Vaughan recognized for excellence in economic development
The City wins three prestigious International Economic Development Council Awards for 2025
The City of Vaughan’s Economic Development team works hard each day to make Vaughan a place where entrepreneurship, business, tourism and art can prosper and grow. The award-winning department has been acknowledged once again with several International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Awards!
Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council recognized the department during a special ceremonial presentation at the Thursday, Sept. 18 Committee of the Whole (2) meeting for the following projects:
- Wayfinding Pilot Project – Gold Award in Economic Equity and Inclusion
- Host In Vaughan Meetings and Events Booklet – Silver Award in Print Brochure category
- ARTonBOXES Program, 10 Year Implementation Strategy – Bronze Award in Neighbourhood Development category
The IEDC Awards is an international economic development competition that recognizes outstanding achievements by marketing and communications professionals from more than 25 countries. These awards honour organizations and individuals in their efforts to make meaningful and positive changes in their communities.
quotes
“I am thrilled that the City of Vaughan has won three prestigious awards from the International Economic Development Council. The Wayfinding Pilot Project, Host in Vaughan Meetings and Events Booklet, and the ARTonBOXES Program all contribute to a quality of life in Vaughan that is unmatched. They help support local businesses, encourage tourism and showcase our arts and culture scene. I want to extend my sincere congratulations to the City’s Economic Development team and the other City staff who collaborated on these projects. These awards reflect their ongoing dedication to enriching the lives of visitors and residents of our great city.”
- Mayor Steven Del Duca
“Congratulations to the City of Vaughan’s Economic Development team for once again winning multiple Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council. These prestigious awards highlight the important work our Economic Development team undertakes to drive our local economy forward. Thank you to the dedicated staff in this department who collaborate, innovate and go above and beyond to support our business community. I look forward to celebrating our future wins!”
- Zoran Postic, City Manager
“The City’s Economic Development team is dedicated to creating business opportunities in our city and bringing talent to Vaughan. Being internationally recognized for this important work is an honour. The International Economic Development Council is the largest international organization of its kind for economic developers and these awards are a testament to the excellence we strive for. Congratulations to everyone involved for your commitment to fostering an elite business landscape in Vaughan.”
- Raphael Costa, Director of Economic Development
QUICK FACTS
- The City’s Economic Development department received three IEDC Awards for 2025.
- The Wayfinding Pilot Project, which was created to improve independent navigation for people who are blind, partially sighted or have mobility challenges, won the Gold Award in the Economic Equity and Inclusion category. In partnership with CNIB Access Labs, the City implemented GoodMaps: Indoor Navigation, a free mobile app that provides turn-by-turn audio and visual directions in six municipal facilities.
- The Host in Vaughan Meetings and Events booklet, a comprehensive guide designed to assist event organizers in planning successful corporate events in Vaughan, won the Silver Award in the Print Brochure category.
- The ARTonBOXES Program 10-Year Implementation Strategy, which include more than 100 traffic signal box installations city-wide between 2025 and 2034, representing a signature creative placemaking initiative in Vaughan, won Bronze Award in Neighbourhood Development category.
- The IEDC Awards is an international economic development competition that recognizes outstanding achievements by marketing and communications professionals from more than 25 countries.
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