October 21, 1999

In support of Small Business Week, Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs and the Manitoba Community Newspapers Association (MCNA) are presenting a third series of marketing seminars in Thompson, Swan River, Neepawa, Killarney, Altona and Arborg Oct. 22 – 29.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Friesen announced today that the seminars will cover the fundamentals of marketing including target markets, goals and objectives, promotion, advertising and creative marketing ideas. The content was developed in response to feedback from small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the province. The two-year-old initiative has seen about 350 rural business people, community leaders and entrepreneurs participate in 11 communities.

"Marketing is a component critical to the overall success of a business," said Friesen. "We have so many inventive and valuable products and services being developed and produced in rural Manitoba, but if they aren’t well marketed, no one will know they’re available. These seminars provide small business people in rural Manitoba with a starting point for their marketing initiatives."

Bob Mummery, president of the Manitoba Community Newspapers Association, said the MCNA is pleased to co-sponsor the seminars for a second year.

"It’s a natural partnership," said Mummery. "There is much that local community newspapers can offer rural businesses in the way of marketing assistance. We’re happy to be part of this Small Business Week activity and encourage the growth and development of rural business."

Participants have the opportunity to gain hands on experience by working through marketing case studies and will take home practical techniques they can use in their daily business operations.

Seminar participants receive a marketing handbook developed by Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs as a take home resource, as well as a "Marketing Edge" binder full of creative and practical information. The handbook explains the standard components of a marketing plan while the binder contains marketing ideas, tips, case studies of Manitoba businesses and a directory of rural based communications consultants.

The seminars will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in: Thompson, Oct. 22; Swan River, Oct. 22; Neepawa, Oct. 25; Killarney, Oct. 26; Altona, Oct. 27; and Arborg, Oct. 29.

The registration fee for the seminar is $50 plus GST per person which includes lunch and all take home materials. For more information on the seminars or how to register, call the Small Business and Community Support Branch of Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs at 1-800-779-7839.

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