Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW) and Tourism Winnipeg, a division of EDW, has secured not one, but two major achievements this week, helping elevate Winnipeg and Manitoba’s status as a leader in workforce development and a premier destination for global events, garnering both national and international recognition.
The first of these honours is the Technology Trailblazer MAPLE (Magnet Awards for Pioneering Leadership in the Ecosystem) Award presented by Magnet, a centre for innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University. EDW was recognized for its role in administering the Work in Manitoba job portal, a provincially funded platform that connects local and international job seekers with Manitoba employers. The award was presented on October 23 at the Magnet Network Live event in Toronto.
“Our government knows that the key to a thriving provincial economy is creating good Manitoba jobs for Manitobans – the Work in Manitoba portal is one of the ways we do this,” said Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses. “More than 1,600 companies are actively posting opportunities, with more connections being made every day. This really speaks to the attractiveness of our province, showing that Manitoba is a desirable place to live with an active labour market that presents many opportunities for both job seekers and employers alike.”
On the international front, Tourism Winnipeg achieved finalist status in the 2024 ICCA Best Marketing Award for its highly creative Winnipeg+ campaign. Competing against strong entries from Visit Oslo and Tourism Australia, Winnipeg’s campaign, a clever parody of TV streaming services, showcased the city’s premier event venues in an engaging and entertaining way. While the city didn’t take home the award at the ICCA Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE, being a finalist highlights Winnipeg’s growing profile and appeal as a premier destination for international business events.
“These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work and creativity of our team here at EDW. From innovating how we attract and retain talent with the Work in Manitoba job portal to gaining international attention with the Winnipeg+ campaign to attract business events, we’re proud to promote Winnipeg on the global stage in such meaningful ways,” said Ryan Kuffner, President and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg.
Mark Patterson, Executive Director at Magnet, commended EDW’s forward-thinking approach, stating, “Through their leadership on the Manitoba government’s Work in Manitoba portal and collaboration with employers, and community organizations to launch the Work in Manitoba job portal, EDW has made it easier than ever for employers and job seekers to connect, hire and retain talent in key sectors across Manitoba.”
“I would like to congratulate Economic Development Winnipeg on receiving a well-deserved reward for its work and innovation in administering the Work in Manitoba job portal. Our clients at Osborne Village Resource Centre have found it to be a valuable tool during the job and career search. It is easy to navigate and allows clients to target their job search resulting in a focused and successful job search,” said Keith Robinson, Executive Director, Osborne Village Resource Centre. “The team at Economic Development Winnipeg listened to the feedback of agencies and adapted the portal to meet the needs of clients. They are professional in all aspects, resulting in an excellent product.”
The ICCA Best Marketing Award celebrates organizations that excel in marketing their destinations to international audiences. As a finalist, Winnipeg+ stood out for its creative and engaging videos, modeled after popular TV shows, putting Winnipeg’s venues and attractions front and center in an engaging and entertaining way. The videos were primarily produced in-house with a local video crew, featuring EDW employees as talent.
"Winnipeg’s creativity has always set us apart, and this achievement proves it’s still a driving force. Tourism Winnipeg’s inventive Winnipeg+ campaign is getting global attention, and we’re ready to welcome more international events that showcase who we are and what we do best," said Mayor Scott Gillingham.
Natalie Thiesen, Vice President of Tourism, Economic Development Winnipeg, commented on the campaign’s impact: “Even as a finalist, the response to our Winnipeg+ campaign has been overwhelmingly positive. The ‘TV show trailers’ were premiered at key industry events to rousing applause, helping us stand out and generate new leads. It’s a significant recognition that strengthens our reputation as a top business events destination.”
With the Technology Trailblazer MAPLE Award and the distinction of being an ICCA finalist, Economic Development Winnipeg continues to demonstrate its leadership in showcasing Winnipeg on both national and international stages.
For more information about the Work in Manitoba job portal, visit Work in Manitoba. To learn more about the Winnipeg+ campaign, read more here.