This issue spotlights the sounds of summer in the Maritimes and the amazing tourism and hospitality businesses that support all the fantastic music festivals throughout Atlantic Canada. We have a Q&A Session with Mark Rodd, about Rodd Hotels & Resorts celebrating 90 years of Atlantic hospitality. We continue our spotlight on the music industry with a conversation with Ray Gracewood and Darcy LeBlanc about the AREA 506 Festival turning 10. In this issue’s Emerging Artist Spotlight, Maggie Andrew explains how to sing for money and mean every word. Plus, many more articles on business and industry, along with the people behind the scenes making it all happen!
VOL 25 ISSUE 3
CELEBRATING A DECADE OF MUSIC, CULTURE & GOODS ON SAINT JOHN’S WATERFRONT
STILL KICKING AXE BIG AXE BREWERY’S NEXT CHAPTER
Q&A WITH MARK RODD 90 YEARS OF MARITIME MEMORIES WITH RODD HOTELS & RESORTS SUN, SONGS & SOCIABLES SOUNDS OF SUMMER IN THE MARITIMES!
WELCOME TO DOWN EAST COMFORT B&B WHERE DREAMS & EAST COAST HOSPITALITY MEET
BACK IN TIME, FORWARD IN VISION WOODY ISLAND RESORT BY BOAT & BAY
EMERGING ARTIST SPOTLIGHT MAGGIE ANDREW HOW TO SING FOR MONEY & MEAN EVERY WORD
An AIDACA MEDIA Publication
MANAGING DIRECTOR Rod Gregg
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
EDITOR Lee Ann Atwater
ACCOUNTS & ADMIN Amanda Ryan COMMUNICATION, RESEARCH & ADMIN Calli Gregg Tristyn Gaudette
We officially kick off Summer for 2025 with our Napier Outdoors Destination Series and continue our Sounds of Summer Series with our Sun, Songs & Sociables project, spotlighting some of the best music festivals in the Maritimes this summer. Two of those festivals are happening on the Saint John’s Waterfront. We had the opportunity to connect with Ray Gracewood, President, and Darcy LeBlanc, Operations Director of the Boxcar Country Music Festival and AREA 506 Festival. We discuss the AREA 506 Festival’s decade of music and culture in Saint John and what is in store for Uptown this summer’s celebration. Halfiax-born, genre-blending artist, Maggie Andrew, will be performing this year at AREA 506, so we thought it was the perfect opportunity to continue our conversation with Maggie, which began last year at the Sommo Festival for this issue’s Emerging Artist Spotlight Series segment. Maggie schools us on how to sing for money and mean every word. We also reconnect with Peter “Pete” Cole, President, and Krystle Ford, General Manager of the Big Axe Brewery in Nackawic, New Brunswick, to chat about the major changes over the past five years, but more importantly, what’s stayed consistent: a love for craft beer, community, and creating a destination that feels as familiar as your favourite pint. Then we were off to the Miramichi to sit down with Natasha Fulton of Down East Comfort Bed and Breatfest to talk about leaving her corporate life behind to open a bed and breakfast in New Brunswick and how she wasn’t just chasing a dream - she was creating a home in the region that had always pulled at her heart. Next, we head to the middle of Placentia Bay, where a former outport now offers one of Newfoundland’s most distinctive tourism experiences. We spoke with Brian Seward, the current owner, along with the founder and original owner, Loyola Pomroy, of Woody Island Resort, about the past, present, and future of this off-grid island retreat. From Atlantic Canada’s largest province to its smallest, for a Q&A session with Mark Rodd, President of Rodd Hotels & Resorts. Mark talks about the company’s remarkable milestone this year, celebrating 90 years as a family-owned business, with seven properties across Atlantic Canada and headquarters in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and how the company continues to build on its legacy of Rodd hospitality My team and I want to thank everyone who made this issue possible. We look forward to sharing more stories about growing industries, successful businesses, brands, events, and the entrepreneurs making it all happen.
