In 2020, WHAT PLACE WILL the maritime industry occupy in the québec media and within government? On February 27, in the context of its very first luncheon conference of the year, the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES) will release the results of a study conducted by the firm TACT, an expert in analyzing perceptions and in organizations’ strategic positioning. SODES wishes to launch its 2020 programming by presenting facts and figures that will enable you to better understand the maritime industry’s place in the Québec media ecosystem and at the heart of government policy directions and decisions, in anticipation of the next maritime strategy, soon to be announced by the Québec government. As you know, the maritime industry and its players are increasingly in the spotlight…sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes for the wrong ones. Like other industries, more and more, we exist in a fishbowl. Below the radar for a long time, our industry is now being observed, analyzed and criticized. The public, opinion leaders, the media and governments have a certain knowledge and perception of our industry and our issues. But what is it? This is one of the questions that TACT speakers will answer as they share data with us from an exclusive study on our industry’s place in 2020. These revealing findings will help us to be better informed and to empower our organizations in their future decisions. Join us! To reserve: https://bit.ly/37A8zt6

The year 2020 begins with a wind of change at the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES). In addition to welcoming its new President-CEO late last year, SODES now has a new Director of Public Affairs and has reviewed the duties of its in-house staff. The organization’s new President, Mathieu St-Pierre, will be supported by Director of Public Affairs Josiane Marmet. With 10 years’ experience in the fields of communications and public relations, Josiane has joined the SODES team to put her strategic vision of the issues and fresh perspective for positioning SODES and its activities to good use to heighten the visibility of the industry and its members. SODES is also pleased to entrust Marie-Pier Racine with new duties. After more than 5 years on the team, Marie-Pier is now Coordinator of Finance and Administration. We would like to take this opportunity to highlight her wealth of knowledge of the maritime industry and her professional rigour, both of which make her a vital resource. Wishing one and all an excellent start to the year!

Once a month, SODES presents the Interview of the month, a four-question interview with key stakeholders linked closely to the Quebec maritime community’s main issues and priorities. The December 2019 edition, featuring Marc-André Meunier, assistant commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard, Central and Arctic region is now online!

The Sodes would like to extend its most heartfelt congratulations to the Glencore Group, recipient of the Conseil du Patronat du Québec’s “Prix créateurs d’emplois du Québec” job creation award in the category “Champion” for the Nord-du-Québec region.