New at the LEDC in 2014
As London’s lead economic development agency, the London Economic Development focuses heavily on helping businesses come to London and grow here. In 2014, LEDC launched a sharp new website as a one-stop resource for information on London’s economic sectors, business news and industry events. The fully responsive, mobile friendly website was built from scratch with LEDC’s local, national and international audience in mind. Local start-up Inner Geek collaborated with LEDC to develop the site in less than seven weeks.
“We’ve made the right information available along with our contact information so that businesses – both local and potential – can get in touch with us quickly and conveniently,” says LEDC President and CEO Kapil Lakhotia.
LEDC also challenged traditional marketing in 2014 with a new London magazine. The magazine tells the London story in a different way featuring home grown success from across London’s economic sectors. To get your copy of the London Magazine, email us at info@ledc.com with “London Magazine” in the subject line.
“I’d encourage Londoners to pick up a copy and really experience the ‘did you know’ factor about businesses in our city. We truly have a lot to be proud of as a city,” Lakhotia says.
In the news in 2014
Last year was also a big news year in terms of economic development related activities in London. London-based General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada secured a 14-year, multibillion dollar export contract. This is the largest export win in Canada’s history and will result in the creation of more than 3,000 jobs in Southwestern Ontario with a major impact on supply chain opportunities. There were growth and employment related announcements from many other companies including Canadian Solar, Brose and most recently Tim-br Mart Group all of which will make for a promising 2015.
Locally, start-up ventures in London’s digital creative sector continued to experience a boom with success stories emerging from Voices.com, Big Viking Games and HR Downloads. London entrepreneurs in the food and beverage processing sector including Forked River Brewing Company and Bosco and Roxy’s also had a successful year. Government announcements regarding funding and the future of high speed rail to promote connectivity also made for a positive year across all economic sectors.
LEDC’s news and events in 2014
Throughout the year, LEDC organized cluster building events and activities that not only provided a networking opportunity, but also highlighted London’s strength in various sectors. LEDC connected students with potential employers at the Student 2 Business Career Networking Conference in March 2014. More than 500 students and 250 plus employer representatives are expected to attend the annual event again this year on March 11, 2015. Then in September, LEDC organized Manufacturing Matters for individuals and businesses in that sector. The spotlight shifted to the digital creative sector in the fall with the LEDC partnering with Vancouver based Techvibes. TechFest London was attended by more than 400 people from London’s growing tech sector. Rounding out the year, LEDC hosted the Best Defence Conference for the third year highlighting London’s defence industry that employs more than 12,000 workers.
“In 2015, we’re looking forward to providing support to many such sector-building activities. Through the feedback we received, we’re aware of the positive impact these events have for companies in terms of lead generation and building connections,” Lakhotia says.
Stay tuned for more from us this year and visit www.ledc.com to get in touch with us.