EDITORIAL & PROJECT MANAGER Kate Lindsay CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Amanda Stellisano Darryll Gillard
Deborah Jaremko Elizabeth Spencer Kris McCarthy Lauren Reid Ryan Myson Shannon Ferguson
WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT Joe Uttaro
LAYOUT DESIGN Ashley Tatlock
GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM Brittany Pickrem Sara Kay
SOCIAL MEDIA & FIELD TEAM Ashley Lindsay Jill McGuire Krista Legge-Wakeley Quinn Currie Troy Gregg PUBLISHER AIDACA Media & Production (AMP)
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Spotlight What’s in the ON THE COVER AREA 506 FESTIVAL TURNS TEN Celebrating a Decade of Music, Culture & Goods on Saint John’s Waterfront 36 BACK IN TIME, FORWARD IN VISION Woody Island Resort by Boat & Bay 76
03 A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR 04 WHAT’S IN THE SPOTLIGHT 08 UPCOMINGEVENTS 20 GETTING THE FLOW GOING Canada’s Pipeline Builders are Ready to Get to Work 58 BAY STREET TO CHESTNUTLANE The Bed & Breakfast that Soothes your Soul 64 SAILING INTO SOMETHINGSPECIAL The Story of The Golden Dory 70 PREPARING FOR GROWTH Keeping Customers Happy 92 FROM CITY COMMUTES TO CABINKEYS Life Reimagined at Riverview Cottages 108 LIVING THE STARTUP How to Avoid Burning Out 114 CANADIAN ENERGY INNOVATION Unique Emissions Testing Centre Helping Move the Needle on Methane 118 A FATHER’S EMOTIONS MATTER Here’s to the Dads missing their Big Kids today 120 THE ART OF MANIFESTING You’re always manifesting, whether you know it or not 126 COFFEETALK Replacing our Shoulds with Coulds! 128 Oh CANADA 10 Interesting Facts about the Great White North
In the middle of Placentia Bay lies a former outport that’s now one of Newfoundland’s most distinctive tourism experiences. Woody Island Resort began as a small venture on resettled land and has grown into a destination known for its simplicity, hospitality, and deep local roots. Now under the leadership of Brian Seward, the resort is embracing thoughtful updates while holding onto what makes it special. We spoke with current owner Brian and the original owner and founder, Loyola Pomroy, about the past, present, and future of this off-grid island retreat. STILL KICKING AXE Big Axe Brewery’s Next Chapter When Spotlight on Business last spoke with Pete Cole of Big Axe Brewery, the team had just opened their new cedar log brewhouse on the banks of the Saint John River. Since then, much has changed - and grown. A second location, a surge in distribution, and a thriving annual beer festival have pushed the brand to new heights. But what’s stayed consistent is the heart behind the hops: a love for craft beer, community, and creating a destination that feels as familiar as your favourite pint.
All great things start with an idea, and someone with a passion to make that idea a reality. For the AREA 506 Festival, that person was Ray Gracewood. In this issue, Ray talks about how AREA 506 was an idea born from his experiences working and travelling throughout the province. Any what began as a passion project to celebrate all things New Brunswick, with the help of Darcy LeBlanc and many others, has developed into a signature event and brand for Saint John’s Uptown and the province of New Brunwick attracting residents and visitors to experience music, East Coast culture and hopistality, local goods and services. Q&A WITH MARK RODD 90 Years of Maritime Memories with Rodd Hotels & Resorts Our Conversation with Mark Rodd, President of Rodd Hotels & Resorts, takes us from the early days of the iconic Maritime brand, when there were just three cottages beside the family home in Prince Edward Island, to 90 years later, with a good mix of instinct, discipline, and not losing sight of why they started the business in the first place, growing the brand to seven properties, with over 700 rooms across the three Maritime provinces and setting their sites for further growth and they head towards the century milestone. 10
Where Dreams & East Coast Hospitality Meet WELCOME TO DOWN EAST COMFORT B&B When Natasha Fulton left her corporate life behind to open a bed and breakfast in New Brunswick, she wasn’t just chasing a dream - she was creating a home in the region that had always pulled at her heart. What began as a long-held fascination with historic homes and East Coast charm evolved into Down East Comfort Bed & Breakfast, a thoughtfully curated guest experience that blends design, hospitality, and heritage. In this feature, Natasha shares the story behind her leap into entrepreneurship, the unique details that define her B&B, and the unexpected joys that come from building something with both heart and family at its core.
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EMERGING ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
SUN, SONGS & SOCIABLES
MAGGIE ANDREW How to Sing for Money & Mean Every Word It’s been a year since we first caught up with Maggie Andrew at Sommo - and a lot has happened since. The Halifax-born artist has been steadily carving out her own lane in the Canadian music scene, earning awards, dropping bold new singles, and commanding attention with her unapologetically creative style. Her sound? A genre-blending mix of pop, rock, country, and soul - what she calls her version of alternative pop, laced with honesty, humour, and edge. We reconnected with Maggie to talk about everything she’s been up to, what’s inspiring her now, and how to sing for money and mean every word.
Sounds of Summer in the Maritimes! Summer in the Maritimes means getting outdoors and experiencing all that this part of the world offers. Locals and visitors alike take advantage of the Maritimes’ beautiful scenery, sandy beaches, and some of the best seafood in the world. But the Maritimes are also known for their music, with many bucket-list-worthy music festivals happening all across this region, offering amazing artists and venues with an intimate and interactive experience for concertgoers. We are confident that you will find the music festival that is just right for you, and these are a few of our favorites for this summer.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
ATLANTIC BALLOON FIESTA SEPTEMBER 4TH – 7TH, 2025 PRINCESS LOUISE PARK SUSSEX, NB, CANADA
NOVA SCOTIA STAMPEDE SEPTEMBER 18TH – 21ST, 2025 NOVA SCOTIA PROVINCIAL
EXHIBITION COMPLEX BILL HILL, NS, CANADA
WANT TO HAVE YOUR EVENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT? Send an email 4 weeks in advance to production@spotlightbizmag.com with all the details of your event. So, whether you’re a hot air balloon enthusiast or looking for a fun family outing, the Atlantic Balloon Fiesta offers something for everyone making it a perfect destination for families. For more information on this event, go to https://www.atlanticballoonfiesta.ca/ Atlantic Canada’s most colourful festival is held in Sussex, New Brunswick, every September on the weekend following Labour Day with over 30 hot air balloons taking to the air twice daily (weather permitting) for a spectacular aerial event that is not to be missed. Besides hot air balloons, it promises live entertainment, amusement rides, vendors, and so much more including activities for children, and a popular Craft Fair with over seventy crafters.
