Regina Regional Opportunities Commission
2014 Annual Report Building the Foundation
2014 Regina CMA Economic Performance Regina CMA Highlights The Regina Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) had a standout year for economic performance, rating 4th over-all across Canada in Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth in 2014. This finish exceeded the expected 3.5% forecast for the year.
GDP GROWTH OVER 5% PER YEAR In 2014, Regina enjoyed an astonishing pace of growth in GDP, with an final growth of 4.4% for the year, according to the Conference Board of Canada. From 2010 through 2014 Regina’s GDP has grown an average of 5.1% per year, placing it in the top five cities for growth in Canada each year.
WORK FORCE GROWS; UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS LOW In 2014, Regina’s labour force grew by approximately 1,000 people and showed a continuing high participation rate in the work force of 72.5%. Unemployment remained stable and low at an annual rate of 3.9%.
CANADA’S MOST PRODUCTIVE CITY A Statistics Canada study named Regina ‘Canada’s most productive city’ based on GDP per capita. Statistics generated between 2001 and 2009 put Regina’s GDP per capita at $65,404 per year. Regina placed first in the nation, and well ahead of cities like Calgary and Toronto.
HOUSING IS PLENTIFUL AND AFFORDABLE Sales of residential properties in Regina remained brisk in 2014. According to the Association of Regina Realtors, it was the fifth highest number of sales in the past ten years. The average sale price rose 2.1% to $326,597, while still remaining the lowest among Canada’s major cities.
CONSTRUCTION IS A MAJOR DRIVER Building permits issued by the City of Regina reached values of $628.1 million in 2014. This is well above the five-year-average for permits and almost three times the amount of permits issued ten years ago. Two massive projects, the new Mosaic Stadium and Wastewater Treatment Plant, were issued permits in stages and will grow significantly in 2015. 1
About Regina Regional Opportunities Commission About RROC Regina Regional Opportunities Commission (RROC) is the lead economic development agency for the City of Regina and region. RROC provides leadership to the community with specific accountability for the following core functions: • Support industry growth and diversification through retention, development and attraction of industry and tourism. • Find innovative ways to promote sustainable growth and effectively addressing the challenges associated with it. • Market and promote the Regina region for business and tourism. • Ensure the Regina region offers a vibrant and diversified economy for investors, is a positive destination experience for visitors and offers a high quality of life for residents. Vision The greater Regina region prospers as a vibrant and diversified economy for investors, a strong destination experience for visitors, and a place of choice with a high standard and quality of life for residents. Mission Identify, develop and promote opportunities that advance economic prosperity for those who live, work, visit and invest in the Regina region.
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View of Regina
Board of Directors MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR & CEO This past year was a momentous one for our organization. Large transformational steps took place that will position RROC for greater success in the future. 2014 presented a strong year for growth in the region. Many sources show Regina is the best place to live, work and invest in Canada. Regina and region will continue to march on at a strong and steady pace. Independent forecasts and economic indicators suggested the Regina region will continue to be a stable economy. According to the Conference Board of Canada, growth will slow in 2015 due largely to the downturn in the oil market; but projects we will avoid a recession, due to strong performance in sectors like Agriculture and Mining. As a result, slower but continuous growth is forecast in GDP, population and employment. RROC will focus its efforts and resources on strategic sectors identified as having the highest potential for growth and where RROC can help advance the industry. These sectors we’ve identified are: fabricated metal manufacturing, machinery and equipment manufacturing, food processing, events, conventions & tradeshows, and tourism. 2015 will be a year for setting benchmarks and goals for the organization and strategic sectors. The highlights from 2014 on the following pages help lay the foundation for our future success. We would like to thank our board for their leadership, our staff for their enthusiasm and our many partners in the region for their support. We have a lot to celebrate as the future looks bright for the Regina region. Sincerely,
Murad Al-Katib Chair of the Board
John D. Lee President and CEO
2014 Board of Directors Murad Al-Katib, RROC Board Chair President and CEO Alliance Grain Traders Inc./SaskCan Pulse Trading Frank Hart, RROC Vice-Chair President and Managing Director Greystone Managed Investments Inc. Tony Coppola Chief Financial Officer Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Neil Donnelly Vice President Events and Entertainment Evraz Place Michael Fougere Mayor City of Regina Dale Griesser President Avison Young Commercial, Real Estate Rick Krieger Owner, McNally’s Tavern Partner, Broken Rack Billiards, Midnight Media Mark Lang Partner KPMG, LLP Cari Lemieux Saskatchewan Operations Manager, d3h hotels General Manager, Days Inn East Regina Marla Preston Hospitality Consultant Vianne Timmons President and Vice-Chancellor University of Regina
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2014 Top Highlights Organization Creating a cohesive and thorough plan for the 2015 direction of RROC was essential to help build a foundation which would ensure future growth for the organization. Focusing on ‘smart growth,’ the 2015 Business Plan was unanimously approved by the RROC Board. The plan included: • a concentrated 2-year plan to transition RROC to its intended future state; • RROC’s short term focus on strategic areas of intent for the organization; • a vision for the Regina region 2020 and beyond; • RROC’s business model; • RROC’s value proposition to stakeholders; and • alignment with the City of Regina’s Official Community Plan. A part of supporting the success of our 2015 Business Plan, RROC completed an internal effectiveness review which resulted in a new organizational framework to be implemented in 2015. As well, the organization took significant steps towards creating a new internal culture of excellence that fosters engagement, commitment to our purpose and a healthy, fun workplace for employees.
