EDW claims national honour

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This article was published 24/10/2024 (376 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Economic Development Winnipeg continues to demonstrate an ability to punch above its weight class.

The city’s economic and tourism development agency recently won a national award for its Work in Manitoba jobs portal and was a finalist in an international marketing competition.

It received the Technology Trailblazer MAPLE (Magnet Awards for Pioneering Leadership in the Ecosystem) Award presented by Magnet, a centre for innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Magnet built the platform the Work in Manitoba portal runs off. EDW has collaborated with Magnet to evolve portal to be tailored to the needs of Manitoba companies.

EDW started using it seven years ago. In the past few years, the province has provided the funding and EDW runs the portal. It now has 62,000 registered job seekers and more than 1,500 Manitoba companies.

Using algorithms and AI, the portal automatically matches jobs seekers with the most likely employment opportunities.

Mark Patterson, executive director at Magnet, commended EDW’s forward-thinking approach: “EDW has made it easier than ever for employers and job seekers to connect, hire and retain talent in key sectors across Manitoba.”

EDW was also a finalist in the International Congress and Convention Association’s best marketing award.

Winnipeg’s campaign, a parody of TV streaming services, showcased the city’s premier event venues in an entertaining way.

Staffers were the actors in the series, wrote the scripts, designed the ad campaign and created the website.

“Folks are prepared to wear a lot of hats here,” said Ryan Kuffner, EDW president and CEO. “I couldn’t be more proud of them.

“This kind of recognition, both on the national and international stage, enhances Winnipeg’s profile to attract business and showcase the city’s strengths when it comes to events, investment and talent. And that’s our mandate, at the end of the day.”

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca