American Public Works Association (APWA)

2006 International Public Works Congress and Exposition

The Economic Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (April 22, 1999) from the Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

To seek Council's endorsement, in principle, for Toronto as the host city for the APWA

2006 International Public Works Congress and Exposition.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement

No immediate financial implications.

Recommendations

It is recommended that:

(1)Council confirm its support, in principle, for Toronto as the host city for the APWA 2006 International Public Works Congress and Exposition;

(2)Economic Development Division staff provide support, in co-operation with Tourism Toronto and the Works and Emergency Services Department, to the local organizing committee in their efforts to secure the Congress and Exposition; and

(3)the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History

Representatives of the Ontario Chapter of the American Public Works Association have met with Economic Development Division staff concerning their efforts to attract the APWA 2006 Congress to Toronto. The Chapter has succeeded in having Toronto short-listed as a candidate for the 2006 event and will be hosting the Selection Committee during their site visit on June 24 - 25, 1999.

The local bid committee has staff representation from the City's Works and Emergency Services Department. The Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services and the Chair of Works and Emergency Services Committee have indicated their support for this bid.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification

Comprised of 30,000 members, the APWA is the leading organization of it's kind in the world. The Association's primary mandate is to provide professional development educational forums for public works professionals in North America. The annual Public Works Congress and Exposition is the largest public works forum and equipment exposition in North America. It is anticipated that the Toronto conference would draw an estimated attendance of 10,000 delegates.

The site selection process is a two-stage effort managed by a Site Selection Committee. Local chapters are invited to submit a letter of invitation responding to a set of site criteria which includes a minimum availability of 2,400 hotel rooms for the preferred dates and availability of suitable convention and exhibit space. The local organizing committee is responsible for recruiting and scheduling volunteers, local promotion, attraction of local exhibitors, providing prizes and mementos, technical tours, publicity support, and planning and implementation of an optional sporting event (golf, fun walk/run, tennis tournament, etc.).

Based on the comprehensive data submitted by each city, candidates are short-listed and then visited by representatives of the committee during the bid process. The Selection Committee will visit Toronto in June 1999 and the Board of Directors will make its final decision in September 1999. The other short-listed city is New Orleans. Previous host cities have included Las Vegas, Chicago, Washington and Philadelphia.

The APWA 2006 Exposition and Congress provides the City of Toronto with an exceptional opportunity, both to capture substantial convention spending by attending delegates, as well as to profile the products and services of local firms interested in reaching decision makers in the vast North American public works marketplace.

Economic impact estimates provided by the International Association of Convention Bureaus (IACVB) puts the direct impact of the anticipated 10,000 delegates to this conference at a value of $11.5 million to the Toronto economy.

The role of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department during the selection process will be to assist the local organizing committee to prepare presentation material, facilitate and host meetings and solicit support from efforts of Toronto Tourism.

Conclusions

This report recommends that the City endorse, in principle, the selection of Toronto as the Host City for the 2006 APWA Congress and Exposition due to the associated economic impacts and economic development opportunities.

Contact Name

Eva PyattBill Forrest

Manager, Sector & Strategic PartnershipsDirector of Support Services

Economic DevelopmentWorks and Emergency Services Department

392-3378392-8395