Regional growth is essential to the long-term success of Regina and the surrounding area. By working together with RROC, we can create a regional plan that will encourage private investment, support business development, and enhance growth. As one of the fastest growing regions in the country, good decisions now will make for sustainable communities of the future. - Mayor Michael Fougere City of Regina
In an effort to continue the work of laying a strong foundation for RROC to continue to grow, we conducted significant research and analysis with specific outreach to community, business leaders, municipal & provincial government and other stakeholders.
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2014 Top Highlights
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2014 Top Highlights Organization The Regina & District Chamber of Commerce membership continues to view the availability of skilled labour as key business risk and a substantial constraint to sustainable regional prosperity. In collaboration with RROC we will develop, gather and analyze key strategic and competitive intelligence that will contribute to identifying and solving emerging labour issues and opportunities for Regina region employers and work force. - John Hopkins CEO Regina & District Chamber of Commerce
Regional success doesn’t happen in a silo. Collaboration and teamwork are key to ensuring RROC re-establishes and builds a positive and open relationship with the Mayor, City Council and City Administration, as well as with the Regina Hotel Association. Developing outreach with long-standing partners was a priority. We have strived to build a number of new strategic partnerships in all areas of the community. These organizations share a common interest in building our economy. Strategic Partnerships include: • • • • • • • • • • •
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University of Regina Regina and District Chamber of Commerce Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters - Saskatchewan Innovation Saskatchewan Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority Ministry of the Economy Ministry of Agriculture Association of Regina Realtors Tourism Saskatchewan Regina Hotel Association Regina Airport Authority
2014 Top Highlights Sector Strategy A critical part of the 2015 Business Plan is a regional Sector Development Strategy to guide RROC and industry in exploiting existing and emerging opportunities. This strategy will be supported by the creation of a Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Unit within RROC to guide, advance and inform sound decision making by RROC and our stakeholders. RROC is targeting ‘smart growth’ - focusing our resources where the Regina region has strategic and competitive strengths. RROC is analyzing the supply chain gaps/opportunities of the following sectors to better align our programs and services with industry need, and to foster immediate and long term growth. The sectors we’ve identified are: • Machinery and equipment manufacturing • Food manufacturing and processing • Fabricated metal manufacturing • Tourism • Events, conventions and tradeshows
Fabricated metal manufacturing
Mayor Fougere at Regional Planning for Growth Summit
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2014 Top Highlights Enterprise The Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Alliance was created to advance the shared research interests of RROC’s stakeholders, foster collaboration amongst its partners, and provide a framework for alliance members to share their research and data. The alliance is comprised of leading strategic and competitive intelligence consumers and researchers from the public and non-profit sectors.
We value our close working relationship with RROC, in developing a sector growth strategy that showcases the GTH and highlights our strategic location in the Regina region. The challenge is to ensure the economic development opportunities associated with this key strategic asset are maximized to the benefit of Saskatchewan and its citizens. - Bryan Richards CEO Global Transportation Hub
In 2015, RROC provided advisory services to more than 200 Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) candidates, in cooperation with the Government of Saskatchewan. RROC provides support to the candidates looking to start businesses in the Regina area, how-to settle in the region, and other services as needed. To help ensure the success of all entrepreneurs and start-ups in southern Saskatchewan, RROC also offers Square One services in Regina. Square One is a division of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) that offers a variety of services including; path-finding services, industry information, registration assistance, to help the province’s entrepreneurs find success when starting their business. In partnership with the City of Regina and other communities, RROC hosted the 2014 Regina Regional Planning for Growth Summit. Approximately 230 people registered, and participants came away with a shared understanding of the need and importance of regional planning. They engaged in productive discussions based on best practices, knowledge, innovation, information sharing and interaction. The tools and discussions will assist communities in better understanding their roles and responsibilities, as well as the gaps and opportunities available to improve planning in our region. 8
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2014 Top Highlights Marketing the Regina Region We had a successful year marketing the Regina region. We developed strategic partnerships to enhance our Tourism goals and align strategies with industry partners. 2014 saw the creation of the Tourism Leadership Council, a group of CEOs committed to providing strategic leadership to grow tourism in Regina. The council will focus on uniting key industry stakeholders for tourism development through collaboration, partnership and long-term strategic growth.
