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Message from the President and CEO
2011 will be remembered as a very good year for RROC and the Regina region. Regina was recognized for leading economic growth in the country with the highest GDP, low unemployment and record building permits. The city played host to a variety of high profile events like the Ford World Men's Curling Championship and the 2012 Skate Canada Challenge. Announcements like the launch of Regina Revitalization Inc. and the Creative City Centre boosted excitement in the community. These are only a few of the highlights from 2011, and in the spirit of reflection, RROC is happy to share some of the key achievements that RROC and our region have celebrated within this issue of the newsletter.
As we reflect, we acknowledge the valued individuals, industry partners, volunteers, and innovators RROC has collaborated with over the year. The success achieved in the Regina region in 2011 is a testament to their skills and contributions. In 2012 we will continue to strive to be recognized as a catalyst driving the economic prosperity of the Regina region. On behalf of RROC we thank you and wish you happiness and prosperity.
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City of Regina launches CityApp partnership with RROC and RAA
RROC, in partnership with the City of Regina and the Regina International Airport (YQR), have expanded the delivery of visitor and resident information to smartphone users with the integration of new features into the CityApp. RROC is delivering its event listing that is featured on reginaroc.com to the CityApp, giving users immediate and convenient access to a dynamic range of event entertainment in the Regina region. It captures information that can appeal to visitors that may be exploring Regina, and serve residents by keeping them aware of what is happening in the Regina region.
The CityApp is available for iPhone, Blackberry, Android users and can be downloaded for free on iTunes, Blackberry Appworld and the Android app market.
"The CityApp is a great way for residents and visitors to keep connected to what is happening in Regina," said Mayor Pat Fiacco. "This partnership improves the way we deliver information and we are proud to be part of it."
Download the CityApp today!
Some of the CityApp features include:
- A listing of City operated parks, pools, spray pads, baseball diamonds, rinks, golf courses, picnic spots, soccer and football fields
- YQR arrival and departure information
- An interactive construction map that provides information about the project, including benefits, cost, photographs and video
Currently there are 4093 iPhone, 901 Android, and 581 Blackberry phones using the CityApp.
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Co-operative education is a good talent recruitment strategy for employers
The University of Regina's (U of R) Career Centre is facilitating co-operative student employment with its Co-operative Education and Internship Programs. More than 300 students will be pursuing paid, full-time positions, available for hire in May. The U of R recognizes these programs as a plan of higher education that incorporates productive work experience as a regular and integral part of a student's learning process. It provides valuable opportunities for students to enhance their professional skills by integrating academic study into practical work experience.
Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan (CIC) has experienced the benefits from recruiting students from the program. "U of R Co-op program Arts students are enthusiastic young people, possessing combinations of aptitude and life experiences that make them ideal temporary employees," said James Hoffman, CIC's Executive Director, Policy Analysis and Development Arts. "Students generally have wide ranging knowledge gained from diverse university course offerings and keen abilities to conduct research using a variety of sources. A key strength that Arts students tend to bring to the workplace is the ability to write effectively. Not to be overlooked in importance, good writing skills can be a real attribute on the job, often distinguishing Arts students from others."
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"U of R Co-op students are enthusiastic young people, possessing combinations of aptitude and life experiences that make them ideal temporary employees," said James Hoffman, CIC's Executive Director, Policy Analysis and Development Arts.
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Students from the faculties of Arts, Science, Business Administration, and Engineering and Applied Science are expected to join the program in January.
If you are an employer recruiting temporary or term employees visit http://www.uregina.ca/coop or contact:
University of Regina Career Centre:
T: (306) 585-4600 | E: coopoff@uregina.ca
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A year in review; highlights in 2011
Regina ranks as a top ten entrepreneurial Canadian city
Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) ranked Regina fourth out of ten as a top entrepreneurial city in its 2011 Communities in Boom: Canada's Top Entrepreneurial Cities report. The city also ranked first out of five in having a Big city entrepreneurial perspective, and second out of five in having Big city entrepreneurial policy.
RROC in partnership with City of Regina recruited Reginans to share the love and become I Love Regina RROC Stars
RROC and the City began recruiting volunteers to share the love! This civic pride initiative engages volunteers to network with diverse community members and visitors from around the world while enhancing civic pride and the I Love Regina spirit. I Love Regina RROC Stars share the love and provide hospitality services at some of the best events and festivals that Regina hosts. Become a RROC Star today!
RROC showcased and promoted the Regina region's tourism industry
RROC actively promoted the Regina region's tourism sector by participating in the Resident Awareness Campaign (RAC) and Tourism Awareness Week (TAW). These interactive, multimedia campaigns provided unique opportunities to generate awareness to Saskatchewan residents about the diverse and unique tourism industry that exist in in our province. Each of the annual campaigns encouraged locals to explore their province and recognize the economic importance of the tourism sector. RROC participated in TAW with a challenge to find a series of secret locations, which were revealed using social media and included the Regina Farmers' Market, F.W. Hill Mall, and Victoria Park. Upon finding RROC staff at each location, contestants were given a unique code that could be used to enter prize draws.
