Business Development Committee

The Business Development Committee, lead by Adam Cooney, P.Eng., in conjunction with the finance committee, has reviewed potential business opportunities and, where appropriate, worked with ESANS staff to develop these opportunities. The committee is dedicated to identifying topical issues and events that are of interest to ESANS membership.

Rationale

In keeping with ESANS’ Strategic Business Plan 2005 – 2010, Business Development Activities serve in multiple areas. Revenue generated from events help sustain the association while contributing to the growth and development of individuals and the companies they work for in the environmental industry.

Providing cost effective practical learning, business and networking opportunities such as these events, serve to satisfy existing members and attract new members.

Recent Accomplishments

Accomplishments during the 2007-2008 fiscal year included:

  • Canadian Land Reclamation Conference 2007
  • The Carbon Credit Workshop
  • Atlantic Climate Change Conference 2008
  • Climate Canada Atlantic Website update 2008
  • Acquisition of UNFCCC Observer Status
  • Texas Gulf Trade Mission 2008

Planned Activities 2008 - 2009

“Think Before You Dig” Workshop
This unique workshop will present multiple stakeholder interests, identify requirements associated with land development and intrusive activities. Utility companies will review their safety programs, provincial and municipal government representatives will discuss permit requirements, and First Nation representatives will review the ‘Haida Accord’ and its potential implications on site work. This event will help generate revenue to sustain association by providing a learning opportunity that is useful and practical for staff of several ESANS members.

Canadian Land Reclamation Association Conference
Building on the success of the 2007 CLRA Conference and AGM, ESANS was approached by the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA) to work with them on a second event. ESANS involvement provides revenue used to sustain the association and potential outcomes that are useful for ESANS members. ESANS will receive revenue that is useful in sustaining the association, and is reasonable for the time, efforts, and resources used by ESANS.

We are again working with, and building a useful relationship with another association. Our involvement increases our profile with others – in particular in the public sector. The event is interesting for some ESANS members, and provides professional technical development opportunities.

“Breakfast Club” Events
ESANS is budgeting for a renewed series of small scale Breakfast events. The topics would be a mixture of technical and government policy topics (ie. Halifax Harbour Solutions, NS Water Strategy, NS Energy Strategy, NS Climate Change Plan, NS Contaminated Sites Regulations, Health Canada Risk Assessment Documents, Pesticides, Sydney Tar Ponds Project Opportunities, Public Infrastructure Renewal).
ESANS Our involvement in these events increases our profile with others; increases our opportunities to partner with others; creates business opportunities among those attending the events; provides professional development opportunities for members; and is anticipated to result in an increase in the ESANS membership.

Community Energy Planning Forum
The Environmental Services Association Nova Scotia, working with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Energy Security Advisory Group will present a forum on Community Energy Planning for Nova Scotia Municipalities. The Chamber’s Energy Security Advisory Group has been studying these needs for sometime, and the Halifax Regional Municipality has become the national model for a planning approach, which can be shared with other municipalities throughout Nova Scotia.

The ever increasing costs of energy underscores the need for municipalities to plan and cooperate on ensuring sustainable and affordable energy supplies. This timely workshop will provide a platform for ESANS members and municipal decision makers to address these concerns and to establish working relationships.

Objectives of the forum will be:

  • To guide other municipalities in developing their own approaches to determining future energy requirements and planning, securing and developing secure sources for meeting their needs
  • To encourage inter-municipality strategy development
  • To provide a framework for strategy development

ESANS will develop a wider range of exposure by working with the Chamber of Commerce Committee and municipalities directly. ESANS members will have an opportunity to identify business opportunities.

Gala Dinner Event Preliminary discussions are underway with the Nova Scotia Premier’s office to stage a Gala Dinner event, which will include a prominent person (to remain confidential until confirmed), with a significant profile in the environmental community. The event will incorporate an awards event which will recognize the environmental achievements of Nova Scotia firms.