Quinte Area Economic Development Commission
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Quinte Economic Development Commission Board of Directors Meeting Tuesday May 28, 2013 12:00pm Quinte Business Development Center Boardroom Pioneer Building – Loyalist College Minutes Present: Ross Rae Bill Gray Ray Goulet Mark Walas Gerald Draaistra Ted Reid Brad Little Also Present: Chris King, Chief Executive Officer Vicki Bristow Ferguson, Business Development Officer Chuck O’Malley, Loyalist College Glenn Kozak, Trenval Business Development Corporation Mike Hewitt, Manufacturing Resource Centre Rachael Lamb, Administrative Assistant, QEDC Absent: Peter McCann, Tom Lafferty, John Williams, Neil Ellis Media: Mary Thomas, CJBQ Brice McVicar, The Belleville Intelligencer 1. Opening Remarks – Ted Reid Ted Reid welcomed everyone to the meeting including Mary Thomas of CJBQ and Brice McVicar of the Belleville Intelligencer. As well, a special welcome, on behalf of the QEDC Board, was made to Glenn Kozak, Executive Director of Trenval Business Development Corporation. Glenn has had extensive experience and awareness of QEDC activities and mandates through his previous role as Chair of the Trenval BDC Board. Glenn thanked Ted for the warm welcome and advised that it’s business as usual and looks forward to working with the QEDC. 2. Motion to Approve the May 28, 2013 Agenda Moved: Bill Gray Seconded: Brad Little Carried 3. Motion to Approve the April 23, 2013 Meeting Minutes Moved: Ross Rae Seconded: Gerald Draaistra Carried 4. Executive Committee Ted Reid advised the board that the Executive Committee has nothing to report at this time. 5. Chris King – Activity Report Trenval Board Meeting Chris attended the Trenval BDC board of directors meeting. Attending these meetings provides an opportunity to inform and raise awareness of QEDC and activities. Newsmaker Sunday Radio Program Chris participated in the Newsmaker Sunday Radio Program which is hosted by Mary Thomas of CJBQ. Chris thanked Mary for allowed him the opportunity to discuss the QEDC activities and the success of the recent webinar meetings. Presentation to Secondary School Teachers Skills Professional Development Day Chris, along with representatives of the QMA, Loyalist College, Auto Trades and Construction Trades, participated in a secondary school teacher skills professional development day at Loyalist College. This event provided an awareness raising opportunity regarding local manufacturing sector and workforce needs. FedDev Representative Meeting Chris met with the new FedDev representative to provide formal introduction of the QEDC mandates and also provide awareness to upcoming workshops/events and projects, including the Labour Market Partnership project. Launch Lab – Client Meetings Chris connected a couple of QEDC clients with Launch Lab in effort to assist them with their company start-ups. Launch Lab, the newest partner at the Quinte Business Development Centre (QBDC) works with technology based companies in life sciences and healthcare, information technology, cleantech, and advanced manufacturing. The Launch Lab team is comprised of entrepreneurs, investors, ex-CEO’s, and professional analysts who assist with unique companies grow and bring innovative, technology based products to the marketplace. Bay of Quinte Council Board Meeting Chris attended a Bay of Quinte Council Board Meeting. Lead Generation / Response to Leads There have been a number of site tours and client visits, as well as meetings held with clients requiring some guidance throughout their investment investigation process at QEDC offices. The office continues to work with its municipal partners in preparing and providing community and sector specific response packages. Please refer to Vicki’s report for additional details. Marketing Initiatives (CRM, Website, New Booth, Webinars, Content Development Plan) There have been a number of marketing initiatives implemented to promote the Bay of Quinte region. In addition to social media upgrades/utilization (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube), the website content has been re-written using Word Press software. Rachael now has the capability to update the new website content when required. The Available Property listing function on the website is being re-developed to tailor to current internet search engine patterns as well as website viewers. A content development plan is now in place and content is being developed for use in various marketing platforms. A new tradeshow booth has been completed and was used at PACKEX. To better manage investment, accounts, contacts and marketing, a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) contact management software system, Microsoft Dynamics, has now been implemented and is now utilized on a day-to-day basis. To encourage Canadian