The greater region surrounding Truro, Nova Scotia, is set to play host to an exhilarating fusion of tradition and excitement as the Nova Scotia Stampede returns this fall. This premier Nova Scotia event promises to be a highlight on the Maritime calendar, bringing together communities and visitors for a thrilling celebration of Nova Scotia’s rich heritage and the spirit of agriculture. The Nova Scotia Stampede is to be held at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Complex and the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, amongst other participating businesses and venues, is a family- friendly festival that blends the charm of the Maritimes with the excitement of a world-class professional rodeo, all while spotlighting Nova Scotia agriculture. Attendees can expect a weekend filled with thrilling pro rodeo events such as saddle bronc, bareback riding, bull riding, gymkhana, and barrel racing while layered with top musical performances on the Main Stage, delicious Nova Scotia-grown food, and an array of fun activities for all ages. For more information on this event, go to https://www.novascotiastampede.com/
CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW 2025
SEPTEMBER 9TH – 11TH, 2025 GLACIER FARMMEDIA DISCOVERY FARM WOODSTOCK, ON, CANADA
TASTE OF CALGARY JULY 31ST - AUGUST 4TH, 2025 CPA LOT 6 CALGARY, AB, CANADA
CANFITPRO GLOBAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW 2025 AUGUST 15TH & 16TH, 2025 METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE TORONTO, ON CANADA Canfitpro has the world’s best events for fitness professionals. Combining great opportunities to obtain continuing education with networking and world- class trade shows, these are events you do not want to miss! Exhibiting at this event is a powerful way to showcase your brand, connect with potential clients, and generate valuable leads. It provides a platform to demonstrate your products or services to a targeted audience, build credibility, and gain industry recognition. Don’t miss the chance to stand out, engage with key decision-makers, and drive business growth! Whether you are picking up Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for recertification, attending to upgrade your education, or to network, Canfitpro events have something for everyone. For more information on this event, go to https://www.canfitpro.com/events2025/ global/
For three days each September, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show transforms the site in Woodstock, Ontario, into a 100-acre+ showcase of live demonstrations featuring ag equipment, a variety of crops, livestock products and much more. For over 30 years, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show has been bringing together visitors and exhibitors from across Canada and beyond, to show everything from the biggest tractors to the smartest ways to manage your crops. Each year, over 36,000 people and more than 650 exhibitors are excited to attend Ontario’s largest outdoor farm show – an experience where the latest in agricultural technology comes to life in the field. Join us at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show to celebrate what we do best, learn from each other, and see what’s on the horizon for farming. For more information on this event go to https://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/
METRO SHOW VANCOUVER 2025 AUGUST 5TH – 8TH, 2025
Taste of Calgary, the city’s premier international food and beverage festival, takes place for its 24th year, offering up the city’s most appetizing festival, giving visitors the chance to sample the city’s food, beverages, music, and other cool things. Discover Calgary’s global cuisines from a mix of unique restaurants and beverage companies. Plus, get a taste of Calgary’s great musicians. And shop at some of the most interesting marketplace vendors in the city Taste of Calgary is a delightful festival where visitors can enjoy local food, beverages, music, artisans, entrepreneurs, and interactive activities, enhancing the overall festive experience. For more information on this event, go to https://tasteofcalgary.com/
F X FASHION EXCHANGE VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA
The Metro Show Vancouver is recognized as Western Canada’s premier apparel tradeshow, offering an unparalleled selection of products and brands. Located at the F X Fashion Exchange in downtown Vancouver, the event features close to 100 different agencies showcasing a wide range of apparel, from bridal wear to skateboarding footwear. This comprehensive display allows attendees to explore every price point and aesthetic without the need to travel across the country. The Metro Show distinguishes itself with exclusive appointments, enabling visitors to view products in dedicated showrooms rather than traditional pipe-and-drape booths, creating a more immersive experience. For more information on this event, go to https://www.metroshow.ca/
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Q&A WITH MARK RODD 90 Years Of Maritime Memories With Rodd Hotels & Resorts
by Ryan Myson
Our Conversation with Mark Rodd, President of Rodd Hotels & Resorts, takes us from the early days of the iconic Maritime brand, when there were just three cottages beside the family home in Prince Edward Island, to 90 years later, with a good mix of instinct, discipline, and not losing sight of why they started the business in the first place, growing the brand to seven properties, with over 700 rooms across the three Maritime provinces and setting their sites for further growth and they head towards the century milestone.
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I believe in full disclosure. My first memories of traveling with my parents involve staying at the Rodd Hotels & Resorts, whether it was a business trip to Yarmouth, Moncton, or Miramichi that we (my mother, sister, and I) tagged along with dad, or the Rodd Royalty Inn on a family trip to Prince Edward Island. So, when I had the chance to sit down and chat with Mark Rodd, President of Rodd Hotels & Resorts, I jumped at it. During my conversation with Mark, many of these family memories came back to mind and got me in the feels, as I have experienced Rodd’s Family legacy firsthand. Spotlight on Business: Before we start talking about the Rodd Hotels & Resorts brand, can you tell a little about yourself and what you like to do in your free time? Mark Rodd: I spend a lot of time in the boardroom, but when I’m off the clock, I’m usually on the North Shore, walking on the beach or out on the water. That’s where I reset and think clearly. I stay involved in the communities we serve because it matters. I’m on the advisory board of the Mi’kmaq-owned Matnaggewinu Development Corporation (MDC). They’re doing important work in Indigenous tourism and hospitality, and I’m proud to support that. To me, leadership means more than growth. It’s about using your seat at the table to open doors, drive progress and move the industry forward.
