KEDCO Update: Week Ending June 21, 2013

Published on: 2013/06/23 - in Releases

HIGHLIGHTS OF RECENT PROGRESS & ACTIVITIES

Business Development

On June 19, Jan Dines, Business Development Officer departed for Brazil for a seven day agri-business lead generation mission.

Dines will conduct one-on-one meetings and sales calls with Food and Beverage Trade Commissioners, the Brazilian Association of Food and Beverage Exporters and Importers (ABBA), the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro Industries (ACRJ) and other agri-business stakeholders.

She will also attend the SIAL Brazil Food Show hosted by the Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL) Group and the BioBrazil Fair. SIAL Brazil is expected to have over 500 exhibiting brands and over 15,000 professional visitors. The BioBrazil Fair will attract leading producers, manufacturers, distributers and importers of organic food products.

Dines will market Kingston as a competitive place to invest as part of KEDCO’s focus on the attraction of food processing and manufacturing businesses.

The Entrepreneur Centre at the KEDCO is pleased to support the launch of 19 new student run businesses as part of the annual Summer Company program.

The Entrepreneur Centre administers Kingston’s Summer Company program on behalf of Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment. Summer Company businesses this year include social media marketing, digital media solutions, a power skating program, and a guided canoe tour company.

Kingston’s Summer Company businesses will be featured in a weekly profile by the Kingston EMC newspaper to promote their product or service to the public.

Tourism

On June 15, Tourism Kingston wrapped up a successful Kingston Tourism Awareness Week.

Kingston residents were encouraged to be a visitor in their own city and participate in incentives such as a museum passport program and 2-for-1 trolley rides. Almost 500 residents and tourism partners participated in this week-long event.

Corporate

KEDCO staff Jeff Garrah and Paula Drouin volunteered their time for the 2013 Garrison Ball which was held on June 8 at the Fort Frontenac Officer’s Mess.

The Kingston Garrison Ball is a gala event which helps to support the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre (KMFRC) and Soldier On. Close to $20,000 was raised through sponsorships, a silent auction, a live auction and through direct donation for these two charities.

The KEDCO offices will be closed on Monday, July 1 in observance of the Canada Day holiday. The office will re-open on Tuesday, July 2 at 8:30am. Tourism Kingston’s Visitor Information Centre at 209 Ontario Street will be open on Canada Day from 9:30am – 8:00pm.

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Release source: Kingston Economic Development Corporation