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2009 - A Great Journey...by John G. Jung, CEO, Canada's Technology Triangle IncRegional Economic Development News
View all Regional Economic Development News CTT Inc's Past ActivitiesNovember 19-20, 2009 - Regional CharretteCTT Inc hosted the Big Ideas Charrette at the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture in Cambridge. Business people, municipal officials and students from Conestoga College, University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University fastened the straps on their thinking caps and came up with some great ideas for development in Waterloo Region. Six potential development sites across the Region were pre-selected by an organizing committee and participants eagerly signed on. Thank you and congratulations to all those who participated and helped energize development ideas in Waterloo Region while preparing the first steps in broader urban planning, investment, and tourism promotional opportunities. We would like to extend a thank you to the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada as this project was made possible in part by the Invest Canada – Community Initiatives (ICCI) program. We would also like to thank the Region of Waterloo for sponsoring the honorariums, the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo for their background papers, the University of Waterloo School of Architecture for use of their facilities and staff support, and Compass Promotions for organizing the charrette. Photos of the event can be viewed here. November 22-27, 2009 - Business Mission to Germany A highly successful Business Mission to Germany wrapped up on November 27th. CTT Inc and its partners from across the Waterloo Region journeyed to Germany to explore the theme of Green Energy/Clean Tech. A key area of the mission’s focus was on Wind Technologies. During this time there was an exchange of knowledge and experience between Canadian and international companies, organizations and individuals, primarily in the field of green energy and clean technologies. This was also an opportunity for us to promote Canadian products and services to the German (and European) markets, identify investment attraction opportunities in Germany, and develop a long-term strategy for follow-up, including the possibility of a follow-up visit in 2010 reconnecting with contacts made. One of our participants, Dietmar Sommerfeld of CB Richard Ellis commented upon his return from the mission, "The Germany Mission was very well organized. Each visit was filled with interesting and useful information. The information which host business's shared with our group is a testament to the credibility of CTT and the very real desire which German Industries have to explore business opportunities in Ontario and the Waterloo Region. I will definitely be interested in future Missions. Thanks for the excellent work!" We would like to extend a thank you to the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada and the Invest Canada – Community Initiatives (ICCI) program as this project was made possible in part by their support. We would also like to thank 2 Market International for organizing and coordinating the mission. Thank you to all who participated in this event as Ambassadors for our region. December 3, 2009 - International Reception and Dinner Ambassador Event CTT Inc and our Co-Hosts from the Waterloo Region, cities, and townships hosted our first International Reception & Dinner on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The sold-out event was another successful CTT Ambassador initiative. Consul officials from over a dozen countries started the day on a Familiarization Tour (FAM Tour) of the region followed by an evening of networking, dinner and presentation from keynote speaker, Thomas Homer-Dixon on the topic of world climate issues. We would like to extend a thank you to the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada as this project was made possible in part by the Invest Canada – Community Initiatives (ICCI) program. We would also like to thank BLM Transportation Group for sponsoring the keynote speaker, Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel for providing the venue and catering, and Compass Promotions for organizing the day. Photos of the event can be viewed here. December 7, 2009 – Commercialization Model for Life/Health and Environmental Sciences in Waterloo Region The Life Sciences Commercialization Model for the Waterloo Region report was presented on December 7th as the initial step toward growing the life and health sciences cluster, and the need for related wet lab space in the region. Led by Canada's Technology Triangle Inc, in partnership with the University of Waterloo and City of Kitchener, the overall purpose of this study was to determine through research and analysis if there is enough demand for experimental laboratory space and commercialization infrastructure in Waterloo Region for the emerging Life and Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences sectors. Whereby, a successful commercialization model exists for the IT sector, stakeholders are interested in transplanting these key success drivers in place to support commercialization in the life and health sciences cluster in Waterloo Region. We would like to extend a thank you to the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada and the Invest Canada – Community Initiatives (ICCI) program as this project was made possible in part by their support. December 7-11, 2009 – City of Waterloo's Friendship Agreement with Chongqing, China and CTT's Pre-mission to China John Jung, CTT's CEO was invited to participate with the Mayor Brenda Halloran of the City of Waterloo at the city’s Friendship Agreement signing with Chongqing China, the world’s largest municipality, and with WLU in attracting business and training delegations to the Waterloo Region. During this visit, John used the opportunity to make contacts at the Consulate in Chongqing and Embassy in Beijing to help to develop CTT's program for 2010 in China. John met with officials in other parts of SW China to better understand the opportunities for CTT and the Waterloo Region’s business community in China. John also met with key senior leaders and business executives throughout China to make initial contacts for our delegations in the future. CTT's mandate is in attracting investment, helping our businesses to expand and to attract talent to the region. Future business missions to China will help to meet these goals. We will work with our local institutions at WLU, UW and Conestoga College to attract training and business delegations as well as help them to recruit students; we will work with our local governments, including our Mayors and EDO’s to spread the message of the Waterloo Region as a competitive location in which to invest and do business; and we will work closely with our businesses to help them to take advantage of international opportunities in China and to potentially identify and secure partnerships in their areas of interest. As such, CTT will undertake its first Business Mission during the week of April 10-17, 2010 with further opportunities for delegates to consider attending a Hi-Tech Fair in Chongqing (April 8-11); and the potential to extend the program from April 18-20 to investigate other opportunities. CTT would like to thank Dr. Erin Tjam, Special Advisor to UW President David Johnston and Director of Research at St Mary's Hospital and WLU Dean Bruce Arai, who coordinated the visit. The staff at the WLU Chongqing Office and the support team at AE Advancement Canada were also extremely helpful. Finally, CTT thanks the Canadian Consulate office in Chongqing, especially Peter Liao, Trade Commissioner and Ryan Baerg, Senior Consul in Chongqing. Video of the signing ceremony can be viewed here. Investment Opportunitiesby W.T. (Bill) Elliot, Vice President, Business Development, CTT IncWaterloo Region is booming with industry champions in a multitude of sectors. To name a few of our ‘anchor’ tenants: we have leaders in ICT (Research In Motion), Manufacturing Automotive (Toyota), Insurance (Manulife), and Post Secondary Institutions (University of Waterloo). In addition, we are a region where there is an amazing selection of talent, and the lifestyle has a unique “urban-community” feel. Interested? Want to find out more about Waterloo Region and how CTT Inc can support you with business investment support, information and research? We are the place to start – a concierge service for your business. We look forward to having you join our community. For Business Professional Services, Information Communications + Technology (ICT), and Manufacturing please contact me at bill@techtriangle.com or 519.747.2541 ext. 403. For Cleantech and Health + Life Sciences please contact Catharine Gerhard at catharine@techtriangle.com or 519.747.2541 ext. 407. Want to find out more online? Check out the following pages on our website: Partner Profile - Gowlings
Partners in the NewsCTV News Announces the Top 10 Canadian News Stories of 2009 - December 20, 2009CTV KPMG Named Again Among Top 25 Family-Friendly Employers in Canada - December 16, 2009 KPMG LLP Scotiabank Keeps Customers Up-To-Date While On-the-Go - December 2, 2009 Scotiabank Our Municipal Partners
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About Canada's Technology Triangle IncCanada's Technology Triangle Inc is the not-for-profit, public-private regional economic development partnership marketing Waterloo Region and the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo 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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