News
August 28, 2024
Burlington Economic Development Receives Multiple 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council
IEDC’s annual Excellence Awards honour the economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the profession
August 28, 2024 | Burlington, ON Burlington Economic Development is pleased to announce it will be the recipient of two 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The first of the two awards is for the Acceleration+ program, which is being recognized with a gold award in the category of Best Use of Federal Resources. Secondly, Burlington Economic Development’s sales booklet has won a silver award in the Print Brochure category. Izabela Goclik, Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Burlington Economic Development, will receive the awards at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver, CO, September 15-18.
“Burlington Economic Development is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with its Acceleration+ and print brochure projects. This award highlights Burlington Economic Development’s commitment to its community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO, “It is with great pride that IEDC presents this award to Burlington Economic Development, celebrating their leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”
“We are absolutely thrilled to announce this year’s award winners. These exceptional projects showcase remarkable dedication and ingenuity within the field,” said Kevin Kramer, Chair of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee. Burlington Economic Development’s contributions will leave a lasting impact and demonstrate its commitment to creating positive change for its residents.”
Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.
Developed in partnership with Innovation Factory and Global Startups Accelerator, The Acceleration+ program was funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Developed to support international companies looking to expand into the North American markets, the program supported more than 35 international companies in becoming established in Canada.
The sales booklet was developed for an international tradeshow in 2023 and continues to be used for a number of business development initiatives. Through stunning photography, excellent design and thoughtful and authentic storytelling, the sales booklet allows potential investors and entrepreneurs to easily imagine expanding or relocating their business to the beautiful city of Burlington.
“Receiving these prestigious awards from the International Economic Development Council is a powerful validation of our efforts to drive innovation and economic growth in Burlington,” said Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development. “The success of our Acceleration+ program highlights the significant impact of our strong partnerships and strategic use of Federal resources in nurturing international startups here in Canada. Our print brochure is a testament to our commitment to providing prospective businesses with the tools and support they need to thrive in our city.” Cassidy continued, “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our team and partners, and we are excited to continue building on this momentum to attract and support businesses that will contribute to Burlington’s prosperity.”
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Media Contact
Claire Green
claire.green@burlington.ca
About Burlington Economic Development
Burlington Economic Development (Burlington EcDev) is an agency of the City of Burlington that works to attract high-value companies to Burlington, support the expansion of existing businesses, and encourage the start-up and growth of new companies. The team works across all industries and sectors to deliver personalized support to businesses and collaborates with partners across the private and public sectors to maintain Burlington’s robust and diverse economy.
Website: investburlington.ca
About TechPlace
Led by Burlington Economic Development, TechPlace exists to help technology, talent and ideation come together under one roof. But it does more than provide a base camp for tech companies to get work done. Anchored by its two co-location partners, Innovation Factory and Angel One Investor Network, TechPlace provides tech companies (both new and growing) with access to space, resources, programming and mentorship through a growing partnership network and by creating an environment that’s focused on generating opportunities for networking and growth.
Website: techplace.ca
About Acceleration+
Acceleration+ supports innovative international startups looking to expand faster into Canadian and U.S. markets by working closely with them to develop and execute a tailored expansion plan. Acceleration+ is a program funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), in partnership with Global Startups Accelerator, TechPlace and Innovation Factory.
Website: accelerationplus.ca
About the International Economic Development Council
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 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 the 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 IEDC succeeds, its members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at www.iedconline.org today!