Media Release
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. Hosts 2014 Annual General Meeting Showcasing 2013 Highlights and Successes
April 22, 2014: Winnipeg, MB – Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW) will host its annual general meeting today, showcasing highlights of activities undertaken in 2013 across all EDW operations, including its YES! Winnipeg initiative and its Tourism Winnipeg division. Guests will hear greetings from Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux; Acting Deputy Mayor Grant Nordman; and Mary Jane Loustel, EDW’s board chairperson. Marina James, EDW’s president and CEO, will deliver the keynote address.
“Great progress was made in 2013 to increase investment and visitation to our city,” said Marina James, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. “Multiple initiatives were championed that swiftly saw uptake among EDW’s stakeholder partners, and the results achieved are impressive by any standard. As Winnipeg’s lead economic development agency, facilitating this kind of advocacy to create a vibrant, forward-focussed city is a responsibility we’re honoured to accept.”
From a broad-based marketing standpoint, EDW initiated two key activities in 2013 to attract foreign direct investment. Staff worked extensively with the publishers of Delta Sky—an in-flight magazine serving Delta Airlines’ 13 million monthly passengers—to feature an extended profile of Winnipeg. Martin Cash, business writer with the Winnipeg Free Press, was hired by the magazine’s publishers to author the piece. The second principal marketing-related effort of 2013 involved EDW’s production of seven new videos, known collectively as the WHY WINNIPEG for BUSINESS series. Hosted by lifelong Winnipegger Peter Jordan, each short video in this series features Peter talking with local business leaders about specific advantages Winnipeg offers area firms.
EDW maintained its active involvement in 2013 with the Consider Canada City Alliance, comprised of 12 major Canadian cities united in their vision to promote Canada’s multifaceted trade and investment opportunities to international audiences. EDW participated in two investment missions last year (to China and Western Europe). As well, EDW joined a business investment mission to India in early 2013 as part of a regional delegation assembled by the Manitoba Business Council.
For its part, YES! Winnipeg assisted 10 companies throughout 2013. These businesses predict to invest over $175 million and employ 759 full-time-equivalent (FTE) positions at maturity. From Canadian Tire, MTS and Winpak to New Flyer Industries, Complex Games and Buhler Industries—and several more besides—businesses are betting big on Winnipeg’s future.
Tourism Winnipeg’s efforts in 2013 to capture the city’s unique character culminated with the launch of The Loop, a 9.5-kilometre 3.5-hour walk that winds visitors through urban Winnipeg’s historic, cultural, architectural and modern-day gems. This project was developed in collaboration with area stakeholders who recognized the value in packaging our past, present and future in a way that best articulates Winnipeg’s enduring spirit of entrepreneurialism and adventure.
Directing much of Tourism Winnipeg’s activities over the past year is its 2011-2015 Master Tourism Plan, which was substantially updated in 2013. This comprehensive plan guides the city’s tourism development and visitation growth efforts and creates compelling synergies in establishing Winnipeg as a desirable four-season destination for meetings and conventions, sports and special events, and travel trade, as well as a destination for leisure travellers.
An electronic copy of EDW’s 2013 annual report will be available following the AGM via its brand new website at www.economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com, which will be officially unveiled at this morning’s event.
Media is invited to attend EDW’s annual general meeting today at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel in ballroom B/C, located in downtown Winnipeg at 350 St Mary Avenue. The event starts at 11 a.m. Interviews will be welcomed immediately following formal proceedings.
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About Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW) is the lead economic development agency for Winnipeg. EDW facilitates investment promotion and attraction, capacity building, tourism development, marketing and the management of market information. By applying competitive intelligence and by fostering relationships with industry leaders, government officials and community stakeholders, potential opportunities and innovation drivers are evaluated to develop key industries and define future economic growth. EDW supports targeted sector development and promotes Winnipeg’s diverse economy and high quality of life.
EDW leads global investment attraction, and local business retention and expansion, with its YES! Winnipeg initiative. YES! Winnipeg’s business development team assists in the creation and retention of jobs, identifies opportunities that attract new investment, focuses on expansion and helps local entrepreneurs launch new commercial ventures.
Tourism Winnipeg is the city’s official destination marketing organization tasked with increasing visitation and delivering the best possible visitor experience. A division of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc., Tourism Winnipeg’s mission is to facilitate a healthy, prosperous, responsible and fully integrated tourism industry that enhances Winnipeg’s economic growth through the acquisition of meetings, conventions, sports and events, group travel and leisure tourism.
www.economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com
For further information, please contact:
Croft Petersmeyer
Director, Marketing & Communications
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Phone: 204.954.1961 Cell: 204.898.4866
Email: croft@economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com
