Business Exchange Day 2024: A Remarkable Success for Networking and Mentorship

Published on December 10, 2024

Business Exchange Day 2024: A Remarkable Success for Networking and Mentorship

On November 13, Business Exchange Day 2024 once again demonstrated its importance as a collaborative platform for economic stakeholders in the region and Eeyou Istchee. This 21st edition, held at the Forestel in Val-d'Or, brought together 200 participants, including 60 Indigenous businesses and 68 non-Indigenous businesses, generating over 300 business meetings. These impressive numbers underscore the enthusiasm for this flagship socio-economic development event.

Strengthened Alliances

The event solidified relationships between the communities of Eeyou Istchee, Jamésie, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Nunavik through active networking and constructive exchanges. Participants benefited from dynamic exhibitor booths, inspiring presentations, and discussions focused on best business practices. Despite a few minor challenges, overall satisfaction remains high, highlighting the relevance of this event.

An Inspiring Presentation by Chief Lucien Wabanonik

A highlight of the day was the presentation by Chief Lucien Wabanonik from the Lac Simon community. He shared valuable insights on best business practices and the importance of building strong and respectful relationships with communities. Chief Wabanonik also presented the Lac Simon community's territorial map, giving participants a deeper understanding of the cultural and territorial realities that enhance economic partnerships.

A Promising Start for Flash Mentorship Adapted to the Cree Nation

Another standout feature of this edition was a captivating presentation by Réseau Mentorat, which aimed to demystify mentorship and clearly distinguish it from paid consulting and coaching services. The presentation also showcased the Niimuudaan program, specially designed for the Cree Nation. The flash mentorship sessions, held throughout the day, marked a promising start, allowing a group of entrepreneurs to experience personalized guidance in a context tailored to Cree cultural realities. Participants shared highly positive feedback, highlighting the potential of these activities to lay the groundwork for meaningful long-term collaborations and inspire young entrepreneurs to explore the benefits of mentorship.

A Promising Future

Business Exchange Day 2024 not only strengthened existing economic alliances but also paved the way for new partnership opportunities. The event's participation statistics and positive feedback confirm its crucial role in bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities closer together, contributing to economic inclusion in the region.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, partners, and organizers for their commitment to making this day a success. We look forward to welcoming you to the 22nd edition on November 25-26, 2025!

For more information about the Niimuudaan program visit this link