Item - 2018.ED30.4

The Economic Development Committee received the report (May 25, 2018) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture for information.

From March 10 to March 19, 2018 Councillor Michael Thompson, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, led a mission to Europe accompanied on portions of the trip by Councillor Michelle Holland and two staff from the Economic Development and Culture Division (EDC). The mission visited the cities of Nice (France), Paris (France), Istanbul (Turkey) and Amsterdam (Netherlands).  

The purpose of the mission was to promote the City of Toronto through an exhibition booth at Le marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier, the international market for real estate professionals (MIPIM), the world's largest real estate development trade show, in partnership with the Province of Ontario and a number of other Ontario cities. Leveraging this overseas trip, visits were also made to explore trade opportunities in Istanbul, Turkey and learn about best practices regarding smart city initiatives being undertaken in Paris and Amsterdam's Night Mayor concept.

The mission supported City Council's objectives as stated in the adopted International Trade Funding Report designed to enhance Toronto's international engagements.

This report provides a high-level summary of the mission providing highlights of the key activities that occurred during the mission and next steps.