2009 - A Great Journey...

by John G. Jung, CEO, Canada's Technology Triangle Inc

The end of the year always seems to call for a time of reflection and review of the past 12 months. It is just as clearly a time of excitement – you get to look back on successes, evaluate challenges, and in all honesty, get to plan for the coming year. For CTT Inc we have spent the past year enhancing how we communicate the Waterloo Region to the world, and ways to continue to take an innovative, collaborative, diverse and entrepreneurial way of doing this even more so in 2010.

2009 was a year of new investment attraction including “wins” such as Schoeck Canada, Gabbae, and Rimowa, among others to the Region. In the four sectors of Advanced Manufacturing, Information and Communications Technology, Business and Financial Services, and Health and Life Sciences there was a total of 81 opportunities met by the Business Development Team. We have traveled the world spreading the message of the benefits of Waterloo Region as the ultimate place to do business. We are currently and will actively continue to work with several foreign companies in the green/cleantech sector, foreign automotive sector, and other areas of focus in the coming year.

This year marked the implementation of a new 5-year Strategic Plan that will help to guide the team in the coming years, and lead to new enticing heights. With the support of Invest Canada – Community Initiatives (ICCI) we were able to provide and participate in a number of local and international ventures. A highlight of this past year was CTT’s German Mission in November which consisted of a team of 10 business professionals from the Waterloo Region and supporters who visited German businesses. The mission included a focus on the Ontario Green Energy Act and its opportunities resulting from the new Feed-in-Tariff. As well, our international travels took us to Europe, China, New Zealand, Australia and the United States where we were given an opportunity to speak to international audiences about the Waterloo Region's competitive advantages. We even took over 35 representatives from this region to attend Intelligent Community Forum's Summit in New York City in May.

As part of the enhancing image of CTT, we have embarked on some interesting new marketing initiatives. A video showcasing great urban design covering a number of key sites in the Region, a CTT Inc Newsletter titled “The Triangle”, and a CTT Inc Blog were introduced in 2009. We also continue to present innovative ideas and opinions in our local media, such as the series on developing successful cities in the Business Times.

CTT Inc was also pleased to see the Ontario Technology Corridor (OTC) awarded by the IEDC for Excellence in Economic Development this past October. Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc along with OCRI, among others, was a founding member of the OTC.

The ‘Big Ideas’ Charrette, and a new series of Chairman’s Breakfast Roundtable discussions were two additional ventures we developed and participated in this year. Events like these allow a true feeling of camaraderie as the community collaborates to generate innovative ideas that will continue to transform Waterloo Region and make us a top choice for investors.

A closing feature for the year included the International Reception and Dinner Ambassador Event with keynote speaker, Thomas Homer-Dixon held on December 3rd. Attracting over 15 Consul Generals from Australia, China, Japan, Namibia, the UK and others, this was one of the largest gatherings of Consul Generals at an event in our Region.

The past 12 months have been filled with interesting, unique and exceptional opportunities and experiences. Waterloo Region truly is a vivacious and cutting-edge community. There is no doubt that 2010 will bring new ventures and ways to share with the world who we are and why we are the optimum choice for commerce, industry and lifestyle.

At this time I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at CTT, the Board and all of our partners on the Advisory Committee for all their support and commitment to this community. We look forward to continuing this collaboration into an even more exciting 2010!

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About Canada's Technology Triangle Inc

Canada'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.