Other Committees

PROGRAM COMMITTEE
EDCO MARKETING AWARDS COMMITTEE

Mandate:

Each year the Economic Development Council of Ontario recognizes excellence in marketing through the Ontario Marketing Awards. Coordinated by the EDCO Marketing Awards Committee, all Ontario municipalities, development corporations, Chambers of Commerce, practitioners of economic development, and, tourism associations/groups are encouraged to submit marketing materials in the following categories:

Business Development
This category recognizes marketing initiatives developed to promote business development in Ontario. Products recognized include:

• Publications (brochures, newsletters, annual reports, specialty publications, sector profiles, cooperative publications)
• Advertising (stand alone advertising, advertising campaign and special event campaign)
• Technology (website and other electronic media)

Tourism
This category recognizes marketing initiatives developed to promote tourism in Ontario. Products recognized include:

• Publications (visitors guide, travel trade & group tour, specialty brochure/map/guide, industry communiqué)
• Advertising (stand alone advertising, advertising campaign and special event campaign)
• Technology (website and other electronic media)

Product Development (Business Development and Tourism)
This category recognizes creative forms of improving a municipality´s competitiveness. It recognizes organizations that have developed leading edge/innovative marketing programs, designed and implemented new initiatives or best practices to foster economic growth. This category includes initiatives related to:

• Physical Infrastructure
• Redevelopment Initiatives
• Workforce Development
• Business Retention/Expansion

The Ontario Marketing Awards process is initiated in early fall with marketing materials being submitted to the EDCO Marketing Awards Committee in early November. Judging takes place in late November. Winners are announced at EDCO Annual General Meeting, President´s Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE
EDCO ANNUAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Mandate:

Generally comprising between 10 and 15 individuals, the Annual Conference Committee is volunteer based, comprising of economic development professionals drawn from local and regional municipalities, provincial and federal government ministries and the private sector. Working in conjunction with the Conference Coordinator, the Committee is responsible for determining a theme for the annual conference, organizing the events/trade show and programming and securing the speakers for the program. The Conference is usually held in early February.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Mandate:

To provide a professional development forum for the EDCO membership.
To ensure opportunities for training and education throughout the province with a focus on a cooperative program delivery with regional economic development organizations.
To provide a coordinated approach to the launch of federal and provincial government initiatives associated with the economic development profession.
To make recommendations to the board on new learning opportunities and varied mechanisms to assist with enhancing professional development to other associations and organizations.
To ensure that high standards and conditions are established and maintained for the profession through the appropriate learning institution.

POLICY COMMITEE

Mandate:

To provide input to the Board of Directors on issues of policy either directed by the Board or through the membership via the Policy Committee. The committee addresses issues of external relations, economic development policy and internal operations policies.
To ensure that EDCO is engaged, consulted and represented in key Provincial organizations and committees dealing with economic development matters which affect the membership.
To establish and update policies and guidelines regarding Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest.

COMTECH COMMITEE

Mandate:

To provide a relevant exchange of information to the membership on economic development success stories, government assistance programs and new legislation.
The Exchange provides a regular update electronically on what is happening in Ontario based communities.
The Ontario Book (Profile Ontario) assists the membership in exposing their community through advertising through distribution of the publication to the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and other relevant channels.
The Web Site provides an effective information source for the membership on key government programs, employment opportunities and relevant links.