The Souper tournant des gens d'affaires was back for a 2e edition in the Matawinie MRC and once again drew a full house. Nearly a hundred people took part in the networking event held on May 20 at the Auberge Val St-Côme. Entrepreneurs, economic development partners and municipal representatives took advantage of this unique networking opportunity to forge new business links. Organized by the Société d'aide au développement de la collectivité (SADC) Matawinie, this year's event included Desjardins Entreprises and the Centre local de développement Matawinie as major partners.
Inspiring testimonials For the occasion, Ms. Édith Tessier Roy, Sustainable Development Advisor at Lanaudière économique, and Mr. Jean-Marie Bélanger, General Manager of the Coopérative de solidarité de la Matawinie (COOPSOM), introduced the first theme of the evening: optimizing ways of doing things. Mr. Bélanger presented Concept Inferno, a trademark for which they have developed a procurement system based on recycled and recovered products. Their search for new suppliers and continued development of their products inspired discussion in the audience. Then, as a second testimonial, Mr. Michel Perreault, new president of the Saint-Jean-de-Matha Chamber of Commerce, presented his vision of development for the municipality, and the advantages of collaborating and helping each other in a difficult socio-economic context.
Municipality in the spotlight

The evening concluded with a special unveiling. The SADC Matawinie team wanted to add a new tradition to the Souper tournant des gens d'affaires en Matawinie, namely to give a platform each year to a municipality in the Matawinie RCM that has distinguished itself in terms of economic development. This year's honoree was Saint-Donat. Over the past few years, the municipality has deployed numerous initiatives that have contributed to Saint-Donat's economic vitality. The establishment of investment incentives and support for economic development, as well as the deployment of a marketing strategy capitalizing on the municipality's main appeal products, have all been highlighted. And let's not forget the consultation process and the preparation of preliminary development plans for the new vocation of the site burnt down in the town center in 2013. The municipality is also in the running for the Quebec Outdoor Municipalities award. Mayor Joé Deslauriers and Director General Sophie Charpentier were on hand for the occasion. Jonathan Landreville, General Manager of SADC Matawinie, congratulated them personally: "Your commitment, dynamism and openness to change contribute greatly to the economic development of Saint-Donat, and therefore of the MRC Matawinie. Your investment in economic vitality is most inspiring!" SADC Matawinie also invited municipalities interested in showcasing their achievements at the next edition of the Souper tournant to come forward during the year.
So it was in a most dynamic and inspiring atmosphere that this 2e edition of the Souper tournant des gens d'affaires en Matawinie was held. New projects and business partnerships may well emerge from this meeting. The SADC Matawinie team thanks all participants and looks forward to seeing you next year.