Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission wins more 2022 Marketing Canada Awards than any other organization for its OKGo Marketing Campaign Partnership.
Kingston, Ontario – Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) and partners Tourism Kelowna and Accelerate Okanagan won four 2022 Marketing Canada Awards for its OKGo Marketing Campaign. COEDC’s wins were in the following categories:
- Advertising Campaign: OKGo Campaign
- Single Publication – 5+ pages: OKGo Magazine Vol. 2
- Website: OK-Go.ca
- Cup Contender: OKGo Campaign
The annual Marketing Canada Awards are hosted by the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC), the country’s national association of economic development professionals. The honor was presented on October 2nd, 2022 at an awards ceremony during the EDAC Annual Conference.
Created through a partnership between the COEDC, Accelerate Okanagan and Tourism Kelowna, along with participation from various industry and post-secondary organizations, the OKGo campaign is attracting industry events, talent, and business investment to the thriving region by telling the stories of the innovative businesses, entrepreneurs and institutions driving growth in the Okanagan economy.
“The engaging multimedia stories shared through OKGo are sparking connection, excitement and sharing the value proposition of the region,” said Krista Mallory, COEDC Manager. “While each partner organization has a unique mandate and individual goals, OKGo tells a cohesive regional story that can be shared and leveraged through each partner’s networks and stakeholders, increasing the impact of our messaging.”
OKGo’s aligned print and digital assets showcase local companies, entrepreneurs and organizations across six targeted sectors: Agriculture, Viticulture, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Digital Technology and Community. These assets also help provincial and federal business development organizations promote the region’s competitive advantages to site selectors, event planners, investors and entrepreneurs.
The multi-year marketing campaign includes targeted digital campaigns in major Canadian cities and the US Pacific Northwest and distribution through partner networks including Destination Canada, Trade and Invest BC and Global Affairs Canada to audiences internationally. Central Okanagan residents, businesses and organizations also act as ambassadors by sharing the OKGo stories through their local, national and international networks.
More information about the OKGo campaign, including promotional videos of the region, digital copies of magazine Vol 1 & 2 showcasing the stories of some of the region’s entrepreneurial successes and a media kit, can be found on the campaign’s website ok-go.ca.
About the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission
The COEDC is a service of the Regional District of Central Okanagan with a mandate to work in partnership with regional stakeholders to facilitate and encourage the development of a healthy and sustainable economy by supporting existing businesses and encouraging new investment within the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The region includes the communities of Lake Country, Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, West Kelowna, Peachland, and the East and West Electoral Areas. To find out more, visit: www.investkelowna.com
About Tourism Kelowna
As the lead destination marketing organization (DMO) for the Central Okanagan, Tourism Kelowna works on behalf of over 400 local businesses and the larger tourism and hospitality community to generate overnight visitor demand that economically benefits Kelowna and its surrounding areas. Meetings, conferences, and event tourism play a major role in Tourism Kelowna’s four-season development strategy, helping to round-out hotel occupancies and local spending during traditionally slower tourism months. To find out more, visit: www.tourismkelowna.com
About Accelerate Okanagan
Accelerate Okanagan (AO) is a not-for-profit organization that gives entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections, and community they need to build technology driven ventures. At Accelerate Okanagan we work with everyone from students to well established companies. Aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, job seekers, career-changers, companies looking to expand and grow, and companies with proven track records come to Accelerate Okanagan to learn and foster their success. Our programs are designed to meet the ever-changing needs of our community. To find out more, visit: www.accelerateokanagan.com or www.okgntech.com.
About the Economic Developers Association of Canada
The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) is Canada’s national association of economic development professionals, representing every province and territory across Canada with nearly 1,000 members. The Association’s mission is to enhance the professional competence of economic development professionals and ensure placement of qualified people in the field of economic development, to advance economic development as a distinct, recognized, and self governing profession and to contribute to Canada’s well being.
The Association recognizes that marketing a community is an integral part of the economic development profession, therefore provides The Marketing Canada Awards competition as an opportunity to exchange and review promotional and marketing material produced by municipalities across the country. This awards program is open to those organizations that undertake to promote and market Canadian provinces, territories, regions, cities, towns and areas with a view to improving the economic well being of Canadians.
