Features
2011 in Review By John G. Jung, CEO, CTT
International Programs We hosted a robust international program with participation from municipal, academic and business leaders. Efforts resulted in a wealth of outcomes, including various MOUs, new foreign offices, connections with leaders in government, industry and academia – all while raising the profile of Waterloo Region on the international stage. Business Missions We embarked on three international business missions, each of which was led by a Waterloo Region Mayor, and comprised of leaders in industry and academia. Business Mission to China – Shanghai, Chongqing/Chengdu and Beijing - This delegation led by City of Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig included participants from CTT, Wilfrid Laurier, Gowlings, University of Waterloo, GPC Industrial Products and Lightway Solar. Successes included the opening of Wilfrid Laurier-CTT joint office, MOUs with Chongqing Industrial Service Port and Chongqing State-owned Assets Supervisions and Administration Commission. John Jung, Mayor Craig, and John Hiscock were all speakers at APEC – the Asia Pacific Economic Conference. Business Mission to Brazil - This delegation led by City of Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr included participants from CTT, University of Waterloo, City of Cambridge, Christie Digital, Desire2Learn, OpenText, Exchange Magazine, and Logikor. Outcomes included MOUs signed between the University of Waterloo and two prestigious Brazilians education institutes – the Pontifica Universidade Catolica do Rio de Janeiro and CAPES (the education ministry). Waterloo Delegation to Chongqing - This delegation led by City of Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran included participants from CTT, City of Waterloo, University of Waterloo, Miller Thomson, Logikor, Gowlings and Christie Digital. The delegation attended the grand opening of the Waterloo Park garden replica at the Chongqing (with whom Waterloo has a friendship agreement) Garden Expo as well as new business meetings and followed up on MOUs and connections made during the May business mission. Waterloo Participation in Intelligent Community Foundation Forum in New Taipei City, Taiwan - John G. Jung, CEO of Canada’s Technology Triangle, and co-founder of Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) and City of Waterloo Mayor and Intelligent Community Forum Foundation (ICFF) Chairman Brenda Halloran joined experts from global intelligent cities and related academic and professional areas to at the 2011 Intelligent Cities Forum in New Taipei City. The forum shared experiences on the building of intelligent cities, and interchange of ideas on creating industry innovation environment and intelligent life development – on which Waterloo is regarded as a model city. Governor General David Johnston State Visit to Singapore - John G. Jung joined Canadian delegation representing a variety of fields—including education, innovation and trade promotion, and culture— to share experiences with Singaporean counterparts. These exchanges provided greater visibility to bilateral co-operation in various sectors, particularly in education and economic development. Targeted Investment Attraction Programs We partnered with many pan-regional initiatives which allowed for collaboration with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) and DFAIT. Headquarters and International Marketing Centre (IMC) offices of MEDT as well as Canadian Embassy’s, High Commission’s and Consulates are an integral part of our Investment Attraction Team. Our collaboration with foreign Consulates and Trade Organizations also allow us to share “What’s in the Water” in Waterloo Region with global prospects. Some of our main investment attraction programs included:
Research Initiatives Waterloo Region Collaborative Research Group - A collaboration between Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc. (CTT) and Laurier’s Centre for Economic Development and Policy Analysis (LCERPA) will establish a collaborative framework across the Waterloo Region among organizations interested in economic issues, through the coordination of consistent, reliable research and data acquisition. Economic Outlook 2012 - Ann Gray, Director of Corporate Development & Administration, participated in a panel discussion run by Laurier's School of Business & Economics as part of the Economic Outlook speaker series. The Economic Outlook speaker series has been run by Laurier's School of Business & Economics for almost two decades. It brings together members of the community, students, faculty, alumni and business professionals to hear what the experts have to say about the future prospects for our economy. Waterloo Region Community Profile - We obtained and analyzed data from Stats Canada, and various other sources, to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date snapshot of the economy, demographics, sectors, research strengths, workforce, cost of living, and recreational opportunities. Waterloo Region Creative Talent Strategy - We successfully secured ICCI funding to develop the Waterloo Region Creative Talent Study, matched through syndication by several regional partners to identify opportunities to attract and retain creative talent. The purpose of the study was to discover and map local assets, connect