September/October 2009
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Message from the Vice-President of Economic & Tourism Development What a dramatic summer for the capital region! With the world-wide recession, swine flu and the high Canadian dollar, it came as no surprise that tourism numbers would be down this season; but despite the gloomy outlook, the industry has still had plenty to be excited about. The Rexall Edmonton Indy received a $400,000 boost from the federal government. While official attendance numbers are not released due to a confidentiality contract with the Indy, race fans raved about the three-day, high-energy event. The international media coverage of the event is invaluable in placing Edmonton on the world stage. The Edmonton Folk Festival smashed its own records this year. The annual music festival, which has sold out every year for over a decade, sold more tickets than ever before thanks to the addition of a Wednesday night concert. In total, 105,000 people passed through the gates. In an effort to retain and attract film productions, the provincial government’s Film Development Program increased the per project grant cap from $3 to $5 million. This valuable and often overlooked industry promotes tourism, employs thousands of Albertans and diversifies our economy. In 2007-08, film and television productions generated approximately $102 million in economic activity in our province. Edmonton continues its reign as one of the most successful and popular Fringe theatre festivals in the world. Second in size only to the original Fringe in Edinburgh (and the largest in North America), the 2009 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival’s paid show attendance reached a record breaking 92,279 tickets. That is an increase of nearly 20 per cent from its previous record! We’ve also been busy developing a new program that packages Edmonton as a green destination. Environmental responsibility and practices are becoming increasingly important to the average business and leisure traveller. This program will continue to differentiate Edmonton from other cities and no doubt contribute to the momentum of the region being recognized as a must-see destination. If you’re interested in getting involved call Edmonton Economic Development Corporation’s External Relations department at 780.444.5200. A reminder: Wake up the world to Edmonton. Share your story at EdmontonStories.ca
On August 17, 2009, Edmonton International Airport (EIA) announced that Continental Airlines, the fifth largest airline in the United States, is offering daily non-stop flights from Edmonton to their largest hub and home base city, Houston, Texas. “Flights can be booked now for travel beginning November 1,” says Reg Milley, President and CEO of EIA. “We couldn’t be more delighted to see Continental bring non-stop Houston air service to Edmonton business and leisure travellers. Adding Houston to our growing list of major hub destinations is a huge step forward for EIA and a solid indicator of Edmonton’s economic strength and resiliency.” Efficient air access between the burgeoning oil and gas powerhouses of Edmonton and Houston is critical for developing strong business and trade linkages as well as capitalizing on Continental’s significant hub service for creating new tourism opportunities in the Edmonton region. Travellers from Edmonton will also have even more choices for one stop air travel to vacation destinations. "Houston is an excellent route addition, one that promises to significantly enhance the ease of business that flows between our regions," says City of Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel. “Continental’s choice to invest in Edmonton shows real confidence in our economic future. It’s now up to us to step up and support this service. We need to fill this flight every day to ensure it not only continues to serve our region, but grows from here driving economic momentum into Edmonton and beyond to our partners in the north.” "Houston is consistently one of the top 10 destinations for Edmonton and Northern Alberta travellers. Texas is also the number three US travel market to Alberta. This new service now offers an efficient non-stop link to the many travellers visiting our region," says Ron Gilbertson, President and CEO, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC). "We will work with EIA and our many partners to promote and expand the travel opportunities that this important air connection provides." "Continental Airlines’ new non-stop air service between Edmonton and Houston will be a huge advantage to the 3,000 companies in Alberta’s International Region. Much of our business is contingent upon direct connections to the US, and international destinations," says Pat Klak, Executive Director, Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Authority. "This new link to the oil and gas industry ties strongly to Leduc and the Nisku Business Park, one of the largest oil and gas parks in North America." “We are pleased to add Edmonton to our portfolio of Canadian destinations,” said Jim Compton, Continental’s executive vice president of marketing. “The flight allows connections to Continental’s vast network across the Southern United States and Latin America.” The Houston-Edmonton route will be serviced by a Boeing 737-500, 114 seat aircraft (106 coach seats, 8 first class seats).
If you would like more information on MeetingsEasy, please contact Glenn Duncan at gduncan@edmonton.com or (780) 917-7622.
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