Spotlight on Business: What roles have you had in the business throughout your professional career? How have these helped develop you for your current role as President and CEO? Mark Rodd: I was raised in the middle of it. Hospitality wasn’t just a business; it was our family’s way of life. From a young age, I was involved wherever I was needed; dishwashing, cleaning rooms, and helping out on the property. That experience was foundational and hands-on. It taught me the importance of every role in this industry and has shaped how I lead today. When I officially stepped into a leadership role in 2009, I knew the business from the inside out. But leading it requires a different mindset, one that balances tradition with transformation. My role now is to honour the legacy while building something that’s built to last for the next generation. That means evolving how we work, how we serve, and how we grow, without losing what made us trusted in the first place. Spotlight on Business: Wallace and Sally Rodd could not have imagined that the cottages they built next to their family home would be the start of the Rodd Family Legacy. Can you take us through the early years? Mark Rodd: It started with a need. In 1935, tourism on Prince Edward Island was growing, but there weren’t many options for travellers looking for a comfortable place to stay near the water. My grandparents
To me, leadership means more than growth. It’s about using your seat at the table to open doors, drive progress and move the industry forward. ” “
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“
what they built was more than lodging. It had a reputation for warmth, consistency, and for doing things right. That DNA still runs through the company today. ”
were visionaries. Wally and Sally saw an opportunity through instinct, hard work, and hospitality in its purest form. They built a few cottages next to their family home, thinking it might help support the household. But words spread quickly. People came back. Then they brought their friends. That’s how it began—not with scale in mind, but with people. They officially opened their doors that year, and what they built was more than lodging. It had a reputation for warmth, consistency, and for doing things right. That DNA still runs through the company today. Spotlight on Business: In the 50’s, after two decades in the hospitality industry, Wallace and Sally decided to expand. Tell us about that expansion and the family’s entrepreneurial journey through the generations. Mark Rodd: The 1950s marked the beginning of our first major expansion. What started as a seasonal cottage business run by my grandparents, Wallace and Sally Rodd, began evolving into a year-round operation. They built three cottages next to their farmhouse in 1935, never imagining it would
one day grow into one of Atlantic Canada’s most recognized hospitality brands. Even in those early years, my family understood the importance of reinvesting back into the business. After the war, we leaned into new opportunities, like the growing hunting tourism market, which sparked expansion. In 1954, we built our first 16-unit motel, and by 1960, we had the first true motel in the region. My father, David Rodd, returned from school and took over in 1966, pushing the business into its next phase. He acquired the Confederation Inn, opened the Parkview Motel in Moncton in 1972, and doubled its size just two years later, which is now the Rodd Moncton. Following a fire in 1976, he led the development of a new hotel in Charlottetown. In 1981, we expanded Rodd Royalty with 40 more rooms, and in 1982, we acquired the Yarmouth Grand—the largest property in our portfolio at that time. The next few years were pivotal. Brudenell opened in 1983, Mill River followed in 1984, and in 1985, we had our biggest year, purchasing both the Charlottetown Hotel and the Colony Inn.
Over time, we’ve grown thoughtfully and with purpose, along with our share of highs and lows. Today, we run seven properties and over 700 rooms across three provinces. That mindset—build it right, grow when it makes sense, grow where we can deliver value, stay true to who we are, and create spaces that reflect the local character. From a few cottages in PEI to properties across the Maritimes, it’s always been a mix of instinct, discipline, and not losing sight of why we started. Every property reflects that, grounded in strong teams and deep local roots. Spotlight on Business: All the Rodd Hotels & Resorts properties share the same brand philosophy but are all unique in their own way. Can you tell us about each of the properties and what guest can expect during their stay? Mark Rodd: Each of our properties is designed to reflect the character of the community it’s in, but the standard of service, quality, and hospitality remains
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Rodd Grand Yarmouth in Nova Scotia is our largest—132 rooms, major meeting space, full fitness centre, and two restaurants. It’s a hub for both conferences and leisure travel, right in the centre of town. Every Rodd property is pet-friendly, offers express check-in, and provides EV charging. We’re in the business of creating seven distinct experiences, grounded in the same values and held to the same standard. That’s what makes us an all-season destination— and more importantly, a trusted one. Spotlight on Business: How does The Rodd Hotels & Resorts differentiate itself from others in the industry? Mark Rodd: Legacy matters in this business, and we’ve spent nearly nine decades building one. Rodd Hotels & Resorts has always been more than just a collection of properties. It’s a family-owned brand that’s stayed rooted in Atlantic Canada since day one, and that sense of place is part of everything we do. What sets us apart is that every Rodd property reflects its local surroundings— the people, the landscape, the pace. Guests stay with us because they want something authentic. Our guests are evolving year after year, and they want something that feels grounded and real. That’s what we deliver. The fact that we’re still privately owned means we make decisions with long-term value in mind, not quarterly targets. We invest in our people, we stay connected to our communities, and we never lose sight of the responsibility that comes with being a legacy brand. It’s about maintaining the trust we’ve earned while evolving to meet what’s next. That’s the difference. We’re not chasing trends. We’re building something that lasts. Spotlight on Business: You have been at the wheel of the business for 15 years. What challenges have you faced along the way? What was your biggest surprise (positive or negative)? Mark Rodd: The one constant has been change. Whether it’s market shifts, labour challenges, or navigating a global pandemic that hit our industry hard, hospitality demands agility. You’re managing real
