Media Release
Economic Development Winnipeg's YES! Winnipeg Initiative to Celebrate Six Years of Success at Annual Investor Breakfast
November 3, 2016: Winnipeg, MB – YES! Winnipeg, an initiative within Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW), will officially mark its sixth year in operation today at its annual Investor Breakfast. Over 200 business leaders and collaborators are expected to attend today’s event.
Attendees will hear YES! Winnipeg leader Vince Barletta provide an update on his team’s progress to date, while EDW president and CEO Dayna Spiring will deliver the keynote address in which she will share recent efforts designed to streamline the corporation and position it as the go-to expert on the local economy. Following these remarks, Barletta will moderate an informal discussion between Spiring; Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen; and His Worship Mayor Brian Bowman.
“YES! Winnipeg does an exceptional job of supporting investment attraction and industry expansion throughout our city,” said Doug Harvey, president of Maxim Truck & Trailer and chair of YES! Winnipeg’s Investor Council. “Together with federal, provincial and municipal government agencies that recognize the importance of this initiative, I join both returning and new YES! Winnipeg investors in pledging our collective support to ensure YES! Winnipeg remains a vital asset within our evolving economy.”
EDW is the cornerstone upon which the YES! Winnipeg initiative is built. EDW provides market intelligence and marketing expertise that articulates Winnipeg’s value proposition and champions its economic growth, whereas YES! Winnipeg is a sales force that supports EDW’s efforts through proactive outreach geared toward business retention, expansion, attraction and launch activities.
“YES! Winnipeg is the great connector, connecting resources and people for success in business,” said Mike Fata, co-founder and CEO of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods. “When we were looking to expand, YES! Winnipeg provided a platform to share our message and brought together an audience of business leaders.”
Since its inception in 2011, YES! Winnipeg has helped more than 70 companies develop projects in Winnipeg, which are collectively expected to generate over $550 million in capital investment and nearly 4,500 jobs at maturity.
“Economic Development Winnipeg’s YES! Winnipeg initiative belongs to us all,” said YES! Winnipeg leader Vince Barletta. “Our city’s business leaders have been essential partners in securing the resources required to ensure YES! Winnipeg’s success. Thanks to the ongoing involvement of these visionaries, YES! Winnipeg can continue to be proactive in seeking new economic development opportunities that attract more jobs and investment to our community.”
Following last year’s official launch of Campaign 2020—to support YES! Winnipeg’s second five-year mandate spanning 2016 to 2020—nearly 120 investors have come forward to continue funding the initiative. A total of 10 clients representing nearly $65 million and over 850 jobs at maturity have since benefitted from YES! Winnipeg’s expertise. Notable successes include SkipTheDishes and Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods, both of which are expanding their Winnipeg operations to meet rising domestic and international demand; and Sycamore Energy, a provider of solar energy solutions for residential, commercial and agricultural customers committed to growing its business via alternative energy applications.
“YES! Winnipeg will remain a key component of EDW as I work toward unifying the entire team and equipping staff with the requisite knowledge and tools needed to deliver a more focused mandate,” said Dayna Spiring, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. “With authoritative and actionable market intelligence underpinning everything we’ll do, and similarly providing a rationale for what we won’t be doing, EDW can fully embrace its role as the experts in growing Winnipeg’s economy in targeted areas that will have the greatest impact. We’re playing to win like never before.”
Media is invited to today’s Investor Breakfast at the Fairmont Winnipeg, located in downtown Winnipeg at 2 Lombard Place. The event starts at 8 a.m. Spiring and Barletta will be available for interviews following formal proceedings. Other participants noted above may also be available for interviews, as commitments allow.
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About Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW) is the lead economic development agency for Winnipeg, encompassing EDW, YES! Winnipeg and Tourism Winnipeg. EDW champions Winnipeg’s economic growth and facilitates investment promotion and attraction, capacity building and the management of market data. EDW articulates Winnipeg’s value proposition and supports targeted sector analysis, encourages community and social development, and promotes Winnipeg’s diverse economy and high quality of life. EDW works collaboratively with government, academic and industry partners to stimulate Winnipeg’s economy and mobilize the city’s tourism development activities.
www.economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com
For more information, please contact:
Croft Petersmeyer
Director, Corporate Communications
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.
Phone: 204.954.1961 Cell: 204.898.4866
Email: croft@economicdevelopmentwinnipeg.com
