Quebec Chamber of Commerce Launches 2008 Mercuriades

Quebec-based businesses with success stories to tell have until December 17, 2007 to enter prestigious business excellence competition 

Montreal, October 9, 2007 – Today is the official launch date for the 28^th annual Mercuriades, the most prestigious competition designed to recognize the excellence and know-how of Quebec-based businesses. The 2008 theme is “Taking Pride in Our Achievements.” The deadline for submitting a documented entry has been set at 5:00 PM on December 17, 2007. The companies chosen as winners will be announced at a grand gala evening on April 9, 2008 at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal.

For the 28^th Mercuriades, the Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce (FCCQ) is appealing to the sense of pride our province’s business people feel when they and their companies accomplish truly great things. “Quebec’s companies have a great many reasons to be proud of their successes. Their major contribution helps all regions of Quebec to develop and prosper, economically as well as socially. So let’s be proud of our business success stories because everyone in Quebec benefits,” said 2008 Mercuriades chairman, Alain Picard, executive vice-president of the FCCQ and METRO vice-president of human resources.

First launched by the FCCQ in 1981, the Mercuriades have continually evolved over the years to reflect the contemporary issues and challenges facing today’s Quebec-based entrepreneurs. Which is why this year the category “Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development” will be replaced by two new special awards: “Social and Community Involvement” and “Environment and Sustainable Development.” All businesses selected as finalists in the 2008 Mercuriades will be automatically entered as finalists for one or the other of these special recognitions.

Why enter?

First of all, the selection process itself is a powerful opportunity for each business to evaluate its overall activities and take stock of its real achievements. Secondly, the major visibility provided to business finalists and winners allows them to make new contacts and develop numerous business opportunities. Last but not least, experience over the years has shown that such major peer recognition acts as a catalyst and a generator of creative ideas, whatever sector a company may operating in.

FCCQ president and CEO Françoise Bertrand stressed the importance of recognizing and highlighting Quebec entrepreneurial strengths. “It’s no accident that the entrepreneurial culture is the primary focus of action in our economic vision Pour un Québec gagnant (“For a winning Quebec”). Quebec has grown in large part thanks to the talent and visionary spirit of its entrepreneurs, and so they clearly deserve our support and encouragement. This has been the core mission of the Mercuriades for 28 years, and of the FCCQ for close to a century.”

8 categories...plus special awards

This year, Quebec-based businesses have the opportunity to enter their achievements in eight categories: “Trade and Distribution,” “Entertainment and Culture,” “Export,” “Technological Innovation,” “Industrial and Processing Production,” “Investment Project,” “Professional Services” and “Contribution to Regional Economic Development.” This last category is restricted to companies that have won in a competition organized by a local Chamber of Commerce.
The Mercuriades are also an opportunity to reward social and community involvement on the part of a personality from Quebec’s business community through the “Philanthropic Merit” award. Another special merit award is “Promotion of Entrepreneurship.” Introduced for the first time in 2005 to mark the competition’s 25^th anniversary, this award seeks to recognize the activities of someone, who in the course of his or her career has demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting an entrepreneurial culture, particularly among youth. Last but not least, two companies that have distinguished themselves in our business community through consistently high performance and ongoing capacity for excellence will be given the “Business of the Year” award and automatically entered into the prestigious Excellence Club.

How to enter

Companies interested in entering may obtain complete information about the competition and the process for entering by visiting mercuriades.com or by calling 514-844-9571/toll free 1 800 844-9571.

To guarantee the success of the 28^th Mercuriades, the FCCQ has lined up a roster of prominent sponsors including Les Affaires, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, RBC Royal Bank and RDI.

About the FCCQ

With its vast network of 162 local Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce represents 57,000 members doing business in every economic sector across Quebec. As the largest network for businesses and business people in Quebec, the FCCQ is a devoted defender of all member interests in key areas of public policy, and in so doing promotes an innovative and competitive business environment.

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Information:
Maryse Beaumier-Robert
Communications Coordinator
Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce
Telephone 514-844-9571, extension 3242
maryse.beaumier-robert@fccq.ca