Grass Roots Program Makes St. Thomas Best in Show at Provincial Marketing Awards

    ST. THOMAS, ON, February 09, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Every year, the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) recognizes achievements in economic development marketing by presenting awards in the categories of business development, tourism and product development. In 2006, the annual Lieutenant Governor's Award for Marketing Excellence in Ontario was introduced to honour the single most outstanding achievement made by an award recipient in these categories. A decade later, the winner of this prestigious award is the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation (EDC), recognized for their community-driven #stthomasproud campaign.

This award, coupled with another for the use of Technology and New Media in Economic Development Marketing, made St. Thomas the big winners for 2015 and gave even more exposure to this popular grass roots campaign.

After happily congratulating staff on the win, EDC President Dennis Broome pointed out the shift in direction that the EDC as a Board has taken and noted that "We will always be working hard to market the City externally, but great strides have been made over the last several years to focus on both understanding, growing and sharing what we are so fortunate to have in St. Thomas. The success of this campaign is proof that we're on the right path."

Born out of negativity following the global economic downturn and since fueled by a resilient positivity, #stthomasproud has become commonplace on social media, sign boards and other marketing channels in the City and around the world.

Representing the EDC Board at the event was EDC Vice President and St. Thomas City Councillor Linda Stevenson, who noted that "The event was very professional, with an electric atmosphere and the applause alone showed that our peers in economic development appreciated the significance of this campaign."

While the Technology and New Media Awards are grouped by population ranges, the Lieutenant Governor's Award looks at all of the marketing programs in the province and recognizes that which is deemed the best overall. This is the first time St. Thomas has been awarded this honour.

Upon receiving the call that night, Mayor Heather Jackson was ecstatic and noted "To receive recognition at this level shows that the hard work and commitment of the great team at the St. Thomas EDC, along with the entire community, is working. We are showing the world what a great place St. Thomas is to live, work and raise a family."

EDC General Manager Sean Dyke summarized it in saying "Given the incredible quality, reach and big budgets of some of the marketing campaigns developed in the province over the last year, our team was almost speechless when the announcement was made. The Lieutenant Governor's award is the pinnacle of recognition for economic development marketing in Ontario. We all wear a passion for our community on our sleeves and emotions ran high when we heard them say that St. Thomas was the winner. We are extremely happy and honoured to be recognized with this award, largely because we know it's not just us who make this work. We share this honour with our entire community and could not be more St. Thomas Proud."

St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation

Established in 1957, the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation is among the oldest of its kind in North America. With a mandate to improve the quality of life in St. Thomas, the #stthomasproud campaign fit well within that mission. The EDC has a staff complement of five people who work in three separate areas of responsibility: Economic Development, Railway City Tourism and the Elgin/St. Thomas Small Business Enterprise Centre. The organization is overseen by a 15-member Board of Directors, made up of all of St. Thomas City Council, two representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, one representing Labour, one from Ascent and three members at large from the community.

For further information, please contact:

Sean Dyke, General Manager
[email protected]
519-631-1680 ext. 4104 (office)
519-319-9604 (mobile)

www.stthomasproud.ca
www.st-thomasedc.on.ca
www.railwaycitytourism.com
www.sbecinnovation.ca

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