Spring is always an exciting time for BRAED.  We are developing our 2014/15 Operations Plan, brainstorming innovative projects, writing grant proposals, entering into new partnerships, and tying up final reports for the last fiscal year. 

 

This year is especially exciting as we have developed a new three-year strategic plan, updated our mission and vision, and looked into the future to ensure that BRAED will continue to develop into the go to Economic Development Organization for our region.

 

Our new mission more strongly reflects who we are and what we are striving for:

 

BRAED will work with, and provide tools and resources to our members and partners that help to increase their economic development capacity.

 

Thank you to our Executive and Task Teams for participating in our Strategic Planning Session in late February!

 

I am very much looking forward to the next few months as we begin to implement many of these ideas, priorities and goals into our action items.  Our Operations Plan projects are shaping up to be very unique, and I think they will reflect our mission of providing tools and resources to our communities that help to increase their economic development capacity.

 

Our teams are looking at developing a Business Walk Program, creating an Investment Readiness Toolkit based on the EDA and Government of Alberta toolkit developed in 2012, partnering with the Rural Alberta Business Centre in Camrose as a sponsor for their upcoming Lemonade Marketing Game aimed at youth, attending the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary, and attending the Killam Career Fair.  We are also running our Economic Development Internship Program once again.  Further, we will be developing a number of marketing projects, will look at projects that enhance business retention and expansion, and will continue to promote projects that are aimed at youth entrepreneurship and engagement.  We also continue to focus on enhancing the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor.

 

It is an exciting time in the BRAED region, and I thank you for your continued support as we grow, change and innovate through credibility, collaboration and creativity.

 

 

Best regards,

Arnold Hanson, Chair

The Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) held its Annual Conference from April 9 -11, 2014 at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge and presented its annual Awards of Excellence during the Minister's Dinner & Awards Banquet.  These awards honour Alberta communities, organizations and individuals for excellence in business attraction, retention, expansion and marketing and the winners were chosen by a body of their peers.

 

The Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor (EATC), a joint initiative involving the Northeast Alberta Information HUB, Palliser Economic Partnership, and the Battle River Alliance for Economic Development was an award recipient.  The EATC was presented an Excellence in Marketing Award in Advertising (Print/Electronic) in the large community category for its work in marketing the region's numerous investment opportunities.  The Industry Sector Investment Profile Banners were specifically designed to highlight the vast geography and highway routes (high-load corridors) that are a major part of the EATC region and important benefits to potential investors.

 

For more information on the EATC, please go to www.albertatradecorridor.com

On March 20, BRAED hosted a Labour Force Attraction & Retention Forum in Camrose at the Best Western Plus.  Facilitated by Kristen Cumming, a renowned expert in labour force recruitment and retention, the day-long forum was offered to any business or organization within the BRAED region.

 

The forum focused on labour force realities in the region, and offered insight into possible solutions to the challenges.  The group worked together to develop best practices and potential projects that BRAED could undertake for this fiscal year.  Many were also interested in joining an advisory team. 

 

The day ended with a virtual presentation by Ruairi Spillane, founder of Move2Canada, who discussed the temporary foreign worker program, and the potential for companies in our region to work with both him and Nicole Zablotski of Skill Source to find workers from the UK.

 

Based on surveys completed by the group, the majority of the participants found the forum very useful.

 

There will be a number of projects developed based on the summary report, and we look forward to sharing those with our members as they become available.

 

On April 1, 2014 the BRAED Board of Director approved the Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor (EATC) MOU, Strategic Plan, and Annual Operations Plan.  With the approval of these documents, the EATC can begin to take action on projects, and continue to develop its brand.

 

For more information, or to see copies of these documents, please contact Shay Barker at shay.barker@braedalberta.ca.

In This Issue

 

Tuesday May 6 

Task Team Meetings, Wainwright

Executive - 9AM - 11AM

Youth - 11AM - 12PM

BIA - 1PM - 2:30PM

Marketing - 2:30PM - 4PM

 

Monday May 12 

GPS Task Team Meeting 10AM - 2PM

 

Wednesday May 21 

Tri - County Career Fair, Killam

 

Monday May 26 

Rural Alberta Business Centre Lemonade Marketing Game, Camrose

 

June 10 - 12 

Global Petroleum Show, Calgary

 

Thursday June 25 

BRAED AGM, Bruce Hotel, Bruce

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Alberta's tourism industry is complex. Join us on Monday June 16, 2014 at 11:30am for a live Webinar to learn from the experts how the new Alberta Tourism Framework guides a common vision, goal and priorities to grow the tourism industry. See how Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, and Travel Alberta work closely with federal and provincial ministries, agencies and tourism partners to implement the Framework. Save the Date and watch your inbox to register for this free Webinar.

 

BRAED has recently partnered with the Rural Alberta Business Centre - Camrose as a sponsor for their upcoming offering, The Lemonade Marketing Game. Over 75 ninth grade students from Camrose and the surrounding County will be participating in the game free of charge.

 

The Lemonade Game has received national recognition and awards for its innovative approach to providing an entrepreneurial learning experience.  The game captures the attention and energy of young minds by providing an interactive learning experience based on the 5 P's of marketing; Product, Price, Promotion, Place and People. The game, developed in 1999 has provided an extraordinary learning opportunity for nearly 7,700 participants at 77 events with 883 communities participating in three (3) Canadian Provinces. The initiative is designed and developed for high school students to educate and demonstrate entrepreneurship and to invite young people to one day become the local business leaders of their communities.

 

We look forward to participating as volunteers for The Lemonade Game on May 26, 2014 at the Max Maclean Arena in Camrose!