Cross-Canada hockey arena listing creates one-stop site for directions

    TORONTO, Oct. 30 /CNW/ - Scotiabank and POIfriend today announced a new
service to help Canadians make it to the rink on time. Effective today, the
locations of all hockey rinks in Canada are as close as the nearest computer
at www.poifriend.com and can be downloaded to GPS-enabled devices.
    "By teaming up with POIfriend, we are able to bring Canadian hockey fans
and families one more tool to help them in their hockey routine," said John
Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice President, Marketing. "Scotiabank has a long
history of supporting hockey and with today's announcement, we are adding a
resource that will make a difference to the thousands of Canadians who spend
time watching, coaching, cheering and playing at their local hockey rink. Now
out of town games or moves to new arenas for ice time are easier to navigate."
    POIfriend is the point of interest community that connects people and the
places important to them. It is a website that lets users find, create,
comment, rate, share, and use POI (Point of Interest) information with
GPS-enabled navigation devices, maps and driving directions. It is powerful,
fun and easy to use - and once POIs are loaded, it is easy to navigate to
relevant places. POIfriend is a catalyst for sharing of information for people
with common interests, and its members ultimately control and determine the
content housed on the site. Once on the site, the information can be printed
for use or downloaded to GPS-enabled devices.
    "If you own a GPS-enabled device, you already know the value it provides
in getting you places you want to go - most often by voice-driven turn-by-turn
directions," said POIfriend co-founder Bill McLean. "However, most users agree
that many standard POIs pre-loaded on GPS devices can be out-of-date,
incorrect, missing, or not personally relevant. Hockey fans ourselves,
POIfriend has compiled the data for every hockey arena across Canada and
through our partnership with Scotiabank we can provide it to our users."
    In addition to hockey arena listings, all Scotiabank branches and ABM
units will soon be available through POIfriend.

    About POIfriend

    POIfriend.com was launched in October 2007 by an ambitious team to put
GPS users' needs first - and create an environment where the community builds
content from 'bottom-up' to benefit everyone.
    POIfriend uses the latest web technologies available to make working with
POI data powerful, simple, easy and fun. It incorporates cutting edge 'Web
2.0' / social networking initiatives to allow you to create and share places
that interest you and the ability to share with others on the web. POIfriend
allows your POI data to be easily migrated to your GPS-enabled device so that
you and your family/friends can get to where you want, when you want.About Scotiabank
    ----------------Scotiabank has a long tradition of supporting hockey in Canada from local
teams and minor hockey associations to professional players and leagues.
Through its partnerships, Scotiabank's hockey programs enrich the communities
where Canadians live and work by engaging fans and players in new ways to
celebrate our game. Scotiabank supports the passion and pride Canadians feel
for the game and is fundamental to helping young people learn about teamwork
camaraderie and the spirit of competition. Scotiabank is the Official Bank of
the NHL, NHLPA, NHL Alumni and CWHL, and has partnerships with the Calgary
Flames and the Ottawa Senators whose home arena is Scotiabank Place. For more
information, on Scotiabank's hockey programs visit www.scotiahockey.com
    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2007 the Bank provided more than $43 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Visit us at
www.scotiabank.com.