Mayor Marianne Matichuk joined more than 450 delegates from throughout the province at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario’s (EDCO) annual conference to discuss importance of economic development.

Matichuk, alongside longtime Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion and John Macintyre, senior vice-president, Corporate Affairs, Build Toronto, engaged an audience of delegates on the importance of economic development.

“This is an exciting opportunity for economic development experts to network with government officials and other business professionals to promote civic engagement, cultivate entrepreneurship and inspire the constant development of a dynamic and healthy city,” Matichuk said, in a press release.

She contributed to a panel that focused on building strong relationships between economic development departments and elected officials. Questions regarding globalization, twinning of cities and investment missions abroad were just a few of the issues addressed during this session.

Other key topics for the workshop included, addressing the complexity of economic development, the importance of consistency in communicating with the community and the development of strategies and priorities that are aligned with policy decisions.

“It was great to have Mayor Matichuck representing our city at this important provincial forum,” Ian Wood, director of Economic Development, said. “Municipal political leaders play a key role in advancing economic development projects by providing legitimacy and getting the attention of decision-makers in government and industry.”

The 55th EDCO conference was attended by municipal officials, economic development professionals, provincial ministers, as well as businesses professionals, all of whom benefited from a variety of workshops, keynote speakers and networking opportunities.

The conference ran from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.

Posted by Arron Pickard