HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC - 2015-08-26
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 26, 2015 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Jeremy Auger, with the following
members present: Councillor Paul Singh, Councillor Bil Ioannidis, Adrian Conrad, Darrin Snider, Glenn
Koehler, Johanna Classon-Romero, Kevin Fergin, Mark Bingeman, Philip Hones, Councillor Scott Davey, and
Shantal Myers.
Joined by the following members of Downtown Action Advisory, and Arts and Culture Advisory Committees:
Zenia Horton, Melissa Bowman,and Councillor Dave Schnider
Staff in attendance: Brian Bennett, Chris Farrell, Cory Bluhm, Janette MacDonald, Kim Feere, Silvia Di Donato,
Thom Ryan, Rod Regier, Val Bradford, Sandy Curzon, Carrie Kozlowski, Krista Blake, and Eowyn Layng
1. Presentation Items
EDAC welcomed ACAC and DAAC members to hear a high-level presentation by Janette MacDonald,
1.1.
After a few months of collecting data from
multiple sources throughout the community, the KEDS team has compiled key points from the over
711 post it notes, countless conversations, and many brainstorming sessions, into six distinct areas of
focus the Pillars.
included a visual breakdown of the six proposed pillars that will make up the new strategy, and the
Make It Kitchener publication. Janette provided some background on each of the proposed pillars and
what they will represent. The six areas of focus are:
Make it Spark Make it Start Make it Grow
Make it Urban Make it Connect Make it Vibrant
Each pillar will incorporate distinct points of interest to outline the strategy, and provide a basis for
follow-Make it Kitchener is an
overarching communication strategy to get the Make It Kitchener message out to the community.
The purpose of the presentation was to give committee members an opportunity to provide feedback
on and get a first glimpse of the content stage of the new strategy project.
2. Discussion Items
The discussion following the presentation maintained a focus on the
2.1.
concept. Most members seemed pleased with the progress of the strategy development to date. Some
key points from the discussion include:
The abundance of information brought forth from the Symposium and conversations has been
combed through and developed in to a coherent framework for a clear and potent high-level
message under which we can nest ideas.
The majority of the
group had a positive vibe from the use of the noun they felt it was inclusive to any and all forms
be clear on the meaning, to define a
strong message of inclusivity of all types of makers, lest the meaning be lost and become exclusive
to large manufacturers.
The explosive growth of the maker community within the City and the Region resonates strongly
with an enormous sphere of people in our (Make It Kitchener) audience.
The importance of maintaining clarity within the strategy for the purpose of gaining more support
was iterated to the City team.
The majority of EDAC, DAAC, and ACAC members felt the Make It concept is a concept everyone
can embrace. There is lots of opportunity for individuals, businesses, and makers to find where
they fit within the pillars of this concept.
Committee members appreciated that this new strategy is clearly an evolution of the last one.
Economic Development is continuing to support the concepts of KEDS, and is carrying it forward with
the Make It theme with new ideas to package and present.
Business Items
3.
On motion the minutes of the June 24, 2015 meeting were approved.
3.1.
4. New business
There was no new business to discuss, and none was brought forward.
4.1.
Next Meeting: September 23, 2015
4.2.
On motion the meeting adjourned at 1:00pm.
Eowyn Layng
Committee Administrator