The City of St. Catharines is being recognized as a leaders in economic development with a provincial award for its work promoting the city as a year-round destination for marquee events and festivals that attracts visitors from across the continent.
The City’s This is How We Live promotional video earned the 2023 Award of Excellence for investment attraction from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). A panel of economic development, marketing, advertising and tourism professionals judged more than 100 entries in 11 awards categories to recognize distinctive ideas and initiatives that can become economic development best practices of the future.
EDCO is Canada’s largest economic development association and provides leadership to enhance the professional development of its members; advance economic development as a profession; and support municipalities in fostering economic prosperity in Ontario. EDCO celebrated Awards of Excellence recipients Thursday, February 8 as part of its 67th annual Conference and Showcase. This year’s theme was Collaboration.
Launched in May 2023, the This is How We Live promotional video emphasized the recovery of the tourism, culture and culinary sectors in St. Catharines with dynamic footage captured at in-person events taking place in the city as pandemic restrictions lifted in 2022.
The highlight reel featured traditional events, such as the Grape and Wine Festival and the Annual Pow Wow, as well as new events, such as the Born and Raised Concert Series and Emancipation Day, and underlined key themes, including creative and innovative use of public space, cultural diversity and representation and the experiential elements of visiting St. Catharines.
The City holiday interactive lights celebration Let It Glow also earned an honourable mention as a finalist for EDCO’s Award of Excellence for tourist attraction and tourism product development.
Previously, the City earned a national marketing award for its work promoting St. Catharines as a destination for film, TV, and streaming production. The City was also a finalist for an Ontario tourism awards for its work promoting wines, beverages and culinary treats made in St. Catharines as part of a pop-up shop.
“We’re honored to receive these prestigious awards and recognition, said Brian York, director of economic development and government relations. “It’s a testament to the City’s talented team and the creative approach it takes to strategically promote St. Catharines as a place to live, visit and do business.”
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