these assets and have them work together, and create new opportunities for future initiatives. CTT Benchmarking Report - We undertook a study with Amer and Associates that analyzed the economic impact of 12 of 60 investment attraction wins over the last decade. Results indicate a $309 Million contribution to the Waterloo economy each year in direct, indirect and induced impacts from the 12 deals examined. Facilitative Leadership In the true spirit of collaboration and working together to attain goals, we recognize that every success has a ripple effect that impacts and aids in the success of other initiatives. We live “collaboration” through the formation and active participation in initiatives made up of representatives spanning business and various interest groups, including the Prosperity Council, Creative Enabling Enterprise Organization (CEEO), Barnraisers, and Waterloo Region Tourism Marketing Corporation. Events We built a program of local events to reinforce our international programs, including monthly Chairman’s Breakfasts focussing on themes around the global business environment, luncheons and dinners with international speakers such as Paul Bedford, Waterfront Toronto Urban Design Review Panel, a member of the National Capital Commission Planning Advisory Committee in Ottawa, a Board Member of Metrolinx, and a Senior Associate of the Canadian Urban Institute; Colley Huang, the IT Advisor to the President of Taiwan and Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Foreign Investment Vice-president at Proexport, Colombia’s national entity for the promotion of Foreign Direct Investment, non-traditional exports and international tourism. Larger events such as Passport to Success, and the International Ambassador Reception and Dinner (feat. former Prime Minister the Right Honourable Joe Clark) gave consul generals, ambassadors, and international business leaders hands-on experience with the unique business ecosystem in Waterloo Region. Looking Ahead We are keen to work together for the betterment of this region and have demonstrated this time and again in our collective efforts, such as promoting development of the LRT and the pursuit of productivity and sending a common message across the region and to the world as we begin to look together at the branding of the region. LCERPA Economic Outlook 2012: Moving Slowly...is there a problem ahead?
Ann's presentation focussed on recent trends in manufacturing and information and communications technolgy. "Despite a decline in traditional manufacturing (which has occurred nationally), Waterloo Region is still the second most manufacturing-intense economy in Canada. In fact, our Region is regarded as one of Canada's model economies, based on our ability to innovate not only in high-tech, but in manufacturing as well." Ann also spoke to the fact that Waterloo Region is recogonized as one of North America's prominent advanced tech clusters - and has the unique advantage of being able to overlay leadership in automotive and advanced production technologies with software, information, communication, imaging, laser, and other leading technologies. In terms of ICT, Ann reported high growth - citing an increase of 330 companies over the past 3 years. Ann also touched on CTT's contributions to the local economy, "A recent study completed by Amer and Associates analyzed the impact of 12 of our 60 successful investment attractions or 'wins' over the past decade. Results show a $309 million annual contribution in direct, indirect and induced impacts." CTT, along with municipal, academic, corporate and community partners, will continue to target international opportunities for foreign direct investment in manufacturing and information and communications technology that make sense for the Region. The Economic Outlook speaker series has been run by Laurier's School of Business & Economics for almost two decades. It brings together members of the community, students, faculty, alumni and business professionals to hear what the experts have to say about the future prospects for our economy. The themes explored at Economic Outlook integrate current microeconomic and policy issues with the broader issues of international trade, globalization and the macro-economy. The event also featured a keynote address by Craig Alexander, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist, TD Bank Group. >>View all photos from this event Waterloo Region: Take Root and Thrive
Canada's Technology Triangle -- Waterloo Region is a blend of vibrant urban and rural living. It is a cultural and recreational mosaic of opportunity to pursue career, passions and lifestyle activity. Enriched by artists, writers, and musicians, theatre performers, and the many nations represented by the immigrant population, the Region offers an authentic and unique 'high-tech-academic-cultural-culinary' experience. Typical events like free public lectures on hot topics in physics research, orchestra performances of 'Loony Tunes' favourites, and world-class golf courses are all a day in the life in Waterloo Region. Regional Economic Development News
ICF to Announce First International Institute in Stratford, Canada Developer eyes downtown incentives worth millions The Invention of Waterloo EventsUpcoming EventsStay-tuned for announcements early in the new year regarding our Chairmans Breakfast Series and other intiatives! Past Events3rd Annual International Reception and Dinner - A CTT Ambassador Event
