HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1993-03-18BIAC\1993-03-18
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMM/TTEE
THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1993
PRESENT:
Mike Hiscott (Chairman), Claude Schneider, Atso Saarkoppel, Tom McKay
and Valerie Gibaut
ABSENT:
Dan Beach, Martha George, Tito Gughelmi~ John Tibbits, Jim McCutcheon,
David Freure, Wayne Hussey, Jerry McInnis and Alderman Carl Zehr
RECORDER: George Borovilos
Meeting was called to order at 11:~5 p.m~
Minutes of February 18th were accepte&
Report from Alderman Mike Wagner re. Adaptive Re-Use of Industrial Buildings
Committee was deferred~
Valerie Gibaut distributed copies of the Business Retention Questionnaire. George Borovilos
indicated that the survey's purpose k to identify the needs, problems and future plans of local
busines~ After a lengthy discussion, the COmmittee suggested that the report and
questionnaire be revised to incorporate the following points and be tabled at the next
committee meeting:
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES
All businesses be surveyed because of the growth in the service sector
mandate of the Economic Development Division to assist all local businesse~
and the
bo
Instead of forwarding a second letter fi'om the Mayor consider a telephone follow-up
to improve response rate and reduce postage cost~
Co
Change name of Business Retention Survey to Business Assistance Survey. The word
retention conjures up a negative perception, while assistance instead suggests a more
proactive and friendly initiative on the part of the City.
Wait for the l:q'ovincial budget to pass and then tailor the survey questions
accordingly.
eo
Incorporate the Business Dh'ectory Questionnah'e and add the appropriate Business
Assistance Survey questions to create one two-page survey.
Questions to be considered include:
L
What quahty standards does your business run on?
Are you planning to expand business activities?
Are you currently hhqng?
Valerie Gibaut provided an update of the Economic Development activities as they related to
the I)h'ect Mail Campaign to Quebec companies and the Business Heritage Event. The
following intbrmation was ch'culateck
Co
Monthly Activity Report
Minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting of February
15th and March 1st.
Toronto Star Article re. CT~ Community Business PI'ogram
Discussion paper on Cros~Boundary Issues in South Central Ontario
Tom McKay also mentioned about the upcoming F~xecutive Development Seminar scheduled
for Ap~ql RS, 1993 at Valhalla Inn, Kitchener and invited the committee members to attend.
~Vhx Gibaut to intbrm the committee members as to the time.
March 18, 1993.
Economic Development Division
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES
o
Michael Hiscott mentioned that some committee members have expressed a concern about the
plans and expectations of this committee. ~V[r. Hiscott mentioned the need for committee
members to b~qng forth any marketing initiatives Atso Saarkoppel outlined a marketing
initiative centred around the concept of being a Quality Capital of Canada (the World?). Nh'.
Saarkoppel suggested that a list of quality based organizations centred around indust~qal
clusters could be used as a basis for a marketing initiative. Valerie Gibaut to check with
Bruce Fournier of REMAT re. the current list of ISO 9000 companies in the CTS.
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.n~
Next Meeting:
Thursday, April 15, 1993
11:00 mm. Committee Room #3
3rd Floor, Kitchener City Hall
March 18, 1993.
Economic Development Division