News & Updates

 

There are many reasons to attend the 2016 IEDC Annual Conference. Here are ten - and these are only the beginning. 

1. Make Connections with 1,500 Of Your Peers

From networking receptions, to sessions, to the bustling halls, this conference has numerous opportunities to meet and network with 1,500 people from around the world who are involved with economic development.

2. Exclusive International Dinner and Social Hour

IEDC likes to provide thanks to our international-based attendees with an exclusive appreciation dinner Sunday evening of the conference. Sign-up today to join this complimentary dinner and social hour, an annual favourite. 

3. Special Canadian Discounted Registration - Save over $160USD

As a Canadian-based attendee, you have a special registration rate that places the CAD on part with the USD. For instance, $720USD will be charged at $720 Canadian Dollar. To receive this special rate, register online and enter coupon code ANNUAL16 at checkout. The on par only applies to registration, and additional events and tours are in USD.

4. Save even more money by bringing colleagues

Want to save even more? Bring a delegation of five or more and save $160 each. Contact IEDC to learn more.

5. Boost your Knowledge - Choose From Over 60 Learning Labs, Sessions, and Luncheons

Check out the information packed program for where you will find multiple learning opportunities for cutting edge trends, case-studies, and knowledge that you can take back and replicate in your service area.

6. Join Learning Tours for Live Case Studies

Join one of the many tours offered to visit businesses, neighbourhoods, and organizations in Cleveland for a unique learning opportunity. 

7. Hear From Speakers From Around The World

There will be over thirty international-based speakers from around the globe ready to share their knowledge. Check out the speakers from the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Turkey, and more.

8. Meet IEDC's International Partners

The conference brings together IEDC network from around the globe. Join the conference to meet representatives from IEDC's International Partners, including: 

-Economic Development Australia

-Hong Kong Trade Development Council

-Economic Developers Association of Canada

-The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies

-European Association of Development Agencies

-Center for Local Economic Development (CENLED)

-And multiple Canadian Provincial Associations

9. Explore Cleveland and It's Rocking Attitude

Cleveland, Ohio is like no place you have visited before. This Lake Erie bordered city has an inspirational story with its rebirth through reinvestment in institutions, infrastructures, and relationships. Cleveland offers thousands of arts, culture, food and brewery opportunities ready for you to explore.

10. Catch the early bird registration rate.

You must not wait. Sign-up today. Register before July 15 to take advantage of the early-bird registration and make the most of your special international discounted registration rate.

Whether learning from the hundreds of expert speakers, networking at the international dinner, or connecting with over 1,500 professional in-between sessions, this year's conference is an exciting opportunity for economic developers. See you in September!

On Monday, the Ontario Government announced that, commencing July 1, 2016, there will be some significant changes to the Customer Service Standard under the AODA. 

The first concerns the definition of a large organization. Up to now, under the Customer Service Standard, an organization was considered large if it had 20+ employees. This was in contrast to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) which defined a large organization as being one with 50+ employees. As of July 1^st onwards, organizations with 50+ employees will be considered large under the Customer Service Standard, as well as the IASR.

Secondly, under the previous accessible customer service standard, you only had to train the members of your organization who worked with customers or create policies and procedures on how to interact with people with different disabilities.

Effective July 1, 2016, you must train all members of your organization on accessible customer service and how to interact with people with different disabilities.

The training requirement with respect to the other accessibility standards under the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation remains the same.  This means that you must continue to train all staff on:

• areas of the accessibility standards that are relevant to their work responsibilities:
  

o    employment

o    information and communications

o    transportation

o    design of public spaces

• the Ontario Human Rights Code (where it relates to people with disabilities)
  
• when you make any changes to your accessibility policies
  

Useful tools: Government of Ontario- Link to quick reference guide explaining the changes to the accessible customer service standard

Information on the Government of Ontario website outlines the complete requirements for the customer service standard, including the changes that take effect July 1: https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-make-customer-service-accessible

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) was in Sault Ste. Marie recently to sign a historic agreement to increase cooperation and coordination in support of manufacturers. The agreement sets out terms for greater collaboration with the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) which provides leadership to enhance the professional development of its members; advance economic development as a profession and support our municipalities in fostering economic prosperity in the province of Ontario.

