Supported by:  

Workshop & Panel: Selling Outside Your Client Zone: How to Know Where to Grow

Nova Scotians know that growing their business means stretching beyond our borders, so where do you look for that new client? Starting with understanding your client zone and utilizing that insight to plot your next steps is critical. Let's figure out how far from home do you need to go to find new clients!


Hear from business leaders who have successfully expanded into different geographical regions.

Facilitated by:

Jessica McCall, Export Development Executive, NSBI
Jessica McCall has 11 years of experience working with exporting companies on international trade missions and has been an adult educator for 17 years. Jessica holds a CITP designation with the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), BA and BSc. degrees and an Adult Education Certificate from Dalhousie University. Jessica is an Export Development Executive and a member of the NSBI Export Readiness Team. The team's focus is to work with companies that are export curious, new to export or those that are exploring new markets.  



 

Kyle Schmeisser, Director, Export Development 
As the Director, Export Development at Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), Kyle leads a team of experienced export development executives. This team works to build export capacity in Nova Scotia SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), and helps these companies access new markets, leverage global opportunities and participate in global value chains.Kyle has held a variety of diverse roles at NSBI over the past decade, ranging from research and strategy to business development. His approach is one of collaboration with partners with an eye to developing business and helping to grow Nova Scotia's economy.Kyle was named one of the 21Inc Leaders for Nova Scotia in 2012. Through this leadership development program, Kyle has become part of a strong network of leaders with a common goal of seeing Nova Scotia prosper as a province. Kyle has a love of sports including golf, baseball, hockey and curling. He was a member of Team Nova Scotia at the 2012 Tim Horton's Brier in Saskatoon. Kyle holds a Master's degree in Mathematics from Dalhousie University in Halifax, and holds CSI's Financial Management Advisor designation.



 

Supported by:  



 

Luncheon Keynote:

James E. Rooney - President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, one of the region's leading business associations.
 
Under Rooney's guidance, the Boston Chamber has become the leading voice of the business community on public policy issues, weighing in on important matters such as our region's public transportation infrastructure, economic mobility, health care costs, workforce development and policy regarding our state's competitiveness. In addition, Rooney has focused on broadening the Chamber's membership, including introducing new programs and initiatives designed to attract and retain next generation leaders, minority-owned and small businesses.
 
Prior to joining the Chamber in 2015, Rooney was executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority for nearly 15 years, overseeing the development and construction of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and leading the management teams of four MCCA owned facilities in Massachusetts. Before moving to the MCCA in 2001, Rooney served two years as Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, chairing the Mayor's cabinet and playing a critical role in all aspects of City governance including education, public safety, public works and transportation.  He began his public career at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the nation's 4^th largest transit system, where he spent 18 years, starting as a track laborer and ending as Deputy General Manager, serving a year as Acting General Manager during a gubernatorial transition.  During the 1990s, Rooney served in senior positions at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Central Artery Project, Boston $15 billion "Big Dig" highway project.
 
Rooney has served in leadership positions on several boards of directors and currently sits on professional and non-profit boards including the Professional Convention Management Association's (PCMA) North American Advisory Board/Mexico Tourism Board, the Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives (ACCE), The Partnership, Inc., and the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC).
 
Rooney has been recognized many times throughout his career for both professional and civic contributions including a PCMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the global meetings industry and a City of Boston Lifetime Achievement Award for leadership and advocacy for immigrant advancement and diversity.  Rooney was recently named one of Boston's Top 10 Most Influential People by Boston Magazine. 
 
Rooney grew up in South Boston and attended the prestigious Boston Latin School, graduating as president of his class. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard College and attended the Boston University Graduate School of Management. 

Supported by: