The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) announced the winners of the 2016 B.C. Economic Development Awards at BCEDA’s 2016 BC Economic Summit June 14 in Richmond, B.C.

The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission was the recipient of the Community Project Award (for communities over 20,000) for its Make Digital Media Here Workforce & Investment Attraction Campaign.

The objective of the campaign was to create awareness of and contribute to the growth of the tech sector in the Central Okanagan through multilayered, yet focused, programming that includes tactics to attract qualified talent, alumni as well as promote the Okanagan as a place for gaming, animation and digital media companies to relocate or expand.

The Make Digital Media Here Workforce & Investment Attraction Campaign was cited for its success highlighted by:

MakeItHereOkanagan.com launch and release of new Make It Here videos

Prior to April 2016, no one stop landing page existed to funnel inquiries about the region and drive viewers deeper into the community. MakeItHereOkanagan.com, a portal website designed by the COEDC, was launched in conjunction with the Make Digital Media Here campaign and is a one-stop-shop linking newcomers to various community sites promoting lifestyle, business resources and career development.

Videos can be viewed at MakeItHereKelowna.com or MakeItHereOkanagan.com

Toronto Animation Arts Festival International Exhibition

The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) Exhibition is the premier industry and career fair event for the animation industry in Toronto. The COEDC facilitated a multi-jurisdictional and industry presence, both at the exhibition and around Toronto, showcasing the region’s unparalleled lifestyle and promoting the Okanagan as an emerging gaming, animation and digital media hub. Industry and partners in the delegation were provided the opportunity to connect with hundreds of talented animation professionals and studios through their participation in programming facilitated by the COEDC including a presence at the TAAFI exhibition, pitch sessions targeted to workforce and animation studios and a “Boomerang” event targeted to UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College alumni. Industry partners represented received over 240 qualified applicants over the course of the weekend and closed on a multimillion dollar production deal.

“This award is so well deserved. The work that went into this campaign was tireless and our local studio is using this campaign as a tool to successfully hire and relocate over 50 new residents to Kelowna” states Ashley Ramsay, CEO of Yeti Farm Creative.

For further information contact:

Corie Griffiths, Manager

Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission

250.469.6234

e. cgriffiths@investkelowna.com