consistent across the board. That’s the Rodd experience. We’re proud to be Atlantic Canada’s longest- running privately-owned hotel group, and part of that staying power comes from understanding that one size doesn’t fit all— not for locations, not for guests. That’s the difference. We’re not chasing trends. We’re building something that lasts. ” “ Rodd Crowbush is our flagship. Set on PEI’s North Shore, it’s home to The Links at Crowbush Cove, one of the top-ranked golf courses in the country. But it’s more than just golf. Guests come for the full resort experience: beachfront access, spa, indoor pool, e-bikes,
tennis and pickleball, and standout dining at David’s and The Crow’s Nest. It’s a place where downtime and activity live side by side. Rodd Brudenell River Resort is a strong all- rounder: two championship golf courses, cottages, a marina, horseback riding, and multiple dining spots. It’s a favourite for families, golf groups, and anyone who wants space to unwind without losing access to great food and outdoor experiences. Rodd Charlottetown is where we showcase heritage. It’s a historic property with character—rooftop patio, vintage-style suite floor, and one of the best brunch spots in the city at Chambers. Right downtown, it serves both leisure and business travelers and has become a go-to for weddings and local events. Rodd Royalty is built for convenience and comfort. Located just outside Charlottetown’s core, it’s ideal for families— big suites, an indoor pool with a 105-foot waterslide, and Wally’s Restaurant to keep things easy. The proximity to shopping and the airport makes it a smart option for many types of travelers. Rodd Miramichi offers something more relaxed—riverfront, walkable, and a quiet place to recharge. Business travelers appreciate the ease; leisure guests love the calm. The on-site restaurant, 1809, is well- loved in the community. Rodd Moncton delivers location. Right by the tidal bore and Riverfront Park, it’s our most walkable property—easy access to trails, shops, and downtown. The mix of standard rooms and drive-ups offers flexibility for guests who want quick in- and-out convenience.
A Riverside Gem of Craft Brewing in New Brunswick
www.bigaxe.ca
537 Otis Drive Nackawic NB E6G 1H6 • 506-575-1093 • info@bigaxe.ca
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estate, people, guest expectations, and external forces all at once—and often with tight margins. The biggest challenge has always been balancing consistency with evolution. How do you grow without losing what made you trusted in the first place? One surprise, in a good way, has been just how loyal our team and guests have remained. During tough stretches, like the pandemic, the amount of support we saw was humbling. It reminded me that this business runs on people, not transactions. That’s been a huge motivator. Spotlight on Business: What advice would you give someone looking to start a business in the PEI hospitality industry? Mark Rodd: For anyone starting in hospitality on PEI, along with building for tourists, build for the community. This island is built on relationships. If you focus on quality, stay consistent, and respect the place you’re in, word of mouth will do more for you than any ad spend ever could. Word of mouth has been the very base of our legacy. And be ready to wear multiple hats. Spotlight on Business: Can you tell us why the role of community and local partnerships play such an important part in The Rodd Hotels & Resorts brand? Mark Rodd: We’ve grown up alongside the towns and cities we operate in. These aren’t just markets to us. They’re home. Take Rodd Charlottetown, we’re supporting the Island Tides Festival, The Charlottetown Festival, The PEI Symphony, PEI Music Festival, and more. We put these events front and centre for our guests because that’s what makes the destination real. We do this across every property—whether it’s working with local artists, featuring island- made products, or building partnerships with suppliers who’ve been around longer than we have. It’s how we’ve always done business, investing in the place we’re in. And frankly, our guests notice. They don’t want a generic hotel experience. They want to feel where they are. That’s what we give them.
We’re not trying to be the biggest. We’re focused on being the most trusted, and that’s a title you earn one stay at a time.
SHANIA TWAIN
TYLER HUBBARD
LAINEY WILSON
Spotlight on Business: The Rodd family has continuously evolved the brand for 90 years now, without giving away any secrets, what is upcoming for the rest of 2025 and beyond as you head toward the century mark? Mark Rodd: Ninety years in, and we’re just getting started. The goal is to take what’s worked and build it in smarter, sharper ways. 2025 and beyond is about raising the bar across the board, from guest experience to infrastructure to how we show up digitally. You’ll see continued investment in our core properties, upgrades where they matter, tech where it enhances the stay, and design choices that reflect where the brand is going. We’re also looking at how we grow, not only in volume, but in value. Strategic partnerships, possible expansion, and a tighter focus on what today’s traveller actually wants. We’re heading toward our 100-year mark with purpose. The next chapter will feel different, because it should. But it’ll still be
Rodd at its core, authentic, Atlantic Canadian, and built to last.
