News from Rainmaker

It has been an exciting quarter for Rainmaker! Our client list is growing quickly as we help a wide variety of companies to develop their business opportunities in Alberta, North America and the UK. Here are some of the highlights from the past couple of months.

— Clark Grue, President & CEO

2008 Global Petroleum Show - Calgary

The Global Petroleum Show plays host to over 60,000 registered attendees and 2,000 exhibitors every second year in Calgary, the Canadian energy capital. During the show it is estimated that billions of dollars are transacted.

Rainmaker Global Business Development builds strategically-focussed events for our clients designed to connect them to local or international business communities. At the 2008 GPS, Rainmaker spearheaded a partnership with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, HSBC Bank Canada, Export Development Canada and Tourism Calgary to provide a single gateway for international companies seeking Canadian opportunities. We brought delegates from across the globe together with local executives at two highly successful events; a breakfast titled The Global Energy Landscape: $135 per barrel and beyond? and the International Executive Bull Riders Reception.

The Reception introduced our clients and partners to 250 attendees from across the globe. Visitors from Iraq, The UAE, UK, USA, Mexico, China and Korea connected with Calgary’s top decision-makers while witnessing for the first time Cody Snyder’s Bull Bustin’ show. This was truly an exciting event and a reason to showcase Calgary’s unique culture and business community.

The GPS is an immense opportunity for those in the petroleum industry to improve and expand their business. Rainmaker maximizes shows like this one to bring tangible value to our clients from around the world. Whether we are working the tradeshow floor, connecting to senior business executives or hosting unique events, we know how to connect businesses to opportunities.

Client Feature: SafeHouse Habitats

What Rainmaker Does

With an exceptional ability to identify and connect our clients to the right decision makers, Rainmaker Global Business Development accelerates the success of foreign companies in the Alberta market. Rainmaker recently hosted the Managing Director and Project Manager of SafeHouse Habitats for a week in Alberta. SafeHouse Habitats, based in Dundee, Scotland, has been a client since March, 2008. They specialize in the supply and installation of positive pressure, flexible habitats which are used in environments where there is a requirement to safely execute hot work such as welding, grinding, cutting or sandblasting. The habitats are normally used in onshore petro-chemical terminals, refineries and processing plants, and on offshore production platforms.

Rainmaker is assisting SafeHouse Habitats with their business development efforts in Alberta. Led by Blaire Lancaster, Director of Client Services, we are working on their behalf to identify and meet with potential partners whose existing portfolio of services could be extended to include the supply and installation of SafeHouse habitats, and plant and refinery owners, whose operations will directly benefit from the significant safety and cost benefits of these habitats.

As a result of the business development work Rainmaker has conducted on behalf of SafeHouse Habitats and the high level of interest expressed in Alberta amongst potential partners and end-users, Mike Garty (Managing Director) and Graham Watters (Project Manager) shipped a demonstration kit to Calgary and flew over for a week of presentations and product demonstrations.

Blaire organized their busy five-day schedule and accompanied them to meetings in Calgary, a visit to a plant in Fort McMurray, and two days of product demos at various facilities in Fort Saskatchewan. Feedback was extremely positive and with the execution of a strategic follow-up program, to be jointly developed and delivered by Mike and Blaire, SafeHouse is confident they will see substantial orders in the near future. What typically takes a company over a year to develop, Rainmaker Global Business Development accomplished in 4 months.

In an email sent to Blaire following his visit, Mike Garty wrote:

“You have done a fantastic job for us and our company. It is very clear that you understand what we are all about and your determination and drive has put us in a very good position to grow our business by tapping into the Oil Sands bonanza.”

Our UK Office: Your Advantage

Insider Tax Advice from Oury Clark

Rainmaker provides market intelligence for companies wishing to follow in our footsteps and enter the UK. As featured in our first newsletter edition, Rainmaker has Splashed across the Pond to London this year to establish our UK office. We have learned in the process of expanding that there are successes to be made by collaborating with key partners. On June 6th Rainmaker partnered with Oury Clark, a professional multi-service provider comprising of Chartered Accountants, Solicitors, and Consultants, to give an overview of UK tax policy and doing business in the UK. At this luncheon in Calgary, Rainmaker shared our experience building a presence in London, and Oury Clark shared their insider tax advice.

Attendees at the seminar ranged from local software companies, legal firms and professional service providers. Rainmaker continues to gain momentum with their UK office in assisting companies to expand into the UK. Have you given thought as to where your next foreign expansion will be? The UK is a great gateway to the European market (and its 500 million plus consumers).

Advantages of doing business in the UK, Tax

• no withholding tax on dividends paid out
• double tax relief on dividends received, soon no tax on dividends received
• extensive tax treaty network
• Relatively low tax rates
• Reduction in higher rate of Corporate Tax- 28%
• Changes to taxation of foreign companies - “revenue neutral”
• Genuine commitment to keep UK competitive

Advantages of doing business in the UK, Non-Tax

• Legal system - ease of incorporation
• Few restrictions on investment
• Access to financial markets
• Labour markets
• Language & Demographics