February 10, 2005
LOWBIC recognized for excellence in three categories
TORONTO -- Staff at Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation (LOWBIC) and partner organization Northwest Business Centre have been recognized for professional excellence at the 2004 Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Annual Conference. EDCO is the largest provincial association of economic development professionals in Canada and one of the largest in North America. EDCO honored the following LOWBIC projects: First Place - Advertising Campaign Category - City of Kenora Youth Retention Campaign - The Youth Retention Campaign ran in 2004 under the “Choose Kenora” tagline, and featured the stories of local young entrepreneurs and professionals. It received widespread attention, including coverage in Maclean’s magazine. The campaign was funded through FedNor. “We’re excited to earn top honors for our ‘Choose Kenora’ youth retention campaign,” says Lorne Kletke, LOWBIC Marketing and Communications Officer. “Overdrive Design Labs did exceptional work in producing the campaign in collaboration with our staff. I hope that the results of this campaign convince the City that it’s in Kenora’s best interests to financially support positive work like this – the kind of work that builds up the collective self-confidence of our city.” Honorable Mention - Website and Other Electronic Media – City of Kenora “Open For Business” Video - LOWBIC received honorable mention for its five-minute video that showcases Kenora as a place to work, live and play. Funded by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the film was produced by Red Sky Films over the course of 2003-04. The video features interviews with local businesspeople and residents, and images capturing life in and around Kenora. “The video is the culmination of a lot of hard work and planning,” says Grant Carlson, LOWBIC Economic Development Officer. “We use the video online as well as on CD as a key marketing tool at Economic Development shows and conferences. The video emphasizes the quality of life in Kenora, and the rewarding future awaiting professionals and entrepreneurs when they choose Kenora as the place to live.” Honorable Mention - Special Event Campaign Category – 2004 Northwest Business Plan Contest - The Northwest Business Plan Contest provides a venue for high school students in the Kenora-Rainy River District to write a viable business plan with the assistance of online material and professional advice through the Northwest Business Centre. LOWBIC is a project partner. The 2004 contest components include a website with online support documents, posters and collateral material. A video promoting the contest, produced by Fresh Pickle Design, received the honorable mention. “The business plan contest has been going strong for several years, and 2005 is shaping up to be an even greater success. The contest gives students from across the region an opportunity to explore the idea of starting up their own business, without having to leave their own community,” says Carmela Laffin, Business Consultant for the Northwest Business Centre.
This is the second year in a row LOWBIC has had a strong showing at the EDCO Awards. In 2003, LOWBIC’s Economic Development Department received honorable mention in three categories: Business Development Publications - Brochure: City of Kenora “Open for Business”; Business Development Publications - Sector Profiles: Kenora Forestry/Recreational Products; Business Development Advertising - Advertising Campaign: Trade Exhibition Display. An electronic copy of this news release is available at www.lowbic.on.ca.
Useful Websites: LOWBIC www.lowbic.on.ca / Northwest Business Plan Contest www.survival.gokenora.com (2005 version) / EDCO www.edco.on.ca / Overdrive Design Labs www.oddesignlabs.com / Fresh Pickle Design www.freshpickle.com
Contact: Lorne Kletke, Marketing and Communications Officer, LOWBIC, Phone: (807) 467-4634; Grant Carlson Economic Development Officer, LOWBIC, Phone: (807) 467-4633; Carmela Laffin Business Consultant, Northwest Business Centre Phone: (807) 467-4643