It’s that time of year again! The NB Export Awards will be presented Thursday, May 30 at the Delta Hotel Beausejour in Moncton. Hosted by Opportunities NB (ONB), the Awards celebrate the business savvy, entrepreneurship, and innovation of businesses operating in New Brunswick and achieving local and global success.
There are several benefits to applying for an Export Award and attending the event including:
- a chance to win a prestigious provincial award and receive recognition during the evening’s activities;
- an opportunity to further build your network and generate excellent business leads with successful New Brunswick exporters;
- two complimentary tickets to the Export Awards gala;
- media, social media, and public relations opportunities; and
- join in the celebration of local success stories with other passionate New Brunswick business leaders.
But don’t take it from us!
We asked previous award winners what being recognized with an NB Export Award has meant to them. Below are thoughts on the awards from two of last year’s winners, Corey Nutrition Company (Exporter of the Year – over $5 million in Export Sales), and Passiv Inc. (The Yves Maillet Emerging Exporter of the Year).
What are the top benefits your business has seen from attending the NB Export Awards?
Corey Nutrition: Increased visibility of our business and what we’ve been able to accomplish from a home base in New Brunswick. We tend to keep our nose to the grindstone, rarely taking time to appreciate what we’ve built. Events like ONB’s Export Awards give us an excuse to reflect and celebrate the successes of our business and the other great businesses in our province.
The Awards also make for an informative networking event, where local connections and collaborations can be made, and where attendees learn a lot about the diverse range of businesses in our province.
Passiv: Passiv has benefited tremendously from the Export Awards. One key aspect of growing as a startup is credibility. Potential customers and, just as importantly, investors, want to see signs that the company is growing and making an impact. The Export Award win has allowed us to speak to our bonafides as a key player in our space.
How did it feel to be recognized as a winner among a group of outstanding peers?
Passiv: It was a tremendous honour. We admire the companies that were nominated and those companies that have been honoured before. Being recognized in your community and among your peers is like rocket fuel for business aspirations. It has become part of our story; something we hope will become a ‘this is where things started’ moment.
Corey Nutrition: We’re proud of how far we have come in the last few years. Winning the Export Award allowed us to celebrate our wins and reinvigorate our team. We could not have won the Export Award without the hard work and dedication of our employees and many external supporters. Most people strive to be part of something bigger than themselves, and winning an Export Award is a sign that we are at least doing a couple of things right. We’re honoured to be featured among many other great businesses deserving the recognition we were fortunate enough to receive.
What advice would you give to businesses considering applying for an Export Award?
Corey Nutrition: Don’t sell yourself short. The Export Awards include a variety of business types and growth curves. Exporting outside of Atlantic Canada is a milestone itself. The Awards are an opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals and build mutually beneficial partnerships that can help you and your business grow.
Passiv: Be clear about your value proposition and the problem you solve. This is both practical advice for making a compelling case for your application but also fundamental to building thought leadership for other business leaders at the Export Awards. Networking conversations are simpler when people understand what you bring to your space — you never know what kind of connections you may make.
Apply for an Export Award
Are your company’s sales outside the Maritime provinces valued at $30,000 or more? If so, you could be in the running to receive one of our prestigious NB Export Awards.
To be considered, complete the application form in full at the link below before April 1, 2024.