Ottawa Next Stop on Scotiabank 'Get Growing to a Million' Small Business
    RV TourOTTAWA, Sept. 26 /CNW/ - Scotiabank has taken to the highway with its
Small Business Banking initiative and will visit Ottawa on September 29 and
30, 2008 as part of a five month cross-country tour to deliver Scotiabank's
Small Business Banking tools, experts and services to small businesses who
want to 'Get Growing'. It's all part of the Bank's 'Get Growing to a Million'
campaign to help small business owners identify strategies to grow their
businesses.
    "We're on more than a road trip," said Kyle McNamara, Managing Director
of Small Business Banking, Scotiabank. "We're on a mission to help Canadian
small business owners grow to the next level. Small business is clearly an
important factor in the Ottawa economy and we are looking forward to meeting
and working with these small business owners and understanding their unique
business concerns and opportunities."
    According to The Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, small
and medium-sized enterprises are the driver of Ontario's economy, representing
99 per cent of all businesses and contributing over $250 billion in economic
activity in this province. More than half of Ontarians work in this sector,
says the Ministry, and these businesses create the majority of new jobs.
    "Ontario's small and medium-sized businesses are the engine of our
economy. They drive innovation, investment and job creation in every part of
the province," said Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services, Harinder
S. Takhar. "Ontario's economy is strong and vibrant because of the hard work
and dedication of our entrepreneurs."
    While in Ottawa on September 29th and 30th the Scotiabank 'Get Growing to
a Million' RV will be parked at the following locations:September 29th
    ---------------

    8:30 a.m - 10:00 a.m.     Collins Barrow Accounting, 301 Moodie Drive,
                              Suite 40

    10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon   Scott, Rankin, Gardiner, 2650 Queensview
                              Dr., Suite 207

    1:30  p.m. -  4:00 p.m.   Scotiabank Place, 1000 Paladium Drive, Kanata

    September 30th
    ---------------

    9:30a.m. - 4:00 p.m.      Scotiabank, 1649 Merrivale RoadThe RV will be open for interested local small business owners.
Scotiabank Small Business advisors will be on hand.
    "The 'Get Growing to a Million' campaign builds on Scotiabank's existing
foundation of delivering expert advice, information and services that help
small business owners improve their bottom line," said Alice Holst, Scotiabank
Community Manager. "Our advisors are ready to work with small business owners
in Ottawa to help them grow to the next level - whether it's their first
million or their next million in revenue. We have the tools, advice and
expertise to help them get there."
    The touring RV will make dozens of stops across the country to give local
small business owners an opportunity to "test drive" these Small Business
tools, visit the new 'Get Growing for business' website, as well as discuss
their growth plans with a Scotiabank Small Business advisor.
    "Our experience with growing small businesses suggests the most
successful small business owners are those who have effectively planned their
business concept, from market research and human resources planning to cash
flow forecasts," said David Wilton, Director, Small Business Banking for
Scotiabank. "Our Small Business advisors have unique business planning and
financial diagnostic and check-up tools to offer. We have also made a number
of these resources available on our new 'Get Growing for business' website,
available 24/7 for the convenience of small business owners. In addition,
because we are so confident in the potential of these tools, we are bringing
them directly to small business owners in communities across the country," he
concluded.
    In addition to the cross-country tour, the Scotiabank 'Get Growing to a
Million' campaign includes a new Scotiabank Small Business website,
www.getgrowingforbusiness.com, which serves as an important vehicle to deliver
Scotiabank's Small Business resources. Designed as an interactive on-line
community the site offers small business owners a place to:-  participate in discussion forums focusing on current economic and
       business themes and their impact on small business;
    -  ask an online Small Business advisor a question;
    -  network with other small business owners identified by business
       segment and;
    -  access tools, including Blueprint for Business(TM) Check-up tool,
       ScotiaPlan Writer for business(TM) Planning tool, Scotia Starting Line
       for business(TM) Check-up tool, and its newest, Get Growing for
       business Sales and Marketing(TM) tool."The 'Get Growing to a Million' tour, website, and tools have combined
elements that can help significantly increase opportunities for small
businesses. We are looking forward to taking them out to local communities and
showing owners how we can make them work for their businesses," said McNamara.

    About Scotiabank
    ----------------
    Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With more than 60,000 employees, Scotiabank
Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12.5 million customers in some 50
countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and
services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking.
With $462 billion in assets (as at July 31, 2008), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit
www.scotiabank.com.