They're big, they're powerful, they're intimidating, and they breathe fire. And they are returning to Meaford Hall on October 20th.
The Meaford & District Chamber of Commerce held a media conference on Monday afternoon in the galleries of Meaford Hall to formally announce the second edition of the Meaford Dragons' Den.
Armed with a new logo created by local resident Caroline McDade, and a nearly full roster of Dragons, Geoff Solomon, President of the MDCC and Chamber Manager Jamie Pettit told reporters that this year's Dragons' Den will be bigger and better than ever.
The event is set to take to the stage at Meaford Hall on Wednesday October 20th, and those wanting to pitch their business concept to the Dragons have until Wednesday September 15 to make their submissions to Dragons' Den organizers.
Though contestants can come from anywhere, winners must register a business to operate within the Municipality of Meaford.
Any business concept put forward must fit into one or more of the four pillars of economic development identified in the Meaford Economic Development Strategy (MEDS) – Agri-Business, Retail, Tourism, or Green Business.
Contestant forms are available now, and can be obtained by contacting the Chamber office. Candidates will be announced on September 27, and this year there will be 15 eligible contestants identified and that will be narrowed to a final seven on the night of the event.
Once again this year each of the five Dragons will have $1,000 to award to their favourite business concept, though this year they won't be able to split that money amongst more than one contestant so their $1,000 will go to their top choice.
Derron Bodell, local business owner and Co-Producer of the event pointed out that though the Dragons arrive with $1,000 each, last year considerably more was handed out to the contestants as some of the Dragons dug deeper into their pockets to support concepts that particularly appealed to them.
One of the beneficiaries of that generosity was the big winner of Dragons' Den Meaford 2009, Meredith Cowan who impressed the Dragons with her Ginger Syrup business. Cowan walked away with $2,750 in “official” cash, plus and additional $1,500 and a $10,000 interest-free loan.
Organizers of the event expressed gratitude that CBC who owns the rights to the Dragons' Den name in Canada has continued to support the endeavour by allowing use of the name once again.
Sponsors of the Dragons' Den Meaford event this year include The Meaford Hall & Culture Foundation, Flower Studio and Dairy Queen. Media sponsors this year are The Meaford Independent, Women With Vision magazine, Mix 106 radio, mycollingwood .ca, and the Meaford Express newspaper.
Three of the five Dragons have been secured thus far. Barb Kay of the 100 Mile Market, Terry Scott of Scott Clay, and Paul Penny of Walker Mowers will help judge the contestants business ideas. The remaining Dragons' will be announced as they are confirmed.
For more information about how to become a Dragon, or a contestant, contact the Meaford & District Chamber of Commerce office.
