THE Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) hosted Landfall events on May 30-31 in Montreal and Toronto as part of its Canadian promotion drive.

The Montreal Landfall event was co-hosted by BFSB and the law firm, DeGrandPre Chait. Stephen Solomon, one of its partners, spoke in January at BFSB's International Business and Finance Summit in Grand Bahama, where he suggested there were opportunities for Bahamian providers in the Canadian market.

Mr Solomon spoke of the Bahamas' competitive advantages from the Canadian perspective, with the visit including a luncheon event at the Toronto Board of Trade.

Canadian attorney Lorne Saltman, of Gardner Roberts, gave insights into the Canadian legal and regulatory environment, and shared some views on what Bahamian financial services firms can do to attract business.

Apart from the Landfall events, which took the format of a seminar, private meetings were held with Canadian service providers to outline the products and services offered - and the value added - by the Bahamas.

Around 150 persons attended.

Bahamian presenters at the Landfall events included:

• Latonia Symonette-Tinker, consultant - Ministry of Financial Services

• Linda Beidler-D'Aguilar, Glinton Sweeting O'Brien, who presented on family offices

• Nick Damianos, Damianos Sotheby's, who presented on the advantages of the Bahamas as a location

• Michael Dean, Equity Bank & Trust Company, who provided an overview of the Bahamas' investment funds offerings

• Mike Unwin, RBC wealth management, who outlined the asset management services provided

• Deidree Bain, SMP Partners (Bahamas), who examined the tools available to a family office

• David Kosoy, Sterling Financial Group, who focused on private banking

• Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson of the Chamber of Commerce, who spoke on the business environment in the Bahamas