RROC expanded its visitor services with more locations
RROC introduced innovative changes to its visitor services, expanding the accessibility of tourist information to engage more visitors and local residents than ever before. Info on the Go, a seasonal mobile kiosk, was launched in partnership with Regina Downtown BID, as well as a Visitor Information Kiosk, located in the arrivals hall at YQR. RROC also redirected its Visitor information Centre from the Number One Highway East to its downtown location on 1925 Rose Street, which is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors and residents can also access a dynamic range of visitor information on reginaroc.com.
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RROC's Visitor Information Kiosk, located in the arrivals hall at YQR is pictured above.
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Regina selected as host city for major and international special events
RROC will have the ability to showcase Regina to national and international audiences as a result of successfully bidding on some of the best sport competitions and prestigious music awards in Canada and North America. Regina with the support of local committees and RROC, competed with several other major cities to be selected as the host city for BreakOut West 2012 (Western Canadian Music Awards), 2013 JUNO Awards, 2013 Grey Cup, 2014 North American Indigenous Games, and the 2014 Canadian Ringette Championships. These events are expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Regina region and generate millions of dollars into the regional economy. Visit the events calendar on reginaroc.com for more special event information or to submit your event.
Full Mountie: Lonely Planet in Saskatchewan
In July RROC hosted Lonely Planet's US Editor Robert Reid who produced a video of his adventures in Regina and Saskatchewan called Full Mountie: Lonely Planet in Saskatchewan. It can be viewed here. Reid's article, 'Reasons to visit an Canadian 'tiger': Regina, Saskatchewan' can be read here.
RROC's marketing and promotion received award winning acclaim
RROC was the recipient of two Saskatchewan Economic Development Association (SEDA) 2011 Economic Development Awards of Excellence. RROC received the General Purpose Marketing Award and the Internet Marketing Award. The annual SEDA Economic Development Awards of Excellence program recognizes the province's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders.
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RROC introduced Horizons magazine
RROC launched the inaugural issue of Horizons magazine and released the second issue in November. Horizons captures and highlights the Regina region's diverse tourism and economic activity and showcases successes that are unique to the region. Contact RROC to request your copy or view the digital version.
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The second issue of Horizons, pictured above, features a dynamic listing of special events, the ten best reasons to visit Regina, and the most fun winter activities for visitors to experience in Regina.
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Regina recognized as a top ten place to invest in Canada
Site Selection magazine recognized Regina as one of the best ten places in Canada to invest in its annual rankings. Regina was one of only three communities outside of Ontario and Quebec to receive this recognition. Site Selection recognized RROC with the award for Outstanding Economic Development Achievement-2010-2011 Top Canadian Economic Development Group.
 Regina was ranked as a top ten entrepreneurial city and a top ten place to invest in Canada in 2011. |
More than 600 prospective entrepreneurs served at RROC's Business InfoSource Centre
RROC's Business InfoSource Centre provided one-on-one referral and advisory services to more than 600 entrepreneurs and Saskatchewan New Immigrant Program (SINP) candidates. The Centre is designed to facilitate the business development network in the Regina region, enabling clients to develop their business plan and progress to the next stages of small business ownership and operations. Clients can access the Centre by scheduling an appointment with RROC's Business Resource Officer.
Stay & Play vacation package achieved record success
RROC in partnership with Casino Regina and the Regina Hotel Association successfully attracted a record number of room night stays in Regina with its Stay & Play vacation package. More than 4300 room nights were booked resulting in an increase in tourism spending. The package includes accommodations at any of the 18 participating Regina hotels, a "Pay $15, Play $30" gaming coupon, discounts on food and beverage, and a two for one voucher for the Casino Regina Show Lounge. Learn more about Stay & Play!
Progress2Capital to expand into provincial competition
Sprossil Industries, developer of the Smart StudŽ was awarded the grand prize in the sixth annual Progress2Capital Business Planning Competition (P2C) in 2011.
In 2012 P2C will be expanding into a provincial competition. Plans are evolving to include two contestant categories - startups and businesses looking to expand or innovate. The annual competition challenges prospective entrepreneurs to develop their new business concepts while receiving access to mentorship from business leaders and venture capitalists, and business planning work-shops.
The goal of P2C is to grow the Regina region's economy with the establishment of new or expanded businesses, by enabling entrepreneurs to develop and launch sustainable small businesses. The presenting partners for the 2011 P2C were RROC, the University of Regina Paul J. Hill School of Business Centre for Management Development, Springboard West Innovations Inc., the Saskatchewan Angel Investor Network (SAINT) and the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce.
2011 National Infrastructure Summit hosted in Regina
The City of Regina hosted the 2011 National Infrastructure Summit, inviting all three levels of the government and the private sector to collectively identify infrastructure challenges, global best practices, and new approaches
to planning, building and maintaining infrastructure, with
consultation from industry experts and leaders. The 2012 Summit will be hosted in Regina again from September 10 to 12.
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Jonathan Levine, Professor for Urban Planning, University of Michigan presented during the Citizen Engagement theme session at the 2011 National Infrastructure Summit.
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