Tourism and Entrepreneurship Virtual Speaker Series

January 5-7, 2021

Tuesday January 5th

10:00 Organizing and executing an international festival in rural Nova Scotia Hear from Lia Rinaldo and Michael Howell, with Devour! The Food Film Fest, the world’s largest film festival dedicated to all things culinary. Join this session

10:45 Enhancing your student experience in a pandemic A panel talk and Q&A with NSCC Entrepreneurship, Alumni Relations and International departments. Learn how you can enhance your portfolio and make the most of your NSCC connection after you graduate. Join this session

11:30 Supports for aspiring entrepreneurs Join David Eisnor of Futureprenuer and learn about the amazing resources and services available through this national, non-profit that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Join this session

1:00 How to build a Brand, and have fun doing it Ted Grant is a trained chef, brand-builder and President of Fundy Drinks. Learn about his exciting career journey and the experience of developing a beverage brand across Canada and the Far East. Join this session

1:45 Building your professional network Kevin Burgess of SKAL a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members, the industry’s managers, and executives meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest. Join this session

2:30 Buy local – think big Emily Haynes of Taste Nova Scotia, shares her insights on the continued importance of Atlantic Canada’s food and beverage sector as a contributor to the local economy. Join this session

Wednesday January 6th

10:00 Building a tourism empire Dennis Campbell is the Founder and Owner of Ambassatours Gray Line & Murphy’s The Cable Wharf, the largest motor coach, water and rail sightseeing tour and charter operator in Atlantic Canada. Gain insights on business resilience and the importance of evolving. Join this session

10:45 Regional. Resilient. Responsible. Chris De Waal, Chief Executive Officer at Gateway Farmers & Butchers shares the challenges, learnings and opportunities in food production. Join this session

11:30 Change is Brewing Rozina Darvesh of North Brewing will discuss the importance of building a culture of Inclusion and diversity in the craft brewing and hospitality workplace. Join this session

1:00 Adapt and pivot: Shifting Your Business Model During a Global Pandemic Chris Webb of Pavia Gallery, one of Atlantic Canada's largest, independent cafes, shares the hard work behind running a business and the energy required to make your creative vision come to life, even if that means going in a different direction than initially anticipated. Join this session

1:45 Chef's ego's sinks restaurants Chef Bill Pratt has over 40 years experience in the food service industry and is the founder, director, and driving force behind the Chef Inspired® group of restaurants. Hear his thoughts on entrepreneurship, egos in the industry and how to find balance. Join this session.

2:30

Job hunting in a virtual world Hear directly from NSCC’s very own career and employment guru, Jessica Isenor, NSCC Career Services with tips, tricks, do’s & don’t on how to prepare for your transition in to the workforce and stand out in today’s market. Join this Session

Thursday January 7th

10:00 Breaking the mold A pride of Dartmouth, Chef Renee Lavallee is a mother, chef and owner of The Canteen & Little C in downtown Dartmouth. She has over 20 years in the industry, competed in Canada and been a judge on the Food Network’s show . Hear about being a woman entrepreneur at the top of her game, in a traditionally male dominated workforce. Join this session

10:45 Building a following Andy Hay, The East Coast Kitchen, got his start in the food world after finishing runner up on Masterchef Canada Season 5. He’s cooked meals for former Prime Ministers, pro athletes, international executives, and was a celebrated reprieve for many who followed along with his regular at-home recipes during the COVID lockdown. Learn what it takes to be a digital influencer and the role of social media in building your following. Join this session

11:30 Building a system of Food Security and Food Literacy in Nova Scotia Margo Riebe-Butt is a registered dietician and Executive Director at Nourish Nova Scotia. Learn about the increasing need for advocacy and action, and the programs that are making a difference. Join this session

1:00 Adapting your company during Covid Shari Tucker with Shari Tucker Luxury Travel and Adventures has personal experience in over 45 countries and shares the challenging exercise of adapting a luxury travel and adventure company during a global pandemic. Join this session

1:45 Back to better, the way forward for Tourism in Nova Scotia Michele Saran, became the first permanent CEO of Tourism Nova Scotia in 2016 with a focus on establishing strong relationships with industry stakeholders and leading the implementation of an export-focused tourism growth strategy. Hear from Michele on the vision and opportunities for the future of tourism in Nova Scotia. Join this session

2:30 Why competing on Master Chef didn’t prepare me to open a restaurant Andrew Al Khouri, owns and operates aFrite, a hip fusion restaurant on Lower Water Street that opened in late 2017. He opened the restaurant after a successful run on Master Chef Canada in 2015. Hear why Andrew says competing on national reality competition didn’t prepare him for his path in entrepreneurship. Join this session