Strategic leadership is imperative for the growth and success of the tourism sector in Regina. The work of the Tourism Leadership Council will be instrumental to ensuring the success of cultural institutions like the Saskatchewan Science Centre, community attractions, and businesses that rely on tourism. RROC’s role in the creation and support of this council is critical to the economic success of this sector in the years ahead. - Sandra Baumgartner Executive Director Saskatchewan Science Centre
RROC also continued its work to promote the Regina region for business, entrepreneurship and investment through our site selection work and strategic partnerships. In 2014, we launched the Regina Regional Economic Profile. The profile is an investment and attraction tool designed to support the community’s efforts to grow, retain and attract new business opportunities.
Our strategic alliance with RROC is generating measurable returns on our investment and we are excited about our new and continuing initiatives. - Cari Lemieux President Regina Hotel Association Board of Directors
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2014 Top Highlights Tourism Regina Our support from the City of Regina and the Regina Hotel Association allowed us to leverage opportunities with other key stakeholders to develop integrated marketing campaigns through-out the year. • Contesting & targeted marketing was utilized to increase our social media engagement and our platforms by more than 70%. New Visitors • Our summer marketing campaign saw increases of: 72% in new visitors to our website; a 106% in web traffic from Saskatoon; and 257% in web traffic from Calgary.
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Views
• Created and released an updated Regina video in early summer. To date it has received approximately 8000 views.
Media • Earned media for 2014 exceeded $154,000.00 through attendance at 3 industry tradeshows and hosting of more than Writers 15 pre-qualified media writers and travel trade operators.
Summer in the City Plaza
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2014 Top Highlights Event, Convention & Tradeshow Attraction (ECT) In 2014, RROC had one of its most successful years attracting major events to Regina and region. We won 10 major event bids, with an estimated economic impact of $10.9 million awarded to Regina. RROC worked closely with the Regina Hotel Association to establish and lead Events Regina and the Alliance for Events, Conventions and Tradeshows.
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Bids Won • 9,961 Room Nights in 2014 • $10,868,212 Estimated Economic Impact
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Bids Awaiting Decision
• 15,000 Room Nights • $33,619,277 Estimated Economic Impact
• Events & Conferences supported in partnership with local organizing committees and/or Conventions Regina Events & Conferences Supported • 15,050 Room Nights • $18,845,537 Estimated Economic Impact
Awarded the right to host the 2016 Keystone Cup picture: Hockey game at Co-operators Center at Evraz Place
2014 Top Highlights Event, Convention & Tradeshow Attraction (ECT) The Alliance for Events, Conventions and Tradeshows is a collaboration between community leaders who share a business interest to strategically strengthen Regina as an event and convention destination. The Alliance is focused on advancing major, city-wide and regional event opportunities. The Alliance provides support to both Events Regina and Conventions Regina, focusing its expertise to improve experiential tourism and investment attraction. This includes high-impact, high-revenue events that attract spectators, participants and media to the Regina region and produce a lasting community legacy.
With the direction, guidance and assistance of Events Regina, we were able to think big and had the confidence needed to create a successful bid for the 2016 Keystone Cup. Members of the approval committee said it was the most comprehensive and professional bid they had ever seen put together. Thank you Events Regina! - Jeff MacPherson General Manager Extreme Hockey Regina Capitals Jr B Hockey Club
Events Regina is a collaborative venture of several founding partners. Our partners include Regina Hotel Association, Evraz Place, City of Regina, Tourism Saskatchewan, Wascana Centre Authority and the University of Regina. Along with many other stakeholders, Events Regina champions Regina and region as a premier destination for sport, culture, entertainment and festivals with a mandate to drive economic prosperity through event tourism business.
It was our pleasure to work closely with Events Regina to bid on the 2016 World Broomball Championship and are honoured to be chosen as the host city. The bid produced was an excellent showcase of our Regina, the venue, our attractions, hotels and the qualifications of our bid committee. - Don Black President Saskatchewan Broomball Association
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Contact us: Regina Regional Opportunities Commission 1925 Rose Street Regina, SK S4P 3P1 P: 306-789-5099 TF: 1-800-661-5099 F: 306-352-1630 E: info@reginaroc.com reginaroc.com I tourismregina.com