Consulate engagement, Vicki has developed QEDC awareness Webinar presentations which will be presented during already scheduled online Consulate meetings. Vicki provided an example of a webinar to the Board to educate them on how it works and looks. As well, an example of how the CRM contact, lead and marketing system works was also presented to the Board. SIAL International Food Show - April 30 – May 2 Under the Ontario East Economic Development Commission (OEEDC) sector partnership umbrella, Chris attended the SIAL Show in Toronto. The OEEDC Lead Generation consultant setup a meeting with a European food company while attending the event. The exhibit space of 10’ x 20’ provided ample showcasing space for a number of Eastern Ontario food companies and their products. SIAL Canada, the International Food & Beverage Tradeshow, co-located with SET Canada, the National Food Equipment and Technology Tradeshow, cater to North American food-industry professionals. The show included 14,000 professional visitors from 61 countries, with over 700 exhibitors, all located in over 230,000 sq/ft of exhibiting space. PACKEX Toronto - May 14 – 16 The QEDC exhibited at 2013 PACKEX Toronto – Packaging Trade Show. Chris, along with Vicki, Karen Poste, Linda Lisle, Mike Hewitt and other community representatives attended to assist with the booth and walk the show. The event provided an opportunity to showcase the new QEDC tradeshow booth, as well as display the recently completed company videos. A high number of local companies were also exhibiting, as well as visiting. The QEDC booth also featured our local case study videos and also heavily promoted the availability of the ExxonMobil facility. Networking at the event resulted in some leads which the office is following up on. PACKEX is held every other year and is held in conjunction with Plast-Ex, Design & Manufacturing Canada, ATX Canada, and Sustainability in Manufacturing and was held at the Toronto Congress Centre, which boasts an exhibition hall nearly 200,000 square feet in size. Supply Chain & Logistics (SCL) Conference – May 13 – 15 Under the Ontario East Economic Development commission (OEEC) sector partnership umbrella, the QEDC attended some events at the SCL Conference. SCL was held during the same time as PACKEX Toronto. To ensure quality networking/contact building opportunities at both shows, a schedule was developed. SCL was held at the Mississauga Convention Centre which is in close proximity to the Toronto Congress Centre. QMA Steering Committee A Quinte Manufacturers Association (QMA) Steering Committee meeting was held to discuss planning remaining 2013 QMA activities, as well as exploring plans/direction for 2014. The QEDC provides administrative support for the QMA. Manufacturing Resource Centre (MRC) Mike Hewitt continues to assist manufacturers with regard to a number of manufacturing funding programs. In addition, Mike has also been actively involved in working with the QMA Steering Committee in planning of 2013 activities. To keep the good work of the MRC going, EODP funding has been secured for the remainder of 2013 into 2014. Please review his complete report for details on activities. UPCOMING CANSEC – May 29-30 Chris and Vicki will be attending the CANSEC Show in Ottawa. Attending this event will provide an opportunity to network and build contacts within the Defence and Security sector. CANSEC is Canada’s largest defence technology showcase. This year’s show will feature 120,000 square feet of indoor exhibits as well as outdoor static displays. GlobalMed Plant Tour – June 5 A Quinte Manufacturers Association (QMA) member meeting and plant tour is scheduled to be held on June 5th, hosted by GlobalMed located in Quinte West. QMA meetings provide an opportunity for members to share information and network. Over 35 people have registered to attend. GlobalMed Inc. is a manufacturer of medical tubing and injection molded components including assembly & packaging services. GlobalMed Inc. offers a full line of medical components for use in anesthesia, respiratory and customized medical applications. Their facility has the latest in manufacturing technology combined with engineering support, R&D capability and ISO registered Quality Systems. Ontario East Economic Development Commission (OEEDC) Food Sector Team Meeting An OEEDC Food Sector Team Meeting is scheduled to be held on June 7 at the Quinte Business Development Centre (QBDC). This meeting will provide an opportunity to plan remaining 2013 Food Sector Team activities, network and commence with planning for 2014. Chris King is the Chair of the OEEDC Food Sector Team. Federal Defence & Security Procurement - Pilot Seminar – June 11 2013 In partnership with Public Works and Government Services Canada, the QEDC will be hosting a Federal Defence & Security Procurement