Unique web initiative serves as launch pad for Markham’s global growth

Markham, Ontario – In a world where email, YouTube, Facebook, texting and “tweeting” are giving people a more powerful voice than ever before, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti is showing he gets it, and knows how to use technology to connect with and grow his community. Through digital innovation he is bringing his constituents together as they work to create global opportunities to help Markham thrive in the midst of difficult economic times.

“Today’s generation is e-savvy and we know our consultation process with the community needs to take a leadership role with the latest technologies to attract global businesses and engage residents,” says Mayor Scarpitti, who leads one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities. With 900 of the country’s high-tech and life sciences companies and 400 corporate head offices calling Markham home – it’s no surprise that Markham is known as Canada’s high tech capital and is ahead of other Canadian municipalities.

“There are no borders in a digital world,” says Mayor Scarpitti. “In Markham, we’ve laid the groundwork to be global leaders in innovation and we fully intend to increase economic prosperity in our community by developing strong international ties.” Leveraging its award-winning online public consultation program, Click with Markham, the municipality is set to engage residents on details of its long term plan - Build Markham’s Future Together.

More than 5,000 Markham residents participated in the online experience to help set the stage for the broad strategic plan. As part of this process, Markham’s competitiveness strategy for the next decade – an integral part of Building Markham’s Future Together – is set to be unveiled in a venue featuring North America’s leading economic geographer and Toronto Dominion Bank’s Senior Vice President and Chief Economist.

WHAT: Markham 2020: Unveiling of the Town of Markham’s Competitiveness Strategy for the Next Decade
WHEN: Friday, October 31, 2008
WHERE: Le Parc Conference Centre, 8432 Leslie Street, Markham (southwest corner of Leslie Street and Highway 7)
TIME: 7:00 a.m. registration and breakfast 7:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. program and lunch
FEATURING: Dr. Richard Florida, North America’s leading economic geographer (8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.) and Don Drummond, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, TD Bank Financial Group (10:55 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.)