WINNIPEG – TREATY 1 – Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 23 at RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, marking its first AGM with President & CEO Ryan Kuffner leading the organization.
EDW’s Board Chair Denise Zaporzan emceed the program and welcomed Kuffner to deliver an update on EDW’s 2023 achievements to more than 240 guests. Representatives from municipal, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments, along with business leaders and community members were in attendance.
"As we reflect on 2023, it's evident that our efforts in promoting economic growth and tourism have yielded outstanding results," said Kuffner. "However, our successes are not just numbers on a page; they represent real impact – the creation of jobs, the attraction of investment and the expansion of opportunities for our city and its people."
The AGM featured some of EDW's key 2023 highlights, with a more comprehensive overview of EDW's activities available below in its Annual Report.
View a copy of EDW’s 2023 Annual Report.
Kuffner also hosted a fireside chat with Mayor Scott Gillingham and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew on the future of economic development in Winnipeg. The discussion provided insights into how a collective effort between governments and the private sector can shape the economic landscape of Winnipeg and Manitoba.
Economic Development Winnipeg AGM | 2024 | Fireside Chat
Kuffner noted that economic development takes a village, emphasizing that EDW relies on the support of key partners in the city, the province, the federal government and the private sector to achieve its goals.
EDW’s 2023 accomplishments include:
- EDW’s Tourism Winnipeg team attracted and hosted the 2023 World Police & Fire Games, the largest sporting event ever held in Manitoba. The games brought in participants from 70 countries and generated an economic impact of $31 million.
- The Tourism Winnipeg team also prepared 126 bids and proposals for future business events opportunities and secured 71 events for our city, resulting in $70 million in direct economic impact.
- EDW’s YES! Winnipeg initiative resulted in an overall economic impact of $197.6 million.
- The YES! Winnipeg team generated ten economic wins, representing nearly $308 million in capital investments, with organizations like Burcon NutraScience and Winpak choosing to expand operations in Winnipeg.
Economic Development Winnipeg remains unique in Canada as the only major city where an economic development agency operates under the same roof as a destination management organization.
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ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WINNIPEG
Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. (EDW) is the city’s lead economic development agency and champion for local growth. We use expert analysis to highlight Winnipeg’s advantages and prove why we are the best place to live, work and visit. Governed by a private-sector board and driven by the needs of the business community, EDW grows the local economy by attracting business, investment, events and people to our city.