EDA News Centre

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) knows that economic development professionals have a unique skill set that can help to create vibrant and well balanced communities.

That is why EDA has collaborated with one of Canada's leading volunteer-driven development organizations- the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO).

Since 1967, CESO has completed over 46,000 assignments across Canada and in over 120 countries around the world. By supporting sustainable local development, CESO focuses on helping individuals and organizations to build strong, viable businesses and independent communities that will in turn create opportunities and a better quality of life for generations to come. More information here.


“By collaborating with CESO, EDA is able to profile volunteer opportunities for our members that can enhance their personal and professional development, while giving back to the global community,” says Leann Hackman-Carty, EDA’s Executive Director.

“In exchange for their time, members become involved with short-term, high impact economic development assignments that produce immediate, sustainable results to communities within Canada and in many other countries around the world. It is an exciting program, in need of professionals with community economic development expertise, which EDA members can offer.”

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Advisor for CESO, you can contact their Recruitment Manager Jennifer Filson directly at jfilson@ceso-saco.com or 1-800-268-9052 ext. 4100.

In addition, as community economic development opportunities are identified by CESO staff, EDA will make these available to our members.

The count down is on! EDA's Online Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) begins in less than a week so register now.

EDA and the University of Calgary are teaming up to give you the very first online CEDTP course, "Economic Development-Establishing the Foundation."

The date of this course is May 28 - June 25 with a total of 15 hours.

Because this is an online course you can receive the instruction when it is convenient for you from the comfort of your own home or office. You have until June 25 to complete the module.

This first course in our series provides the theory and fundamentals of economic development as well as concrete examples of how it can be applied to meet your specific needs.

There are just a few spots left in the Investment Development 101 Course being held in Calgary and Edmonton next week.
The 2-day courses are being delivered by Bernard Lemay PhD., Senior Advisor Investment Training at DFAIT.

Calgary, May 27-28
Edmonton, May 29-30

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA), Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, Calgary Economic Development and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) are partnering to bring you this overview of investment promotion, prospecting and services functions.

The Investment Development 101 Course is also a chance to network; it's a dynamic forum to discuss roles and responsibilities; and consolidates federal, provincial/territorial, regional and local partnerships.

Completion of the course is worth 6 points toward the EDAC EcD.

EDA's Community Economic Development Training Program (CEDTP) is now online. That means you will receive EDA's world-class training without leaving your desk.

EDA along with the University of Calgary are teaming up to give you the very first online CEDTP course; "Economic Development-Establishing the Foundation."

Our first online offering is also the first course in a series that will provide you with the knowledge and skills to become proficient in economic development.

"Economic Development-Establishing the Foundation" provides the theory and fundamentals of economic development as well as concrete examples of how it can be applied to meet your specific needs.

This course runs May 28 to June 25 with a total of 15 hours.

Click here to register now.

It was originally designed for business development officers working in DFAIT's Embassies and Consulants. In May, this session delivered by Bernard Lemay PhD, Senior Advisor, Investment Training at DFAIT will be available to YOU.
Economic Developers Alberta, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and Calgary Economic Development are teaming up with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) to bring its 2-day Investment Development 101 Course to Calgary, May 27-28, 2013 and to Edmonton May 29-30, 2013.
Click on those dates to register.
Focused on providing participants with an overview of investment promotion, prospecting and services functions, it also gives you a great networking opportunity, a dynamic forum to discuss roles and responsibilities, and consolidates federal, provincial/territorial, regional and local partnerships.

At this session you will acquire valuable information for your economic development practice such as:
Foreign Direct Investment - A global perspective
Overview of Invest in Canada Strategy
The main partners role
Investment processes
Introduction to Strategic Planning: Investment - Market Action Plan
Reasons to invest in Canada
Targeting potential investors
Introduction to company visits
Aftercare and BR&E
ICCI Program
In recognition of the key role partnerships play in DFAIT’s Foreign Direct Investment Strategy, DFAIT is now offering this course to its partners including federal (Posts & HQ Ottawa), provincial/territorial, regional and local governments.

Nancy Toombs

April 19, 2013
Brantford, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today launched consultations with businesses on the Canada Job Grant, an Economic Action Plan 2013 initiative that will create jobs by transforming the way Canadians receive skills training. He was accompanied by Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant.
“I am pleased to launch consultations on the Canada Job Grant,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “The Canada Job Grant will take skills-training choices out of the hands of government and put them where they belong: in the hands of employers with unfilled jobs and Canadians who want to work.”

Training in Canada is not sufficiently aligned to the skills employers need or to the jobs that are actually available. There are too many jobs that go unfilled in Canada because employers can’t find workers with the right skills. Meanwhile, there are still too many Canadians looking for work.

