The Association des Gens d’Affaires d’Ormstown et des Environs (AGAO+) held its first networking event of 2026 under the leadership of its new president, Gabrielle Limoges.
The event, which included around 40 participants, took place on February 12 at Le Mangeoir, the Saint-Anicet-based table champêtre and bed and breakfast.
“The room was buzzing with solidarity, regional pride, and a genuine desire for collaboration,” said Limoges. “Entrepreneurs, partners, financial institutions, including representatives from Desjardins, all came together with the shared goal of growing our business community,” she added. This included several new members and individuals discovering the association for the first time. Also in attendance were several representatives for local government and elected officials, including Steve Hickey, the political attaché to Beauharnois-Salaberry-Soulanges-Huntingdon MP Claude DeBellefeuille; Sylvain Cazes for Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette; Ormstown’s mayor and former AGAO+ president, Philippe Besombes; business owner and Ormstown councillor, René Gauthier; and Saint-Anicet councillor and director of the CDC du Haut-Saint-Laurent, Marie-Rachel Charlebois.
In her opening speech, Limoges challenged participants to introduce themselves and speak with at least three new people they did not know, inviting each entrepreneur to introduce themselves and share the nature of their business. “The challenge was met with flying colors,” said Limoges, noting the exchanges that stemmed from these introductions were “fluid, natural, and sincere.”
The next event for the AGAO+ will be a conference/workshop activity on March 10 at the Agri-Culture Centre in Ormstown. Guest speakers include Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette, who will be speaking about entrepreneurship, as well as Jérôme Matas, who will focus on leadership, growth, and organizational impact. (SR)