The event closed a day long visit of Ambassadorial and consular representatives from nearly 20 countries including the United States, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Brazil, India, and Russia. The purpose was to tour the Region’s world class companies and institutions, which included Googles facility in Kitchener, The School of Architecture in Cambridge and Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo. [Photo left, International Ambassadors and Consul Generals with the Right Honourable Joe Clark at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture in Cambridge. ] >> View all VIP Waterloo Region tour photos Mr. Clark articulated that Canada is doing reasonably well, despite the recent economic troubles in other parts of the world. Sharing his views to a crowd of nearly 300, Clark stated that Canada cannot rely so heavily on physical assets, such as our resource wealth. Instead, Clark outlined the importance of collaboration as we move forward into uncertain economic times, and pointed to Waterloo Region as an example. Said Clark, "I'm very much interested in the idea of community, which you exemplify here, the idea that highly accomplished individuals can enlarge the lives of everyone by pursuing common goals. That has become the modern trademark of Waterloo Region. World class Universities, Colleges, industries, institutes working together in communities where people want to live." A special thanks goes out to our speaker and event sponsors including RIM, Logikor, The BLM Transportation Group, Cowan Insurance Group, DFAIT, Miller Thomson, Waterloo Inn, Brentwood Livery, 570 News, Bearskin Airlines, CIGI, and Thomasz Adamski Photography. Business DevelopmentCelebrating Solar at CANSIA 2011 By David Heppler, Business Development Officer, CTT
This CanSIA conference this year (held in Toronto, Ontario) featured over 225 exhibitors, 60 speakers, and 4200 professionals (comprised of governments, ENGOs, financial services, architects, developers, builders, start-ups, and solar product and service providers). This event provided an unparalleled opportunity to network with influential industry leaders, and government officials and a venue ideal for catching up with the latest developments in technology and legislation. Keynote presentations by the Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources; the Honourable Chris Bentley, Ontario’s Minister of Energy; and Colin Anderson, CEO, Ontario Power Authority spoke to the strength and potential of the solar industry in Ontario. The Solar industry continues to impress those of us who are tracking its growth and technology. This enthusiasm was demonstrated throughout the conference. Most exhibitors were introducing improvements to previous models or completely new innovative technology to better serve the solar industry in Canada. Overall, attendees were encouraged by this determination to continuously improve efficiencies and performance from this green energy source. I look forward to assisting future solar industry players in establishing themselves in the Waterloo Region, where the diverse, innovative, collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit of the region will give them that much needed edge to succeed. Please contact me at David Heppler, david@techtriangle.com or 519-747-2541 ext. 502. PartnersCTT relies on its private sector partners for financial support, advice and expertise. With their help, we have attracted over 60 new companies to Waterloo Region over the years. We wanted to give special thanks this month to our longest running partners, Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. (supporter since 2002) and Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel (since 2003). Other partners that have renewed their CTT support for more than five years include Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Miller Thomson LLP, Bank of Montreal, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, McDonald-Green and University of Waterloo. We appreciate all our partners, and invite you to consider joining this stellar group of local leading companies. Contact Ann Gray, Director of Corporate Development at ann@techtriangle.com or 519.747.2541 ext. 102 for more information on becoming a CTT partner. Our Municipal PartnersOur Corporate PartnersGoldEmerald
Silver Community Canada's Technology Triangle Inc is the not-for-profit, public-private regional economic development partnership marketing Waterloo Region to the world. Its mandate is to attract new businesses, investment and talent, while promoting regional economic growth. The organization works closely with the Economic Development Departments of its partner municipalities, member-based business organizations and the four post-secondary educational institutions. The area known as Canada’s Technology Triangle includes Waterloo Region, the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo and the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich. 260 King Street West, 3rd Floor, Kitchener, ON N2G 1B6 | 519-747-2541 | info@techtriangle.com. |
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© 2011 Canada's Technology Triangle Inc. |
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