Another Windsor Summit Meeting

I guess it is our consolation prize since we lost out on the Pamela Anderson/Kid Rock wedding and honeymoon.

Yes, it's another Big Summit-type Meeting in Windsor sponsored by our Mayor. This time it is the Southwest Economic Assembly.

Dozens and dozens and dozens of local officials will be invited. How many will really attend? [Don't worry, the number of attendees will be inflated like last time around. Board members from Windsor's new Economic Development Commission will fill up plenty of the seats]

You would think they would have learned with the other meeting that had to be postponed because of a holiday conflict to look at the calendar and to pick a convenient date for a meeting. It does not seem to work that way in the Mayor's Office. The BIG Meeting is to take place on September 6. Isn't that 2 days AFTER the Labour Day long weekend, the time when everyone is just starting to get back into the groove after the summer holiday period. Who can afford the time to come to Windsor to meet Eddie, again.

Oh well, if the Canadian Consul-General in Detroit will provide baseball tickets as he did for the last Summit (unfortunately, it is only Seattle playing), someone might actually show up. I mean, after all, it is a typical Eddie meeting---it is a planning meeting to discuss future activities and plans not to do something. It is to "operationalize" ideas whatever that means. It is all talk, no action.

Anyway, Eddie needs the photo-op for the upcoming Municipal election.

Here is the invitation in case you are interested:

• August 8, 2006
  
  Dear Colleague,
  
  As promised during the Southwest Economic Assembly held in Stratford, May 23-24 the City of Windsor will host a planning meeting on September 6th, to discuss the future activities and plans of the Assembly and to build on the consensus established in Stratford.
  
  You are invited to participate in these discussions which will take place at the Giovanni Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue, Windsor, from 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m. on Wednesday, September 6th in the Galileo room. We are hoping to attract a range of people from across the Southwest region and from a variety of sectors. The goal of this working meeting is to begin the work of operationalizing the ideas that emerged from the Stratford meeting as well as to commence the preparatory work for next year’s Assembly.
  
  We encourage you to join us with you top 3 ideas for making this One Region… Join us with your common objectives…Join us with your top 3 industry needs…Join us with your thoughts and ideas of how we can work together…Join us with your top 3 development needs…Join us with your vision of what we could accomplish if we put our One-Region first.
  
  The agenda will focus on the four sectors of the economy which were identified in Stratford: trade and manufacturing, agriculture and agrifood, tourism and culture, and the knowledge economy. You will have an opportunity to participate both in group discussions in one of the sectors of your choosing, and to report back to the plenary.
  
  We would be grateful if you could advise Mr. Tony Houad of the City of Windsor if you plan to attend the meeting. We would also be interested in learning of your recommendations for other people who should participate. Please contact Tony at thousad@city.windsor.on.ca , tel 519 255-6100 ext 6219.
  
  In the event you are unable to attend the meeting, we are looking at options to involve interested individuals to participate by telephone conference link up. Please advise Tony Houad if you are interested in this option and we will provide you with appropriate instructions.
  
  In closing bring your top 3 needs, your top 3 ideas, and your vision of how we can work together to make our Region better, stronger, more productive, create more jobs and be more vibrant.
  
  Join us in Windsor on September 6th and make a difference
  
  Yours sincerely
  
  Mayor Eddie Francis
  
  City of Windsor
  
  
  Southwest Economic Assembly Planning Session
  
  Windsor, Giovanni Caboto Club, Galileo Room
  
  September 6m 2006
  
  10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
  
  
  Draft Agenda
  
  1) Welcome
  2) Opening Keynote Address
  3) Planning Process for the 2007 Assembly
  4) Criteria and process for identifying funding needs
  5) Breakout sessions
  a) Tourism and Culture
  
  b) Agriculture and Agrifood
  
  c) Trade & Manufacturing
  
  d) Knowledge Economy
  
  6) Report back to plenary and brainstorming
  
  7) Wrap-up