic Canada’s newest hub for young entrepreneurs and artists. Read more