Awards and Distinctions

With the downturn in the economy over the last couple of years, particularly in the Oil & Gas sector now coupled with the COVID-19 Pandemic it has been hard on communities particularly in rural communities.  The Town of Vermilion had worked hard trying to keep our small community strong and dynamic enough to withstand the downturn.  In April in-an-effort to keep our businesses we first created a category in our business directory called “Online Shopping”.  Any businesses in the community that moved their product to Shopify or an online shopping platform we added and promoted to the world.  Any that did not know how to do it we helped.  We wanted to keep our community viable and promote them somehow online.  Later in April we evolved our #ExploreVermilion campaign to market our Vermilion businesses into first of its kind and a COVID-19 Response – the #VermilionOnline Festival.  From April 20 to May 31, 2020 the #VermilionOnline was a means to instill optimism within Vermilion’s business community and keep people shopping at home. The #VermilionOnline festival transformed the Town of Vermilion’s Facebook page into a hub of virtual experiences highlighting local entrepreneurs, creators & producers. The legacy includes an activated community of entrepreneurs ready to take on the future via online education & inspiration.

CAMPAIGN GOALS

• Increase optimism in Vermilion’s business community operating under restrictions caused by COVID-19 precautions.
• To give a connection point for shoppers and explorers to discover the Town of Vermilion online options. #ExploreVermilion
• Further Vermilion’s Economic development, business retention & #ExploreVermilion tourism strategy
• Keeping our businesses viable keeps our crime levels down, financial levels up and instills better overall health and wellness within the community.

November 26, 2020 was the Annual Awards Ceremony of the Economic Developers Alberta.

Our Northeast Collaboration #TakeItToTheLake Marketing Campaign – Town of Vermilion, Lac La Biche County, Athabasca County and MD of Bonnyville for a medium sized community/region received the NEW REPSOL People’s Choice Award for our marketing efforts of our region!

Congratulations to the Town of Vermilion for their 2016 Sustainability in Action Award for economic development by municipalities with a population of 2,500 to 10,000.

In 2006, Vermilion launched a Streetscapes Project to revitalize its main street and downtown business core.

The project included beautification through installation of benches and trees, as well as substantive infrastructure upgrades to sidewalks, drainage systems and roadways.

Based on the success and partnerships with businesses formed through the Streetscape Project, the town launched a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy in 2010 as part of its Municipal Sustainability Plan. This strategy utilized a cooperative approach between the Economic Development Committee, Planning and Development Committee and administration, with the overall guidance of council.

Other partners included local businesses, economic development agencies, Lakeland College, and the province.

Achievements through Vermilion’s Economic Development Strategy have included:

• Revitalization of the town’s image with a new website; YouTube channel; and strategic use of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share information and promote events and initiatives.
• Implementation of a Sign Strategy, including banners and directional signage, that complements the town’s new image and helps visitors navigate the community.
• Implementation of a Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction Strategy that has contributed to an increase in development permits from $24 million in 2013 to $45 million in 2015.
• Establishment of an Accredited Visitor Information Centre with the support of the local Chamber of Commerce and grants from the federal and provincial governments.
• Development of the Good Life Institute, which promotes events happening in the region and hosts community learning events that aim to help people live fuller, happier, and healthier lives.

Together these initiatives have transformed Vermilion, giving it a fresh vibrant look and new appeal for its residents and visitors.

The Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) presented its annual Awards of Excellence during the Minister’s Dinner & Awards Banquet. These awards honour Alberta communities and individuals for excellence in business attraction, retention, expansion and marketing.

The Marketing Alberta Awards showcase outstanding marketing initiatives that support economic development. This year, 19 awards were presented and the Town of Vermilion came away with in the small community category.

• Website (2014)
  Town of Vermilion, New Ideas For Living

The Marketing Alberta Awards showcase outstanding marketing initiatives that support economic development. This year, 19 awards were presented and the Town of Vermilion came away with in the small community category.

• Creative Innovation – Multimedia (2014)
  Town of Vermilion, Economic, Business & Tourism Video Set

The Marketing Alberta Awards showcase outstanding marketing initiatives that support economic development. This year, 19 awards were presented and the Town of Vermilion came away with in the small community category.

• Social Media Campaign (2014)
  Town of Vermilion, Winter Tourism

The Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) presented its annual Awards of Excellence during the Minister’s Dinner & Awards Banquet. These awards honour Alberta communities and individuals for excellence in business attraction, retention, expansion and marketing.

The Marketing Alberta Awards showcase outstanding marketing initiatives that support economic development. This year, 23 awards were presented and the Town of Vermilion came away with in the small community category.

• Branding-Destination Marketing (2013)
  Town of Vermilion, New Ideas for Living!

The Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) presented its annual Awards of Excellence during the Minister’s Dinner & Awards Banquet. These awards honour Alberta communities and individuals for excellence in business attraction, retention, expansion and marketing.

The Marketing Alberta Awards showcase outstanding marketing initiatives that support economic development. This year, 23 awards were presented and the Town of Vermilion came away with in the small community category.

• Creative Innovation – Promotional Item or Giveaway (2013)
  Town of Vermilion, Map and Business Guide

The Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDA) presented its annual Awards of Excellence during the Minister’s Dinner & Awards Banquet. These awards honour Alberta communities and individuals for excellence in business attraction, retention, expansion and marketing.

The Marketing Alberta Awards showcase outstanding marketing initiatives that support economic development. This year, 23 awards were presented and the Town of Vermilion came away with three awards in the small community category.

• Brochure (2013)
  Town of Vermilion, Business Development Incentive Program

Congratulations to the Town of Vermilion!

We have been recognized by Communities ChooseWell in 2012 as a dual award winner, one for “Building Capacity” in our community, and the second as “Overall High Achiever” in the north half of our province (this award also carries with it a $2000 grant). A record total of 166 communities were registered with Communities ChooseWell this year, which makes our achievements even more notable.

The ChooseWell program is a healthy eating and active living initiative supported by Alberta Health and Wellness and the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association.

The Vermilion Wellness Coalition (VWC) organizes and promotes wellness events within our community, and your participation in those events is the key to our success. The Coalition was formed in 2011 and is comprised of professionals from Alberta Health Services, Be Fit For Life, VIBE (Mental Health Capacity Building Project in schools), Alberta Parks, and the Town of Vermilion.

Look for more events like free swimming, bowling, and shinny hockey for kids and families on school PD days, outdoor movie special events, and wellness information and learning opportunities from the VWC.