News
August 21, 2025
Burlington Economic Development and Tourism Receives 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award from the International Economic Development Council
IEDC’s annual Excellence Awards honour the economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that demonstrate consistent, exemplary performance in the profession
August 21, 2025 | Burlington, ON – Burlington Economic Development and Tourism (BEDT) is proud to announce it has received a 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award in the Multimedia Promotion category from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award recognizes BEDT’s Small Business Week Campaign, a digital storytelling initiative celebrating local entrepreneurs. Matthew Walker, Economic Development Officer at Burlington Economic Development and Tourism will accept the award at the IEDC 2025 Annual Conference in Detroit, Michigan, September 14-17.
“Burlington Economic Development and Tourism is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its Small Business Week Campaign. This award shines a spotlight on Burlington Economic Development and Tourism’s commitment to its community and showcases the significant impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “IEDC is honoured to present this award to Burlington Economic Development and Tourism to celebrate both their leadership and innovation in the field.”
Each year, IEDC honours economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that consistently demonstrate excellence in the field. The honourees lead transformational projects that revitalize communities and advance the practice of economic development.
The Small Business Week Campaign featured a video series profiling three Burlington-based businesses: Firebat Coffee Roasters, The Olive Oil Dispensary, and Kandy Sweeties. Each short-form video showcased the unique story and personality behind the business while spotlighting the broader role small businesses play in Burlington’s economy and culture. Developed and executed entirely in-house, the campaign was shared across Burlington Economic Development and Tourism’s LinkedIn channel and Tourism Burlington’s Instagram, reaching thousands of viewers and amplifying the voices of local entrepreneurs.
The videos can be viewed here:
“This recognition is an incredible honour for our team and for Burlington’s small business community,” said Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development and Tourism. “Our Small Business Week campaign was about celebrating the people who make Burlington a welcoming, resilient, and entrepreneurial city. We are proud to share their stories in a way that resonates locally while strengthening Burlington’s profile as a great place to do business.”
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About Burlington Economic Development and Tourism
Burlington Economic Development and Tourism is the official economic development and destination management organization for Burlington, Ontario. We drive Burlington’s economic prosperity by attracting new investments, supporting the growth of local businesses, and promoting the city as a vibrant destination for visitors. Through collaboration with businesses, tourism operators, and partners across sectors, we enhance Burlington’s profile as a thriving business hub and welcoming destination. Our efforts focus on fostering sustainable growth, delivering exceptional customer experience, and contributing to the city’s long-term economic vitality.
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With thousands of members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in a full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at https://www.iedconline.org/.