Corporate Tourism Kingston hosted Kingston’s 19th Annual Tourism Awareness Week in May. Events included fun filled social networking events organized to help strengthen relationships and share Kingston information with front line staff, partners and attractions in the tourism industry; a Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce Tourism Boat Cruise; Mix & Mingle with industry partners; and season opening celebrations for numerous Kingston museums and attractions. As part of Tourism Awareness Week activities, Tourism Kingston attended Tourism Day at Queen’s Park, the VIA Destination Days Consumer Show and the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Consumer Show in Toronto. The third annual KEDCO Charity Golf Tournament was held August 8 at the Garrison Golf & Curling Club at CFB Kingston. Over 120 golfers came out to support the cause and $2,000 was raised for the Kingston Military Family Resource Centre. The annual KEDCO 2012 United Way Campaign led by Employee Campaign Coordinators Rebecca Darling and Megan Pritchard raised over $2,000 in support of the United Way of KFL&A. Darling & Pritchard organized a number of fundraising events including a chili cook-off, dress down days and a silent auction. CEO Jeff Garrah received a General’s Commendation from CFB Kingston on November 9. This special recognition, rarely given to civilians was presented by Major-General Bowes for Garrah’s dedication, hard work, support and service to the local military community. New for 2012 was a series of Lunch & Learn sessions for KEDCO Board and City Councillors to meet with industry leaders and tour facilities to gain a stronger understanding of Kingston’s major employers. Special thanks to Dupont Canada Research Engineering & Business Development Centre (January), INVISTA (May), Scott Environmental Group (September) and Anchor Concrete (October) for hosting events.
The inaugural Kingston Day at Queen’s Park was held on September 25. KEDCO worked with the City of Kingston, and MPP Gerretsen’s Office to introduce Kingston to MPPs by partnering with local businesses and educational institutions to showcase the community with displays of business, lifestyle and tourism offerings. The Kingston delegation was visited by over 50 MPPs and 125 Ontario Provincial Legislature staff. Photo credits: City of Kingston.
Kingston was chosen as one of the World’s 21 “Smart Communities” by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) in October, 2012. KEDCO and Utilities Kingston worked together on Kingston’s application which focussed on the theme of Innovation and Employment. Kingston was one of only eight first-time applicants to be selected from over one hundred communities around the world. Quarterly Mix & Mingles are organized by Tourism Kingston to offer industry partners and colleagues and opportunity to take part in a social network gathering and share updates relevant to the local tourism sector. Special thanks to partners who hosted Tourism Kingston’s 2012 Mix & Mingles: Milestones (February), The Residence Inn by Marriott (May), and Renaissance Event Venue (November).
2012 Kingston Business Hall of Fame Award Recipients. Photo from left to right: Peter Krauss, Tom Wroe, Gini Rosen, Danny Corcoran and Jeff Bradfield. Absent is Mark McKercher. Credit: Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce.
Kingston Economic Development Corporation – 2012 ANNUAL REPORT
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