Attachment 1

 

Markham-Laval Economic Alliance

Council Approved 2005 Action Plan

 

  1. Enhance Internet Website Presence and Profiling. Staff enhanced and revamped the Economic Alliance section on the Town’s Economic Development website and the Laval Technopole website. 

 

  1. April 18-19, 2005 Radio Frequency Identification Conference in Markham. Early in 2005 Markham Economic Development staff achieved success in promoting the event by featuring it on the Laval Technopole homepage and events calendar; in addition staff was able to access a pre-qualified list of companies to target for possible attendance at the conference.  Damien Cloutier, Assistant Director General of the Laval Technopole participated in the conference and attended meetings with Economic Development Staff and the Director of the Markham Board of Trade.  No Laval companies attended the conference.

 

  1. June 7, 2005 Economic Development Conference in Laval.  Markham’s Chair of Economic Development, Sr. Business Development Officer, Project Consultant to the Town and President of the Markham Board of Trade travelled to Laval to participate in the conference and meet with Laval staff to discuss alliance initiatives.  The purpose of the visit to Laval was to show support and strengthen the alliance with Laval Technopole by participating in the conference, to prepare the organizational groundwork for the fall business mission and to build working relations between Markham and Laval municipal and business leaders.  As a result of our attendance, the Town strengthened relations with Laval Technopole staff and community leaders to accomplish the goals necessary for the business mission. It is also of note to report that staff facilitated an investment lead from a Laval based business called Kalitek looking to expand in Markham.  Attempts were also made by staff and the Markham Board of Trade to formalize a partnership with the Laval Chamber, which unfortunately did not materialize.  It was evident that more work from Laval and the Laval Chamber in this regard, needs to be demonstrated.

 

  1. Fall, 2005 Business Mission to Laval - Planning and Program. 

 

  1. Annual Report to Markham Council.  Staff will present the annual report for year two of the alliance to Council in the beginning of 2006.