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Are you eligible?

The Bright Ideas Competition is open to any EDCO member. 

What's the cost?

$25 plus HST

How do I register?

Complete the online registration form here! 


 Bright Ideas Competition Handbook

The Bright Ideas Competition is an annual idea competition for economic development practitioners of all experience levels. It is designed to give economic developers from across Ontario the opportunity to develop a modern response to proposed topics, have the work evaluated and receive 5 professional certification points towards your designation.

Join your fellow colleagues and team up to take on one of today’s prominent economic development challenges. Propose a modern solution in a risk-free working environment and help create a resource that will better improve our economic development community.


2021 Competition Topics

  1. Disaster Preparedness & Economic Resilience – The Covid-19 Pandemic has brought many difficulties to communities of all sizes in Ontario. Rebuilding and redeveloping after these costly  events has made many communities realize they are not aware, or not prepared for recovery efforts. In selecting this topic, competition teams will be looking to better understand how communities can prepare for disasters and be more resilient to the challenges disasters bring.
  2. Tackling Diversity in the Economic Development Profession – There is a lack of diversity within the economic development profession, which is reflected in the make-up of many economic development organizations. So, how do you create diversity within your economic development organization? In selecting this topic, competition teams will be looking to better understand how economic development organizations and beyond can support the growth of diversified talent.
  3. Tourism Recovery – Tourism’s revival and growth post-pandemic is dependent on the ability of tourism businesses to engage in community-led strategies. In selecting this topic, competition teams will be looking to better understand how economic development organizations can help local tourism stakeholders with navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for a strong recovery. 
  4. Coping with Housing and Commercial Real Estate Demand – In presence of rapid population growth occurring in rural parts of Ontario, several economic development organizations have been scrambling to field questions on how its community can cope with growth both from a residential concern (housing stock/amenities for a larger population) and commercial/industrial concern (available local employment/land for employment). In selecting this topic, competition teams will be looking to better understand how communities can prepare and manage an influx of  growth.
  5. Building Better Communities through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – While the pressures of this global pandemic have revealed fissures in dated and inequitable patterns of economic development, it has also given economic development professionals the opportunity to better understand the diverse needs of their community. In selecting this topic, competition teams will be looking to better understand how diversity, equity, and inclusion has the potential to build and transform communities.

2020 Competition

2019 Competition

  • Bright Ideas Competition Officially Launched at #EDCO2019

    30 Jan 2019 11:21 AM | Kerri Schuttel

    The EDCO Bright Ideas Competition officially launched at the 62nd Annual Conference and Showcase in Toronto, ON. 

    Jason Dias, Bright Ideas Committee Member and Past-Chair of the EDCO Young Professionals Network explained "the Bright Ideas Competition is your chance to solve some of economic development’s biggest challenges, embark on a journey of learning, explore new solutions and experience what it’s like to work with like-minded colleagues from across the province."

    During the competition, economic development practitioners will work in teams to explore local economic development issues, tackle the issues and present their innovative ideas, giving an additional resource to EDCO members.

    The Economic Developers Association of Canada will award 5 certification points to participating individuals and the finalist teams will gain recognition by presenting at #EDCO2020 conference in Toronto.

    To register, visit www.edco.on.ca/Bright-Ideas. The cost to participate is $25 per person.

  • Earn 5 EDAC Points by participating in the Bright Ideas Competition

    17 Jan 2019 9:48 AM | Kerri Schuttel

    EDCO is excited to announce that participants of the Bright Ideas Competition will receive 5 certification points from the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC).

    The Bright Ideas Competition is an opportunity for professional growth in an experiential setting.  The competition is two-years in the making and will officially launch at EDCO's 62nd Annual Conference & Showcase.

    Registration will take place between January 31, 2019 and April 30, 2019.

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