Thursday, July 10
Friday, July 11
Saturday, July 12
JOSH ROSS BRYAN MARTIN SACHA TONY STEVENS THE WILD PALOMINOS
STEPHEN WILSON JR. MEGHAN PATRICK ADRIEN NUNEZ NATE HALLER AMANDA RHEAUME
WYATT FLORES BAYKER BLAKENSHIP TIM & THE GLORY BOYS ABBY ANDERSON JUSTIN FANCY
Spotlight on Business: In closing, are there any items that we might have missed that you would like for us to share with our readers about yourself or The Rodd Hotels & Resorts brand? Mark Rodd: We’ve talked legacy, we’ve talked growth, but at the end of the day, what matters most is the experience we deliver every single day at every single property. That’s what defines us. Rodd Hotels & Resorts is a living legacy, built on family, shaped by community, and carried forward by purpose. It’s guests who return year after year because they feel connected, not just checked in. If there’s one thing I’d leave readers with, it’s this. We’re not trying to be the biggest. We’re focused on being the most trusted, and that’s a title you earn one stay at a time.
MORE INFO
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JULY 10-12, 2025
CAVENDISH, PEI
GETTING THE FLOW GOING Canada’s Pipeline Builders are Ready to Get to Work
by Deborah Jaremko
Construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline. Photograph courtesy Coastal GasLink
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“I think Energy East or something similar has to happen for millions of reasons,” he said. “The world’s demanding it. We’ve got the craft [workers], we’ve got the iron ore and we’ve got the steel. We’re talking about a nation where the workers in every province could benefit. They’re ready to build it.” That eagerness is shared by the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), which represents about 170 construction and maintenance employers across the country. The PCA’s newly launched “Let’s Get Building” advocacy campaign urges all parties in the Canadian federal election run to focus on getting major projects built. “We’re focusing on the opportunity that Canada has, perhaps even the obligation,” said PCA chief executive Paul de Jong. “Most of the companies are quite busy irrespective of the pipeline issue right now. But looking at the long term, there’s predictability and long-term strategy that they see missing.”
Top of mind is Ottawa’s Impact Assessment Act (IAA), he said, the federal law that assesses major national projects like pipelines and highways. In 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada found that the IAA broke the rules of the Canadian constitution. The court found unconstitutional components including federal overreach into the decision of whether a project requires an impact assessment and whether a project gets final approval to proceed. Ottawa amended the act in the spring of 2024, but Alberta’s government found the changes didn’t fix the issues and in November launched a new legal challenge against it. “We’d like to see the next federal administration substantially revisit the Impact Assessment Act,”de Jong said. “The sooner these nation-building projects get underway, the sooner Canadians reap the rewards through new trading partnerships, good jobs and a more stable economy.”
‘Leaders push to ‘substantially revisit’ Impact Assessment Act’
Brandon, a welder from Vernon, British Columbia, part of the team who in October 2023 completed the “Golden Weld” or final piece of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline from near Dawson Creek, B.C. to the LNG Canada tidewater export terminal at Kitimat. Photo courtesy Coastal GasLink
I t was not a call he wanted to make. In October 2017, Kevin O’Donnell, then chief financial officer of Nisku, Alta.-based Banister Pipelines, received the final word that the $16-billion Energy East pipeline had been cancelled. It was his job to pass the news down the line to reach workers who were already in the field. “We had a crew that was working along the current TC Energy line that was ready for conversion up in Thunder Bay,” said O’Donnell, who is now executive director of the Mississauga, Ont.-based Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC). “I took the call, and they said abandon right now. Button up and abandon right now. “It was truly surreal. It’s tough to tell your foreman, who then tells their lead hands and then you inform the unions that those three or four or five million man-hours that you expected are not going to come to fruition,” he said. “They’ve got to find lesser-paying jobs where
they’re not honing their craft in the pipeline sector. You’re not making the money; you’re not getting the health and dental coverage that you were getting before.” O’Donnell estimates that the union partners of the PLCAC represent about 500,000 workers across Canada. With the recent completion of the Trans Mountain expansion and Coastal GasLink pipelines – and no big projects like them coming on the books – many are once again out of a job, he said. It’s frustrating given that this could be what he called a “golden age” for building major energy infrastructure in Canada. Together, more than 62,000 people were hired to build the Trans Mountain expansion and Coastal GasLink projects, according to company reports. O’Donnell is particularly interested in a project like Energy East, which would link oil produced in Alberta to consumers in Eastern and Atlantic Canada, then international markets in the offshore beyond.
Workers guide a piece of pipe along the Trans Mountain expansion route. Photograph courtesy Trans Mountain Corporation
The “Golden Weld” marked mechanical completion of construction of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy Trans Mountain Corporation
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EMERGING ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
How to Sing for Money & Mean Every Word!
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by Lauren Reid
Do what is right for you and the music that you want to put out, and the rest will take care of itself. ”
It’s been a year since we last caught up with Maggie Andrew at Sommo - and a lot has happened since. The Halifax-born artist has been steadily carving out her own lane in the Canadian music scene, earning awards, dropping bold new singles, and commanding attention with her unapologetically creative style. Her sound? A genre-blending mix of pop, rock, country, and soul -what she calls her version of alternative pop, laced with honesty, humour, and edge. We reconnected with Maggie to talk about everything she’s been up to, what’s inspiring her now, and how to sing for money and mean every word.
