Report to: Development Services Committee                           Report Date: November 6, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          EDAC Marketing Canada Award Winner – Markham Centre Website

PREPARED BY:               Darren Ciastko, Sr. Business Development Officer ext 2655

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “EDAC Marketing Canada Award Winner – Markham Centre Website” be received for information

 

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) is Canada's national organization of Economic Developers pursuing excellence in Economic Development.  Every year EDAC holds the Marketing Canada Awards competition as an opportunity to exchange and review promotional literature and other marketing materials produced by municipalities across the country.  The Town of Markham was recognized by the awarding of 1st Place for the Markham Centre Website www.markhamcentre.com submission in the 2007 Marketing Canada Awards.

 

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to announce to the Development Services Committee the award winning submission in the EDAC marketing awards competition, the Markham Centre Website www.markhamcentre.com.

 

BACKGROUND:

The Markham Centre Plan adopted by the Town in 1994 and approved by the Ontario Municipal Board in 1997 establishes a broad framework to create a vibrant, mixed use, pedestrian oriented Town Centre.  That framework is now in the process of being realized in actual buildings, streets, schools and parks.  The Town of Markham is committed to engaging the public in the design, development and build out of Markham Centre.  To that end, the Town created a stand-alone website in 2002 to help deliver this unique message to several different audiences which include, existing and potential Markham businesses, existing and potential Markham residents, local, provincial national & international leaders and investors; and Town of Markham Staff. 

 

In the spring of 2006 the Town issued an RFP to refresh, re-organize and enhance the materials posted on the old Markham Centre website.  Markham based Ravenshoe Group was selected to design and develop the website in consultation with the Town’s Corporate Communications, Economic Development, and the Planning & Urban Design departments.  The Markham Centre team managed the day-to-day development of the website. The primary objective of the website was for it to function as a communications tool to keep a number of constituencies informed about Markham Centre as it is being built. There were a number of additional objectives for the new website including creating a new an inter-active location map highlighting the various projects, their status in development and linking to developer sites.  As well, staff chose to include a photo gallery which depicts the evolution of development of Markham Centre. From an Economic Development perspective, the new website is a premier marketing tool designed to showcase the vacant land and business opportunities in the designated employment areas. In October 2006 the new Markham Centre website www.markhamcentre.com  was launched.

 

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) is Canada's national organization of Economic Developers pursuing excellence in the field since 1968. The Association's mission is to enhance the professional competence of Economic Development officers and ensure placement of qualified people in the field of Economic Development; to advance Economic Development as a distinct, recognized, and self-governing profession; and to contribute to Canada's economic well-being. EDAC is an eager partner with municipalities nation wide. The following illustrates how EDAC can assist municipalities in Economic Development:

  • Professional Development
  • Professional Standards - Ec.D. designation
  • Educational Seminars
  • Diploma Courses in Economic Development
  • National network for techniques, strategies and case studies
  • Federal/Provincial/Municipal/International liaison

EDAC understands that marketing a community is a fundamental component of the economic development profession and as a result, holds the Marketing Canada Awards annual competition as an opportunity for municipalities and other economic development organizations to showcase promotional and other marketing materials.  There are many different award categories designed to represent the many ways in which municipalities market themselves with a view of improving economic well-being and prosperity in the community.   Markham’s Economic Development Department in consultation with the Markham Centre team prepared a submission featuring the Markham Centre Website for the “Business Development Electronic Publications - Website” category of the marketing awards.  Submission criteria are standardized and Attachment #1 is the background information required for putting together an award submission. Attachment # 2 is the actual Markham Centre Website submission.

 

On September 17, 2007 at the EDAC 39th national conference in Saskatoon the award winners in all categories were announced.  The Town’s Markham Centre website submission was awarded 1st place in the business development electronic publications category.  Attachment # 3 is a copy of the press release announcing Markham’s award.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

None

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

None

 

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The award-winning Markham Centre website is in support of the Town’s Economic Development goal to promote Markham as the High-Tech Capital of Canada, and to enhance Markham’s competitive status, and build strategic partnerships.

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Planning and Urban Design (Markham Centre Team)

 

 

RECOMMENDED

                            BY:    ________________________          ________________________

                                      Stephen Chait                                     Jim Baird

                                      Director, Economic Development        Commissioner, Development

                                                                                                Services

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1.  Submission Background Information.

Attachment 2. Markham Centre Website submission.

Attachment 3. 2007 Marketing Canada Awards Press Release.