The event was also a chance to explore the challenges that face manufactures in the north as well as opportunities to be build capacity to help these companies to grow.

CME is in town to also promote the Smart Productivity Assessment Program. Through FedNor's Targeted Manufacturing Initiative for Northern Ontario, the SMART Productivity Assessments program was created to assist and support Northern Ontario manufacturers improve their operations. Under this program, CME can contribute 50 percent of the eligible costs to a maximum of $15,000 to help companies identify opportunities in the areas of product and process improvements, quality, lean manufacturing, information systems, human resources, management systems, and market analysis.

For more information contact Paul Clipsham at paul.clipsham@cme-mec.ca

This press release originally appeared on the CME Ontario website.

In a new blog post for economicdevelopment.org, Jennifer Schnier (MAES, Ec.D(F), CEcD) argues that economic developers are overworked and under compensated. Can economic developers achieve a better work-life balance? Read the full article to find out!

Excerpt: "The time has come to review traditional work hours and determine how the economic development professional can continue to meet the changing needs of our economy without burning out in the meantime. This is important to me because I hear of tensions in the workplace from the many colleagues I meet at various conferences for economic development. I knew this was not an isolated problem and wanted to provide some quantifiable context to the issue.  My theory is that administrators need to better understand the economic landscape to gain the necessary assurances that work can be completed by EDPs with increased levels of autonomy.   In my major research paper for the University of Waterloo’s Local Economic Development master’s program, I had the opportunity to build support for my theory and explore the barriers faced by EDPs in their work environment."

The Municipality of North Middlesex is seeking proposals for a qualified Consultant to work with Council, staff and the community to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. The Strategic Plan is to be both an integrated Council-Staff plan and a Community Plan that considers all aspects of the Municipality. For complete information please click here.

Sealed proposals to be received by 10am EST on Friday, May 13, 2016 and addressed to:

Marsha Paley, Chief Administrative Officer,

Municipality of North Middlesex,

PO Box 9, 229 Parkhill Main Street,

Parkhill, ON N0M 2K0

Marked “RESPONSE TO RFP FOR STRATEGIC PLAN”

Don't miss your opportunity to earn certification points while learning about the most requested topics requested by you, the members.  The EDCO Spring Symposium will take place May 18/19, 2016 in beautiful Sault Ste. Marie.  Porter Airlines has not only offered a generous discount by President and CEO Robert Deluce will be a guest speaker on May 18, 2016 wrapping up Day One of our event.   Air Canada has also provided a generous discount for travel to Sault Ste. Marie - check it out, it is more affordable than one realizes.  Room rates at the Delta Sault Ste. Marie are also very affordable and won't break your professional development budget.  Now is the time to connect with your Northern and Southern Ontario colleagues!  Click here for complete info - don't delay, register today!

EDCO is now accepting registrations for the first ever Spring Symposium taking place May 18-19, 2016 in beautiful Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.  For complete information click here. 

Registrations are now being accepted for the Economic Development and Marketing Attraction course being offered by IEDC in Toronto on March 22 & 23, 2016.  Don't delay in securing your spot for this fast paced, leading edge course on how to put your organization on investor's radars.  The course is being offered at par in Canadian dollars offering great value.  This is one of IEDC's most popular courses and just in time for CEcD recertification.  Click here to learn more and register. 

Congratulations to the winners of the EDCO Awards of Excellence program ceremony during the President's Gala at the EDCO Conference and Showcase in Toronto on February 4, 2016.

Please click here for a complete list of winners! 

Seneca College has announced a new Sustainable Planning and Development Program.  EDCO was pleased to submit a letter of support for the program.  The content for the program can be viewed at the link below, but has some interesting components as it relates to economic development.

http://www.senecacollege.ca/ce/environment/environ-sustain/sustainable-planning-development.html