The Canada Job Grant will transform the way Canadians receive training. Canadians who have an offer for a new job or a better job may qualify for up to $15,000 or more to learn new skills to accept the new or better job, from a $5,000 maximum federal contribution and matching contributions from an employer and province or territory.

Today’s consultation in Brantford is the first of a series of consultations that will take place with stakeholder groups such as employer associations, educational institutions and labour organizations on the design of the Canada Job Grant.

(Calgary, AB) Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) has announced its newly elected 2013 Board of Directors. Each member is elected by the membership and serves a two-year term.

The Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) presented its annual Awards of Excellence during the Minister’s Dinner & Awards Banquet at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge. These awards honour Alberta communities and individuals for excellence in business attraction, retention, expansion and marketing.

A new award was introduced this year. The Outstanding Young Professional Award celebrates an EDA member under the age of 35 who demonstrates impressive professional achievements to date and future promise. The inaugural award was presented to Mr. Jordan Rumohr, Manager of Industrial Development, Strathcona County.

The association’s most prestigious honour, the Economic Developer of the Year Award, was presented to Ms. Bev Thornton, Executive Director, Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance. The award recognizes a member’s significant contribution to economic development in Alberta.

The Alex Metcalfe Award acknowledges individuals or agencies for excellence in economic development relating to the attraction, expansion or retention of business in Alberta. The 2013 Alex Metcalfe Awards went to:

Calgary Economic Development (Large Community category) for its Ireland-Scotland Labour Attraction Mission
Alberta SouthWest Regional Alliance (Medium Community category) for the Alberta SouthWest Regional Business License Program
The Marketing Alberta Awards showcase outstanding marketing initiatives that support economic development. This year, 19 awards were presented to:

Website:

(Large Community) – Calgary Regional Partnership, www.explorecalgaryregion.ca
(Medium Community) - City of Leduc, www.1calendar.ca
(Small Community) - Woodlands County. www.albertaicons.com
Special Events, Programs or Campaigns:

(Large Community) - Strathcona County, Savour Strathcona County
(Medium Community) - Town of High River. “High River - Home of Heartland” Street Party Launch
(Small Community) - Town of Bon Accord, Summer Skies Equinox
Creative Innovations – Video:

(Large Community) - Central Alberta: Access Prosperity, Access Prosperity Animated Promotional Videos
(Medium Community) - Rocky View County, The Rocky View Advantage
(Small Community) - Town of Vegreville, Why Vegreville?
Brochure:

(Large Community) - Calgary Economic Development, Energy Sector Profile
(Medium Community) - Town of Okotoks, Okotoks Visitor Guide
(Small Community) - Town of Vermilion, New Business Development Incentive Program
Advertising (print or electronic):

(Large Community) - Calgary Economic Development, Advertorial with Inbound Logistics Magazine
Creative Innovation - Promotional Item or Giveaway:

(Large Community) - Calgary Economic Development, Advertorial Newspaper Wrap for CAPP Symposium
(Small Community) - Town of Vermilion, Vermilion's Map & Business Guide
Social Media in a Marketing Campaign:

(Small Community) – Woodlands County, Alberta Community Icons
Branding-Destination Marketing:

(Large Community) - Calgary Economic Development, Calgary “Be Part of the Energy” Marketing Campaign
Medium Community) - City of Fort Saskatchewan, Downtown Branding & Wayfinding Project
(Small Community) - Town of Vermilion, New Ideas for Living!
Finally, the President’s Award recognizes an individual in the Association that has made a significant contribution to the organization. This year’s Award was presented to Ms. Deana Haley, Calgary Economic Development.

EDA is featured in the April edition of The Canadian Business Journal. Executive Director Leann Hackman-Carty is interviewed. Highlights of the article include information about our Annual Conference and our Community Economic Development Training Program. 

Just a week to go before our Annual Conference and time is running out to register for the Pre-Conference Sessions.

The session, "Lets Make A Pitch," sponsored by Talisman Energy, has already sold out!

You can still get in on the three other sessions but hurry, they're filling up.

Click on the links below to register:

1. Prairie Canada Future Game

Just 4 spots left!! This course is delivered by placing you on a team that makes critical decisions that shape the future of a typical prairie region; its fun and interactive. The session runs- 9:30-11:30 am.

2. ICCI Workshop and Investment 101

Is Foreign Direct Investment part of your economic development strategy? If so, this course is for you! Presented by Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada, it will teach you the ins and outs of the ICCI Contribution Program. The session runs 9:00am-12:00 noon

3. Productivity 101

In this session you will get the tools to improve productivity in your own organization as well as guide your clients in developing their own 120-Day Productivity Action Plan. The session runs 9:00am-12:00 noon.

All of the Pre-Conference Sessions are being held the morning of Wednesday, April 10. The official start of the Conference is 1:00pm.

See you at the Conference #EDA2013