HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-07-040 - 2007 Corporate Visitation Program~~
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Report To: Council
Date of Meeting: August 27, 2007
Submitted By: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
Prepared By: Valerie Bradford, Business Development Officer
Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report: August 14, 2007
Report No.: CAO 07-040
Subject: 2007 Corporate Visitation Program
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
The Corporate Visitation Program is part of an information gathering exercise that will open the
doors for two-way communication and sharing of resources between businesses and the City.
The visits are designed to help the City find out more about businesses' products and services,
and better understand local business issues and concerns.
REPORT:
As discussed at a previous Economic Development meeting, given the recent turmoil in the
manufacturing sector, it was felt that, despite focussing on the automotive-related manufacturing
sector during our 2006 corporate visitation program, it would be timely to visit all companies
involved in manufacturing in the City of Kitchener.
We have identified a total of 280 manufacturing companies in which a letter has been sent from
Mayor Zehr introducing the program and appointments are currently being booked for company
visits. Assuming a 60% participation rate, we will be visiting approximately 168 companies in
which we require substantial volunteer assistance from our Economic Development Advisory
Committee.
The visits are being scheduled for September through November and after completing all of the
visits, the City will host a breakfast meeting where the results of those discussions will be
shared with the local business community and the general public.
If Council wishes to partake in this important endeavour please contact Valerie Bradford at 2367
or valerie.bradford@kitchener.ca.
Rod Regier Kathy Weiss
Executive Director, Economic Director of Business Development
Development
Valerie Bradford
Business Development Officer