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I’m always creating in some way. Fashion is a big one for me. ”
Spotlight on Business: You’ve been making waves onstage and online. For those just tuning in, who is Maggie Andrew - and how did Nova Scotia shape you? Maggie Andrew: I’m a singer, songwriter, and overall artist originally from Halifax. I grew up in Waverley with my older brothers, spending my childhood biking, exploring the woods, and being outside. It was a great time to be a kid. I think growing up without tech glued to my hands helped me discover what I love - like music, fashion, and storytelling. I was obsessed with Hannah Montana. That show completely rewired my brain. It showed me that a life of creativity and performance was possible, even if there wasn’t a lot of that around me growing up. Spotlight on Business: What do you like to do when you’re not writing, performing, or collaborating with other artists? Maggie Andrew: I’m always creating in
some way. Fashion is a big one for me. I love putting together looks for shoots and shows. I literally bedazzled a football jersey recently just to wear on stage. I also play soccer, travel, hang out with my friends (a lot of them are creatives too), and plan music videos. Even when I’m not writing music, I still feel like an artist just living life. Spotlight on Business: You clearly have a love for creative direction and style. How would you describe the “Maggie Andrew” brand? Maggie Andrew: Fun and fearless. My older brother Trevor was always the blueprint for me - he did it all: music, painting, fashion, snowboarding, skateboarding. Watching him showed me that being an artist doesn’t have to mean just one thing. I see artistry as 360. It’s music, visuals, style, lyrics, storytelling - all of it. That’s what I want my brand to reflect. Something funny, satirical, honest. Not too serious. I want people to feel like they can let go and just have a good time.
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Spotlight on Business: Tell us about your journey from Nova Scotia to Los Angeles - and back again. Maggie Andrew: I moved out when I was 17 years old and went to LA to record my first track. My brother Trevor had moved there from New York, and he flew me out after hearing one of my early songs. I had never even been in a studio before. Being in LA opened everything up for me - it felt like exactly where I was meant to be. But I was also running from stuff. I was sexually abused by a family member for 10 years and had a tough home life, so when I left, I didn’t really have anything to come back to. My brother basically became my parental figure. He told me, if you have a plan B, you’re subconsciously giving up on plan A. That stuck. So, I stayed in LA for three years. Then the pandemic hit. My friend Andy Hines was flying back to Nova Scotia and offered me a seat. I went. It wasn’t my plan, but it ended up being the start of something new. I wasn’t even really part of the East Coast music scene before, but I got invited to a Music Nova Scotia songwriting camp, and it changed everything. Spotlight on Business: How has social media played a role in your artistic journey? Maggie Andrew: It’s helped, for sure. I’ve been online since I was 12, so social media doesn’t feel performative to me. It’s just an extension of my personality. The key is to People want real - I try to give them that. ” “
“
My older brother Trevor was always the blueprint for me - he did it all: music, painting, fashion, snowboarding, skateboarding. Watching him showed me that being an artist doesn’t have to mean just one thing. ”
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Spotlight on Business: You’ve been nominated for (and won) some big awards.Whatdothoseacknowledgments mean to you? Maggie Andrew: They’re validating, especially for everyone involved in a project. Nobody sees the hours that go into this work, so to be recognized - especially in Nova Scotia - feels good! Winning African Nova Scotian Musician of the Year with MNS and the ECMA for African Canadian Artist of the Year felt especially meaningful. Some people tried to question if I was “really Black.” Those awards said otherwise. That said, I think it’s time to let other young Black artists have that moment now. Spotlight on Business: Do you have advice for young or emerging artists? Maggie Andrew: Be yourself. That’s your superpower. Don’t limit your genre or your sound. Don’t make music just to fit a box. And
not take it too seriously. Don’t overthink captions. If it takes you three days to write one, it’s not worth it. People want real - I try to give them that. And honestly, your real- life shows are what make people follow you online - not the other way around. Spotlight on Business: What was it like the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio? Or saw it on Spotify? Maggie Andrew: When I first released music on Spotify in 2019, it was DIY all the way - just me and my best friend using DistroKid. It felt good to put something into the world, even if it was super low- key. A few playlists picked up the track, including one in Japan, which was wild. I still have fans there. As for radio, CBC plays my music now. The best part was when my mom heard one of my songs on CBC in her car. That moment was for her!
don’t listen to people who don’t get it. Even if you mess up, at least you trusted your gut.
Spotlight on Business: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? Maggie Andrew: You don’t need to be signed to a major label to make music that matters. I don’t make music to chase approval — I’m making it because it’s who I am. I’ve learned that you don’t have to wait for anyone to give you permission. Creativity is free, you can always build something on your own terms. Spotlight on Business: Do you prefer recording or performing live? Maggie Andrew: That’s a tough one! Studio time is where the magic starts. You’re building something from nothing - and I love that part of the process. It’s where the songs really come to life. But performing live? I’m falling in love with that now. I’ve been taking vocal lessons, learning how to care for my voice, and
Be yourself. That’s your superpower. Don’t limit your genre or your sound. Don’t make music just to fit a box.
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POWERED BY
Studio time is where the magic starts. You’re building something from nothing - and I love that part of the process. It’s where the songs really come to life. But performing live? I’m falling in love with that now. ” “
thursday sept 18 friday sept 19 saturday sept 20
tickets going fast. buy yours today!
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really leaning into the stage side of things. There’s nothing like hearing the crowd sing your words back to you.
And closing out the summer with a bang - my new EP HOW TO SING FOR MONEY drops September 26!
