EDCO Exchange June 2016

June 2016

EDCO 2017 Annual Conference- Save the Date!

EDCO will be holding it's first 60th Annual Conference from February 7-9, 2017 at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel. Ontario's Economy: Driven by Innovation is a theme supports our futuristic vision of EDCO.

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements!

Save the Date: Northern Ontario Tourism Summit November 14-16, 2016

The Northern Ontario Tourism Summit is back and staff are working to get ready for this year's event in Sudbu ry, Ontario! This year's summit will take place at the Sudbury Holiday Inn on November 14th - 16th. Please save the date for the the hottest tourism event of the year!

EDCO Committees Seeking Volunteers - Get Involved!

Expand Your Network and Shape EDCO's Future

EDCO Committees are looking for interested volunteers. This is an excellent way to inject your ideas into your association.

Would you like to be involved in EDCO's annual Awards process? We are looking for members to join the Awards Committee. The committee meets on a regular basis throughout the year and members can expect to devote approximately 3 hours per month to committee involvement.

Past committee members speak of gaining a new perspective relative to their economic development projects after joining this group. Being involved in the adjudication process puts a whole new spin on future initiatives.

If you are interested in representing your organization or municipality in EDCO activities, please email Brittany at [email protected]

Ontario's Tourism Action Plan Released- EDCO Featured!

Ontario is launching a Tourism Action Plan that outlines steps the government can take now to strengthen and grow tourism in the province. Ontario's Tourism Action Plan is a first step in the government's work on the longer-term Strategic Framework for Tourism, and signals their renewed commitment to collaborate with the industry to grow tourism in the province.

The plan is now available on our website , and if you scroll through to page 12, EDCO is mentioned as a key collaborator!

Nominations for 2017-2019 EDCO Board of Directors Now Being Accepted!

To be eligible, the nominated member must be an active member in good standing that has consented to allow his/her name to stand. Four active members in support are required on the nomination form.

Elections will take place by electronic ballots. Successful candidates will be announced at EDCO's 60th Annual Conference and Showcase to be held at the Downtown Marriott Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ontario February 7-9, 2017. Nominations are due by September 16, 2016.

Remember, your Council is only as good as the participation of its members. Let your name stand for election!

Download the Nomination form!

Toronto Launches Digital Main Street Business Platform

Toronto Mayor John Tory launched an innovative new online business support platform, the first of its kind worldwide, at digitalmainstreet.ca .

Digital Main Street was developed by the City of Toronto and TABIA with advisory and web development services from Kinetic Cafe. The project was developed in consultation with Toronto's BIAs, technology companies and main street businesses, and was piloted in three Toronto BIAs.

Features of the Digital Main Street program include:
*Website - Main street businesses receive a digital assessment, which is a roadmap for digital adoption. The digital assessment contains a 'to-do' list and recommendations to trusted technology providers who can help businesses meet their goals.
*Digital Service Squad - Developed in partnership with George Brown College, students and recent graduates will assist the main street businesses in completing their digital assessments and onboarding basic technologies.
*BIAcademy - A suite of learning and development opportunities focused on helping main street businesses adopt and sustain new technologies.
*BIA Lab - A business incubator for retail innovation startups that will match technology companies with main street businesses to test and scale their technologies.
*38 technology companies providing services as free trials or at a discounted rate.