A number of months ago, I wrote a blog that spoke to how economic developments teams in both Niagara and Hamilton planned to leverage long-term investment potential during the Pan Am games.
The respective regions developed a document named the America’s Investment Playbook, which strategized industry focused events and tours for international delegates throughout duration of the games.
In a report released early last month to a City of Hamilton committee, officials announced a number of successes directly attributed to the playbook including five major investments.
America’s Investment Playbook Strategy
The goal of the playbook was to unlock economic development opportunities through countries looking to grow in Canada/North American markets. To do so, an aggressive strategy was put in place to produce tours, meetings, and social events during the games. These events allowed local industry to have face-to-face meeting time with international counterparts.
The playbook targeted Latin American countries whose industrial sectors mirrored those operating in Hamilton and Niagara, those target countries included; Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru.
Specific events planned for the Pan Am Games:
- Tours of the McMaster Innovation Park, Mohawk College & wineries in Niagara
- Interactive manufacturing tour
- Real estate and development tours
- Bilateral Trade Forum
America’s Investment Playbook Successes
The events, tours and meetings spurred from the playbook strategy drew over 160 delegates, on a $50,000 budget that spurred 5 major investments.
Anaergia
- constructing 90,000 sq. ft. facility in the Red Hill Business Park
Sports Analytics Centre
- Combines sports broadcasting, innovation centre, research and development, grants, champions of industry
- Project in development by Project-1, Fox 40, City of Hamilton, Canada International Trade Services Inc, McMaster
Project-1
- relocating from Brazil
Soccer-Fit
- relocating from Brazil
Nonolytix
- relocating to the Niagara-Hamilton corridor from Waterloo
Sports Analytics Knowledge Symposium
- exact date and location to be announced
The success of the playbook’s strategy has provided the two regions with a game plan for economic leverage during major events in the future. Time may still produce more investment from this aggressive economic development venture.
Connect with a Hamilton and Niagara based commercial real estate agent, for real estate investment opportunities available in the regions.