Just gratitude. I’m so thankful for everyone who listens. Without people “ tuning in, I wouldn’t get to keep doing what I love. ”
Spotlight on Business: Any dream collabs? Maggie Andrew: So many. Goldie Boutilier for sure - she’s from Nova Scotia and calls me her little sis, which feels cool, considering I grew up with 4 older brothers. I really look up to her and admire her passion! Adam Baldwin - I really want to do a song with him, especially after bonding with my friends over his track “Causeway Road.” Also Mk.gee! I saw him perform in LA, and it was pure emotion. I’d love to create something with him. Spotlight on Business: Your recent single “Fall Like a Feather” dropped in March, and you have another one on the way. What should we be watching for? Maggie Andrew: Yes! Emotional Touchdown comes out June 27. It’s playful, high-energy, and very me. I’ll also be performing at the Shore Club with Neon Dreams on July 18, at the AREA 506 Festival on August 3, and the Nova Scotia Stampede on September 18.
Spotlight on Business: Where can fans find you online? Maggie Andrew: Check out my website www.maggiedandrew.com – you’ll find all my socials there too! Spotlight on Business: Any final thoughts or things you want to share? Maggie Andrew: Just gratitude. I’m so thankful for everyone who listens. Without people tuning in, I wouldn’t get to keep doing what I love. Do yourself a favor this summer and get out to one of Maggie Andrew’s smaller venue live shows while you can. This fearless artist, blending rock, country, pop, and soul into her own vibrant brand of alternative pop - with honesty, humour - and just the right amount of edge, is going to be selling out stadiums soon.
Sept. 13 Alanis Morissette + St Paul & The Broken Bones
Sept. 14 HOZIER + Alex Warren and featured culinary act andrea buckett + many more!
and featured culinary act Old Time Hawkey
PEI’s celebration of MUSIC + FOOD + DRINK
sommofest.com
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Celebrating a Decade of Music, Culture & Goods on Saint John’s Waterfront
by Lauren Reid
Every summer, thousands gather along the Saint John waterfront to experience something that feels both electric and unmistakably local. AREA 506 doesn’t follow the festival playbook - it’s the result of a bold idea, years of grit, and two entrepreneurs who believed that Saint John could become a destination without losing its soul. As the festival marks its 10th year, the journey behind it is just as compelling as the headliners on stage.
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AREA 506 FESTIVAL TURNING TEN
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I n Saint John, New Brunswick, where the harbour meets the rhythm of the East Coast, there’s a festival that’s become a marker of summer - and a symbol of what can happen when community, creativity, and persistence collide. AREA 506 didn’t start with fireworks or fanfare. It began with a question: how do you bring a city together around its strengths? For Ray Gracewood, President of AREA 506, the answer was simple in theory but ambitious in practice. “We wanted to create something that was rooted in Saint John’s DNA,”he says. “And that meant celebrating our music, our culture, our makers, and our people.” The first AREA 506 festival took place in 2016, backed by a team of volunteers and a whole lot of heart. Today, it’s grown into a full-blown waterfront experience, with a container village, international headliners, and a vibe that draws visitors and locals alike. But for those behind the scenes, success didn’t come overnight. “The early years were challenging,” says Gracewood. “We were trying to build
We wanted to create something that was rooted in Saint John’s DNA ”
something we didn’t have a blueprint for. It was a lot of late nights and a lot of convincing people to take a chance.” Darcy LeBlanc, the festival’s Operations Director, joined the team with a background in journalism and a passion for large- scale events. She describes her first major experience running a Fashion Gala as her entry point into the world of production and logistics. “That event was my baby,” she says. “And it showed me that there’s something magical about creating a moment that people remember.” That idea - creating moments - is what defines AREA 506. Whether it’s an emerging East Coast band playing their first big stage or a visitor discovering a local artist in the Container Village, the team focuses on crafting experiences that resonate. “It’s not just about the music,” says LeBlanc. “It’s about walking into the space and feeling like you’re part of something. You’re not just watching - you’re inside it.” The Container Village, launched in 2022, has
become a year-round anchor. Repurposed shipping containers house everything from food and drink to retail and galleries. The vision wasn’t just to support the festival, but to give Saint John something lasting. “It’s probably the thing I’m most proud of,” Gracewood says. “It’s brought a new energy to the waterfront and created opportunities for small businesses to thrive.” For LeBlanc, it also meant rethinking operations. “We had to figure out how to make a seasonal model sustainable,” she says. “And how to do it in a way that still felt authentic to who we are.” Authenticity runs deep at AREA 506. Gracewood is clear that the festival isn’t trying to be something it’s not. “We’re not replicating Coachella,” he says. “We’re telling our own story. We want people to come here and get a sense of place, a sense of community.” That sense of place is both physical and emotional. From the layout of the site to the THIS YEAR’S AREA 506 ARTISTS (Main Stage Lineup and Schedule subject to change) FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE, MATT MAYS, POETS AND LIARS, THE KINGSTON COLLECTIVE, AND THE LAST CALL SATURDAY, AUGUST 2ND ALEXISONFIRE, CANCER BATS, DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979, THE MOTORLEAGUE, THE MERCI BUCKETS, TODAY JUNIOR, AND WOLF CASTLE WITH THE OLYMPIC SYMPHONIUM SUNDAY, AUGUST 3RD ARKELLS, RIA MAE, HALF MOON RUN, MAGGIE ANDREW, URA STAR & FIREBALL KID, BAIE, AND RED CARDINAL
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